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33  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

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CIHM/ICMH 

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7 

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24X 


28X 


32X 


lire 

details 
ues  du 
:  modifier 
ger  une 

fiimage 


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Un  des  symboles  sulvants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernldre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
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ire 


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method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
filmte  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lcrsque  !e  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
rep»' Jduit  en  un  seul  clichi,  11  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rleur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nicessaire.  Les  diagrammes  sulvants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


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Bbnjami 
William 

KOBEET 

Thomas 
Jesse  an 
Lbvi  Wo 
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Samuel 
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Michael 
James  Gi 
James  A. 
R.  H.  Mo 


Oorernmenfs,  like 
tnejr  »re  ruined  too. 
Oovcrnmeut  fanuot  I 


C0( 


v/ 


THE 


LIFE  AND  TIMES 


J!.:'i 


m 


Of 


'^ 


MAETIN  YAN  BUREN: 


THE 


€orrc0i30n5ence  of  i}xs  Ixxtnis,  Jmnilu  mi  |)upil0; 


TOGETHER  WITH 


BRIEF  NOTICES,  SKETCHES,  AND  ANECDOTES, 


ILLUSTRATIVE  OF  THE  FOBLIO  OABEER  OF. 


Jameo  Knox  PotK, 
Benjamin  F.  BtrrLRR, 
William  L.  Marcf, 
KoseaT  J.  Walkbr, 
Thomas  iliTOHiE, 
Jessk  and  Lurbnzo  Hoyt, 
Lbvi  Woodbury, 
John  C.  Calhoun, 
Andrew  Jackson, 
Gborge  Uancropt, 
Aaron  Burr, 
Samuel  Younq, 
RooBR  B.  Taney, 
Michael  Hoffman, 
Jambs  Gordon  Bennbtt, 
James  A.  Hamilton, 
R.  H,  Morris, 


M.  M.  Noah, 
Jacob  Barker, 
Aaron  Ward, 
C.  L.  and  E.  Livinoston, 
M.  and  H.  Ulshoeffer, 
Solomon  Southwick, 
Gboroe  McDuffib, 
Louis  MoLanb, 
William  H.  Crawford, 
Amos  Kendall, 
Georoe  p.  Barker, 
Gborob  Mifflin  Dallas, 
C.  C.  Cambrblbno, 
Cornelius  W.  Lawbence, 
Samuel  Swariwout, 
Silas  Wbioht, 
Walter  Bowne, 


Edwin  Croswbll, 
Andrew  Stevenson, 
Prosper  M.  Wbtstorb, 
Enos  T.  Throop, 
Reuben  H.  Walworth, 
Lewis  Cass, 

John  H.  Eaton,  '.    ' 

Ae:ariah  C.  Flaoo, 
Stephen  Allen, 
JuEL  B.  Sutherland, 
James  Campbell, 
Francis  P.  Blair, 
Jonathan  I.  Coddinoton, 
William  Coleman, 
Nathaniel  Pitcher,  j.*  ' 

T.  W.  Olcott,  vi 

S.  AND  L.  Bbarosley,  fee. 


BY  WILLIAM  L.  MACKENZIE. 


.;:'M" 


Gortrnments,  like  Clocks,  go  from  the  motion  Mcu  give  tlieni  j  and  u  Governmenti  are  made  aid  moved  bjr  Men,  i«  by  tbein 
Ihejr  are  ruined  too.  Wherefore  UoTernmeaU  rMhur  depend  upon  Men  than  Men  upon  Uovernments.  Let  Men  be  good  and  the 
Oovcrnment  tanuot  be  bad.     If  It  be  ill,  thejr  will  cure  it.    But  if  Men  be  bad,  thoy  will  endeavor  to  warp  and  ipoil  it  to  thdr  turn. 

Preface  to  the  CoMlitution  of  Ptnn$flvania,  6y  WiUum  Pntn, 


i.h 


BOSTON: 
,  COOKE  &  CO.,  WASHINGTON   STREET. 


'i\y 

'■4 

>,. 

■  ■  *m 

^i.J. 

■  '4 

1846. 


.^' 


"V. 


ENTEnED  .locording  to  act  of  Congress,  in  tlic  year  1846,  by 
WILLIAM  L.  MACKENZIE, 
in  tho  Cloil;"s  Offlcc  of  the  District  (.'uurt  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts, 


ALPHABETICAL  INDEX. 


BAI. 

Aboi-itionists.  Author  not  one  G5 ;  Marcy 
proposed  to  abolish  the  274 ;  Jeflerson  one  uf 
the  first  and  firmest  270;  Yoiing  on  281. 

Adams,  John  CIuincy.  Young  a  means  of 
his  election  as  president  57,  5H ;  on  Me  .ico 
t)l ;  Albany  Argus  speaks  for  70  ;  and  a^ain 
83;  97;  101;  vindicates  Jackson's  Florida 
inroad  107 ;  on  navigation  of  St.  Lawrence 
111;  Kendall  on  1 18;' for  relief  to  e.viles  131; 
bank  votes  134;  bank  enquiry  biiulkod  by| 
Polk  135;  on  the  bloodhound  14G;  Campbell  i 
agt.  193;  Croswell's  artful  planagt.  195;  didn't 
resign  198 ;  Wright  on  203 ;  Sanford  for  204 ; 
election  lost  by  20G ;  Swartwout's  unprincipled 
opp.  to  209;  V.  B.  and  214;  to  Dutee  J. 
Pearce  263 ;  [his  father  on  Canada  282,] 

Adopted  Citizens.    See  Foreigners. 

Albany  Argus.  [See  Edwin  Cro.swell.] 
Not  in  state  library,  when  for  U.  S.  bank 
76;  views,  1828,  128;  V.  B.  on  190;  on  both 
sides  195. 

Albany  Regency,  or  Bucktail  Head-quar- 
ters. 51  Feds,  join  them  29;  168;  Noah  on 
214. 

Allen,  Orlando.  Buffalo  bank  and  91. 

Allen,  Stephen.  Sub-treasurer  139:  de- 
nounces the  banks,  he  had  made  174 ;  to  Hoyi 
for  Tammany  Bank  241 ;  for  U.  S.  bank,  lb. 

Allen,  Vm.  Senate.  Non-colonial  280 ;  for 
V.  B.295. 

Alley,  Saul,  112;  on  tyranny  of  bank  mono- 
poly [a  new  discoveiy !]  174;  wants  Thomp- 
son removtd  214 ;  how  made  a  bank  director 

ai2. 

Anderson,  Elbert  J.  A  delegate  for  U.  S. 
bank  249. 

Angel,  W.  H.  [orC]  111;  126;  132;  231; 
hammers  Root  234. 

Anti-Masonrv.  [See  Southwick.]  V.  Buren 
on  204  and  229;  Throop  for  207;  Adams  for 
253. 

Anti-Renters,  14;  a  godsend  for  the  Van 
Burens,  [as  in  1812]  148;  150. 

Apology  for  this  book.    5  to  18. 

Appraisers  of  Merchandize.  Swartwouts 
e.xhibit  of  the  N.  Y.  sworn  223. 

Arbuthnot,  Capt.  executed  by  Jackson  106. 

Arnold,  R.  J.  On  gold  mine,  nullification, 
&c.,  227,  243. 

Austin,  S.  Y.  unfortunat«  as  a  bank  debt 
coU'r.  94. 

Baird,  John.  Butler  and  153, 158,  borrows 
from  158. 


BAR. 

Baker,  Caleb.  158;  Butler's  reinforcement 
by  160. 

Baltimore  Convention,  1844.  291  to  298. 

Bamber,  John  and  James.  Marcy's  con- 
duct to  67. 

Bancroll,  George.  Was  anti-slavery  295; 
on  Convention,  ib. 

Bank  of  Alabama,  Depositcs  at  Mobile  12-1. 

Bank  of  America,  N.  Y.  Origin  of  26  to 
28 ;  depositcs  in  124. 

Bank  of  England.  Its  loans  1835  to  '37— 
l37  ;  Peel  on  its  new  charter  140. 

Bank  of  Slate  of  N.  Y.  116;  a  national  pet 
124 ;  a  state  pet  139. 

Bank  Restriction  Act.  On  repealing  it  138; 
Marcy  and  Flagg  agt.  175,  176,  177. 

Bank  Stock  Tax.    Nevins  agt.  188. 

Bank  Suspensions,  1814,  1837,  1839.  Gris- 
woldonl24;  Binney  on  135;  in  '37—136-7; 
Washington  and  Warren,  and  Barker's  Ex- 
change 154  to  162. 

Bankrupt  Law.  Van  Buren's  profligacy 
caused  the  necessity  of  78 ;  bank  movements 
137 ;  Butler,  Edmonds,  «Scc.  on  267. 

Banks.  Tompkins  on  27;  Bailey  on  28; 
Pennsylvania  36 ;  a  bank  hard  pressed  39  to 
44;  N.  Y.  1828—84  to  86;  Clinton,  &c.  on  86, 
87;  affect  public  justice  86;  in  Buffalo  90, 
91 ;  Jackson  on  92 ;  Cambreleng  and  101 ; 
Young  about  128  to  130  ;  a.ssignats  preferred 
to  138 ;  Hard  on  138 ;  Peel  on  140 ;  Olcott  o;i 
pretended  157;  hints  to  empty  handed,  by 
Butler  154  to  160;  Flagg  and  Marcy  on  175  ; 
Nevins  on  188-9 ;  Cambreleng  &  Tibbetts  on 
232-3 ;  bankrupt  267. 

[See  also.  Banks,  of  America,  Auburn,  State 
of  N.  Y.,  Buffalo,  Chenango,  Chemical,  Cin- 
cinnati, Dry  Dock,  England,  Exchange,  Ful- 
ton, Girard,  Hudson,  Long  Island,  Lyons,  Me- 
chanics &.  Farmers',  Manhattan,  Merchants', 
Morris  Canal,  Metropolis,  New  Hope,  N.  A. 
Trust,  Plattsburgh,  Tonawanda,  Tradesmen's, 
Utica,  Watervliet,  Washington  and  Warren ; 
Bk.  restriction ;  Bk.  Suspensions;  Free  Bank- 
ing ;  N.  Y.  Safety  Fund  banks ;  Pet  or  depo- 
site  do. ;  Sub  Treasury,  and  Stockjobbers.] 

Barbour,  Philip  P.  In  Crawford  Caucus 
55  and  195;  101. 

Barker,  George  P.  City  Bank,  Buffalo  and 
90,91;  132. 

Barker,  G.  R,  cashier.    Letter  to  Butler  161. 

Barker,  Jacob.  Sets  up  Butler  as  a '  wild 
cat  bank' president  at  Sandy  Hill,  38;  entraps  the 


public  39,  40 ; 
ii'i-n  concern 
•U;  ButTak)  Br 
m't  of  his  W. 
W.  it  W.  B. 
hire  him  agair 
letters  192,  220 
Beach  Mosi 
Sim  280 ;  exlr; 
policy  305  to  3 

Beardslcv, 
Bank  90;  ill 
BeardsK'V,  S; 
Polish  exiles  ]! 
2.j3;  tofloyt— 
Beekman,  D 
Beers,  .losepl 
Bennett,  Jan 
on  Calhoun  V, 
141 ;  184  ;  lettc 
235--6;  on  Vsir 
gun  236-7;  bo 
gets  a  cooler  24 
Benton,  Natl 
Benton,  Thoi 
s(m  98 ;  and  fo: 
Berrien,  Jolu 
]5ettingoiiEl 
against  205 ; 
Rilcliie's  210; 
Webb's  ih. ;  Ln| 

Belts,  Judge 
to  punisii  lioy 
141 ;  laws  scare 
Biddle,  Niclu 
petition  to  79 ; 

Binney,  Hori 
133:  speech  on 
141. 

Birchai'd,  Ma 
merclianiH  at  H 
Blair,  F.  P. 
88 ;  on  Congref 
139,  110;  his  s 
mens  144 ;  noli 
lie  expcnditnre 
state  215;  iii!2,( 
the  printing  245 
Bleccker,  H 
oflice  li'om  V. 
Blennerhass£ 
ate  62 ;  his  son 
Bloodhounds 
and  poor  negrc 
Bockee,  Jud 
toms.]    Votes 
sure  131. 

Bogardus,  C 
265. 

Bouck,  Jose] 

Boughton,  I 

S1250  for  spea 

Bowman,  J( 

pulsion  of  Clii 

Rochester  ban 

immortal  17,  J 

Bowne,  W 


^r^'^-^Sif'-^..       '■ 


BOW. 


INDEX. 


BUT. 


Hi 


letts. 


EX. 


itler's  reinforcemeni 

18U.  291  to  298. 
tnes.     Marcy's  con- 
as  anti-slaveiy  293 ; 

lositcs  at  Mobile  12-1. 
Y.     Origin  of  26  tu 

loans  1835  to  '.37 — 
-ter  140. 
.11(5;  a  national  pet 

On  repealing  it  138: 

),  17C,  177. 

ins  agt.  188. 

i,  1837,  1839.    Gris- 

135;  in  '37—136-7; 

1,  and  Barker's  Ex- 

Buren's  profligacy 
bank  movements 

on  267. 
27;  Bailey  on  28; 

hard  pressed  39  to 

Clinton,  &c.  on  86, 
86;  in  Buffalo  90, 
tnbreleng  and    101 ; 

assignats  preferred 
1  on  140 ;  Olcott  oji 

empty  handed,  by 
and  Marcy  on  175 ; 
2leng  &  Tibbetts  on 

erica.  Auburn,  State 
igo.  Chemical,  Cin- 
id.  Exchange,  Ful- 
,  Island,  Lyons,  Me- 
ihattan.  Merchants', 
,  New  Hope,  N.  A. 
anda,  Tradesmen's, 
igton  and  "Warren ; 
nsions;  Free  Bank- 
inks;  Pet  or  depo- 
d  Stockjobbers.] 
Crawlbrd  Caucus 

Bank,  Buffalo  and 

:.etter  to  Butler  161. 
Butler  as  a  '  wild 
Hill,  38;  entraps  the 


public  .39,  40;  piifls  his  Washington  and  War- 
!ren  conct'rn  42,  43;  wanb;  a  national  bank 
44;  Biifl'ak)  Bank  and  134;  Butler's  manage- 
'iivt  of  liis  W.  and  W.  bn.iik  152  to  162;  on  the 
W.  &.  W.  B.  139;  pays  utl'  Buller  16.3,  would 
hire  him  again  163 ;  to  be  tried  lor  fraud  169; 
lellers  192,  220, 

Beach  Moses  Y.  Polk's  herald,  through 
Sim  280;  extraordinarv  change  of  his  Texas 
policy  305  to  307. 

Bcardslev,  Levi.  Vote  on  Bulliilo  City 
Bank  90;  ill;  1-29. 

BenrdsUn',  Saiiuiol,  On  bank  deposites,  and 
Polish  exiles  131 ;  Bank  votes  134;  nickname 
2.'j3;  to  flovt — nolice  t)C254. 

Beekman",  Dr.  .lohn  P.  15-1;  on  V.  B.  293. 

Beers,  Joseph  D.  137;  a  proper  deputy  261. 

Bennett,  James  Gordon.  On  Kendall  122; 
on  Calhoun  139;  on  state  prison  for  defaulters 
141 ;  184  ;  letters  221,  222 ;  Marcy,  Webb  and 
233-6;  on  V;m  Buivn,  U.  S.  Bank  and  big 


xm\  236-7; 


borrouiiig — hot 


for  V.  Buren — 


gets  a  cooler  2'13. 

Benton,  Nath'l  S.    On  banks,  Ice.  93. 

Benton,  Thoinas  Hart.  Votes  for  Steven- 
s(m  98;  and  lor  V.  B.  112. 

Berrien,  John  JNJ.  of  Ga.    Jackson  and  109. 

]5etting  on  Elections.  V.  Buron  for,  Wright 
against  203 ;  Gouveineur's  213  ;  Hill's  239 ; 
Ritchie's  240;  lloyt  and  J.  V.  Buren's255; 
Webb's  ib. ;  Lawrence's  262. 

Belts.  Judge  Sam.  11.  Could  not  find  a  law 
to  punisii  Hoyt.  [He  only  stole  $220,000!] 
141  ;  laws  scarce  nowadays,  ib. ;  nolice  of  190. 

Biddle,  Nicholas.  Van  Buren  and  Marcy's 
petition  lo  79;  who  he  was  115. 

Biniiey,  Horace.  Report  on  treasury  banks 
133:  speech  on  Polk's  pets  135;  on  currency 
141. 

Bircliard,  Matthew,  Solr.  Treas.  Fiat  against 
merchants  at  Hoyt's  request  271 ;  152. 

Blair,  F.  P.  On  foreigners  71 ;  for  banks 
88 ;  on  Congress  97 ;  against  Sub-treasury  134, 
139,  140;  his  st}'le  approved  by  V.  B. — speci- 
mens 144;  notice  of  145;  Fisk  on,  ib. ;  on  pub- 
lic expenditure  146  to  149;  a  hired  machine  of 
state  215;  $52,022  paid  for  his  press  233 ;  lost 
the  printing  242;  on  Polk  292;  for  anybody  295. 

Bleecker,  Harmanus.  Anti-war  fed.— gets 
oflice  from  V.  B.  U. 

BIcnnerhassett,  Harman.  Burr's  confeder- 
ate 62 ;  his  son  259. 

Bloodhounds.  Imported  to  track  Indians 
and  poor  negroes  in  Florida  146. 

Bockee,  Judge  Abraham,  [Ex — N,  Y.  Cus- 
toms.] Votes  to  let  the  pets  keep  U,  S.  trea- 
sure 13  i. 

Bogardus,  Cornelius  S.  10;  13,  14;  223; 
265. 

Bouck,  Joseph.    Vote  on  deposits  to  pets  131. 

Boughton,  Dr.  Smith  A.  J.  V.  Buren  gets 
S1250  for  speaking  at  his  two  trials  148. 

Bowman,  John,  of  Monroe  Co.    Moves  ex- 
pulsion of  Clinton  from  Canal  Board  53  ;  gets 
Rochester  bank'  (party)  charter,  ib, ;  one  of  the 
immortal  17,  57. 
Bowne,  Walter.     Votetl  to  expel  Clinton 


from  Canal  Board  53 ;  against  choice  of  Elec- 
tors by  the  citi/cns  57;  194;  piui.^es  V.  B.  for 
his  uprightness  102;  112;  with  liuik'r  169; 
185;  V.  B.  on  216;  218;  aided  in  .st-nrting 
Blair  233. 

Bovd,  G.  D.,  Columbus.  Embezzles S51.000 
133. 

Brady,  Judge  T.  S,    On  tlie  Baniber  case  67. 

Branch,  John.  An  M.  C.  takes  office  101 ; 
his  conduct  and  opinion  of  V.  Buren  109. 

Brce.se,  Sidney,  U.  S.  Senate.  Law  to  pun- 
i,sh  embezzlement  no  law  at  all  141. 

Bribery  and  Corruption.  Clinton  on  30; 
87 ;  Congressmen  selected  for  ollices  96  to  100 ; 
124. 

Brinlccrhoff,  Jacob.  On  Canada  283;  for 
Van  Buren  295. 

Britain.  Great,  gloriotis,  salutary  and 
peaceful  reforms  in  4(5.  47. 

Brokers,  Wall  St.  Butler  abuses  them  1-! ; 
is  sharper  than  1(50. 

Brownson,  Alvin  [federal,  merchf.  O.swego]. 
Votes  to  drive  Clinton  from  the  canals  53; 
with  the  immortal  17,  57;  a  Butler  -'emocrat 
169. 

Bronson,  Greene  C.    207. 

Brown,  William  [Brown,  Shipley  &  Co.] 
Bank  loan  to  137. 

Brownson,  O.  A.  On  trading  politicians 
35;  letter  to  Mackenzie  143, 

Buchanan,  James.  98;  lOO;  123;  colonial 
policy  odianged  280. 

Buckner,  Wm.  G.  Hoyt,  and  the  banks 
and  179. 

Bucktaijs.  How  named  50;  Crawford  cau- 
cus 57 ;  Butler  joins  163 ;  no  office  if  not  one 
186;  flag  198;  211. 

Buel,  Judge  Jes.se.  Sells  Argus  to  V.  Bu- 
ren, &:e.  190. 

Buffalo,  Bank  of,  1816.  Di.shone,st  charter 
grantetl  by  Van  Buren,  &c,,  to  31  to  33;  But- 
ler on  154;  Hoyt  for  cashier  155. 

Butfalo,  Bank  of,    91. 

Buffalo,  City  Bank  of.  Some  facts  about 
90,  91. 

Buffalo  Commercial  Advertiser.  On  Mar- 
cy, &c.  125. 

Butfalo,  Commercial  Bank  of.    94. 

Bunner,  Rudolph.    200;  212. 

Buonaparte  Napoleon.  On  national  hospi- 
tality 67. 

Burke,  Edmund.  On  popular  movements, 
1 ;  on  currencj'  and  usury  149. 

Burr,  A.vkon.  21 ;  the  first  to  nominate 
Jackson  58;  259;  his  plans  against  Mexico 
and  this  Union  60  to  63 ;  notice  of  62. 

Burrows,  Latham  A.  Skinner  tries  to  in- 
fluence 197. 

Burrows,  Silas  E.  Swartwout  praises  223; 
notice  of  223 ;  loan  to  Webb  and  Noah  235. 

Butler,  Bknjamin  F.  5 ;  Qlcntworth  affair 
by  11 ;  16;  Polk  continues  $20,000  a  year  to, 
Ritchie  defends  him — Butler's  early  life — ^piety 
of  father  and  son — Washington  tc  Warren 
bank  charter  passed  37,  38 ;  Butler  as  its  pres- 
ident 39  to  44;  his  hy])ocri.sy  ib, ;  Wright  en- 
Idorscs  him  41 ;  on  Polk,  ib.";  the  Brokers  and 


•I 

;•   "I 


1 


.j^' 


X 


IV 


CAN. 


tNDRX. 


CLI. 


43  ;  he  prays  to  Biddle  for  a  branch  of  the  U.|282  to  289;  opinions  on,  ib. ;  causes  for  revolt 
S.  banic  7!) ;  a  strong  U.  S.  bank  man  &i  to  80 ;  1 285  to  288 ;  Marcy  on  293,  295. 
wishes  stockholilt.Ts  not  to  be  liable  8G;  128  ;i     Cantine,  Moses  I.    On  banks  31  to  38 ;  129; 
borrows  U.  S.  revenue  from  pets  135;  tariff  |  dies  190;  state  hank  director  307.  " 

Carfjill,  Abraham.    Vote  on  M.  and  F.  bank 


manageiuciit  I3i).  [Letters.]"  Pender  and 
principle  152;  '.stp tod  preaching'  152;  ClintonlSfi;  20G;  208 
152;  banking  15L';  law,  banking,  chancery,  Carter,  Nath'l  H. 
Van  Buren  154 ;  Hoyt  and  Bank  of  Bullalo 
155;  banking  immoral  150;  avarice  rebuked 
157;  cunning  and  champagne — the  Palroon 
158;  gulls  the  people  159;  bullies  bankers  and 
brokers — crows  IbO;  postscript  to  piety — fair 
and  proper  calls  161 ;  exhorts  Jesse  102 ;  Julius 
Coesar,  a  bueklail  103;  V.  Buren  partnership 
— Sandy  Hill,  adieu!  10'l-5;  American  Ers- 
kine,  organized  corps,  envy  100-7 ;  piety, 
cheating  in  politics — Young's  nomination 
1G8-9 ;  dear  Hoyt,  John  Duer  170-1 ;  on  Jack- 
son and  banking  172;  abuse  of  Clinton  by 
152 ;  101 ;  104 ;  167 ;  for  a  U.  S.  Bank— not 
now!  171;  Flagg  on  election  of  173;  Dist. 
Att'y  Alb.  190  ;  wrote  PJowne'.s  report  against 
popular  elections  194 ;  on  Hoyt's  sureties,  ib. ; 
a  candidate  206;  221-2;  cant  and  hypocrisy, 
unequalled  254 ;  on  laws  for  debtor  and  credi- 
tor 207 ;  at  Baltimore  293 ;  moves  Texas !  re- 
solve 294 ;  on  hard  cider  295. 

Butler,  Benjamin  F.  Lettrrs,  number  1  to 
number  67 — 63  letters,  in  all;  pages  151  to 
172. 

Butler,  Charles.     154. 

Butler,  Mrs.  Harriet.  On  Mrs.  Olcott  150; 
esteems  Jesse  Hoyt  108;  on  Croswell,  Noah, 
Sutherland,  Tallmadge  170 ;  makes  Edmonds 
a  Belisarius — Hoyt,  Butler,  &c.  I7l. 

Butler,  Medad,  father  of  B.F.  His  piety, 
dtc.  37. 

Butchers  and  Drovers'  Bank,  N.  Y.  Lost 
in  1828—93. 

Calhoun,  John  C.  47;  his  course  on  Texas 
and  Slavery  64  to  66 ;  vote  against  Stevenson 
98 ;  105 ;  on  Seminole  war  and  Jackson  106 ; 
casting  vote  against  V.  B.  112 ;  votes  for  V.  B. 
as  president  112,  283 ;  on  removal  of  deposits 
121 ;  for  one  bank  or  a  specie  currency  140 ; 
afraid  of  losing  the  tariff"  143 ;  Blair  and  144 ; 
Selden  on  174 ;  189 ;  Godwin  on  251 ;  on  bank 


rupt  laws  267 ;   on  slavery  275 ;   on  laborers 
381 ;  on  Canada  284 ;  on  lands  308. 

Oambreleng,  C.  C.  In  the  Crawford  Cau- 
cus 55 ;  100 ;  notice  of  101 ;  visits  Crawford 
108;  votes  aii'  to  Poles  I3l ;  votes  on  deposits 
134;  enacises  for  V.  B.  181;  on  Clay,  &e. 
200;  for  Coddington  207 ;  wants  a  place  213; 
picks  partisans  for  customs  219 ;  letters  224 ; 
226;  on  railroad  and  turnpike  228;  against 
McLane's  Treas.  report — on  Webb  230;  on 
bank  and  workies  231 ;  for  Tibbets's  plan  232 ; 
for  a  national  bank  233 ;  on  Pewter  Mug  and 
private  letters  234 ;  an  M.  C.  getting  P.  Ms. 
and  b'k  directors  appointed  242 ;  note  by  263. 
,    Canbreleng,  Stephen.    Stilwell  for  226. 

C;.mpbell,  James.  112 ;  letter  to  Hoyt — dis- 
like j  the  mcrchts.  191 — politics  and  elections 
193;  on  Clinton's  death— SanforJ  203 ;  219. 

Canada.  A  refuge  for  the  slave  65 ;  trade 
112;  Brownson  on  14-4;  268;  insm-rections  in 


Editor — V.  B.  stops  his 
paper  for  economy  187. 

Cary,  Trumbull.    Safety  Fund  report  by  89. 

Cabs,  Lkwis.  Memoir  of  102  to  105;  on  a 
bank  104;  on  Indians,  slaves,  and  Texas  105; 
before  JBahimore  convention  292,  293 ;  on  the 
Indians  296. 

Caucus.  V.  Buren  j-cs  and  no  44 ;  Crawford 
congressional  55  and  195 ;  Butler  for  168 ;  buck- 
tail  57;  .T.  V.  Buren's  appointment  by  a  148; 
V.  B.  190;  state  197. 

Cebra,  Alderman  John  Yates.    220. 

Chanceuy,  Court  op.  13 ;  [see  Wm.  T. 
M'Coun  ;]  a.skcd  to  remove  old  Buffalo  bank, 
a  Nuisance  33;  Kent  refuses  Butler's  injunc- 
tions 42;  use  of  in  safety  fundb'ks  94;  Butler 
and  151;  tried  for  a  base  purpose  by  Butler 
160 ;  Butler  and  Van  Buren's  practice  in  164- 
5;  fees  long  in  coming  167;  its  bushel  basket 
170 ;  court  of  errors  worse  193 ;  notice  of  303-4. 

Chauncev,  Commodore  Isaac.  Recommends 
Wasson  220. 

Channing,  Dr.  W.  11.  To  Clay  on  Texas 
63;  on  laborers  281. 

Chemical  Bank,  N.  Y.    33;  87. 

Chenango,  Bank  of.  Its  charter  how  passed 
34 ;  V.  Buren  dodging,  &c.  129. 

Church  and  State  Unions.    09,  70. 

Cincinnati.  Commercial  Bank  of,  deposits 
in  124. 

Clay,  Henry.  Van  Buren  for  83 ;  on  Ste- 
venson 97,  98;  on  St.  Lawrence  navigation 
112;  vote  on  V.  B's  embassy  112;  treatment 
of  by  Kendall  117  to  120;  "ot  interested  in 
U.  S.  B.  119;  on  Duane  122,  Young  for  128; 
on  state  banks  138;  Campt)ell  on  232;  Van 
Buren  on  197-8;  202;  Noah's  slanders  214; 
Cambrelengon  232;  commissioners  sent  to  Pa- 
nama by  Adams  and  279 ;  on  the  Colonies  285 ; 
R  itchie  on  292. 

Clayton,  Augustine  Smith.  On  U.  S.  Bank 
233 ;  on  private  letters  234. 

Clayton,  John  M.  Vote  againrt  bicvenson 
98;  rejects  V.B.  112. 

Clark,  Aaron.    165,  167,  196. 

Clark,  Lot.  In  Crawford  caucus  55  and 
195. 

Clinton,  De  Witt.  21 ;  Clinton  nominated 
for  President,  1812,  44 ;  opposed  by  Bucktails 
and  Feds  29 ;  exposes  official  corruption  30 ; 
recommends  the  Convention  of  1821,  ib.;  and 
Bank  inquiry  35 ;  Van  Buren  his  political 
aide-de-camp  -44 ;  Spencer  on  his  and  Van  Bu- 
ren's conduct,  1812,  48,  49 ;  Duane  on  49 ;  54 ; 
the  Canals  and  50 ;  V.  Buren's  duplicity  to,  ib. ; 
he  is  expelled  the  office  of  Canal  Commission- 
er— American  gratitude  to  51,  52;  his  perse- 
cutors 53;  Van  Buren  lauds  him  5;;^wiien 
dead  54;  but  hated  him,  ib. ;  Col.  Stone  on 
V.  B.  ib. ;  Jackson  and  Ritchie  on  55;  enmi- 
ty to  56;  Davis  on  81;  on  banking  86;  108; 


J 


J 


\ 


CRA. 


INDEX. 


Die. 


es  for  revolt 


tv  on  Texas 


U.  S.  Bank 
:  bievenson 


us  55  and 


.M 


127:  Butler's  abuse  of  152;  Irtl ;  164;  167; 
V.  B.  ou  184;  19(v-7;  202;  Wright  and  Camp- 
hell  on  203-4 ;  20()-7;  on  common  law  302. 

Clinton,  George.  Gives  casting  vote  against 
U.  S.  Bank  77. 

Clinton  Co.  Bank.     [See  Plattsburgh  b'k.s.] 

Coddington,  Jonathan  I.  10;  12,  13;  V.  B. 
to  206 ;  Cambreleng  comforts  207 ;  letters  208, 
20!) ;  office-hunting,  ib. ;  213  ib. ;  ready  to  mu- 
tiny 214;  Bennett's  friend  221;  230;  238; 
willbeP.  M.  242;  292. 

Coe,  William  S.  219;  Swartv/out  on  his 
appraising  goods  223;  a  fire  commissioner 
258;  lbrfeiturea271. 

Collectorship  of  Customs,  N.  Y.    10. 

Coleman,  William.  Remarks  on  57 ; 
abuses  the  United  Irish  68 ;  on  Jackson  and 
the  Seminoles  106;  peace  269. 

Colonial  Trade  with  U.  S.    111,112. 

Colles,  Christopher.  Planned  the  Western 
Canal  50. 

Commerce.    Colonial  111,  112. 

Commercial  Advertiser.  On  Hoyt  and  But- 
ler's Lives  18;  Van  Buren,  Clinton's  most  art- 
ful enemy  54 ;  on  Texas  306. 

Common  Law.  Defined  by  Morris  and  Hall 
1 1 ;  a  chapter  on  302  to  305. 

Commonwealth  Bank,  Boston.  Deposits  in 
124. 

Cooper,  Judge  Thomas.  His  strictures  on 
W.  H.  Crawford  68  to  72. 

Conckling,  Alfred.  Supports  Clinton  when 
driven  from  Canal  board  53. 

Congress.  Committees  how  named  97. 

Congress  of  Panama.  Van  Buren,  Polk, 
Adams,  Clav,  Buchanan,  M'Lane,  &c.,  on  279, 
280. 

Congress.    Speakers,  rem'ks  on  96  to  99. 

Congressmen  selected  for  Office.  A  chapter 
on  the  speaking  and  acting,  about  96  to  99 ; 
Wickliffe,  Duane,  and  Jackson  on  96;  Blair 
on  97;  Ritchie  on  97  to  100;  paid  wages  for 
non-attendance!  149. 

Convention,  N.  Y.  Constitutional.  See  N. 
Y.  Constitutional  Convention. 

Corcoran  &  Riggs.  Walker's  sub-treasurers, 
143. 

Corning,  Erastus,  90,  228 ;  293. 

Coryell,  Ingham.    10 ;  13,  14. 

Coster,  J.  G.  A  borrowing  of  deposites  de- 
mocrat 135. 

Coulter,  Richard,  of  Pa.  On  Taney's  care 
for  Taney,  135. 

Courier  &  Enquirer.    Friar's  jump  830. 

Craig,  Hector.    Notice  of  213. 

Cramer,  John.  Supports  Clinton  when  per- 
.secuted  54 ;  for  presidential  electors  by  the  peo- 
ple 57:  on  banks  86;  bank  votes,  87,  134; 
helps  E.  Livingston,  185." 

(;iiAWF0RD,  W.  H.  Minority  Caucus  to 
nominate  for  president,  1824,  55  &  68 ;  Young 
insures  his  defeat  in  N.  Y.  57 ;  notice  of  68 ; 
Cooper  on  his  hatred  to  foreigners,  68  to  71 ; 
for  a  national  bank  74  to  78 ;  conduct  to  Cal- 
houn on  the  Seminole  war  question  107,  108 ; 
Butler's  artful  hints  about  168 ;  V.  Buren  visits 
901.       * 


Crolius,  Clarkson.  Votes  to  give  the  people 
the  choice  of  electors  .57;  on  banking  86; 
Flagg  on  173 ;  scolded  186 ;  195. 

CuoswKi,!,,  Edwin  53;  set  unby  Van  Baren 
74 ;  an  admirer  of  U.  S.  Banks,  74  to  77 ;  abuses 
Jackson  78,  7!);  for  Clay  cind  Adams,  83;  on 
Safety  Fund  Hi  to  87;  banks  in  1828— ib; 
prints  Young's  private  netitiori  129 ;  for  mixed 
money  139;  notice  of  146,  147;  Argus  concerji, 
by  Butler,  for  169;  Argus  190;  artful  letter 
to  Hoyt  abt.  Crawford,  &c.,  195 ;  Bennett  and 
221 ;  Webb  on  230  to  232 ;  do.,  Marcy  &  235 ; 
V.  B.'s  friend  236;  to  Hoyt— for  5  mill,  loan- 
dared  not  offer  a  10  mill.  b'k.  252 ;  ag't.  V.  B. 
293. 

Cruger,  John  C.  Betting  with  Hoyt,  256. 

Cuba.  Van  Buren,  &c.,  on  Slavery  in  279, 
280. 

Cunningham  of  Montgomery's  gallant  de- 
fence of  Clinton  51. 

Currency.  [See  Banks — U.  S.  Bank — and 
Sub-Treasury.]  78;  139;  140;  if  deranged 
impairs  contracts  and  changes  the  constitu- 
tional protection  141 ;  Butler  on  a  sliding  scale 
in  154 ;  Livingston  on  178. 

Curtis,  Edward.    9. 

Custom  Houses.   [See  N.  Y.  Cu.stom  House.] 

Cutting,  Francis  B.  112;  126;  on  the  lob- 
by 174;  for  free  banking  177;  swears  on 
paper,  advice  by  180 ;  speculates  with  Hoyt  261 . 

Dallas,  Alex.  James.  A  Philadelphi"  finan- 
cier 297. 

Dallas,  George  Mifflin.  Grets  Russian  cftis- 
sion  100;  Cass  admires  104;  votes  for  V.  B. 
as  minister  to  London  112;  V.  B.  lauds  295; 
notice  of— a  circular  statesman  297 — 298;  a 
mile's  a  mile  298;  V.  P.  ib. 

Davezac,  Augusle.    62,  63. 

Davis,  George  R.    Notice  of  94. 

Davis,  Matthew  L.  12 ;  on  Burr's  Mexi- 
can movement  62 ;  121;  185;  197;  220;  237. 

Davis,  Richard  D.  Character  of  Van  Bu- 
ren by  81, 80 ;  he  joins  V.  B.  80. 

Dawson,  George.    On  Canada  290. 

Dawson ,  Moses.  Jackson's  letter  to,  against 
the  pets  1 16. 

Dayton,  Aaron  Ogden.  Electioneers  for 
Jackson  63. 

Dayton,  General  Jonathan.  Indicted  in 
Burr's  affair  63. 

Debts.  Repudiation  of  267 ;  wretched  bank- 
rupt laws,  ib. 

Decatur,  Col.  J.  P.  Oflice-seeking  221 ; 
304. 

Defalcations,  Defaulters.  [See  Embezzling 
Public  Monies.]    Banks  in  1814,  124. 

Democratic  Review.    See  J.  L.  O'SuUivan. 

Democrats.  On  paper  money  78 ;  V.  Buren 
sort  196-7;  timber  in  ranks  of  227. 

Denman,  William.    On  Van  Buren  70. 

Desha,  Joseph.    On  taking  Canada  285. 

Desha,  Robert.  Warns  Eaton  against  the 
Widow  109. 

Devyr,  Thomas  A.  Would  secure  wild 
lands  to  settlers  only  IM, 

Dickin.son,  Daniel  S, 
mileage  298. 


■4] 


■  '1 


J'Mi 


■    '«! 


4 


W: 


On  v.  B.  903;  bis 


n 


EMB. 


INDEX, 


GAL. 


McDuflic  on  01 


Dissolution  of  the  Union 
Beach  on  ^Oti. 

Dix,  John  A.  Pro-slavery-and-T<.'xas  Sena- 
tor 281. 

Downioff,  Col.  S.  Votes  for  City  Bank, 
Buffalo  90. 

Dromffoole,  George  C.    97. 

Dry  Dock  Bank,  N.  Y.    94 

Duane,  William.  On  last  War4;  on  Mer- 
chants' Bank  '28 ;  on  Clinton  49, 54 ;  on'Burr's 
conspiracy  (i'i ;  on  congressmen  90;  notice  of 
115  J  approves  of  refusal  to  remove  deposits 
119;  122;  on  newspapers  147;  ib,  182;  on 
the  peace  2t)9. 

Duane,  Wim.iam  John.  100;  secretary  of 
the  treasury  115;  notice  of  116;  his  course  re- 
lative to  the  public  treasure  110  to  121 ;  14t ; 
refuses  Russian  Mission  122;  dismissed  122, 
123;  married  Franklin's  grand-daughter  IIG; 
deposits  and  131 ;  lb.  2-IG. 

Dudley,  Charles  E.  Votes  to  drive  Clinton 
from  the  canal  board  53 ;  one  oi'  the  immortal  17 
— 57;  prays toBiddle  Ibrabranch  of  theU.S.'B. 
79 ;  party  votes  for  banks  87 ;   to  Hoyt  210. 

Duels.    3. 

Duer,  John.  On  Van  Ness's  bribery  28; 
joins  the  Bucktails  29;  Builer  on  170;  184; 
190;  209;  notice  of  210;  Hoyt  bitter  against 
212,  218,  219. 

Ducr,  Coi.  William.    210. 

Duer,  William  A.  Joins  the  Bucktails  29; 
defends  the  right  against  Allen  51 ;  notice  of 
210. 

Duncan,  Dr.  Alex.    For  V.  B.  at  Bait.  295. 

Durben,  Dr.    On  War  4. 

Durham,  Earl  of.  Explains  causes  of  revolt 
in  Canada  285  to  287. 

Earll,  Jonas,  Jr.  Votes  to  expel  Clinton 
from  the  Canal  Board  53;  one  of  VanBuren's 
immortal  17—57;  bank  votes  by  87. 

Eaton,  John  Henry.  Leaves  Congress  for 
office  101. 

Eaton,  Lewis.  In  Crawford  Caucus  55; 
president  City  Bank,  Buffalo  91 ;  safety  fund 
commissioner  93. 

Eaton,  Mrs.  [Widow  Timberlake].  Trou- 
ble about  her  character  109. 

Edmond.s,  John  W.  Stockjobbing  67;  111; 
120;  .sends  J.  V.  Buren  to  jail,  and  advi.ses 

Wright  to  give  him  cf'lOOO 148 ;  Butler  on 

104 ;  Mrs.  Butler  on  his  pauperism  171 ;  note 
205 ;  Webb  and  225 ;  ou  debt  laws  267. 

Education.  By  cheap  Postage  4;  301 ;  im- 
portance of  20 ;  Girard  leaves  millions  for  1 16 ; 
Smithson  $500,000  for  110;  Young  and  L. 
Beard.sley  and  129 ;  Hoyt  goes  to  V.  B.'s  aca- 
demy 217  ;  of  laborers  281. 

Electioneering.  By  V.  B.  124 ;  Jackson  96 ; 
Purdy  and  Hoffman  132 ;  Marcy  on  237 ;  A. 
Wari  238-9. 

Elections  by  the  People,    2 ;  by  districts  56. 

Electoral  Bill  (1824.)  Butler  against  108-9; 
Croswell  on  195-6 ;  ready  to  vote  either  way 
on  196. 

Ellis,  Powhattan.  101 ;  votes  for  V.  B.  as 
minister  112. 

Eiabargo.    Clinton  on  21 ;  fM. 


Embezzling  Public  Monies.  Theron  Rudd 
24 ;  ca.'ies  133 ;  hiw  to  punLsh,  itself  a  cheat 
141;  149. 

J'lmniet,  Thomas  Addis.  Takes  part  with 
Clinton  wlien  cxiielltil  from  the  canal  board  52. 

England.    [See  Britain.] 

Everett,  Edward.  1 1 ;  for  aid  to  exiles  131 ; 
votes  about  deposits  134. 

Ewing  Thomas.  Vote  against  Stevenson 
98;  and  airain.st  V.  Buren  112. 

Exchange  Bank  (Barker's.)  39;  157;  158; 
1C2. 

Fillmore,  Millartl.  Votes  on  M.  «Sc  F.  bank 
86;  for  aiding  Polish  exiles  131. 

Fish,  Preserved.  Director  of  0  mill,  uanl: 
27;  112;  instructs  V.  B.  214 ;  Cambreleng  for 
234. 

Fisk,  Theophilus.    Blair  by  145. 

Flaqq,  Azariah  C.  Votes,  1824,  to  expel 
Clinton  from  the  canal  board  52 ;  performs. 
1828,  as  one  of  his  chief  mourners !  55 ;  votes 
with  the  immortal  17  to  keep  power  from  the 
people  57 ;  votes  for  party  bank  charters  87 ; 
free  banks  and  137-8 ;  his  state  pet  bank  system 
139 ;  buys  3  walls  of  a  house  147 ;  on  his  re- 
solve against  popular  election,  Builer,  Sekieii 
and  Van  Buren  173;  on  free  banking  174; 
regency  log-rolling,  the  lobby,  gold,  and  bank 
restraints  175 ;  his  currency  cure  and  notions, 
ib. ;  on  .safety  fund  banks  170 ;  against  foreign 
mon.stcrs  179;  on  private  banking  170-9 ;  giu- 
eral  banking  law  181,  182  ;  succeeds  Yates 
188;  203;  Bennett  and  221;  councils  Marcy 
on  breeches  239. 

Florida.  Jackson  in  100;  V.  Buren  ex- 
pends many  millions  in  145.,  iJcc;  bloodhounds 
in  140 ;  Greeley  on  war  in  282 ;  290. 

FonEiGNEiLs — Adopted  Citizexs.  Van  Bu- 
ren about  44 ;  a  chapter  on  60  to  72 ;  Craw- 
ford's attack  and  Cooper's  defence  of  68  to  71 ; 
Irving,  Denman,  Van  Ness  on  70;  Blair  on 
71 ;  millions  lefl  bv,  to  educate  natives  I  i6 ; 
V.  Buren  and  230.  ' 

Forman,  Judge  Joshua.  Invents  the  gjfSale- 
ty  Fund  84 ;  88 ;  206. 

Foot,  Samuel  A.  On  political  proscription 
112.  I 

Forsyth,  John.  In  Crawford  caucus  55; 
votes  for  .Steve' .son  98 ;  101;  intrigues  for  V. 
Buren  107-8 ;  in  Crawford  caucus  195. 

France.    Her  views  and  condition  46,  47 ; 

utler  on  troubles  with  172  ;  Guizot  on  280. 

Franklin,  Benjamin.  A  nd  England's  chan- 
cery 304. 

Free  Banking.  9'>;  137-8;  Peel  again.^t 
140 ;  Flagg,  Livingston,  Cutting,  &c.  on  17J 
to  182;  Hoyt's  178. 

Free  Trade.    America  and  Britain  270. 

Frelinghuysen,  Theodore.  Ill;  rejects  V. 
B.  122. 

French,  James  M.    20. 

Pulton  Bank,  N.  Y.    Chartered  87. 

Gaines,  Gen.  Edmund.  Ordered  to  invade 
Mexico  64. 

Gales  and  Seaton. .  On  War  3. 

Gallatin,  Albert.  A  candidate  for  V.  P.  71 ; 
onU.S.  banks  77;  ib.  171. 


•  iiiriMW, 

tnA  ,.f  «Mi 

Gilcliri.')! 

tiillill,  I 
pj.sito  llllt'.< 

•iirani,  > 
ii.'uto  Ainci 

(Jirard  I! 

(ilciitH-iir 
r  >wi'(|  fi.r  t 

Uiidwiii, 
di-itros.H,  li^ 

(tmI(Is..ii, 
•Jorlmin, 
'io.<|)el. 

Gouvonio 
Oraham,  , 
Oreoloy, 

O'l    .'I  .■■tiltu   ; 
tl";-.'<    l.jil;   I 

s'.'ri|)  ;;oi. 

board,  Is-ij" 

^  Grenn,  Oe 

Cvnliroli!!!}; 

Greoii,  Jill 

(iret'ii.  He 

<rri-i'lU',    >! 

Oiy-'l,"i;  oil 
(iri.swdld.  I 
Gniiidv,  i*' 

l>nr"ii  1 1-2 :  t 

(i'U/.'tt,  ]•'. 

Hall,  Jiimir 

H:ill.  Willi 

Hallook,  I'i 

Hallotf,  \V. 

Jtaiui'i-,  Th 

Hiimilfuii,  I 

Hainiltdii.  . 

■~S;  join.<  tlin 

«tato.  in-.,  ten 

intri«u«  a.ir.iii 

u  sr'iil.ini.in  '. 

Mf  Shiiidanl 

Hmniliciii,  , 

H.imiiicjii.l,. 

J'n-nderL'Hsf.  < 

H:iiu-.iok,  J< 

Hard,  Gidei 
2S1. 

Hiird  Mnne 
Sun  doubts  it 
HaiTi.«,  W. 
Hfirrisnn,  M 
i>n  onrrencv  i: 
dcjfeatii  Vail  H 
Haveincyer, 
Hayne,  Col. 
Head,  .Sir  I 
a^")  to  288. 
Herkimer  C 
Hill,  h-Mc. 
fir  .Stevenson 
b.vU.T;  Kitch 
Koos,  Mary 
H'ws,  Bareii 
Hoffn.  n,  Joi 
bt'll  on  ;u.|,21i 
Hoffman,  I 
for  Barker!)!; 
by— pet  hank ' 
Webb  and  232 
Hoffeboom,  J 
B.  184 :  Corne 
bank  ,30,9. 
Holland's  Li 
Hnlmcfi.  Johi 
Horn,  Henr^ 
H-.>s.-»ok,  Dr.' 


HOS. 


INDEX. 


JUR. 


vU 


:iieron  lludd 
tsell'  a  cheat 

es  part  witli 
inal  board  5*i- 

to  exiles  131; 

ist  Stevenson 

9;  157;  Vo^:. 

M.  icF.  bank 

G  mill,  baiiic 
ambrcleng  lor 

45. 

1824,  to  expel 
52;  perlbrniN. 
ors!  55;  votes 
ower  from  tlie 
k  charters  87 ; 
let  bank  ssystem 
17;  on  his  rc- 
Builer,  Seldcn 
bankinfc  174 ; 
^old,  and  bank 
re  and  notions, 
ai^ainst  foreign 

ng  17(3-9 ;  p''"- 
siiceeods  '\  aies 
;ouncils  Marcy 

V.  Buren  ex- 

c ;  bloodhound.s 

290. 
ENS.    Van  Bu- 
to  72;  Craw- 
ice  of  (38  to  71 ; 
70;  Blair  on 
natives  1  i(5 ; 

jntsthegiS'Sale- 

cal  proscription 

3rd  caucus  55 ; 
intrigues  tbr  V. 
ucus  195. 
;ondition  46,  47 ; 
Juizot  on  280. 
England's  chan- 

;  Peel  against 
ing,  &:c.  on  17^ 

Britain  270. 
Ill;  rejects  V. 


ered  87. 

rdered  to  invada 

ate  for  V.  P.  71 ; 


(i.ir InM-,  fill  f'liii.-'.  K.    Nutitc  of  IR^, 

(i.iiTiiw,  Nutliaiiltil.  101. 

liivr,'i;i  LfKi^li'*""'-    AIuAUiHtar's  acooui 

Oili'liri.^t,  Mr.     I'.iitlcr  tin'l  l."7. 

Oillist,  l{iiti.'<"ni  !1.     Viitc'snia  to  exiles  1.11 
]i«it(i  (|Ui!sti"ii  l^H. 

(iirard,  !it(!|plii;ii.    A  Frcaobman  leaves  millions  to  ed 
H.'iito  AiiicricaiiN  1 16. 

Girard  Hank,  I'liila.     DejiDsltcs  in  121 


I     Hoii.'tiai,  Siainiiel.     In  Texan  (',1,  kX  '  Iloiidi  on  30'. 
Mi.vt  and  liiitli'V.  Ci.iTi'Kiuiiiduiice,  jiagi'sy  tu  14',live« 
,f— not  too  of  120;  iia^oH  l.'il  and  172. 

HovT,  Je.ssk.  Vouchers  Inopportunely  stolen  frow 
I  132;  hin  cniliez/.kiiieiit  111  ;  Butler's  call  to  the  uncon- 
viTtid  I."i2;  ailiiiiltiil  in  chancery  court  lo2 ;  Hutlur  .s 
cliaraitor  of— wants  him  to  he  cashier  at  liufTololSS; 
l('arnluj<  of  l.'itl ;  pnlilinhes  Sutler's  letter  to  deceive  159; 
Untlurexhort.s  1(12;  writen  to  none  but  1G3;  i.s  the  oldest 
frit  lid  of  171) ;  helps  .Marcy  to  write  hiN  niessnge  17.'> ;  N. 


Miion  lie- 


(ilcntworth.     II;    Uutlar'rt   cant  nnd  hypocrisy,  bor-  A.  Trust  Co.   and   IT!*,  1S2;  to,  on  niarrinjfe   18,'):  the 
r  >wc(l  for  the  election  2,')1.  I  ft.ivekeeper  l'<7;  hi.s  cnreties  as  collect  r  191 ;  V.  11.  en- 

(iodwin,  Parke.     Strong  remarks  on  rciieving  puhlic '  dorses  for  201  ;  ufllceliuntinK  2<W  to  212;  V.  B.  on  Uis 


Aiitvc'*!;  hy  2.")(l-l. 
Roldsoii,  Samuel  P.     M,  13,  M. 
Uorhaui,  Henjaniin.    Ueport  on  treasury  banks  KO. 
Gospel.    Butler's  unxletv  lor  staled  preaeUing  of  the 

Uouvcrncur,  Sara.  A.    Bets  212. 

Graham,  John  L.     177. 

Greeley,  Horace.    On  Nativei»m  70 ;  on  Walker  9'' ; 


on  a  ."-tato  sub-treasury  139;  on  protection  t 
t!"rs  l.>ii;  on  Floiida  2,S2;  on  Kilchie209; 
scrip  .101. 

GrMu,  Byram.     Votes  to  expel  Clinton  from  canal 
board,  1^21,53. 

Green,  General  Duff.    106,  107,  US,  11.'.;  V.  B.  and 
C.imlirelen);  subscribe  200;  printer  to  Couj^rtss  208. 

Green,  James  I,,     l^;). 

Green.  Benjamin  W.    299;  .301. 

Greene,  .Major,  of  Boston  I'ost. 
211,  2l,'i;  on  common  law  .'ilri-y, 


ill-manners — hunts  for  an  illico  to  liim — educates  him 
216,217;  Ingham  to,  on  cmbczzlins,  ib. ;  pushes  for  a 
place  21>';  helj's  Blair  23.3:  introduces  Anderson  and 
Kernoclian  219  ;  hates  rogues — jiays  for  the  uospcl  2oO; 
bets  2.M  ;  debts  of  2."o;  a  tire  commissioner,  ib. ;  siieou- 
1,'ktcs  with  the  Uci>osites  261  ;  slanders  the  mercLiuits 
271. 
Hoytj  Lorenzo.    Manaijer  of  Wwhington  and  WaiTen 


.  ir\V&  U'    '    ^    I  .1  I  I -J    La       May  I  ^11  A".  ITIIVItllt^^  t      V&         *>    (Iflllllt^  bull    »I(V.t      VIUllCU 

land  set-  bank  l(jl ;  Van  Buren's  student  165,  166,  188;  likes  law 


ou  Tex;u>ito  beat  down  equity  193;  morals  so  so  191;  notice  of, 
lib.;  letter  191;  a  surety  for  S2uo,(itl0,   191;  utterly  de- 
void of  principle  199;  for  the  sjioils  210;  lobbying  237; 
on  LiviMffston's  conversion  2-11-2;  dealing  in  stock*  252; 
au'ent  to  Silas  Wright  2i->9. 

flubbell,  Walter.    Warns  the  state  against  V.  B.'s 
'  Safety  Fund  S9. 

1     Hubbard.  Henrv.    V'tcs  for  the  treasury  pets  131; 
Kitchie  grieved  at 'ditto  131;  proposes  Folk  293. 

llnbbell.  Levi.    'M  Marcv  and  Sub-Treasury  207. 


Gri.swold,  (ieor!,'c.    On  Banks  121;  Butler  ou  171.         I      Hudson,  Bank  of.     Van' Buren  lobbies  for  the,  and 
Grundy,  Felix.    Votes  for  Steven.son  98;  and  for  Van  1  takes  otlice  in  23,  21;  winding  up  of  3U7. 


Bur'-i;  112;  teiiches  Polk  law  123  ;  on  (".inada  2■■^l. 

(inizot,  F.     For  uenfrality  by  Fraiiei'.ou  war  here  2P!i. 

Hall,  Jonathan  Prescolt.     On  Butler's  patriotism  2.V). 

Hall,  Willis.    On  common  law  11. 

Halicck,  1  itz  (jr.enc.    Butler  ou  162;  letter  IS3. 

Hallett,  W.  P.     112. 

Jlanier.  Thomas  L.     Votes  in  deposits  J31. 

Hamilton,  Alexander.     Prefers  JclVcr.s.in  to  Burrf.2. 

rlamilt<in.  James  .A.  Impeaclies  Van  Ne<s  for  brilicrv 
2S  :  joins  thn  Bucktails  29  ;  succeeds  Clay  as  secretary  of 
state,  ]iro  tr.m.  1") ;  .>tron,!,'  o|i]?o,vr  of  the  war  l.") ;  in  the 
iatri^juc  a,i;ainst  Calhoun  107;  auctions,  Tav/ree  and 'iO-'i; 
;i  sy-Milsnian  2'i9;  21s;  buys  Blair  a  pi-ess  233;  to  prop  i 
\h''  .Standard  '017. 

Hamilion.  John  C.    Joins  the  Buc'stails  20 ;  21.8. 

H.immon  1,  Jabez  D.    Ambrose  Spenocv  onl^;  the  Jed. 
I'reuderi'ast  case  52.  ' 

Hano'iek,  John.     On  private  letters  on  public  matters 


!■.)!. 


On  banks  138  ;  on  slavery 


H;ird,  Gideon  llaio  M.  C.i 
08i. 

Hard  Money.  The  Jackson  reform  1.39,  110;  Ander- 
son doubts  it  219.  I 

Harris,  W.  P.  C.btmbus.    Emliezzles  I?  10.-1,000— 133.    | 

Harrison,  William  H.  His  deatli  li>2;  Cass  on  KM; 
im  uurrency  1,39  ;  abuse  of,  approved  by  Van  Buren  Ml ; 
defeats  Van  Buren  a'^3. 

Havctncver,  William  F.    213. 

Hayne,  Col.  U.  M.     I''i8;  rejects  V.  B  112;  his  son  200. 

Head,  Sir  Frnncij.  A.  vain,  bad  Canadiiin  governor 
2)?6  to  288. 

Herkimer  Convention.    182S— 207.  . 

Hill,  Isa;ic.  On  Adams,  Clny  and  Crawford  S3;  Votes 
fir  Stevenson  98;  and  for  V.  Piuren  1 12 ;  expo.'^e  of  BKiir 
by  115;  Kitchie  on  2  M;  his  speech  232 ;  betting  239. 

Hoes,  Mary  and  Hannah  19,  2(». 

H'ws,  Barent.    Security  for  ArRus  190;  d'y  .sh'f.  ib. 

Hoffm  ■  n,  Josiah  Ogdcn.  Joins  the  Bucktails  29 ;  Camp- 
bell on  Co  1,218. 

Hoffman,  MiciiAEi,  Vote  on  M.  and  F.  bank  86; 
for  Barker  91;  notice  of  131,  132;  sinecure— offlccs  held 
by— pet  bank  votes  131 ;  mismanagement  in  oftlcc  of  132; 
■W'obb  and  232. 

Hogeboora,  John  C.  A  910  loan  to  nephew  afflicts  V. 
B.  184;  Cornelluii,  in  oflice  190;  presides  in  Hudson 
bank  308. 

Holland's  Life  of  V.  Buren.    Puffs  him  79. 

Holmes.  John.    Voted  to  reject  V.  B.  112. 

Horn,  Henry.    Vote  on  treasury  deposites  131. 

Hjsaok,  Dr.  David.    Butler  against  1U9. 


Hull,  Gi  iieral  W.    On  Caimda2Sl. 

Hume,  J.,.eph.    F.fforts  to  do  justice  to  Canada  286-S. 

II tinier  John.    Votcon  City  Bank,  Buffalo  90;  on  t'reo 
banks  176. 
HyiMic-'-v.  IteliKious.    Sec  Butler. 

Imiiiort.    Seventeen  Sen.ators  of  N.  'V'.    57. 

Indians.  On  marriaxes  with  69,  71 ;  Cu.sii  on  the  10,'', 
207;  Jackson  and  106;  warlike  condition  of  the  275  ;  fifty 
millions  expended  to  liani.sli  and  kill2.'52;  Kitchie  ouGtWl 

liiKer.'^oll,  Charles  J.  On  lianUs  111;  for  Mackenzie's 
release  290. 

Injrham,  S.  1).  Opposes  the  niinoritv  caucus  of  IS2-1, 
55;  lOd;  Jack.son  and  109;  Ku.-sia  and  110;  Hoyt  ai.d 
209 ;  on  ■itlice-be.'.'.aars  216,  217 ;  note  21U 

Instriictinus,  KiKht  of.    2. 

Ireland.     Uoval  bribery  in  96. 

Iivinj.',  Jihn  T.    On  intolerance  70. 

Jaik.Von.  .■\ndiii!w.  Coddingtou  tries  to  head  13; 
opinion  of  Clinton  by  .55;  nominated  first  by  Burr  58; 
•i")U;  his  designs  against  Mexico,  with  Btirr,  I'O  to  61; 
Jefferson  on  60;  IMexican  policy  of  61;  abuse  of,  by  Noah 
and  Croswell  7'~'.  79  ;  pra'ticc  and  profession  on  appoint- 
ments •«  to  99;  invasion  of  Florida  by  106  ;  3Ir8.  Eatou 
and  109;  Ingh.im  and  110;  on  pet  banks  114;  scolds  the 
pets  116;  Diianeand  122;  his  great  reform  139;  for  hard 
money  110;  anti-Sub-Treiisury  141;  escapes  an  assassin 
172;  his  confidence  in  Van  Buren  216 ;  for  231 ;  to  be  run 
again  293 ;  Ilitohie  on  300 ;  Van  Buren  and  302. 

Jaeksonj  Daniel.  And  Blair's /rre  press  233;  bank- 
beifornr,  ib. 

jaiiies,  William.  Takes  part  with  Clinton  when  vio- 
lently remi>ved  from  the  Canals  52. 

Jay,  William.    On  slavery  278. 

Jefferson.  Thfimas.  6;  on  Burr  00;  on  elections  98; 
ou  England  271 ;  on  slavery  275. 

Jfihnson,  Cave.  Votes  for  deposits  to  Polk's  pets  131 
and  13 1 ;  and  no  relief  to  poor  exiles  131 ;  at  Convention 
292;  295;  ami  postage  law  301. 

Johnson,  JeriPintis.  From  Congress  to  Custom  House 
101;  billeting  his  relations  219;  Swartweut  on  his  ap- 
praising 22,3. 

Johnson,  Kichard  M.  Opposes  the  1824  Crawford  cau- 
cus 55 ;  votes  on  deposit  question  131;  endorses  Van  Bu- 
ren 283;  for  Canada  285 ;  on  author's  imprisonment  291, 

Jones,  Henry  Floyd.    Vot«  on  Bulfalo  City  Bank  9(1. 

Jones,  Samuel.  For  six  million  bank  27;  Chief  Justice 
27 ;  Hoyt's  surety  for  ?200,aX)— 194. 

Jordan,  Ambrose  L.    Opposed  by  the  regency  210. 

Jurors.  On  Bodine  trial  6;  merchants  ordered  to  be 
excluded  OCf'  in  mercantile  cases  271. 


m 


■\u^' 


A , 


iV 


\ 


Tiil 


KEY. 


INDEX, 


MAY. 


'  I 


JtMTici,  Administration  op,  Reforni  required  in 
8;  In  th"!  Siinicrs  mme  7 ;  corrupt  where  buukH  ore  in- 
volved 86:  Buffiilo  buukiiiK  and  90,  91 ;  by  L.  Hoyt,  193. 

Keiin,  Qenrge  M.    On  Miickeniie'ii  imprixonment  2!K), 

KeinhlH,  Juha  W.  Abudeii  thu  Irisb,  and  jobs  in  the 
atock«67;  111. 

Kbndall,  Amos.  Letters  to  Clay  on  JackB(in,&c.  P3; 
Sketch  of-hld  conduct  to  Clay  1 17  t4>  12() ;  abuxs  of  Mho- 
kenile  118;  Bennett  on  !'22;  126;  on  free  banking  laS; 
Kltohie  Maudallsed  at  2M,  315. 

Laborers.  Their  cor  Jltion,  by  Calhoun  auJ  Chanuing 
381. 

Lansing,  John.    V.  Utiren  w'd  make  him  a  P.  M.  8-2. 

Law.  In  U.  S.  6 ;  in  N.  Y.  state  13S ;  in  court  of  er- 
rors, Alb'y  193;  [see  303  to  303,  also  com.  law,  and  court 
of  chancery!. 

Lawrbmcb,  CaBNEHu.^  W.  Gets  the  N.  Y.  Custom 
Ho.  12,  392;  retains  Record  Clerks  iind  Bogardus  13; 
113;  got  a  two  million  pharter,  and  vxTed  116;  123;  132, 
Totes  on  treasury  banks  131;  hel|M  1 1  lair  to  a  press  233 ; 
238 ;  disreputable  conduct  on  tlic  li.mk  question  217;  let- 
ters to  Hoyt  on  b'k248;  more  of  tlicm  219;  bets  \/ith 
Hoyt  263. 

Lawrence,  Joseph.    Bank  President,  Jcc,  116. 

Lawrence,  W.  B.    On  free  banking  174. 

Laws.  Who  should  have  the  Veto  on  2;  cheek  on  bad 
laws  in  Oa.  229. 

Leake,  Isaac  Q.  Cashier  V.  B.'s  old  BufTitlo  bank,  .33; 
Cantine's  partner  in  the  Argus  34;  UUhoeffer  for  190; 
for  Clay  197. 

Leavitt,  Joshua.  On  Van  Bureu's  pro  slavery  creed 
278. 

Le  Foy,  Abraham.  Gets  into  custom  house— nom's 
Maroy  T}7. 

Lee,  Gideon,    112;  Leggett  on  23C, 

Lee,  John  R,    Trial  for  perjury  91, 

Lee,  Oliver.    Polk  delegate  and  net  banker  W3. 

Lefferts,  John,  L,  I.  Votes  to  drive  Clinton  from  ca- 
nal board  53;  and  as  one  of  the  immortal  17 — 57 ;  bank 
rotes  87, 

Leggett,  Wm,  On  Dl.  Jackson  333;  on  Marcy  233; 
notice  of  263. 

Lewis,  Dixon,  H.    Vote  agst.  pet  Vks  134, 

Lewis,  Major  W,  B.  On  com.  of  enquiry  about  Jackson 
60:  Ritchie  to  98;  109;  300. 

Lewis,  Morgan.    For  6  mill.  l>'k,  27, 

Lincoln,  Levi,    Votes  abt.  deposites  131. 

Livingston,  Charles  L.  Opposed  to  Bifihop's  expul- 
rton67;  and  to  «.ifety  fund  92;  HI;  126;  and  to  the 
"  ehartered  nuisances  "  he  had  made — for  some  restraints 
off  17C  to  181 ;  on  N.  Y,  pilots  178;  ou  credit,  ib. ;  advice 
to  Hoyt  180;  2-2'>;  notice  of— for  national  bank  2^11. 

Livingston,  E  hvard,  of  La,  [was  a  defaulter  at  N.  Y. 
for  f  100,000).  ( 'ffer  to  Stevenson  98 ;  leaves  congress  for 
the  cabinet  101 :  Uavezac  marries  his  sister  63. 

Livingston,  I :  Iward,  Speaker  H.  of  A,  Cutting  on  his 
bank  notions  17";  180:  notice  of  184;  on  marriage  183; 
letters  186-7;  '  '7  (for  lottery). 

Livingston,  .'Mward  P.  A  candidate  for  Senator — de- 
fkdted39;  votes  1824,  to  drive  Clinton  firom  Canal  board 
53:  against  eli'^tors  by  the  people  u7. 

Livingston.  I 'eterR.    185. 

Livingston.  H.  R.  Opposed  by  Van  Alen  for  Congress 
21;  one  of  f  .:  Ist  canal  com'rs  53. 

Literary  I'l-operty.    See  W.  T.  M'Coun. 

Lives  of  Hoyt  and  Butler.  Motives  lor,  and  account 
or  that  pulilication  7  to  18 ;  where  printed  and  by  whom 
18:  the  puMishers,  ib. 

Lobby,  The.  Cutting's  name  for  174, 180;  L.  Hoyt 
w'd  join  3.37, 

London  Times.    Its  tone  in  1814—268. 

Long  Island  Bank.    Chartered  37. 

Loomis,  A,    Gets  stock  with  Hoffman,  &c.  131-2. 

Lounsberry,  Ebenezer.    Votes  for  city  b'k,  Buffalo  90, 

Lyons,  Bk.  of.    Broker.  »1. 

Lytle,  Robert  T,    An  M,  C.  gets  office  101. 

Kent,  Chancellor.  For  a  reference  of  the  Constitu- 
tion to  the  people  3 ;  refuses  injunctions  for  oppressive 
purposes  to  Hoyt  and  Butler  42, 161 ;  127  ;  Butler  scolds 
162, 161. 

Kemoohan.  Joseph,   A  bank  delegate  313, 

Keyes,  Perley,  Votes  in  Senate  to  expel  Clinton  from 
Canal  board  53;  votes  with  Vaa  Bonn's  immortal  17— 
&7*  baiikTote8  87. 


Kibbo,  Isaac.    Ist  Buffalo  bank  president  .33, 

King,  Charles.  Ai'i'ii«in4  Van  Ness  of  bribery  27 ,  char- 
actor  of  V.  Bure.i  bv  73. 

King,  Preston.  AgMt.  Imnk  charters  177;  a  friend  to 
aheiip  iKistuge  l""l:  IS9;  '.Vl. 

Kinj;,  Kufus.  V.  Huron  fean-d  ho  might  not  dislike 
Clinton  54;  V.  Rnren  fur  7i(;  I'.ii'  universal  suffr!ige72; 
Parker  on  W;  H.arUor,  Jacob  on  192. 

Kint;,  William  (of  Ala.)  Votes  for  Stevenson  08;  and 
V.  Buren  112. 

Knower,  Benjiunin.    Stops  payt.  83 

Knox,  John.     Liljerality  of  I'.O. 

McAllister.  M.  H.  of  Oa.  On  Jesse's  golden  mine  227;' 
vary  original  letter  to  Hoyt,  about  incorporating  New 
Potosi.  24S— 9. 

Mcllride,  James,    A  revenue  borrowing  banker  135, 

McClure,  Gen.  Goo.  Votes  against  the  immortal  17— 
57. 

McCook,  Paniel.    Banks,  Baltimore  Conv'ns  and  307. 

M'CouN,  William  T.  Interferes  with  the  ftcedom  of 
the  press  13,  14:  his  UdUiTV  to  Hoyt  and  Butier  16  to 
IS;  118;  Seldcnon  173;  deoisions  of  301. 

McCulloh,  Oimptroller.    His  frank  11, 

McDufBe,  George,  On  di.'jsolving  the  Union  61;  agst. 
Polk's  treasury  bunks  13-1;  ib.  143;  notice  of  301. 

Maclntyre,  Archibald,    Against  Bk.  of  America  27. 

McJimsey,  Robert  Hoyt,  the  Trust  Co.  and  179i 
Hoyt's  brotlier-in-law  and  surety  191 ;  230 . 

Mack,  Kboncrer.  Votes  for  Buffalo  city  bank  90; 
'goes  the  whole  hog'  179, 

Mackenzie,  W.  L.  5,  9,  11;  Coryell's  note  to  13; 
Slamm's  note  to  13;  on  (Colonial  Trade  112;  Barker's 
letter  to  192;  V.  B.'s  disclaimer  ilS;  warning  to  Hiig- 
land  in  1832—287;  Keim  and  Johnson  on  iinprisonmeut 
290-1. 

MoKown,  James.  Takes  part  with  Clinton  wh'n 
driven  from  Canal  board  52;  is  partner  with  J.  V.  B. 
148,  2i58. 

M'^Lean,  John.  Argt.  for  Indians  in  Supreme  Court 
296. 

McLane,  Louis,  M.  C.  Gets  an  embassy  101 ;  takes 
the  Treasury  Uept.  Ill;  on  currency,  12t»;  may  loan 
money  now  181;  Cambrcleng  agst.  his  treas.  rept.  230; 
agst.  alliances  in  Europe,  lia.  279. 

MacNeven,  Pr.  W.  J,     V.  Buren  on  208. 

McNiiIty,  John,  Clerk  of  Congress.  Got  off  by  a 
quirk  [laws  scarce  therei  141,  295. 

Macon,  Nathaniel.  Ou  executive  power  09;  on  neu- 
trality 294. 

Maoy,  John  B,    City  Bank  Buffalo,  and  90. 

Madison,  Jumes.  Nominated  as  President  in  1813, 44 : 
on  U.  S.  Bank  75. 

Maison,  (General  Leonard.  Votes  for  city  b'k  BnflUo 
90;  on  restraining  law  176  to  179. 

Mallory,  James.  His  bank  votes  38;  votes  to  cxpfl 
Clinton  from  C:inal  board  53;  anil  with  tho  immortal  17 
agst.  the  people  57 ;  Marcy  on  199. 

Manh.ittan  Bank.  27;  a  national  pet  124 ;  a  state  pet 
139. 

Mann,  Abijah,  jr.  131 ;  votes  for  pet  bauka  131. 

Marcy,  William  L.  Borrows  at  the  New  Hope  34  ; 
53  ;  orders  the  Bambers  to  Ireland  67  ;  prayer  of,  to 
Diddle,  for  U.  S.  Bank  extension  79  ;  Butfalo  b'k  ami  90, 
91;  99,;  votcsfor  V.  B,  112  ;  his  mortenge  message  135 
tn  127 ;' against  248 ;  anti-slavery,  or  King  pamphlet  by 
137;  noni'd  Ibrfovr.  139;  legalizes  bank  suspension 
137  ;  wheels  round  agst.  bank  monopoly  138 :  buys  p'ti 
of  a  house  147;  anew  move  in  l>anking  by  Hoyt  andf 
175 ;  on  King  and  Mallory  199  ;  served  on  the  bench- 
'till  wanted,  by  V,  R.  307 ;  Hubbcll,  Sec.  nn  lub-treasnry 
and  207;  Webb  on  333 ;  electioneering  334-S ;  Bennett, 
Webb,  and  Leggett  on  2.35 ;  election  of  '32—237 ;  on 
bravery,  breeches,  barber,  Jcc.  339 ;  ditto  240 ;  bets  on 
by  V.  B.,  256-7 ;  nomi'd  in  conv'n  Tm  custom  ho.  257 ; 
blnmes  the  merchants,  knowing  better  2.')8  ;  nn  Ca- 
nada 280, 292 ;  foxy  294 ;  on  Canada  290 ;  on  V.  S,  B. 
297, 

Marriages.    Crawford  for  Indian  71 . 

Mason,  Gen.  John  T.  agt,  to  Sw't  in  Tezaa  260 ; 
notice  of261. 

Mason,  John  Y,  Votes  on  bank  deposites  131  and 
134;  and  against  Polish  exiles  131. 

May,  Will.  L.,  M.  C.  On  land  sales,  and  treasury  or- 
der 263. 


M;i)(),  1) 

M.txvveli 

M:i\well 

Mrasnrfi 

Merhunii 

pcsldent  ^. 

lions  be)',  el 

ler  m). 

Mechanic 

Mkrciiai 

191:    102;   I 

accuses  unji 

V,  Bn's  Hitr 

flCjT  trade  T, 

Merchant! 

12.5. 

Meserolo, 
phew  210. 
Mescrole, 
Metropolis 
Mexico,    . 
Sedgwick  nn 
64,281;    Poll 
Miami  Kxp 
Michigan  I 
Mlllor,  Jess 
Miller,  Syl' 
Ministers  o 
to  office?  3. 
Missouri. 
Monroe,  Pn 
friends  29;  on 
p.  ms.  81  to  8c 
Calhoun,  ib. ; 
Canada  234. 

Moni-oe,  .Fail 

236 :  sneers  at 

Moodie,  (/ol. 

Moore,  Gabi 

for  that  232. 

Moore,  Thn 

Van  Buren  to 

Moore,  Col. 

Morris,  Kob 

11;  Safety  Fu 

P.  M.  301. 

National  Co 

would  be  usefi 

National  Ue 

National  Int^ 

^  National  lit 

Godwin  on  pri 

only  to  talk  '21' 

per  family  272, 

Native  Amer 

Nativeisni.  ( 

Noah  its  candi 

Naval  Office, 

results,  ib, 

Neville,  Maj( 

natij.    On  Bur 

Nevius,  Kusi 

226.  ' 

New  Hofie  Di 

New  Orleans 

New  York 

Remarks  on  1 

man  ami  1,32; 

New  York  C 
133;  147;  octi^ 
families  served 
to  Hoyt  264, 

tSee  also,  C. 

Hoyt;  Measur 

S;  Swartwout; 

N.  Y:  Even! 

vertising  147 

peace  269 ;  on  , 

New  York  O 

N:  Y:  Post  ( 

and  charge  for 

N.'  Y:  Safety 

<^ityBankof  il 

89,  90;  mlsconc 


C 


./' 


^' 


fiildcnt  33. 

uf  bribery  27,  ch.u- 

;rs  177 ;  a  frienil  to 

e  might  not  dl»liko 
iiv(jr»;il  guffrige  72 ; 

r  Stevenson  0?^ ;  and 

35 

se'g  ifolden  mine  227 :' 
luoorporaling  New 

rowing  banker  135. 
at  the  Immortal  17— 

are  Cony'ns  and  307. 
g  with  the  freedom  of 
ovt  and  Butier  10  to 
of  3IH. 
.nk  U. 

{  the  Union  Gl;  ag»t. 
;  notice  of  301. 
Bk.  of  America  27. 
Trust  Co,  and  179; 
91 ;  230 . 
uIIkIo  city  bank  90; 

[^oryell'g  note  to  13; 

Trade  112;  Barker'n 

222 ;  warning  to  Hiig- 

iHon  on  imprigonmeut 

with    Clintin    wh'n 
partner  with  J.  V.  B. 

iM  in  Supreme  Court 

in  embassy  101 ;  takes 
irency,  1211;  wfty '««» 
t.  hig  treaa.  rept.  230; 

m  on  208. 

ngrcss.    Got  off  by  a 

ive  power  99 ;  on  n«tt- 

ffalo,  nndOO. 

8  President  :n  1812, 44  5 

eg  for  city  b'k  BnSiio 

itcH  38;  votes  to  expfl 
I  with  the  immortal  17 

lal  pet  124 ;  a  state  pet 

)r  pet  banks  131. 
1  01  the  New  Hope  34  ; 
land  67  ;  prayer  of,  to 
79;  Buffiilo  h  k  and  90, 
mortB«eB  nicssnge  135 
.  or  King  pamphlet  by 
lizes  bank  suspen»i<m 
nonopoly  138:  buys  p'6 
n  banking  by  Hoyt  an* 
served  on  the  bencn- 
bU,  &.C.  on  gub-treasory 
eering  234-5;  Bennett, 
oction  of '33-237;  on 
39;  ditto  240;  bets  on 
ir'n  fm  custom  ho.  257 ; 
IS  better  258  ;  on  Ca- 
»nada295;  on  U.  S.  B. 

0  Sw't  In  Texas  SCO; 

ank  deposites  131  and 
131. 

1  tales,  and  treasury  oi- 


NEW. 


INDEX. 


PET. 


Miiyi).  Dr.  of  V«.    Oti  embezzling  149 ;  301. 

Mhx»'«Ii,  IIukIi.    lioyt  on  SIrt. 

Maxwoll,  Ur.  I'.     <  in  Allrnny  hunk  junto  88. 

Mpiisurcrs  in  "uslom  flciusr,  12. 

Mfi-hunlcs'  anil  I-'iirniers'  Hunk  Albany.  Southwkk 
iiresldenl  HI ;  olcnti  and  U'orlli  and  80;  04  ;  gets  mil- 
lions bol'.  eletliiiii  120 ;  is  a  slale  pet  139 ;  gulled  by  But- 
ler IGI). 

Mechanics'  B'k.  N.  V.    l)D|H><iltcs  In  124. 

MKRCiiANTg,  American.  Campbell's  distrust  of 
191:  192;  injustice  done  to  by  uppralsors  22;):  Marry 
accuses  unjustly  2.'>H;  ill  ireutmonlof  271 5  ordered  hy 
V.  Bn's  admin,  lo  bo  struck  otf  juries  on  niatlcrg  of 
20"  trade  271. 

Merchants'  bank,  N.  Y.  28;  33  ;  Clinton,  tc.  on  80 ; 
12.';. 

Mesertilo,  Abraham.  To  be  hired  as  a  hireling's  ne- 
phew 210. 

Mesernio,  Bornard  J.    SwartWnut  on  appraisers  223. 

nietropolis,  B'k  of  the.  A  \)el  114. 

Mexico.  Juckcon  and  Burr's  views  about  €0  to  63  ; 
Scdfzwick  anii  ClmnningontU;  Van  Burcn'g  course  to 
64.281;   Poinsett  in  20:1 ;  2B7;  279;  Beach  on  300. 

Miami  KxporlinpCo.  :iti. 

Michigan  Hank-  Dcposllrs  in   124. 

Miller,  Jesse.    Accents  office,  though  an  M.  C.  191. 

Miller,  Sylvanuii.    Alade  Surrogate  21. 

Ministers  of  the  Gospel.  Uught  they  to  be  eligible 
to  office !  3. 

Missouri.    Votes  on  slavery  in  278,  279. 

Monroe,  President  James.  Fifty-one  Feds,  joins  his 
friends 2',);  on  U.  S.  bank  70;  disiiute  with  V.  B.  about 
p.  ms.  81  to  83  ;  to  J:iokson  on  Florida  war  lOO;  and  on 
Calhoun,  ib. ;  against  mouurchy  in  N.  America  280;  on 
Canada  284. 

Monroe,  James.  Joins  natives  174 :  Webb  and  225  ; 
230 :  sueer.s  at  good  men— deals  in  stooka  253. 

Moodie,  Col.    Death  of  289. 

Moore,  Gabriel.  Rejects  V.  B.  112 ;  Webb  to  fight  him 
for  that  232. 

Moore.  Thimas  P.  An  M.  C.  gets  an  embasgy  101 ; 
Van  Buren  to  3>tZ. 

IVIoore,  Col.  W.  E.  221 ;  on  Canada  289. 

Morris,  Robert  H.  His  Glentworth  case— common  law 
1 1 ;  Safety  Fund  banks,  Maroy's  message  and  126 ;  as  a 
P.  M.  301. 

National  Cotivention.  For  reform  and  improvement 
would  be  useful  101. 

National  Debt  144, 145. 

National  Intelligencer.   On  Canada  long  ago  283 ;  264. 

National  IJeformers.  Their  land  plan  150;  Parke 
Godwin  on  principles  of  2.'i(l-l ;  (.'auibreleng  wanted — 
only  to  talk  2()3 ;  on  stopping  monopoly,  ib. ;  160  acres 
per  family  272. 

Native  Americans.    The  right  sort  52. 

Nativeism.  Crawford  its  champion  68 ;  Greeley  on  70 ; 
Noah  its  candidate  204. 

Naval  Office,  N.  Y.  Improperly  managed,  very  132; 
results,  lb. 

Neville,  Major  Aforgan  [Receiver  of  Land  Rev.  Cincin- 
nati].   On  Burr,  &c.  260. 

Nevins,  Russell  H.  On  banks  and  stocks  lSS-9 ;  ditto 
226. 

New  Hojie  Del.  Bridge  Co.    A  ricketty  concern  34. 

New  Orleans.    Burr  plans  its  seizure  61. 

New  York  Constitutional  Convention,  1816, 
Remarks  on  1  to  G ;  author  an  early  friend  to  15 ;  Hoff- 
man anil  132;  Van  Buren  against  305. 

New  York  Custom  House.  Facts  about  the  12;  13; 
133;  147;  active  partizans  paid  with  plunder  at  219; 
families  served,  ib. ;  political  appraisers  223  ;  XHshoeffer 
to  Hoyt  264. 

[See  also,  C.  W.  Lawrence;  Michael  Hoffman;  Jesse 
Hoyt ;  Measurers ;  Ingham  Coryell ;  C.  S:  Bogardus ; 
S:  Swartwout;  Appraisers: 

N.  Y:  Evening  Post  73;  132;  free  banking  138;  ad- 
vertising 147;   against  Marcy's   moitgage  ^7-8;   on 
peace  269 ;  on  V:  B:  291. 
New  York  Observer.    On  the  U,  S.  constitution  56. 
N:  Y:  Post  Office.    Enormous  income  of  postmaster, 
and  charge  for  boxes  301. 

N.'  Y:  Safety  Fund  Banks:  A  full  account  of  84  to  95; 
City  Bank  of  Buffalo,  and  90 ;  commissioners,  a  mockery 
89,  90 ;  misconduct  of  bank  directors  94;  fltilure  of  banks 


ib:;  V;  Buren  and  N:  V:  banki  control  rtmnv&l  of  depo- 
sites 120;  125-6;  the  catadtrophe,  136-7;  Flaggon  170. 

Now  York  f^un:    See  M;  Y;  He;M;h. 

Newspajiers  isee  printing):  74;  117;  Agitate  through 
178;  182;  Argus  TJl);  Ritchie  on  Indepeiidenee  of— edi- 
tors bougbt  up  214,  2ir. ;  Decatur  and  221 ;  V:  Buren 
keiMis  Bennct  inili'iicndent  'il.'i. 

Niugarn,  Hank  of:    Sec  Huffalo,  Bank  of  1816. 

NoAii,  iVIiiBnEiM  M:  On  Van  Buren  22 :  on  ditto 
and  lliid.^on  bank  24;  on  rotation  in  office  74;  abuses 
JiioV  son  78 ;  nominates  Van  Buren  83;  on  Carobreleng 
U>2;  on  HofTnian  131 ;  grief  fur  Swartwout  133;  Butler 
iu.-lrncts  ItlH:  malignity  .,f  186;  Ulshocffer  on  190; 
after  the  printing  192;  Croswell  praises  195  ;  Van  Buren 
ditto  197 ;  V:ui  Buren  sugKosts  to  200  :  in  1827-8,  201 ; 
Van  Buron's  grief  at  loss  of  electiin  of  205  ;  Swiss  mer- 
cenary 214  ;  Ritchie  to,  on  inde))eiiileiice  215 ;  office  beg- 
ging 216:  borrows  by  Burrows  223;  denounces  Wet- 
more  and  hunts  for  a  general's  birth  225 ;  kind  to  poor 
Blair  233 ;  editor  of  the  Sun  3(X;. 

Nominations:    A  mockerj  of  dimocraoy  23-4. 

North  American  Trust  Co:  Iloyt's  connection  with 
179. 

Norvell,  John:    Note  to  Gage  290. 

Nullification:    Nullifiers  crazy  2;i3. 

Oakley,  Jesse  (Swart't's  suretyi:    220,  221. 

Oakley,  Thomas  J:  Appointed  Attorney  General  by 
Hie  federalists  29 ;  Jesse's  surety  for  $200,000,  191 ;  anti- 
war 210. 

O'Connell.  Daniel:  47 ;  on  Polk  and  slavery  273;  com- 
mon law  and  303. 

Office  Hunting:  12 ;  22  ;  30 ;  81,  82 ;  by  Kendall  117 
to  119  ;  by  John  Van  Buren  148  ;  by  Edmonds,  Ice:  170, 
171  ;  Cutting  annoyed  by  180 ;  Hoyt  on  198 ;  Codding- 
ton  208  to  214;  Hoyt  and  Swartwout  209  to  212 ;  Spioer 
212;  Ritchie's  horror  at  215;  Noah  at  216;  Ingham  an- 
noyed by  217;  Hoyt  again,  ib:;  Van  Buren  hunts  for 
Hoyt  216  ;  a  family  affair  219  ;  more  220,  221 ;  Webb 
and  Noah  224, 225  ;  Webb  t'other  way  230-1  ;  Wetmore 
2-13 

Official  Station.  Ought  priestg  to  be  ineligible  to  hold? 
33. 

Ogden,  Francis:  Consul  at  Liverpool  63;  defeats 
Cambreleng  101  ;  213. 

Ogden,  Henry:  On  Hoyt's  letters  9 ;  custom  bouse 
and  133. 

Ogsbury,  Francis:  Wetmore  on  2'13 ;  an  active  poUti- 
clan  244. 

Olcott,  Egbert:    Cashier  of  Watervliet  bank  94: 

Oloott,  Tlieodore:    Surety  frr  Egbert  94: 

Olcott,  T:  W:  As  a  security  94  ;  126 ;  to  Butler  on 
pretended  banks  157 ;  coaxes  vainly  160: 

One  term  principle  111. 

Oregon  question:    271, 272, 294. 

O'Sulllvan,  John  L.  A  contractor  71 ;  confesses  the 
sins  of  his  party  133 ;  putfs  Ueers's  bank  180  ;  rebukes 
tlie  slavers  294  ;  contcnms  the  cattle  296. 

Oswego.  Commercial  B'k  of  broken  s.  f.  94. 

Owen,  Robert  Dale.  Luminous  (!)  argument  on  sla- 
very 59. 

Pakenham,  Richard.  Calhoun  to,  on  elements  of 
public  safe.y  6.5. 

Parker,  Philip  S.  Speech  on  V.  Rensselaer's  appt.83. 

Pamtill,  Sir  Henry.    For  Canadian  independence  385. 
Partnership,  Law.    In  England  140. 

Party  but  no  Principle.  29 ;  31 ;  Peter  Allen,  and 
H.  Fellowes  51  ;  Clinton  excluded  from  Canal  Board 
50  to  54  ;  the  Bucktails  55 ;  Davis  describes  80  to  83 ; 
Montague  on  115;  Butler's  profession  agt.  151,- bnd 
efforts  for  168—9;  Sutherlanil's  letter  on  183;  carried 
far  1H6 ;  A/gus  in  aid  of  190 ;  Livingston,  Van  Buien 
and  Thompson  196  ;  V.  B.  on  (bets)  205  ;  saved  by  a 
Doctor  207 ;  specimens  208  lo  214. 
Peace.    136. 

Peace  of  1815.  Comments  in  old  and  new  wnrias  on 
268  to  270. 

Ponrce,  Dutee  J.  To  Hoyt  on  Rhode  Island  politics, 
Potter,  Francis,  &.c.  2.')3. 
Peel,  Sir  Robert.  On  English  Banking  MO. 
Pet,  Deposite,  or  Treasury  Bunks.  Account  of  113  to 
126  ;  .Inchsonndmires  and  is  decelvrd  by  115,  116;  poli- 
tical 115;  Kendall  agent  to  117;  Polk  the  leading  ad- 
vocnte  of  lao  to  134 ;  $646,754  lost  thro'  134 ;  50  Polk- 
pets  now  143. 


ii] 


m 


■m 


m 


:l 


RIT. 


INDEX. 


STE. 


Phetps,  Thaddpiis.  Qucpr  six  bank  nnd  freo  trndp 
Irtler  by  J74  ;  Livingston  on  178 ;  lloyt's  surety  104  ;  -i'irt 
'-.■til. 

I'hillips,  Joshim.  Loaves  Custom  Ho.  133  ;  how  he 
and  Aitrun  iV.  ;;(it  into  it  -ill!. 

Prendergast,'  Jcili  ih.  Van  Biiren  and  Y'liing's  con- 
duct 'ovvard  liini  ;">■'. 

Pickens,  Francus  W.  Blair's  picture  by  HI;  at  Bal- 
timore i!"J-'i. 


"!        I.. 


Pise,  Dr.  Constantine.    On  Church  and  State  U.iions 


G<». 

I'itchrr,  General  Nath'l.  Davis  on  V.  U's  iisripe  <it 
SO,  81  ;  on  baniisSC  ;  reason  for  V.  B's  luislriist  of  151 ; 
ib.  207  ;  in  opposition  234. 

Planters'  B'k  of  Mississippi.    Deposites  In  124. 

Plattsliiirgh  Banks.    34  :  !)4. 

Poindexter,  (icorge.  Votes  aj't  Stevnson  93;  on 
Woodbury  and  Iloyi  149  ;  Webl)  lb.  fighting  -i'M. 

Poinsett,  ,1.  K.  opposes  the  Crawford  C.iucus  'i:> : 
■i')0,0(iO  niilitii  plan  by  14,5  ;  notice  of  203 :  i:;  Mexico  27'). 

Polish  exilos.     Voie  on  aiding  131. 

Polk,  .1am  lis  Kno.v.  t)n  private  paper.i  10  ;  duly  ap- 
preciates the  lloyt  cnrrospondencp -lielects  I'Mmris  a< 
P.  ;M.  11  :  rejects  Coddington  12;  keep.-;  Record  Clerks 
13;  keeps  Butler  in  ollico,  tho'  dislioiipst ;  why  3() : 
41 ;  47  :  his  inaugural  on  Tex.is  and  Slavery  .111 ;  iiativ- 
isin  elected  711  ;  Welniore  and  90  ;  97  ;  at  ti"d  of  ways 
and  means  US;  t'.s  Buchanan  from  Congress  IH  ;  lO.'i; 
ilO;  notice  (if  123;  124;  V,  Buren's  pet  bank  cham- 
pion 130  to  134;  on  Oregon  131;  piiys  llollinanall  ar- 
rears 131— 2:  rpl'iisDs  aid  to  exiles  131  ;  opposes  sub- 
treasury  134  ;  141  ;  is  its  leading  advocate  111;  cheeks 
bankenipiiry  13.'>;  condemns  land  sptculation,  but  sug- 
gests no  remedy  l.'jO;  his  N.  Y.  Dist.  Attorney  and  liie 
Patroon  158-9  fand  see  Butler];  Butler,  Hovt's  sureties 
and  194  ;  271;  lat.49°  and 272;  's  nativeism272;  O'Con- 
nellto273;fiu  colonial  system 270 5  chnngpd:'80;  Noah's 
dislike  to,  ib. ;  dislikes  V.  Buren  291 ;  his  p|pd::es  rmd 
i.omination  at  Baltimore  292  to  ;iUS ;  and  lilair  IVM ; 
chooses  Ritchie  301;  on  postage  3U1 ;  Beach,  Te.vas  and 
306. 

Porter,  Governor  David.    Weed,  tho  bank  ani"  298. 

Poner.  Peter  B.     Vote  tm  1'.  aiul  M.  bank 80. 

'PosTAUK.  1;  Tyler  secures  cheap  111 ;  advantages 
of  .301. 

Post-office.  Espionage  system  in  U;  Van  Huren 
makes  political  machinery  of  it  30. 

Powers,  J  inies.     Votes  against  city  b'k,  Buflaio  Oil. 

Prall.  Ichaboil.    Swartwout  on  appraisers  223. 

Price.  U'm.  M.     112;  220:  Hoyt  shuns  him  2.50;  2.57. 

PRiNriNo.  Sre  Croswell — Leake — Cantine— Blair— 
Kitchie— South  wick  —  Hill  —  Kvening  Post  —  Newspa- 
pers. 

Private  Banking.    Flagg  on  176  ;  Tracy  for  179. 

Private  Correspondence.  Polk  on  10,  11  ;  Crawford 
on  10«;  Cambreleng's  notions  of  2.34;  Webb  on  23(): 
Franklin  and  304. 

Proscription,  Political.    V.  B.  for  112. 

Puni.ic  Lands.  How  to  stop  monopoly,  and  layout 
new  states  1.50;  Jackson  desired  to  stop  monopoly  in 
203;  Dallas  on  2;I8;  American  Co.  308. 

Purdy.  Elijah  F.     131 :  220. 

Uuackenbusj,  Mangle  M.  [surety  for  Swartwout] 
219. 

Randolph,  John.  Envoy  to  Russia  100;  onU.  S.  Bank 
129;  on  Cannda  283. 

Randolph,  Thos.  Jefferson.    210  !  on  slavery  270. 

Redfield,  Henian  J.  Votes  to  expel  t'linton  I'rojn  canal 
board  .53;  ami  acst  the  people,  as  one  of  the  iuuiiortal 
17 — 57  ;  votes  for  party  b.^nks  87 ;  Clinton  w'd  not  no- 
minate 2113, 

Reese,  Major.  A  very  honest  bank  commissioner  is  91. 

Reform.  Its  gigantic  strides  over  Britain  and  Ireland 
40,  47 ;   ib.  272. 

Rejon,  .Manuel  0.    On  L'.  S.  Mexican  policy  (15. 

Religious  Frecalom.  Increase  of.  In  United  kingdom 
47.    Representati  10  System.    2. 

Repndiation  nf  IJebti".    Foreign  creditors  nn  017. 

Revolutiiin  nf  1770.     Walpole  an  lulmirer  «(  -P*. 

Kiggs,  Isaac.  Votes  ajfst.  Clinton's  removal  from  the 
canal  board  02 ;  and  to  give  the  people  the  cb'ice  uf  Elec- 
tors .'57. 

RiToiiiE,  TiroMAS.  12;  for  Cr.iwfurJ  and  the  U.S. 
liank  78;  prnphocies  truly  83;  on  bvibin;;  iM.  C 's  with 
oUicey?  to  ItXlj  Stevenson's  oascOit,  Cms  ncrj  103;  ap- 


proves of  Daauc'.s  rcfu.sal  110;  ag.tin.st  sub-treasury  .".nd 
for  pct.slU;  on  militia  plan  115;  east  room  and  201,  211; 
scolds  i^oab  and  tiirn.i  censor  211;  )0'ofpndK  to  be  inde- 
pendent—bind :is  a  state  iiiaehine  210 ;  lettei  .m  Webb, 
bets,  &c.  210;  on  C:uiada  28.5 ;  no  fricml  of  V.  B.  291 ;  on 
Clay.  &c.  292;  menioir  of  2'J8  to  301;  violent  against 
Jackson  .300. 

Kivt'.-i.  William  ('.    In  congrps.?.  tr„  an  cmba.'sy  101. 

I!obiu.-!on,  -Alorris.  IMay  lend  the  money  of  11  tOR'igjn 
bank  HI. 

Robin.-ion,  Peter.    Put  do^-n  for  honest  voting  94;  20.5. 

Koobester,  Unnk  of.     Vote  on  87. 

Uocbester,  William  B.  receives  equivocal  support  fur 
gov'r  S2;  susjiiciou,^  conduct  of  V.  B.  to  201. 

Roarers.  Halsey.    Foi-  ('  million  luink  27  ;  13 1. 

liooT,  ICiiASTi',';.  V"tc.«  on  six  million  b'k  and  bonus 
27;  inipoacbos  Jud.irt  Vim  Ncs.sO-i;  voles  ng't  V.  Borcn 
fir  bank  eiir|Uiry  .'.ri;  S,";  -1^:  for  pvcsi.b'iitial  eleetors  by 
the  iwople  .57 :  on  a  bind  jobl.iiig  bank  111;  H3;  for  Pit- 
cher 2'H,  UVlilifur  221;  Canibivlciig  di.«likps  2:34;  'iV! ; 
on  blaol;,.  271;  aiiri-slavcry  278;  Spencer  to  30.5. 

Rowan.  Jango  Jolin,  Kv.  200. 

Itudd.  Tbcron.     Defalcation  of  131. 
I     Kufifrics,  Hoiij.  of  Ohio.     Kejeets  V.  B.  112. 
I     Kuj;.y;lps.  I'bilo.     .V  friend  of  jieace  210. 

Uu.'li,  liicbard.  For  ('.a.^^s  as  president  104. 
:  I!u.vsian  Kiubassy  i§l8,0tK)  first  vean  Jolin  Randolph, 
;J.  Buchanan,  A\  .  Wilkins,  (;.  C.  Cainlovlcng,  G.  M. 
I  Dalbi,*  ivcopt  KMi;  W.  J.  Ihianc  and  S.  I),  lugbam  refuse 
;ib.  and  1111;  Adams's  n-.otion  on  KH;  Duaiio  and  Jack- 
.<on  12-2;  Dallas  and '298. 

Safety  Fun  1.    S.'C  State  of  N.  Y.  Safety  Fund. 

St.  L'lwrencc,  Navig.ation  of  the  111,  112;  carrying 
trade  rid,  ib. 

viiidl'ird,  C.  W.  A.sks  Throop  to  aiipoint  Wetmore  Q. 
.M.  a.  220. 

S.iiidy  Hill.  Bo.auty.  banking,  law  and  Butler,  at  151 
to  l''2;   Butler  leaves  li;.5. 

Savage,  Chief  Justice.    On  Sol.  Van  Rensselaer  82. 

Seceders  of  S.'othnid.     b" 

Secret  Orrcspoudciioe.     10  to  12. 

Search  Warrant  11. 

.Spdirwiok,  Tbeoilore.    On  Tcx.i.s  0.3. 

Seidell,  Diidlcv.  Votes  .aid  to  exiles  131 ;  and  apst  Polk's 
pet  banks  131 ;  Flajir  agst.  173;  letter  on  V.  B.,  Calhoun, 
iVc.  220;  Stilwel!  on  '227;  231. 

Seynicir,  Horatio.  Vt..  Votes  to  reject  V.  B.  112. 

Shannon.  Wilson.  His  wonderful  despatches  and  lot- 
tor,-:  or.. 

Slade,  Willi.am.   Voti's  ag.-it.  Polk's  freitsuvy  pets  134. 

Slamni.  Levi  1).  Note  on  reform  by  1.5  ;  Customs,  ad- 
vertising to  !47. 

Slavkhv  op  Color- Ni;ono  Bondage.  Blotted 
out  by  Britain  17;  I'olk'.--  iiiiiugural  011  59;  in  Texas  03, 
61;  Cbaniiiiig  on  63.  06;  I'alboun  on  61.  6.5;  ("ambreleng 
on  1P2:  Cass  on  103.  10.5;  Young  on  127.  28'!;  Adams, 
O'Coiini'll.  Ciilboun,  Texas,  on  272 ;  Jac  k.-^uii  to  the  black.s, 
and  O'Coimell  on  273-1;  shall  bla.}k  men  vote'/  274-fi; 
Washington.  Tfpsbur,  (,'alhoiin  and  J'lTer-ion  on,  ib;  opi- 
nions on  27i)-7-8;  free  labor  and  281;  Wright  on  281; 
Greeley  iph,  in  Florida  282:  O'Sullivan  on  294;  Bancroft 
on  295;  Beach  condemns  Texan  U'*!. 

Smith,  Isa.Te  S.  (Buft'alo  stockjobber.)  Patriotism  ami 
bank  borrowing  90,  91. 

Smith,  T.  L.'  Objects  to  V.  B.'.s  S.ifcty  Fund  92,  Cod- 
dinaton  on  2(W;  wont  bo  P.  M.  212. 

South  Carolina,  f-'lioice  of  Kloctors  not  by  the  People 
.57;  .sufferings  by  the  UuiouOl;  votes  for  V.  Buren  as 
Prest.  112.  ■ 

Southwick,  Solomon.  Van  Buren's  friend  22;  ho  de- 
scribes V.  Buren  26;  fried  fer  bribery  27;  set  up  for  go- 
vernor by  a  trick  "-^1 ;  bis  removal  from  post  offlce  81  to 
83;  V.  B.  on  his  vote  20.5;  im  C.nada  284. 

Speight,  Jesse.    On  Katon  iind  .lackson  110. 

Spi'iicer,  .Ambi(i..<e.  Agst.  6  mill  bk.  '27;  on  ('linton 
and  Van  Buren's  course  last  war  18,  49;  rebukes  Butler 
166;  Butler  bitter  .tgst.  167. 

Silencer,  Ji dm  (/'.  Ag-^t.  6  mill  bk.  27;  De  Tocqiieville 
by  99;  for  economy  190:  on  com.  law  305. 

Spicer,  Gcnl.  P.  W.  Place-hunting  213;  Wetmorc  CH 
213. 

Starr,  rhandler.  Safety  Fund  report  on,  by  89. 

State  I,oans  126. 

Stebbim;,  Charles.  Notice  of  93, 94< 


.  >* 


li 

I 
I 
■I 


Stevenson, J 
bow  ^elected  1 
!:ickid  in  Senn 

Stilwell,  Sill 
wants  iiioie  pi 
den  227  ;  for  I 

Stockholder 
Sti :  notion.s  al 

Stoekjobbin 
Young  laS;  b 
plains  it  189; 

Sf  ivmalian,  C 
(anal  Board  T 
bank  votes  S7. 

Strong,  Geoi 

Strong,  J,  H, 

Strong,  T.  R 

SuB-'TnEAsi 
142  ;  they  adn 
putting  it  in  fti 
140 ;  Jackson  n 
of  it  1 12  ;  Wa 
182  ;  IMarcy,  & 

Sudani.  Jchu 
f-'anals  53  ;  an 
and  notice  of  1 

Sumner.  Chs 

Sutherland,  '. 
principal  follov 
ib.;  C'aniDreloi 

Sutherland, . 

Swartwout,  I 

SWAHTWOIT' 

Jncksou  6,3,  64 

scramble  for  pi 

for  lair  apjirai 

228  ;  jiart  of  li 

Texas,  to  Gen. 

201  :  his  brotlK 

Talcott,  Gen. 

Tallm.idge,  I 

Talliii.adge,  C 

'7 ;  Wright  on 

Tallmadgc, 

111  ;  on  Marcy 

Tammany  ij; 

rhartereil  denu 

Tnnev,  Rogc 

122;  l'i3;  126 

opinion  on  U.  f 

Targce,  Johr 

Temple,  Rol 

of  S.  T.  Van  B 

Tenne.s,see. 

Tkxa,s.    Po 

Van  Buren'p  p 

61  to  66:  143: 

272 ;  Clav  on  2' 

Ritchie  for  301 

Thnrslou  L. 

taoek  surety  fo 

Thoina.s,  D.a' 

Thompson,  J 

by  Jackson  44 

pointed  Wasso 

Throop,  Kuo 

211;  voted  for 

Throop,  Geo 

Tibbitts,  KM 

his  bank  plan 

Tompkins,  I 

Tonawi,:  da, 

Townscnd  R 

Tradesmen's 

I)et  124 ;  Barki 

Treasury  Ni 

Truth  telle 

Tyler,  Robe 

Tyler,  John 

for  Van  Buren 

with  the  pres,« 

Ulshocfl'er,  1 

too  democratic 

ble  talk,  We.st^ 


X 


ULS. 


INDEX, 


VAN. 


xi 


nst  sub-treasury  and 
itrooiii  iuiaeill,  211; 
|iri'tpii(|s  to  I'e  inJc- 
21",;  lettei  m  Webb, 
iciiil  of  V.  B.  291 ;  on 
301;  violent  asainst 

t«.  an  cmbai-fy  101. 
u  money  of  ii  t'ortij^n 

loiiest  voting  94 ;  COj. 

ifliiivocal  support  llr 
H.  to  201. 
anl<  27  ;  l;'^ ». 
iiillinn  b'k  ami  bonus 
;  votes  ng't  V.  Boren 
■o-iiibMitiiil  olectorfi  by 
nlv  111;  1«3;  for  Pit- 
■iiS  tli.«liliGs  231;  25! ; 
leucer  to  3i).",. 

Jt. 

V.  B.  112. 
ee  210. 
!si(Ient  1IJ4. 
yean  .Ic^lin  Kandolpji, 
"C'lUiibvelcnfr,   G.   M. 
il  S.  11.  liipliain  vefiise 

II;  Uuaiiu  and  Jaek- 

'.  Safety  Fund. 

e  111,  'l!2;    earryiUR 

0  ai'poiiit  Wetmore  Q. 

aw  ami  Butler,  at  151 

.  Van  Rensselaer  82. 


03. 

?s  13i ;  and  ap.st  Polk'f 
iter  on  V.  B.,  Calhoun, 

reject  V.  B.  112. 

il  despatches  and  let- 

k's  treasury  pets  134. 
I  by  I'l;  Cust'jnis,  ad- 

BoNDAOE.  Blotted 
il  on  r.!i ;  in  Texas  Cv), 
ju  (il.  (i.'i;  ('aiubrelcuK 
on  127,  2S| ;  Ail.inis, 
J;u  l;s,jii  to  till"  blaeks, 
i.}k  nieu  vote?  274-5; 
I  .1'  fTcr^onou,  ib;  opi- 
2-^1;  Wriarht  on  2.S1 ; 
ivan  on  294;  Bancroft 

ber.)  Patriotism  and 
S.afety  Fuiid92,  Cod- 
tors  not  bv  tlie  People 
r'otes  for  V,  Buren  as 

•n's  friend  22;    he  de- 

leiy  27;  set  up  forgo- 

fi'oni  post  ofliee  81  to 

ida284, 

ackson  110. 

I   bk.  27;  on  Clinton 

8,49;  rebukes  Butler 

k.  27;  DoTocqueville 

iw  39.",. 

iig  213;  Wetmorc  c» 

port  on,  by  89. 

94. 


S'.ovenfeon,  Andrew,  In  Crawford  minority  caucus  o5 ; 
bow  <eiected  lor  an  ambassador  96  to  98  ;  furiously  at- 
tacked :u  Senate  171. 

Htilwell,  Silas  M.  107  ;  wants  a  place— notice  of  213  ; 
wants  111  "le  plafos22'i:  on  S.  Cambreleng  22C, ;  on  Sel- 
den227;  for  U.  S.  I!iuik241. 

Stockholders  of  Banks.  For  liability  of  ST, ;  on  do. 
Sii :  notion.s  about  in  (jeiirj.'ia  229. 

.Stockjobbing.  8.',  to.-*7:  CanibreleiiK 'f'-'.  112;  12.',-r,; 
Youns  I2S;  137,  1,'W;  )gso,(KK1  cleaved  142;  Kevins  cx- 
plaiu.s  it  189;  J.  Van  Biireu  on  a">l  ;  2.">4-.'',. 

iSti-analian,  Col.  Farrand.  Votes  to  c.\pel  Clinton  from 
<  anal  Board  "lo ;  and  ai)  one  of  the  immortal  17,  57 ; 
bank  votes  h7. 

Stronf.',  George  D.    2)8. 

Strong,  ,1.  H,    8aved  from  ruin  in  state  libr.iry  170. 

Strong,  T.  R.    A  bank  non-receiver  94, 

Sub-Tbeasury.  Polk  and  Blair  dciionr.ce  it  131, 140, 
142;  they  admire  and  support  itl!!,  H')yt  and  Allen 
putting  it  in  force  rby  way  of  miwkerj'i  1,39:  Calhoun  on 
140;  Jackson  against  it  141 ;  for  it! !  1 ;  Kitoliio  kafr.aid 
of  it  142;  Walker  trying  it  112:  Hoyt's  179;  Rtice  of 
182  ;  Marcy,  &c.  on  2it7  ;  in  war  293. 

Sudani.  j<4in.  Votes,  1821,  to  remove  Clinton  from 
<;anals  53  ;  and  a.s  one  of  the  immortal  17,  57  ;  letter 
and  notice  of  199, 

Sumner,  Charles.    On  negro  equ.ality  274. 

Sutherland,  l)r.  Joel  B.  93  ;  votes  on  pet  banks  134  ; 
principal  foUov.-s  interest  with  (a  letter)  1S2  ;  notice  of. 
ib. ;  Canioreleng  on  2:13,  231. 

Sutherland,  Judge  Jacob.     170, 171. 

Swartwout,  Robert.    On  ilie  Chemical  Bunk  33. 

SwAitTWOUT,  Samuel.  41;  ageut  tor  Burr  ('i2  ;  for 
Jackson  63, 1,4  ;  embezzles  revenue  wholesJile  133  ;  in 
scramble  for  plunder  209  :  |luff^  Burrows  2"22  :  his  effort 
lor  lair  apiiraisi:ments  223:  to  Woodbury  for  nephew 
2'iS ;  p,an  of  his  default  started  Blair  233; -letters  on 
Texas,  to  Gen.  Houston,  Col.  Thorne,  Breedlove,  250  to 
261 :  his  brother's  toast  2^1. 

Talcott,  Gen.  S.  A,    Butler  on  170, 

T.allmadge,  1).  B.     For  free  banking  174. 

Talliiiadge,  General  Jame.s.  Elected  Lieut.  Governor 
."7 ;  Wright  on  203. 

Tallmadge,  Nathaniel  P.  Votes  for  Stevenson  98 ; 
111  ;  on  Marcv  and  Sub-Treasury  207  ;  to  Hoyt257. 

Tammany  l(;5U0,(l(K)  Bank.  By  Stephen  Allen,  to  help 
rharteied  democrats  241. 

Taney,  Roger  B.  How  to  get  to  be  chief  justice  76  , 
122;  123;  120;  Adams's  amusing  vote  of  thanks  to  135  ; 
opinion  on  U.  S.  15aiik  to  Butler  171. 

Targee,  John.    Hamilton's  $2(KI  ,and  205  ;  21 1. 

Temple,  Robert  E.  (Adjutant  General),  brothcr-in-l.iw 
of  S.  T.  Van  Buren.    20. 

Tennes,see.     Union  Bank  of,  deposits  in  121. 

Texas.  Polk  upon  59;  Ol  ;  Channing  to  Cl.iy  on  63; 
Van  Bureu's  policvtoO-1;  "281  ;  (Calhoun's  course  as  to 
64  to  66:  143;  Swartwout  and  2."9  to  261;  slavery  in 
272 ;  Clav  on  273 :  Baltimore  resolve  294  ;  Young  on  296 ; 
Rit<-hie  for  301 ;  Beach  on  and  otT  .306-7. 

Thurston  L.  M.  Jesse's  clerk,  his  brother-in-livw,  and 
mock  surety  for  §200,000— 19,1. 

Thomas,  Daviil.    Tried  for  bribery  27. 

Thompson,  Jonathan.  Removed  from  Custom  House 
by  Jackson  44:  at  request  of  politicians  211 ;  216;  ap- 
pointed Wasson  220. 

Throop,  Enos  T.  On  banks  ,89  132 ;  notice  of  207-8 ; 
21 1  ;  voted  for  United  States  Bank  charter  248. 

Throop,  George  B.    Bank  votes,  1829—93. 

Tibbitts,  Elisha.  Webbon  102;  112;  Bennett  on  222; 
his  bank  plan  232,  2,33, 

Tompkins,  Daniel  I).    Opposes  bank  charters  26,  27, 

Tonawi.:  da,  I5ank  of,    91, 

Townsend  Itobert.    Croswell  on  1,17. 

Tradesmen's  Bank,  N,  Y,  Vote  ou  86;  a  treasury 
l)et  124 ;  Barker  for  192, 

Treasury  Notes.    Issued  bv  V^nn  Buren  137, 

Truth  Teller  newspaper.    238, 

Tyler,  Robert,     Note  to  Mackenjiic  9, 

Tyler,  John,  98;  national  bank  veto  by  111;  votes 
for  Van  Buren  as  envoy  to  England  112  ;  on  interfering 
with  the  press  215. 

Ul^hocficr,  Henry.  Custom  House  espionage,  Boggs 
too  democratic,  scandal  retailed,  Shourt  t)ic  cartman,  ta- 
ble talk,  We-stervelt,  bad  Whigs  204  265. 


Ulshoeffer,  Mich.iel.  For  bank  inquiry  35  ;  cunning 
'86  ;  frank  167  ;  letter  to  Hoyt  lilO,  191. 

U.N'iTED  States  Bank.  Van  Buren  party,  friends  and 
eiiomies  of  74  to  78  :  iMouroe,  Madison,  and  Marshall  on 
75,  76  ;  Van  Bnien  ngainst  105  ;  its  claim  to  the  deposits 
1 14,  115  ;  Harrisi.ii's  death  stopped  a  third  121  ;  treasury 
deposits  and  131  to  1.34 ;  shares  unduly  .affected  142  ; 
Butler  against  the  pkesent  one  171  ;  Hoyt's  stock  in 
18.5  ;  Neviiis  the  broker  against  189  :  d'ambreleng's  war 
against23il— wanted Tibbitts's  plan 232— «  national  bank 
2,')3  :  Webb  and  Noah's  loan  from  2-35  ;  A.  Ward  on 
239  ;  S.  Allen  and  C.  Livingston  for  it  241  ;  Wright, 
Lawrence,  Hoyt,  &e.  on  2-17-8-9  ;  the  Uallases  on  297  ; 
Weed  on  298. 

United  States  Constitution.    Its  imperfections  55,  56. 

U.  S.  Navy.  7  ;  enormous  sinecure  captaincies,  &c. 
119  ;  Swartwout,  note.  228. 

U.  S.  Supreme  Cnurt.  Declare  U.  S.  Bank  legal  76  ; 
too  costly  for  the  pe.iple  30.3. 

Upshur,  A.  P.    On  Texas  as  a  slave  mart  65. 

Usury  Laws,  Young  niiainst,  130 ;  Uurko  on,  MU ; 
Flags  and  Livingston  on,  1T6;  Cutting  on,  177. 

Van  Aleii,  James  I.  Van  Burcn's  hall-brother,  sent 
to  Cons-rcss,  &c.,  21,  22  ;  lilO, 

Van  Buren,  Abrahaiii  and  Marj-,  Parentage  of  Mar- 
tin, 18  i()20. 

Van  Huren,  Aliraliani  jr.,  marries,  20. 

Van  Buren,  Ahraluini  (livother  uf  president)  190. 

Van  Btitis!*,  John  marries,  20:  altornoy  to  ,'i  hank, 
85;  niiplit  uiakn  bad  banks  better  1  04  ;  Marcy's  ninrt- 
liaue  and  nitss^i^c,  12,5-6;  142;  notice  of,  147-8;  iden- 
tifies Wrhl),  is  screened  by  VV.  T,  McCoun,  is  partner 
with  J.  McKown,  !.'i  is  {'il2.')0  for  assisting  at  Boughton's 
trials  I  48,  is  attorney-general  by  caucus,  ib,:  letters, 
202,  205:  borrows  of  Hoyt,  244;  swears  and  spells, 
2lii;  sccii't  liinls  to— buying  stocks— cursing^linrrow- 
iufr — Whipple,  2,")0 ;  slockjohbini:,  2."i2-3;  betting,  255; 
iiioie  L'.i  111  III  iiiL[,  2.50;  nioic  yel,  25"  ;  loriows  and  specu- 
lates, 261;  begs  Jesse's  aid,  202. 

Van  Burbn,  Martin,  7;  17;  his  birth,  parentage, 
cr)nne.\ioiis,  habits,  marriage,  sons,  19,  20  ;  licensed  as 
a  l.iwyei  — lakes  ofliee— political  moves,  21,  22  ;  in- 
iripurs"  lor  hanks,  and  lieconios  director  of  Hudson 
liaiik,  23,  24  ;  sets  up  lis  a  hard  money  man,  25  ;  us  a 
^o^t.  32;  •-"oulhwick  on,  26  and  21)3  ;  on  6  mill  b'k,  27; 
appointed  Attorney-General,  28;  chosen  senator  for 
ColunibiM  C,i.,  ill. ;  votes  for  Clinton  to  be  Presiilent, 
i-lt :  interferes  with  the  PostOfiice,  30;  swerves  from 
tniili  lis  to  his  Bank  votes,  31  ;  charters  the  old  Hutfulo 
hank,  32;  against  a  specie  clause,  ib.  ;  h\<  and  Can- 
tine's  bank  inirifjurs,  ,34,  35;  he  puts  down  Bank  in- 
quiry, 35;  saves  the-  Washington  and  Warren  bank 
charter,  votes  iipainst  taxing  Bank  slock,  and  lor  two 
hank  clnarters,  37,  38;  his  nianiruvrrs,  ill. ;  for  Auburn 
Hank,  ib.  ;  abhors  bank  knavery,  42 ;  the  ripht  hand 
man  to  Clinton,  1812,  44  ;  lor  and  against  n  caucus, 
ill.;  gives  rsirecker  (tlice,  ib:  explanations  of  his  war 
conduct,  45,  40;  urges  on  Clinton,  then  desert*  him — 
.Amhrose  Spencer  on,  48,49  ;  Clinton  e.vpelled  from  the 
Ciui.il  Board.  .50  to  ,53:  traduces  (Clinton  when  alive, 
lauds  him  when  dead,  ,54  ;  bis  sense  of  justice,  or  the 
Prenderpnst  vote,  52 ;  on  district  election*.  56 ;  his 
Crawford  caucus  55  to  ,58;  ditto  195;  Ciilholics  and 
70;  In  t'.  S.  Senate,  72;  on  iiiiprisi^nment  79;  on 
internal  iniprovemoiit.  ib. ;  character  of,  73 :  for  a  U,  H. 
Hank  and  not  tiir  ii,  75  to  78;  jietilious  Biddle  for  U.  S.^ 
Iirniicli  bank,  79;  Davis  on,  80,  81;  repulatinc  the 
PoBt-Oflico,  81  to  83;  for  Clay  and  Adams,  83;  his 
siil'ety  lunil,  84  to  95  ;  governor,  88  ;  against  banks,  89  ; 
Stevenson  for,  98  :  selects  oliices  iVoiu  (Congress,  101  ; 
tho  freedom,  101;  claims  on  France  and,  105;  Jack- 
son's cabinet  quarrel  and  106,  to  111 ;  Crawloid  intrigue 
and,  108  ;  Branch  and  Webb  on,  1119,  110  ;  goes  envoy 
to  London,  111;  njccted  by  U.  S.  senate,  112;  proscrip- 
tion liy,  ib. ;  ciccicd  V,  I'.,  113;  on  pet  banks,  114  to 
120;  to  Me  Lane  on  do.,  120;  electioneers,  124:  dodges 
votes,  129;  on  bank  debts,  ib.  ;  Young  On,  130;  for 
and  not  for  b'k  restriction,  138  ;  lor  money  w.II  mixed, 
139;  sub  treasury  and,  142;  endorses  Blair,  li:' :  exam- 
ples in  style,  144;  profligatn  exiiendlture  of,  l-!4  to  149; 
standing  army  of  200,000,  145 ;  meanness  in  money,  140 
and  !  ! !  ;  Butler  and,  1,53,  1.54.  KiO  to  165  ;  toasted  as  an 
Prskine.  166;  letters  of,  183,  184;  his  terror  about  815, 
180;  letters,  180—7—8,  190;  on  Albany  Argus,  19U; 


■'.  X'' '' 

v.- 


^'^f>>^' 


Wfi  L 


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WEB. 


INDEX. 


YUL. 


offices  in  family,  ib. ;  Barker  on.  192 ;  on  party,  196 ; 
letters  on  Noah,  Clay  and  Adaiiia— la  «ure  of  Craw- 
ford's success— Noalj  on  V.  B.,  1!)7, 198;  Telegraph, 
endorsing,  visiting  Crawford,  iiOO:  suspicious  course 
tuw'ils  Rochester,  'JOl ;  Wright's  letter  on  the  simils 
to,  203 ;  letters  on  election  of  "28,  Noah,  bets,  &c.,  204-5 ; 
on  Providence,  Butler,  VVestervelt,  20t) ;  Marcy  saved, 
Weslerveit  saves,  207  ;  Bryan  Farrell,  Hoyt  and,  211 ; 
Noah  on,  214  -,  on  Hoyt's  bad  manners,  216 ;  educated 
lioyt,  ib. ;  on  Mackenzie,  222 ;  to  Hoyt  from  London, 
2£> ;  Webb  Would  fight  for,  2:U,  232 ;  Bennett  and  Euro- 
peans, 236 ;  electioneering,  isn  ;  Bennett  on — on  Bennett, 
245;  on  Swartvvout,  25U;  Godwin  on,  251 ;  on  Whigs, 
&c.,  2S7:  notes,  258;  takes  Plaindeuler,  2G2;  help  for 
God's  sake,  ib. ;  on  Amistcad  negroes,  274  ;  Leggott  on 
slavery,  outrage  and,  277  j  slavery  in  Missouri  and,  278 ; 
coasting  trade  in  slaves  and,  279 ;  Cuba  and,  ib.;  agt.  colo- 
nial settlements,  lb. ;  Canada  proclamation  by,  280,  289 ; 
on  annexation,  281 ;  Iowa  and.  282;  failure,  1840,  2*2; 
author's  imprisonment  and,  290;  for  Polk,  Dallas  and, 
of  course,  Te.vas,  293  ;  electioneering,  302 ;  agt.  cheap 
law,  304— D ;  agt.  a  convention,  305 ;  Bank  of  Hudson 
and,  307. 

Van  Buren,  Martin,  letters  by,  30,  70,  72,  79. 

Van  Uuren,  Martin,  jr.,  20. 

Van  Buren,  Smith  Thompson,  marries,  20. 

Vanderpoel,  Judge  Aaron,  votes  for  Polk's  pet  banks, 
134 ;  notice  of— to  Hoyt,  262-3. 

Vanderpoel,  James  (Vice  Chancellor),  20;  deals  in 
slocks,  252. 

Van  Dieman's  Land  Prigonew.    287. 

Van  Ness,  Cornelius  P.  9,  10,  12  to  14,  V.  B.  to 
against  slavery  279. 

Van  Ness,  William  P.  19,  on  Society— U.  S.  Judge, 
New  York  23,  his  clerk  embezzles  $118,000,  on  foreigners 
70,  in  Hudson  bank  23  and  307. 

Van  Ness,  Judge  W.  W.  Tried  for  bribery  27, 28, 
Butler's  opinion  of  164, 

Van  Rensseliver,  Solomon.  Van  Buren  tries  to  prevent 
his  apoointment  iw  P.  M.  82,  83,  E.  Livingston  on  186. 

VatiRensseliier  Stephen(the  Voung  Patroun).  Butler's 
wine  debauch  with  40,  ilitto  158. 

Van  Schaick,  Myndert  Van.  Voted  fur  city  bank, 
Buffalo  90,  for  national  bank  241. 

Verplanck,  Gulian  C.  On  bank  deposits  131,  185,  no- 
tices of  202,  205,  note  206,  what  pledge  ?  212,  candidate 
for  mayor  247,  on  equity  law  303. 

Veto  on  Laws.  Should  it  not  be  in  the  people  ?  2,  bad 
use  (if  this  power  by  Van  Buren  116  to  149. 

Virginia.  Viluing  Texas  as  a  slave  mart  65,  Ran- 
dolph, ice.  on  slavery  in  276, 279,  Ritchie  and  298  to  301. 

V'otes,  Voting.    Young  on  127. 

Walker.  Robert  J.  On  Hoyt  letters  12,  retains  Cor- 
yell and  Ooldson  13.  notice  of  ns,  on  banks— appoint- 
ments by  99,  naval  olflee  under  132,  Butler  and,  at  Bal- 
timore 294 

Walsh,  Michael.    A  lej?al  oontrast  .'302, 


V.  B.  231,  would  flght  Poindexter  232,  his  card,  ib.,  on 
Marcy's  nomination  235,  on  private  letters  236,  Ritchie's 
oompiaint  a,:?ainst  2t0,  describes  C.  W.  Lawrence  217, 
bets  $4500— 2:>5. 

Webber,  Robert.    9,  12,  223. 

Webster,  Daniel.  Blair  censures  for  giving  office  to 
Europeans  71,  on  cnrrency  78,  on  U.  Sbank92,  vote 
against  Stevenson  98,  on  patronage  101,  on  sUive  trade 
105,  rejects  V.  B.  112,  on  banks  114,  on  (;anada284. 

Weed,  Thurlow.  Takes  Croswell's  stronghold  146-7, 
United  States  bank  298,  on  land  co'g.  308. 

Wellington,  Duke  of.    On  war  3. 

Wells,  Alexander.    126. 

Wesley,  John.    A  missionary  in  Oa.  296. 

Westchester  Polities.    A  word  on  238,  Mirev  on  237. 

VVestervelt,  Dr.    V.  B.  praises  206,  Pitcher  upset  207. 

Wetmore,  Prosper  M.  22,  for  city  bank,  Buffalo  90, 
Webb's  objection  to  224  to  226,  Sandford  for  226  to 
Swartwout  about  Spioer,  Ogsbury,  &o.  243-4,  on  organ- 
izing board  of  brokers  261. 

Whei^on,  Henry.  Votes  to  expel  Clinton  from  tha 
Miial  hUrtl  52.  f.ir  popular  elections  57,  169,  189,  notice 
of  195,  196,  nn  Canada  234. 

White,  Canipliell  P.  Votes  the  deposits  to  the  pets 
131,  and  burrows  out  the  dollars  135. 

Whit«  Plains  bank.     13-^. 

Whitney,  Stephen.    Against  U.  ,S.  bank.    Why?  171, 

Whittlesey,  Frederick.  Votes  against  Polk's  pet 
banks  l^i. 

Wlcklitfe,  Robert,  of  Ky,  On  executive  corruption  by 
V.  B.  96. 

VVildo,  Richard  H.  of  Ga.  Report  of,  agst  Polk's  pets 
134. 

Wilkin,  Samuel  J.  Votes  in  assemltly  against  the 
immort<il  17—57. 

Wilkin,  James  W.  Vote  on  6  mill.  h'k.  28;  44 ;  a  can- 
didate for  U.  S.  Senate  70. 

Wilklns,  William.  Votes  for  Stevenson  98 ;  and  for 
V.  B.    112;  on  land  bill  298. 

Willin Shcrrod.    V.  Buren  to.  30,  77,88,  114: 

Windt,  John,  and  Evans  Geo.  Their  simple  plan  to 
protect  land  settlers  and  stop  monopoly  150. 

Wise,  Henry  A.  Admirable  expose  of  Woodbnry's 
misconduct  by  133  ;  votes  against  Polk's  pet  banks,  134. 

Wiswall.  'Commodore.'     1.5,5,  156,  160,  184. 

Wood,  Bradford  R.    Remarks  on  war,  270. 

Woodbury,  Levi.  T'nfm  congress  to  cabt.  101;  on 
bank  sus|)ensions  124  ;  shameful  neglect  of  ini|H)rtnnt 
duties  by  133  ;  agt.  sub-treasury  141 ;  sureties  t'n  fm 
Hoyt  194. 

Woodworth,  John.  Tompkins's  casting  vote  ngst.  S8  ; 
appointed  a  supreme  c't  judge  54 ;  Butler  on  167;  in  ct. 
of  errors  193. 

Worth,  Gorhiiin  A.    85:  Butler  on  ir>5 ;   192. 

Wright,  SiLjis.  Anti-Renters  and  14;  he  endorses 
Butler  41;  voted  in  senate  to  drive  Clinton  from  the 
canal  board  .53 ;  and  with  the  iiHinortal  17,  57  ;  to  kevp 


Walworth,  Reubeti  H.  Applies  for  a  Plattsburgh  ,  power  far  from  the  People  57 ;  bank  votes  by  87 ;  praises 
bank  charter  31.  !»cti<m  on  weak  .-i.ifety  fund  banks  90, '  safety  fund  93;  vote  fur  .Stevenson  [principle  involved] 
his  broken  bank  receivers  04,  hi;-  bushel  basket  170.  98  ;  on  the  (let  banks  120 ;  on  V.  S.  B'k.  121  ;  for  and 

War.   Conventions  prevent .'!,  opinions  on  4,  1;)6.  u?t.  sub-tie.i^nry  and  pets  139,  140;  divides  '  the  spoils' 

War  of  1812.  Duane  on  4,  Van  Uuren  and  Clinton's  | $2100  to  J.  Viin  Buren  for  assiatiiis  at  four  trials  248 ; 
ponduct  in  41  to  tj,  closing  sceni'S  in  208  to  270,  in  Ca- 1  old  iund  co.  18,15, 149;  to  siieak  strongly  for  Butler,  in 
nada2S3to  285.  senate  171  ;  Cutting  on  electing  182;  pledge  189  ;  note 

War  with  England.  Brownson  on  141,  would  stop  I  »bt.  197 ;  poliiicnl  letters  by  201  to  204  ;  against  betting 
reform  there  266,  signs  of  267,  the  soliool  of  experience  *  205 ;  208;  213;  Uennett  and  221;  instructs  Hoyt  and 
208  to  270,  penaltie.'!  of  270,  iVIoore  on  289.  246  ;  Godwin  on  2J1  ;  Potter  and  254  ;  Hoyt  and  259  ; 

Ward,  General  Aaron.  Votes  aid  tn  Polish  exiles  131,  'his  Texas  face  2Si ;  on  slavery  301  ;  2  terms  and  302  ; 
■  ■    ■  '""  on  law  303;  on  convention  305. 


great  eleotioneerer  2;W,  23i),  a  place  wanted  '2.39. 

Ward,  General  Jasper.  Votes  to  remove  Clinton 
from  Canal  Board— takes  leave  of  seiinte  himself  to  save 
expulsion  53,  one  of  the  immortjil  17,  .57  ;  votes  of  87. 

Wat'iington  county  factions.    Marcy  on  237. 

Washington,  George,    (hi  slavery  271-5. 

Washington  and  Waurkn  Bank.  How  ohartered 
37,  38,  used  by  Butler,  Hoyt  and  Barker  as  a  means  of 
tteecing  the  country  39  to  44,  Butler's  I'll  to  165. 

Wasson,  Geo.  A.    Wants  to  keep  in  Custom  Ho.  220. 

Waterviiet  Bank.    Broken  94,  i;«). 

Webb,  J.  W.  On  U.  S.  Justice  6,  nn  Hoyt  and  But- 
ler 18,  on  Canibreleng  101,  102,  on  the  Eiiton  troubles  110, 
142,  J.  V.  B.  swears  to  148,  Bennett  on  221-2,  Mackeniie 
and  222,  offloe-huntiiig  with  Noah  224-5,  to  Hoyt  230, 
for  V.  B.  and  Jackson— would  light  fur  V.  11— he  paints 


YouNo,  Samuel.  Votes  (.'hcnango  b'k  charter  ."Vl; 
IS  ;  on  tlie  canals  53;  his  opinions,  ib.  ;  on  distriot  elec- 
tions 56;  for  Crawford  r.od  ngst.  Jackson,  ib. ;  for  Clay 
in  1824,  and  popular  election  57;  aids  Adams  and  cen- 
sures Van  Bujen  68  ;  vote  on  city  b'k,  Buffalo  90  ;  vio- 
lent for  the  deposites  120;  notice  of  127  to  130;  on 
suffrage— for  Clay— on  banks  128  ;  begs  for  bank  stock 
— nom's  Marcy— for  a  two  niillion  bk.  &c.  129  ;  on  bank 
debts;  ib.;  for  Van  Buren  1,30;  bank  shares  to  131  helps 
Croswell  147  ;  Butler  lisd  to  go  for  169  ;  opposing  regu- 
lars 173;  plan  of  banking  by  170  ;  on  usury  177  ;  178; 
Wright  on  203;  notice  of  234 ;  Godwin  im  251 ;  on  black 
troops  27 1 ;  against  slr.very  in  Mo,  278  ;  on  slavery  281  : 
on  Polk  and  Dallas  296. 

Yulee  (or  Levy)  David.     To  annex  Cuba  106. 


M 


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tiict  to  amn^e  t 
wliat  miiv  be  di 
the  |)e(iplo  to  a 
iiiij  iniirmirenir 
that  liiiinor  and 
I'ouduct  alone  n 
ill  tliB  ii.,ti>in  thi 
''leiir  o|iiiiiiiH  til 
lowu>t  .itiile  of 
»«l(liig  a  qnoxtic 
iiiiU  iiisoiisiblc  ri 
any  extmorditnv 
in  list  bo  the  fat< 


I 


ir  232,  hio  card,  ib.,  on 
B  letters  236,  Ritchie's 
C.  W.  Lawrence  247, 


s  for  givinj;  office  to 
n  U.  S  bank  92,  votu 
ige  101,  on  slave  trade 
1,  on  Canada  284. 
U's  stronghold  146-7, 
^'g.  308. 


Ga.  296. 

>n  238.  Mirov  on  237. 
06,  Pitcher  upset  207. 
ity  bank,  Buffalo  90, 
Sandford  for  226  to 
,  &c.  213-4,  on  organ- 

wl  Clinton  from  tha 
ns  57,  169,  189,  notice 

e  deposits  to  the  pets 
15. 

S.  bank.    Why?  171. 
against  Folk's    pet 

lecutlvc  corruption  by 

art  of,  Bgst  Polk's  pets 

issembly  against  the 

ill.  b'k.  2a ;  44 ;  a  can- 

Itevenson  98 ;  and  for 

p.  30,  77,  88,  114; 
Their  simple  plan  to 
lopoly  150. 

3i).se  of  Woodbury's 
'oik's  pet  bankn,  134. 
•  160,  184. 
war,  270. 
rcs8  U>  cnlit.  101 ;  on 
neplect  of  Iniiwrtunt 
141 ;  sureties  t'n  fm 

casting  vote  nfst.  S8  ; 
Butler  on  167;  in  ct. 

on  166;  192. 

ind  14;  he  endorses 

ive  Clinton  from  tho 

nortal  17,  57  ;  to  kotp 

votes  by  87 ;  praises 

fprinfliple  Involved] 

■.  B'k.  121  ;  for  and 

divliles  '  the  spoils' 

vftit  four  trials  248; 

Dn^'ly  for  Butler,  In 

!2 ;  pledge  189  ;  note 

2(14  ;  aitainst  l)ettinK 

instructs  Hoyt  and 

254  ;  Hoyt  and  259  ; 

2  terms  and  302  ; 

ni^o  b'k  charter  ."Vl ; 
ib.  ;  on  district  elec- 
nckson,  ib. ;  lor  Ctay 
ids  Avlanis  iind  cen- 
b'k,  Buffalo  90  ;  vio- 
of  127  to  130;  on 
begs  for  bank  stock 
bk.  &c.  129  ;  on  bank 
k  sbiircs  t«  131  helps 
109 ;  opiioslng  rdgu- 
on  usury  177  ;  178; 
win  on  251 ;  on  black 
278  ;  on  slavery  281 ; 

;x  Cuba  106. 


THE    LIFE    AND   TIMES 


OF 


*     MARTIN   VAN  BUREN. 


C  II  A  P  T  E  R   I . 

Drdication.     The  State  Convention  at  Albany.     Checks  on  Legislation.     Con 
ventions  "prevent  wars.     Republics  should  be  pacific.    Cheap  Postage  an  import, 
ant  Eduranonal  measure.     The  adder's  .itnne.    Administration  of  Justice  in  the 
U.  S. 

Thls  volume,  like  it.s  pveclecsssor,  the  Live.s  of  Butler  and  floyt,  is  respect- 
fully in.sciibed  to  the  Electors  of  the  Convention,  which  is  to  assemhle  in  June 
next,  for  the  revision  of  the  Constitution  of  the  Stale  of  New  York.  The 
unanimity  with  which  that  great  measure  has  been  supported  at  tlie  polls,  affords 
ground  ft)r  good  hope  that  the  delegates  about  to  be  elected  will  he  united  and 
zealous  in  their  endeavours  for  perfecting  those  cherished  Institutions,  formed 
upon  popular  integrity  and  intelligence,  which  the  array  of  facts  in  the.se  pages, 
under  the  title  of  the  Life  and  Times  of  Martin  Van  Buren,  too  clearly  proves 
to  have  failed,  in  many  respects,*  to  .secure  to  tho  pcoplo  the  practical  ad\ant- 
ages  of  those  equal  civil  and  religious  rights,  which  tiiey  nominally  confer, 
under  any  administration.  The  Constitution  of  l^'il,  was,  in  soiric  respects, 
like  those  which  failed  in  France,  the  v.-ork  of  factioii.s  ;  some  of  the  leaders  in 
each,  .striving  so  to  remodel  the  instrument  us  would  best  conduce  to  tiie  great 
object  in  view,  the  attainment  of  power  and  its  many  advantages  by  themselves 
and  their  followers  ;  but  I  trust  that  it  is  yet  reserved  to  the  new  world  to  con- 
vince  the  old,  that  men  can  continue  peaceably  and  happily  to  subsist  under  the 
regime  of  rational  liberty  and  legal  equality,  with  equal  and  e.xalted  justice 

*The  correspondence  of  Edmund  Rnrkc,  lately  pulilislicd,  sliows  rvlint  he  tlioiiirbt  of  popnliir  mnvcmLMitj,  bow 
(iiey  must  be  ilirected,  and  wliiit  would  be  the  fata  of  the  poopli^  nf  Enx'land,  Iri'liiiiil  and  Scuthind,  if  ii<i  men  could 
be  found  liolli  ubic  und  willing  tu  bear  tho  heat  iinil  linrihiS  iif  the  day.  'flif  hlitory  <jf  .Mr.  Vnn  llurcn  and  Ins 
unworthy  confcderntns  will  show,  what  sordid  iioltUhni!«s  ami  an  ninliitinn  witliunt  patriotisni  and  lovr;  df  virtue, 
ciiii  uriiieve,  when  united  with  plautihie  manner:!,  i;reiit  i  pr»!vcr»iice.  skill  in  the  uianaKcnienl  of  parties,  and  tlio 
lad  to  umnse  lliern  with  Mn  is!lnc^.  .Mr  llnrkn  ivishis  to  oimntoriict  this  aclivitv  of  n  (vw  fur  e\il  hy  showing 
wlmt  miiv  be  done  by  the  uniioi  of  (.'rent  minds  fitr  the  advani'ement  id"  the  !;i"ii('nil  i'mid.  lie  sty;*  ; — "  'I'o  lirinjf 
thu  jKiopIo  to  a  leL'biijr,  to  such  a  feuiinjr.  I  motin,  ati  tend<  to  nuieudniciit  or  aiii'i.Ltinn  of  sylcni,  there  must  be  pliin 
and  luanniunieiit.  A"  dirvnlinn  nf  piildic  linun)r  anil  opinion  ninst  iiri:.'lnalp  in  :i  f>w.  IV'rh;ips  a  ^.Miiid  ileal  of 
that  iliiaior  and  opinion  innil  Im  owinc  to  such  dircctlnn.  invents  supply  inritLTiiils  :  tinirs  fiirniih  ilinpositions  ;  bi|t 
I'ondiict  ahinc  can  iirin^  tliDni  to  hear  to  any  Ubeliil  purpose.  I  iievTr  yet  knew  an  inslaiicc  nf  any  itinera!  leniper 
in  the  n,,tiim  that  ini^ht  not  hiivc  been  tran?'!  to  snnie  piirtii'iilar  por.-oiis.  If  thiiiL's  are  ht)  tn  tlicnmlves,  it  is  inv 
r'lear  o|iiiiiiMi  that  a  nation  iniiy  slide  down  fiiir  nod  lofily  from  the  liiehust  point  of  "rnndeur  nnd  pros|irrity  lo  the 
lowc'r.1  iitati?  of  linhecility  and  nii'annor.H,  without  nny  unn'n  nnrkiiij  a  pariiciihir  in'rnul  in  this  dei-.lensi.in,  witlioilt 
asliinj  a  i|ue«tion  alionl  it,  or  in  tlie  least  s|i«cuhitins  on  any  nf  tho  innniti'TttldM  arts  which  \\nyf  stoli-n  ii^  this  siletit 
and  insonsihlc  revolution.  Kvery  event  so  prennpc's  the  snliseqnenl.  that  when  it  arrives  it  pridmreii  nu  surprise  nor 
any  extrimrdinary  nlaroi.  I  am  ccrtiiin  that  if  pains,  grout  ami  imuirdiate  Mains,  arc  nut  talicn  to  pr;'»iMt  ll,  siirli 
miitt  bo  the  fate  uf  thi^  (country." 


'^:'J\ 


m 


*  I 

■1 


t 


■:  A 


i    I 


2  IS   IT   NOT    EASrfcR   TO   CHOOSE   GOOD   MEASUItES   THAN    GOOD  MEN  ? 

dispensed  to  all.  "  Tiie  rational  foundation  of  all  government — the  origin  of 
a  right  to  govern  and  a  correlative  duty  to  obey — is  neither  original  contract, 
proprietary  right,  nor  prescription — it  is  expediency — the  general  benefit  of  the 
community." 

I  hear  the  people  of  the  United  States  spoken  of,  by  judges,  legislators,  ex- 
ecutivef,  and  authors,  by  those  in,  and  those  in  expectation  of  ofFico,  as  being 
wise,  c  nlightened,  and  capable  of  acting  for  their  own  interests ;  and  as  they 
are  empowered  to  choose  presidents,  governors,  congressmen,  senators,  sherilfs, 
&c.,  their  ability  to  discriminate,  to  refuse  the  evil  and  choose  the  good,  is  con- 
ceded. If,  then,  brother  electors,  you  are  capable  of  choosing  the  best  rwn, 
how  much  more  so  the  best  measures  !  Would  it  not  be  well  worth  the  enquiry, 
whether  laws  of  a  general  chai'acter,  and  aflecting  every  body,  ought  not  to  be 
subjected  to  the  votes  of  the  constituencies  before  they  take  effect  ?  Would 
not  that  be  a  more  republican  check  on  such  wholesale  wickedness  as  the  life 
of  Van  Buren  discloses  in  legislative  halls  ?  The  veto  of  a  .Tackson,  a  Tyler, 
or  a  Van  Buren,  may  be  right — so  may  that  of  a  Bouck,  a  Murcy,  a  Porter,  a 
Throop,  or  a  Wright — but  is  it  not  anti-republican  ?  The  governor  of  this 
state,  and  the  president  of  the  United  States  have  monarchical  power — they  can 
resist — veto — and  often  do  resist  the  will  of  the  community  as  expressed  by  a 
majority. 

In  the  oligarchy  of  Venice,  the  doge  was  only  a  member  of  a  council — he 
could  not  oppose  the  will  of  the  majority;  but  under  the  monarchical  part  of 
our  system,  the  governor  or  president,  surrounded  l)y  power,  patronage  and  place, 
in  aid  of  influencing  a  re-election  .  r  choice  of  succession,  can  oppose  a  measure 
which  the  people  may  require — this  opposition  cannot  be  got  rid  of  by  the  vote 
of  a  majority  of  their  representatives — it  can  only  be  overcome  by  a  vote  of 
two  to  one,  while  the  immense  patronage  of  the  courts  of  Washington  or  Albany, 
and  often  of  both  of  them  united  for  one  object,  is  available  to  prevent  that  vote. 

I  have  been  a  close  observer  of  the  workings  of  legislative  bodies — was  long 
an  active  member — and  have  ever  been  a  warm  admirer  of  the  representative 
system.  To  instruct  the  delegate,  where  the  law  is  passed  without  the  veto 
power  of  those  bound  to  obey  it,  is  perhaps  essential,  but  the  check  is  imperfect 
and  inefficient.  I'o  send  a  repiesentative  to  hear  and  argue  and  reason  and 
then  make  up  his  mind,  and  while  doing  this  to  instruct  him  to  vote  and  argue 
in  this  way,  or  that ;  to  oblige  him  o  reason  and  vote,  it  may  be  against  the 
dictates  of  his  judgment  and  conscience  ;  to  place  the  determination  ahead  of 
the  discussion  ;  to  have  one  set  of  men  who  do  not  hear  the  arguments,  decide, 
tho'  hundreds  of  miles  distant,  that  which  another  set  of  men  have  been  speci- 
ally appointed  to  enquire  into  and  conclude  upon,  after  full  investigation,  is 
perhaps  not  the  best  way  to  arrive  at  the  truth. 

If  you  can  select  a  governor,  brother  electors,  arc  you  not  also  capable  of 
judging  of  the  fitness  of  a  bill  agreed  upon  by  your  representatives,  whether  it 
is  for  the  public  interest  that  it  should  become  a  law  ?  A  few  men  may  be, 
and  as  these  pages  will  show,  often  have  been  corrupted,  and  have  deeply 
wounded  your  feelings  and  trampled  on  your  rights.  The  great  body  of  the 
people  are  manly,  pure,  honest,  sincere,  and  have  but  one  interest — the  public 
welfare.  Consider,  then,  my  friends,  whether  the  veto  power  in  legislation 
would  not  be  safer  in  your  hands  than  in  those  of  any  president  or  governor 
whom  the  efforts  of  party  leaders,  in  times  of  excitement,  may  elevate  to  power. 
I  do  not  say  it  would  be,  but  surely  this  is  the  time  for  giving  to  the  question  a 
careful  consideration.  Such  a  change  would  effectually  check  hasty  and  im- 
provident legislation — there  would  be  no  need  to  tie  the  citizens  of  each  county 
down  to  the  choice  of  representatives  residing  in  the  same  county  as  themselves 
—that  question  might  be  safely  left  to  their  own  discretion.     Neither  need  they 


J.v 


D  MEN 


CONVENTIONS   01    THE   WISE   AND   GOOD    MAY    AVERT   WARS. 


—the  origin  of 
ginal  contract, 
\  benefit  of  the 

legislators,  ex- 
tfhce,  as  being 

;  and  as  they 
lators,  shoriifs, 
le  gooJ,  is  con- 

the  best  rm^n, 
•thihe  enquiry, 
ought  not  to  be 
tlect  ?  Would 
ness  as  the  life 
ikson,  a  Tyler, 
cy,  a  Porter,  a 
3vernor  of  this 
»wer — they  can 
f>xpressed  by  a 

a  council — he 
rchical  part  of 
iiage  and  place, 
pose  a  measure 
I  of  by  the  vote 
le  by  a  vote  of 
kon  or  Albany, 
J  vent  that  vote, 
dies — was  long 

representative 
ithout  the  veto 
ck  is  imperfect 
nd  reason  and 
vote  and  argue 

be  against  the 
lation  ahead  of 
Liments,  decide, 
Lve  been  speci- 
nvestigation,  is 

ilso  capable  of 
ves,  whether  it 

men  may  be, 
d  have  deeply 
jat  body  of  the 
est — the  public 
r  in  legislation 
nt  or  governor 
evate  to  power. 
)  the  question  a 

hasty  and  im- 

of  each  county 

y  as  themselves 

jither  need  they 


to  be  restricted  from  choosing  an  honest  minister  of  the  gospel.*  Ac(iuaintance 
with  the  law  of  God  is  as  safe  a  qualilication  for  a  republican  legislator  as  an 
intimacy  with  R.  H.  Morris's  unknown  feudal  usages  practised  at  miJnight  on 
Pearce's  household  a  few  weeks  before  the  defeat  of  Martin  Van  Buren,  in  the 
fall  of  1840.  The  idea  of  submitting  questions  as  to  measures  or  rules  of  ac- 
tion, to  the  opinion  of  the  people  in  their  localities,  is  not  new,  but  has  been  of- 
ten  acted  on.  De  Witt  Clinton,  Chancellor  Kent,  and  the  other  members  of  the 
Council  of  Revision,  in  1821,  wished  the  amendments  to  the  constitution  that 
might  be  made  in  Convention,  to  be  submitted,  one  by  one,  separately,  to  the 
people — and  they  were  right. 

I  look  to  national  and  state  conventions,  elected  by  an  awakened  people,  as 
the  best  means  of  averting  wars.  Once  I  would  have  risked  war  to  free  Cano- 
,Ja — now  I  would  not  risk  it  to  gain  territory  anywhere.  When  in  Canada,  I 
had  less  time  for  study  and  reflection  thai:  within  the  last  fijur  years  ;  and  al- 
tho'  !  dont  like  the  cowardice  that  skulks  in  a  corner,  or  drojis  on  its  knees,  nor 
a  svsteni  that  aims  at  governing  by  dollars  and  lies,  to  which  war  is  preferable, 
for  tiiere,  in  *he  groans  of  expiring  humanity,  man  may  learn  to  speak  a  natu- 
ral and  true  language  ;  yet  would  i  do  much  to  avoid  bloodshed.  Is  not  a  duel 
a  national  war  in  miniature  ?  Did  Aaron  Burr's  superior  skill  and  practice  in 
firing  at  a  mark,  by  means  of  which  he  murdered  (Jeneral  Hamilton,  prove 
lliat  he  was  right  in  sending  tlie  challenge,  or  that  in  the  matter  in  dispute  he 
had  justice  on  his  side  ?  Surely  not.  And  do  not  national  wars,  after  ruining, 
killiiig,  maiming,  and  butchering  vast  multitudes  on  both  sides,  usually  termi- 
nate in  favor  of  the  Aaron  Burr  like  power  which  is  strongest  and  most  skilful, 
or  involve  other  nations  in  the  strugjrle,  and  not  seldom  bolster  up  a  bad  cause, 
at  the  expense  of  the  quiet  of  the  world  ?  Well  said  Horace  Walpole,  "  I  had 
rather  be  a  worm  tiian  a  vulture." 

"  If  I  could  avoid,  by  any  sacrifice  whatever,  (said  the  Duke  of  Wellington  on  a 
memorable  occasion,)  even  one  month  of  civil  war  in  the  country  to  which  1  was 
attached,  1  would  sacrifice  my  life  in  order  to  do  it.  I  say  that  there  is  noth- 
ing which  destroys  property  and  prosperity,  and  demoralizes  character,  to  the 
degree  that  civil  war  does;  by  it  the  hand  of  man  is  raised  against  his  neigh- 
bor,  against  his  brother  and  against  his  father  ;  servant  betrays  master,  and  the 
whole  scene  ends  in  confusion  and  disorder."  And  what  would  a  war  between 
two  pe.oples  speaking  one  language,  having  one  common  origin,  believing  in 
one  Go(l,  professing  the  same  ciiristianity,  be,  if  not  a  civil  war  ?  How  are  tlie 
hundred  millions  of  happy,  benevolent,  joyous  creatures  who  will  soon  fill  this 
country  to  be  held  together  umler  the  flag  of  the  free  '?  Only  by  acting  justly, 
honestly  and  faithfully  towards  each  other,  and  towards  the  world,  and  "  to 
brutes  resigning  carnage." 

"  We  were  the  proprietors  of  this  paper  sometime  before  the  conunencement 
of  the  war  of  1812,  and  were  the  advocates  of  that  war,  [say  Gales  andSeaton, 
in  the  National  Intelligencer,]  believing  its  declaration  and  prosecution  neces- 
sary. VVe  were  young  at  the  time,  it  is  true."  Now  they  are  old,  they  present 
us  with  a  picture  of  slaughter  and  devastation  from  which  the  mind  recoils  with 
horror.  "  At  the  conclusion  of  a  ten  years'  war,  how  are  we  recompensed  for  the 
"  death  of  multitudes  and  the  expense  of  millions  but  by  contemplating  the  sudden 
"  glories  of  paymasters  and  agents,  contractors  and  commissaries,  whose  equi- 
"  pages  shine  like  meteors,  and  whose  palaces  rise  like  exhalations  V  After 
Napoleon's  glorious  victory  at  Austerlitz,  Baron  Larry,  the  emperor's  friend 
and  surgeon,  cut  off  1400  human  limbs,  and  then  the  knife  fell  from  his  ex- 
hausted hands.  France  had  made  Napoleon  dictator — after  the  piece  of  Amiens, 
the  money,  the  armies,  the  press,  and  the  people  were  in  his  hands.  He  hadsworn 

*  1  hftve  no  desire  tu  ice  pnstora  of  nongrt^gntiona  lent  to  l«gi«laturei. 


I 


■■■,  V'i 


,•'•.(: 


;■:!■•■■ 


Jr. 


I'vl 


WAR   OF    1812.      CHEAP   POSTAGE.      WATERLOO. 


I  1 


to  be  true  to,  and  defend  a  republic,  yet  heemployod  all  his  influence  to  obtain 
the  absolute  and  lieroditary  property  of  a  power  of  which  he  had  received  but  the 
temporary  administration.  No  journalist  dared  to  dispute  his  will — he  annexed 
the  Texas,  the  Canada,  the  Orcp;on,  and  the  Mexico,*  Cuba  and  California  of 
Europe  to  his  country — flirgot  right  in  the  power  of  his  might,  and  where  is  he, 
and  where  is  his  empire?  Perhaps  the  Code  Napoleon,  soon,  I  trust,  to  be 
surpassed  in  utility  by  the  codes  civil,  penal,  and  of  procedure,  in  N.  Y.,  is 
the  proudest,  best,  and  most  enduring  monument  of  his  name. 

Who  is  there  that  now  fails  to  acknowledge  the  disinterestedness,  patriotism, 
stern  uemocracy,  ana  accuraie  means  of  knowledge  possessed  oy  Vyoi.  Win. 
Duane,  the  frieml  of  .Ttfiersnn  ?  Hear  his  account  of  the  war  of  1^*12 — I  quote 
the  Aurora  of  August  17,  1810. 

"The  last  war  may  he  fairly  considered,  as  it  regards  every  thing — but 
the  patience,  hardihood  and  valor,  of  the  line  and  the  militia — one  of  the  worst 
conducted,  the  vwst  imbecile,  inconsistent,  and  confused  in  its  designs,  that  the 
world  oversaw.  The  system  of  loans  was  a  most  villainous  systematic  cheat, 
for  which  evcrij  mau  who  was  concerned,  ought  to  be  recorded  in  a  register  of 
infamy.  Imposture,  perhaps,  never  ran  such  an  uninterrupted  career  as  for 
seven  years  past  in  the  general  government  and  that  of  Pennsylvania." 

I  might  have  begun  my  narrative  of  Van  Buren's  Life  and  Times,  without 
another  word  of  introduction.  Every  leaf  shows  that  such  a  work  is  required. 
But  there  are  some  who  say  that  a  part  of  my  materials  were  improperly  ob- 
tained— that  I  have  published  papers  which  ought  to  have  been  kept  secret — 
violated  confidence  reposed  in  me — done  things  not  warranted  by  law,  custom 
and  the  proper  usages  of  society.  Of  those  who  say  this,  there  may  be  those 
who,  not  knowing  the  whole  truth,  do  me  great  injustice,  as  there  undoubtedly 
are  others  who,  shutting  their  eyes  against  every  explanation,  desire  to  cover 
me  with  obloquy,  however  unmerited.  To  the  former  of  these  two  classes,  1 
here  present  that  explanation  which,  in  my  former  volume  or  pamphlet,  would 
have  been  partial  and  premature. 

One  of  the  best  educational  improvements  of  the  age,  in  the  difiusion  of  a 
cheap  literature,  is  not  overlooked  when  this  hook  is  presented  in  the  lightest 
and  cheapest  form,  to  be  circulated  thro'  the  Union  at  small  expence,  by  mail 
and  private  conveyance,  as  containing  truths  to  the  people  of  deep  and  lasting 
import.  Honor  to  those  bold  and  manly  spirits  in  Congress  who  stood  up  for 
cheap  postage,  the  spread  of  useful  knowledge,  the  instruction  of  the  millions! 
We  pay  vast  sums  yearly  for  armies  and  navies,  fortifications  and  the  imple- 
ments  of  bloodshed.  Blessed  be  the  day,  see  it  who  may,  in  which  the  diffu- 
sion  of  intelligence,  with  a  spirit  of  mutual  forbearance  and  good  will,  strength- 
ened by  the  wants  of  each  rendering  them  dependant  on  all,  shall  unite  man- 
kind in  the  bonds  of  universal  brotherhood.  Cheap  postage  will  survive,  but 
wars  shall  cease — the  world  will  become  "  the  United  States,"  America  aye 
foremost  in  the  glorious  work ;  the  various  climates,  soils,  products  and  diversi- 

*VVoiild  not  the  piiriUciition  of  of  our  ..'lorious  system  by  convGtitions  and  wise  refotms,  be  a  surer  rond  to  that 
imtioiml  groiitiiess  which  we  seek,  than  il-e  road  to  buttle?  Nations,  like  individuals,  Kct  excited,  abandon  ii 
(innreriil  and  prosperous  conunerrc,  and  exp'nd  on  war  the  millions  wliinh,  if  laid  ou*.  on  rail  rniids  and  canal:., 
would  have  been  an  unspvakaldu  blessing.  Jusu  hearken  fur  a  uionient  to  Dr.  Durben  of  tlie  methodist  church,  or 
the  battle  of  Waterloo: 

"The  People,  on  both  sides  tlionght  theniKtIves  llj.'hting  for  liberty  ;  the  French,  to  retain  it  under  a  rule  of  their 
own  choice  ;  the  nscreaate  masses  of  the  allies,  to  dethrone  the  man  whom  they  considered  the  only  barrier  to 
constitutional  freedom  in  liurope.  Ilut  how  unfortunate  the  position  lield  by  Kngland  on  that  c.ny.  The  freemen 
of  Kngland  fonjfbt  to  niaiiilain  the  dosjiotisms  of  the  contment — to  deprive  a  brave  people  of  the  free  choice  of  their 
rulers — to  restore  the  represents ive  ol  a  worn  out  dynasty  to  a  throne  for  which  he  was  unfit,  and  from  which  he 
bud  fled  before  the  Man  of  the  People.  The  Protestants  of  England  fought  to  recover  the  powers  of  the  Po|)e,  to 
brinjr  back  the  sway  of  the  .lesiiits.  But  if  the  musses  were  deceived,  thn  leaders  were  not.  The  allied  sovereign* 
and  the  aristocracy  of  England  know  for  what  they  were  fighting.  They  hojied  the  war  of  principles  would  end 
with  the  second  overthrow  of  Napoleon.  They  conquered.  Well  might  Robert  Hall  grieve  when  lie  heard  of  the 
victor  /  which  his  countrymen  and  their  allies  gained  at  Waterloo,  and  lay,  "Tliat  hullle  and  it«  result*  seemed  to 
me  to  put  back  the  clvck  of  the  world  sit  dcgreei." 


PROFANE   LETTERS.      THE  ADDER'S  STONE. 


lence  to  obtain 
jceived  but  the 
I — be  annexed 
d  California  of 
d  where  is  he, 
I  trust,  to  be 
^  in  N.  Y.,  is 

?ss,  patriotism, 

oy  ooi.  wni. 

Iril'i — I  quote 

ry  thing — but 
le  of  the  worst 
•signs,  that  the 
itematic  cheat, 
in  a  register  of 

career  as  for 
k'ania."' 

rimos,  without 
rlv  is  required, 
improperly  ob- 

kept  secret — 
)y  law,  custom 
!  may  bo  those 
•e  undoubtedly 
desire  to  cover 

two  classes,  1 

mphlet,  would 

diffusion  of  a 
n  the  lightest 
pence,  by  mail 
ep  and  lasting 
10  stood  up  for 
the  millions! 
md  the  imple- 
hich  the  diffu- 
will,  strength- 
all  unite  man- 
1  survive,  but 
America   aye 
cts  and  diversi- 


!t  surer  rond  to  that 
•t  excited,  :il)aniloii  u 
nil  rniids  nnil  cannlE., 
methodist  church,  or 

under  a  rule  of  their 
d  the  only  hiirrier  to 
t  (.ny.  The  frermen 
i(j  iVuo  choice  of  their 
,  iind  from  which  he 
wcr»  of  the  Voy*.  to 
i'lie  allied  sovereigns 
principle!  would  end 
when  he  heard  of  th« 
its  result*  seemed  to 


fied  seasons,  cacli  contributing  their  part  of  the  means  of  comfort,  content  and 
felicity  to  a  renovated  millenial  world,  in  which  "  the  harsh  dull  drum  shall 
cease,  and  man  be  happy  yet." 

Like  the  won!  of  God,  against  which  it  has  been  wickedly  objected  that  there 
are  many  indcct-nt  relations  in  it,  there  are  none  in  tliisbook  tliathavc  not  been 
necessary  for  their  exposure  and  the  execration  of  wickedness;  and  by  their 
merited  punishinent  in  the  contempt  and  indignation  of  the  public,  a  due  cor- 
rection will  be  administered,  0^  likk  the  kfx'orus  of  the  divine  WARNiXfiS, 
{Kir  OK  JUDGMENTS  A(;AIXsT  SINNERS,  EVEH  CONNECTED  WITH  THE 
(V^  AC;C01INT  OF  TIIEIU  SINS.  The  sun  is  not  to  be  blamed  as  the  au- 
Tiior  01  mat  sioiicii  wmcii  arises  wiien  iitj  siiines  upuii  puliiu  Sub^striuCCo.  'L'\\? 
surgeon  is  forgiven  the  wounds  of  a  necessary  amputation.  The  sickness  from 
medicines  is  a  happy  token  of  returning  health. 

If  tliere  is  a  sense  of  real  religion  remaining  with  any  one  among  those  that 
are  here  exposed,  amiiist  the  profession  that  has  been  made  by  some,  public  in- 
V.  dignafion,  the  la'.v  of  God,  call  for  sackcloth  and  ashes,  repentance  and  restitu- 

I  tution.      Let  such   a  penitent  as  Benjamin    F.   Butler  imitate  Zaccheus  the 

publican,  the  patron  saint  of  custom-house  oHicers,  and  say  "  Behold  Lord,  the 
half  of  iny  goods  [  give  unto  the  poor;  and  if  I  have  taken  any  thing  from  any 
man  by  false  ficcusation,  1  restore  him  fourfold!"' 
jjs  The  greatest  of  all  modern  political  writers  has  wittily  observed,  with  respect 

to  an  important  measure  brouglit  into  the  Brilisii  Parliament  by  tlie  present  head 
of  tlie  ministry  of  that  nation,  that,  as  the  poison  of  the  serpent  is  said  to  be 
counteracted  by  a  stone  tliat  grows  in  its  head,  so  the  corruptions  of  that  gov- 
ernment have  received  a  salutary  check  and  shall  eventually  be  destroyed  by 
the  operation  of  that  bill  which  compelled  the  Bank  of  England  to  return  to 
specie  payments-,  the  work  of  one  whose  family  and  liimself  have  risen  into 
power  and  consequence  by  the  operation  of  the  fictitious  paper-money  system  of 
ISlvi,  of  which  he  lias  been  the  unconscious  instrument  of  destruction,  in  the 
hope,  as  some  say,  of  giving  it  strength. 

The  sagacious  Scots  Iiavc  gone  yet  a  little  further  in  their  ideas  concerning 
the  couu'erautiou  of  poisons.  It  is  a  traditional  belief  among  tliem,  that,  at 
certain  times,  all  the  adders  of  the  moors,  assemble  to  form,  from  their  slime, 
an  incrustation  called  an  '-adder's  stone,"  which  receives  its  crowning  beauty 
from  the  king  of  the  adders  passing  thi'ough  it  and  leaving  on  it  tlie  trace  of  all 
his  shining  glories.  Happy  is  the  shepherd,  that  at  a  safe  distance  beholding 
the  operation,  waits  till  all  is  finished,  and  then  courageously  steps  in  and 
secures  the  prize.  He  is  henceforth  held  in  the  highest  respect,  as  possessing 
an  iafiiUible  antidote  against  a  deadly  poison.  But  he  does  not  gain  the  prize 
without  considerable  risk,  being  pursued  by  all  the  venomous  i)rood,  and  obliged 
.0  seek  his  safety  in  fligiit.  If  lie  does  not  throw  some  one  of  his  garments  to  the 
adders,  to  occupy  their  attention  and  divert  their  rage,  they  cease  not  their  pur- 
suit till  they  recover  their  lost  treas  're,  or  obtain  the  body  of  their  plunderer. 

Thro'  zeal  for  social  and  political  reform  and  improvement,  I  have  been  in- 
volved for  tlie  last  eight  yeai's,  in  difllculties  too  well  known  to  need  recapitula- 
tion — but  would  ratlier  endure  adversity  than  enjoy  the  unmerited  honors  which 
traitors  to  libsrty  may  now  be  wearing.  During  an  involuntary  exile,  I  made 
this  land  my  residence,  and  being  acquainted  in  a  good  degree  with  its  early 
history  and  the  excelbnice  of  its  political  institutions,  it  grieved  mn  to  find  that 
complaints  not  less  general  tlian  just  and  true,  had  been  made  against  their  ad- 
ministration. That  to  whicli  my  attention  was  turned  when  a  s'ranger,  could 
not  fail  still  to  attract  it,  according  to  my  love  of  freedom  and  desire  to  promote 
the  coiTimon  welfare,  when  I  became  a  citizen.  When  thiss-^cond  book,  as  the 
fruit  of  my  labors,  is  before  the  public,  it  will  be  acknowledged  that  I  have  not 


m 

m 


■   (.'I 


/RE   TIIR   FOUNTAINS   OP   JTTSTICK   TVfW.I 


been  ahogetlier  unsuccessful  in  my  attempts  to  expose  abuses  and  the  authors, 
in  the  hope  that  the  people's  representatives  in  Convention  will  discover  and  ap- 
ply a  remedy.  While  in  the  employment  of  the  state  in  the  Custom  House  of 
New  York,  I  obtained  possession  in  a  way  the  most  honorable,  as  all  must  ac- 
knowledjje,  with  pure  motives,  and  by  means  the  most  innocent,  of  that  which,  I 
trust,  will  prove  an  adder's  stone. 

But  the  serpents  that  were  employed  in  its  formatioii,  with  mure  pertinacity 
than  the  adders  of  my  native  moors,  have  not  been  content  with  thi^  cloak  that 
I  threw  to  them,  the  necessary  coverlnc;  of  a  former  work.  It  was  to  bo  expect- 
ed  that  the  whole  brood  would  hiss  and  raj^e,  as  th<'y  had  not  ra<^ed  aitd  In'ssed 
for  many  a  day  before  ;  yet  I  scarcely  ihouifht  that  one  of  them  would  have 
ventured  to  follow  me,  even  into  the  sanctuary  of  American  jusliee,  the  high 
court  of  equity — but,  from  some  recent  decisions  there,  many  seem  to  expect 
that  I  shall  be  given  up  to  the  chilling,  slimy  folds  of  the  reptile  tril)e,  to  share 
the  fateof  anotherLaoc()()ii,  who  was  strangled  before  the  altar  by  serpents,  Avbih; 
warning  the  Trojans  against  the  wiles  of  the  Greeks. 

Electors  of  Delegates  to  a  free  Convention,  trie  proceedings  of  which  may 
deeply  affect  the  welfare  of  the  world,  what  an  important  trust  yours  is  !  'J'hat 
the  fountains  of  justice  are  corrupted,  that  reform  is  wanted,  all  admit.  "  It  is 
time  (says  the  Courier  and  Enquirer)  for  the  community  to  take  this  matter  in 
hand."  "  .Tudging  from  the  history  of  various  parts  of  the  country  for  some 
years  past  (continues  Col.  Webb)  it  is  our  opinion  that  with  Jj-iO, ()()()  a  man 
might  commit  any  half  do/cn  crimes  that  can  be  named,  short  of  nun'der,  and 
even  that,  if  ho  happen  1o  have  pretty  influential  friends,  atid  to  be  within  reach 
of  pretty  convenient  judges."  "  True,  every  word  of  it,  (says  the  Herald.) 
The  list  of  criminals  who  have  escaped  by  means  of  wealth  and  indnencedur- 
ing  the  last  six  years,  woidd  astonisii  every  body.  What  has  beeouie  of  the 
Virginia  professor  ?  Where  is  Levis  the  forger?  Where  is  l)al)ney  ?  Robin- 
son, .Tewell,  White,  all  escaped."  "  Men  who  are  opposed  to  the  baidcing  in- 
terest (says  O'SuUivan,  the  new  made  Regent  of  the  University,)  majf  iiide(>d  be 
elected  to  congress,  or  to  a  state  legislature,  but  seldom  without  a  severe  strug- 
gle ;  and,  after  they  are  elected,  they  are  exposed  to  dangers  of  corruption,  as 
great  as  any  the  members  of  the  British  Parliament  were  exposed  to  in  tiie  days 
of  Sir  Robert  Walpole.  In  the  courts  of  .tlstice  they  have  perhaps  a  more  de- 
cided ascendancy  than  in  the  legislative  halls  ;  for  most  of  the  judges  are  mem- 
bers of  this  privileged  order ;  and  the  governors  of  many  states  are  mere  in- 
struments for  the  promotion  of  their  purposes."  The  Globe,  while  Van  Buren's 
organ,  spake  of  "judges,  who  in  too  many  instances,  show  tliat  the  boasted  in- 
dependence of  the  judiciary  is  only  an  independence  of  common  sense  and  com- 
mon justice."  Polly  Bodine  was  accused  of  a  murder  the  most  foul — her  friends 
were  wealthy — she  had  a  first  trial  and  a  second — a  third  was  set  on  foot,  and 
because  some  judge  or  other  had  "  laid  down  a  rule  in  Burr's  case,"  40  years 
since,  6000  tradesmen  were  taken  from  their  avocations,  a  heavy  expense  en- 
tailed  on  the  county  of  N.  Y.,  and  the  case  put  off  by  Judge  Eihnonds,  thus 
wearying  out  witnesses  and  mocking  at  right,  on  the  plea  that  among  these  6,000 
men,  twelve  could  not  be  found  who  were  not  unduly  biased  and  unfit  to  try  the 
cause  upon  their  oaths  !  Is  it  not  time  that  scenes  like  this,  discreditable  to  the 
age  and  to  our  institutions,  should  cease  ?  If  the  law  is  a  science,  it  is  capable 
of  being  scientifically  and  practically  arranged  ;  and  if  it  is  not,  the  freedom  of 
our  institutions  is  an  idle  dream.  Corrupt  the  fountains  of  justice  to  any  peo- 
ple, and  what  need  they  c.ire  for  forms  of  Government  ? 

It  is  threescore  years  sir  ce  Jefferson  wrote  "  The  times  will  alter — our  rulers 
will  become  corrupt — our  people  careless.  The  time  for  fixing  every  essential 
right  on  a  legal  basis,  is  while  ourrulers  are  honest  and  ourselves  united.     From 


:'  ''  'I 


tlie  aiithors, 
5vrran(l  ap- 
m  House  of 
all  must  ac- 
lial  which,  I 

>  porliiKicity 
V  c'lnalv  liial 
Id  bo  cxprcl- 
tl  and  hissed 
would  iiavo 
PC,  tho  hi^h 
■m  to  ('X)ifct 
riiic,  to  sharo 
rpoiils,  wliihf 


may 
^ '     Tiiat 


which 
rs  is ! 
hnit.  "  !i  is 
lis  nialtor  in 
trv  for  somn 
),(){){)  a  mail 
uuirdev,  and 
within  roacdi 
tho  II(M-ald.) 
illuoncednr- 
conic  of  tho 
loy  ?   Ilohin- 

hankinrr  in- 
nji  indeed  ho 
sovero  strup- 
orriiption,  as 
n  in  tho  days 
IS  a  more  de- 
rcs  arc  mem- 
iro  more  in- 
Van  Bnren's 
e  boasted  in- 
nse  and  com- 
•hcr  friends 
,  on  foot,  and 
;,  '  40  years 

expense  en. 
hnonds,  thus 
rr  these  6,000 
nfittotrythe 

li table  to  the 

it  is  capable 
le  freedom  of 
;e  to  any  p^o- 


[•■ 


our  rulers 
'ory  essential 
liled.     From 


THE   CONVENTION   HAS   A   CHEAT   WORK    REFOnK    IT.  7 

the  close  of  this  (the  old)  war  we  shall  be  f^oinj^  down  hill.  It  will  not  bo  ne- 
cessary to  resort  every  moment  to  the  people  for  support — they  will  be  forgotten, 
therefore,  and  their  ritjhts  disregarded."  Is  it  not  so  now  ?  The  woe,  wretch- 
edness, insolvencv,  pwerty,  pain  and  anguish,  of  hundreds  of  thousands  of  our 
fellow  citizens  and  their  families,  whom  the  gambling  spirit  of  the  ago  has  ruin- 
ed within  the  last  seven  years,  is  a  warning  voice,  telling  the  democracy  to  como 
to  the  rescue  of  all  that  is  valuable  in  their  lovf^d  institutions.  Far  sj)read  must 
be  that  demoiali/ation  which  in  a  land  of  abundant  natural  resources  could  ex- 
hibit in  one  city  and  district,  one  hundred  and  twenty  millions  of  dollars,  the 
delits  of  insolvents  and  biml.upts,  blotted  out  as  it  wore  with  a  sponge.  This 
volume  describes  Van  Huron  and  his  band,  the  great  first  cause  of  this  accuuui- 
lated  miserv — it  appeals  to  facts — it  unveils  the  past.  To  your  wisdom  and 
unanimity  it  is  that  the  generous  and  the  just  must  look  for  a  remedy,  in  the  coun- 
cils of  the  delegates  of  a  moral,  virtuous  and  enlightened  commimity. 

Could  the  people  of  N.  Y.  state  have  read  the  insulting  commentaries  of  the 
admirers  of  I'luropean  systems  on  the  Somers  tragedy,  and  the  unusual  features 
developed  in  the  evidence  given  heft  .a  a  court  martial,  in  presence  of  which  a 
captain  of  the  U.  S.  Navy,  hesitated  not  to  avow,  that  when  about  to  launch 
three  of  his  fellow  men  into  eternity  without  that  trial  of  their  al lodged  oflences 
which  our  laws  seem  to  guaranty,  he  had  told  one  of  them  "that  for  those  who 
had  money  and  friends  in  America  there  was  no  punishment  for  the  worst  of 
crimes  " — could  they  have  seen  the  deep  and  severe  regret  everywhere  display- 
ed by  tho  friends  of  progress  abroad,  while  perusing  details  which  indicated  a 
condition  of  society  less  favorable  than  they  iiad  fondly  hoped  could  exist  here, 
they  would  rejoice  at  witnessing,  as  they  have,  the  vast  majority  who  united  to 
rebuke  Van  Burcni's  douhls  by  calling  together  the  convention  of  1840.  That 
body  will,  I  trust,  lay  its  heavy  hand  on  the  knaves  mentioned  by  Jefierson,  who 
"set  out  with  stealing  tho  people's  good  opinion,  and  then  steal  from  them  tho 
right  of  withdrawing  it,  hy  contriving  laws  and  associafions  against  tho  power  of 
the  peo|)lo  themselves." 

The  letters  of  Van  Buren,  father  and  son — of  Butler,  husband  and  wife^-of 
the  Livingstons,  Tloyts,  Aliens,  Lawrence,  Canibreleng  and  many  others,  cannot 
fail  to  be  reail  with  profit.  I  would  fain  hope  they  may  prove  an  adder's  stone 
in  this  community,  aiding  somewhat  in  preventing  the  baneful  influence  of  Van 
Burenism  from  continuing  to  overshadow  the  state  and  union,  thro'  its  special 
organization  of  all  that  is  cunning,  pharasaical,  greedy  and  heartless  in  tiiig 
Republic. 


CHAPTER    II. 

Matlhew  Henry  and  Samuel  Young  on  the  duty  of  citizens  and  christians  in  dis- 
covering secret  wickedness.  The  author's  position.  Robert  Tyler.  Governor 
Vail  Ness.  The  Van  Bnren,  Hoyt  and  Butler  Correspondence.  Proceedings 
about  it.  Steps  taken  by  Messrs.  Van  Ness,  Bogardus,  GoJdson,  Coryell  and 
others.  Copies  shown  to  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  and  Secretary  Walker. 
Action  of  the  Government.  Va7i  Ness  loses,  Coddington  misses,  and  Lawrence 
gains  a  Lucrative  Office.  Polk's  Bank  Committee  of  1834.  Recorder  Mor- 
ris on  the  Bench  and  in  the  Post  Office.  Secretary  Forward  and  the  17  Mea. 
surers.  Ingham  Coryell  persecuted  for  daring  to  he  honest.  Disreputable  con- 
duct of  S.  P.  Goldson. 

Matthew  Henry's  Commentary  on  the  Bible  is  a  work  of  sterling  merit — full 
of  interesting  and  useful  information,  and  of  fine  thoughts  clothed  in  language 
which  1ms  the  eloquence  of  simplicity  and  truth  to  recommend  it. 


*'urt 


:hv 


,  J  ,• 


'.'■  V.'  '•  i 
,;i  -I'  ■ 


I, 


I 


i 


9  SAMTTEL  yOtrVfl   AND  MATTTtEW  HENRY  ON  SECRET  WirKEnVESS. 

Tn  tlie  r)9th  cliaptnr  and  4th  verse  of  Isaiah,  \vr  find  tho  text — "  None  callcth 
for  justice,  nor  any  pleadeth  for  truth" — and  Mr.  Henry  has  madf  an  rxcpllent 


^nt 


md  so  applicable  to  the 


I  have  takr 


th  Mr.  Van  Ri 


comr 

and  his  associates  in  puniic  lire,  tnro'  mis  ana  lormer  puniicafions,  that  I  copy 

it,  as  follows: 

"  No  methods  are  taken  to  redress  jrrievanccs  and  reform  ahuf.es  ;  xont  calls 
"  FOR  jrsTicE,  none  complains  of  tho  violations  of  tho  sacred  law--  of  justice,  nor 
"seeks  to  ri^'hf  those  that  suffer  wronj^or  to  {ret  the  la"'  'I  in  execution  against 
"vice  and  profaneness,  and  those   lewd   practic:  n  are  the  shame,  and 

"  threaten  to  be  the  bane  of  the  nation.  When  jusi  '  is  not  done,  there  is  blame 
"to  be  laid  not  only  upon  the  majjistrates  iiiai,  should  administer  justice,  ntrr 
"upov  THR  PP^OPIiP:  THAT  SHOIU.U  CALL  KOK  IT:  HKIVAll-J 
"PERSOI^S  OIiaHT  TO  CONTRIBUTK  TO  THE  PUBLIC  (JOOD  BY 
"DISCOVERING  SECRET  WICKEDNESS  AND  GIVING  THOSE  AN 
"OPPORTUNITY  TO  PUNISH  IT  THAT  HAVE  IT  IN  THE  POWER 
"OF  THEIR  HANDS;  hut  it  is  ill  with  a  Slate  lohcn  princra  rule  ill,  and 
"  the  people  love  to  hair  it  so.  Truth  is  opposed,  and  there  is  not  any  that  pleads 
"  for  it,  7iot  any  that  has  the  conscience  and  coiiraije  to  appear  in  defrnrr  of  an 
''honest  cause,  and  confront  a  prosperous  fraud  and  wrona;.'' 

My  lives  of  Hoyt  and  Butler,  had,  I  believe,  an  immense  circulation- -and  I 
find  them  referred  to,  now  and  then,  in  the  Senate  of  N.  Y.  Yet  is  it  not  mor- 
tifying to  see  how  much  more  astonishment  is  there  expressed  that  I  should 
have  published  such  statements  as  are  in  that  book,  than  that  such  state- 
ments could  be  published? 

Col.  Samuel  Young,  in  reply  to  a  reference  to  my  book,  by  Mr.  Wright, 
Feb.  4th,  1h46,  spoke  of  it  as  "a  book  srrRREPTiTioiTsi.v  obtained  and  suiiRi'PTi- 
TiousLY  printed,  and  which  he  (Wright)  no*'  thinks  it  honorable  to  quote  from, 
for  the  purpose  of  injuring  sitch  a  man  as  Benj.  F.  Butler."  Tho  Colonel's 
code  of  morals  were  not  quite  so  mjch  Butlerized  in  l82-'3.  Ho  had  then  no 
desire  to  screen  successful  knavery  and  honor  the  delinquents. 

During  the  discussion  of  the  state  road  bill,  that  year,  (I  quote  tho  Alb'y  D'y 
Advertiser,)  General  Root  censured  the  Canal  Commissioners,  and  hinted  that 
the  people'smoney  had  been  squandered  on  their  favorites.  Col.  Young  replied, 
that  •'  if  the  General  knew  of  any  dishonest  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  Com- 
missioners, and  kept  it  a  secret,  HE  WAS  A  TRAITOR  TO  THE  PUBLIC 
FOR  NOT  HAVING  EXPOSED  THEM  TO  THE  WORLD."  The  Gen- 
eral's  rejoinder  was  very  appropriate,  but  my  object,  in  referring  to  these  con- 
versations now,  is  to  show  how  anxious  Samuel  Young  is  in  1846,  to  uphold  the 
dishonest  president  of  Jacob  Barker's  Sandy  Hill  bank,  and  to  censure  me  for 
having  followed  his  excellent  advice  to  Erastus  Root  in  182."). 

I  now  proceed  to  show,  that  the  book  which  has  given  so  much  uneasiness  to 
bad  politicians,  was  neither  .surreptitiously  obtained  nor  surreptitiously  printed. 
The  materials  came  into  my  hands,  with  the  consent  of  Mr.  Van  Ness,  Collec- 
tor of  the  port  of  New  York,  Mr.  Bogardus,  his  Assistant  Collector,  Mr.  Gold- 
son,  his  Keeper  of  the  Records,  Mr.  Walker,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  and 
Mr.  Polk,  President  of  the  United  States.  The  importance  of  the  subject  will 
justify  me  in  publishing,  at  this  stage  of  the  proceedings,  a  clear  and  distinct  nar- 
rative of  the  main  facts. 

In  I84i  and  1H4;J  I  was  actuary  or  agent  for  the  corporation  known  as  the 
Mechanics'  Institute,  City  Hall,  New  York,  where  my  services  received  an  un- 
animous vote  of  thanks.  I  might  have  continued,  with  the  approbation  of  all 
parties,  but  resigned  in  the  fall  of  1843.  Certain  leading  citizens  of  foreign 
birth  applied  to  Mr.  Robert  Tyler,  son  of  the  then  President,  to  provide  me  with 
a  biluation  in  the  custom  l^ouse — this  they  did  without  »ny  knowledge  orsugges. 


Being 


open. 


■  -i 


IVESS. 

None  calleth 
■>  iin  oxcpllont 
r.  Van  Riircn 
<,  that  I  copy 

;  NONH  CALLS 

if  jiisiicc,  nor 
fiition  a;:;ainsf 

0  slianip,  and 
ihfrp  is  hlamo 
r  ju'^ticp,  niTT 
:  HKIVAlhi 
C  (JOOD  BY 
THOSR  AN 
[IR  POWER 
.1  rule  ill,  and 
ny  that  ploads 

flrfrnrc  of  an 

jlatinn--and  I 

1  is  it  not  mor- 
Ihut  I  should 

It  such  state- 
Mr.  Wright, 
and  suisRrPTi- 
to  quotn  from, 
rhe  Colonel's 
0  had  then  no 

Iho  Alh'y  D'y 
tH   hinfcil  that 
rounjT  replied, 
t  of  the  C'om- 
RK  PUBLIC 
"     Tho  Gen. 
T  to  these  con- 
to  uphold  the 
ensure  mo  for 

uneasiness  to 
oiisly  printed. 

Ness,  Collec- 
tor, Mr.  Gold- 
Treasury,  and 
le  subject  will 
id  distinct  nar- 

known  as  the 
oceiverl  an  un- 
robation  of  all 
'.ens  of  forcijin 
fovide  me  with 
:!dge  orsuggeS' 


CURTIS,   TYLER,  VAJT  NESS,  MACKISKZIE.      THE  CtTSTOM   IlOnst:. 


9 


tion.  Mr.  Tyler  being  at  Howard's  hotel,  sent  Mr.  Sweeny  of  Philadelphia  to 
ask  ITU!  to  cull  upon  hun.  1  did  so,  and  he  enquired  whether  I  would  accept  an 
Inspector's  place  (S  100  a  year.)  My  reply  was  that  I  would.  Next  day  he 
told  mo  to  wall  on  Collector  Curtis,  who  would  place  me  in  office,  and  I  did  so, 
accimpunied  by  a  director  of  the  institute.  Mr.  Curtis  was  very  polite — said 
I  would  have  tiic  place,  but  that  the  warrant  or  papers  had  to  goto  Mr.  Spencer 
at  Washinijton.  Difficulties  were  raised  afterwards,  arising  out  of  my  very 
peculiar  pxiiion  with  reference  to  England,  but  I  believe  the  President  and  his 
sons  were  sincere  in  their  wish  to  oblige  my  friends.  The  following  note  is  a 
proof  of  that  : 

•'  W.  L.  Mackenzie,  Esq. — My  Dear  Sir:  T  have  just  had  an  opportunity  to 
«  read  your  letter  of  the  22d  April.  I  am  always  glad  to  hear  from  ynu,  al- 
"  tho'  I  find  it  impossible  to  be  a  very  punctual  correspondent.  Colonel  Graham 
"[then  P.  M.J  is  expected  here  to  day,  and  I  shall  urge  your  appointment  upon 
"  him.  If  any  accident  should  detain  him  in  N.  Y.,  take  this  letter  to  him,  and 
"tell  him  from  me,  that  there  is  no  man  in  New  York  I  had  rather  see  him 
"  provide  for  by  an  appointment  in  the  city  post  office  than  Wm.  L.  Mackenzie. 
"  My  own  feelings  would  be  highly  gratified  at  your  success.  Very  truly  yours, 
"  Philadelphia,  April  2-th.  Robert  Tylbr." 

Aliho'  the  note  was  of  no  use,  the  kindness  of  heart  displayed  by  the  youth- 
ful wri'er,  to  a  person  who  was  poorand  an  exile,  and  had  no  political  influence 
or  weight,  was  very  gratifying  indeed — and  when  Mr.  Van  Ness  became  col- 
lector,  I  was  nominated  as  an  inspector,  but,  as  Mr.  Spencer  had  objected,  his  suc- 
cessor took  the  same  view — and  on  reflection,  I  cannot  venture  to  assort  that  it 
was  not  the  more  discreet  course.  I  was  then  placed  in  the  Record  office,  which 
had  that  name  given  it  in  burlesque,  I  presume,  for  it  was  the  most  confusod  col- 
lection of  papers  on  a  mammoth  scale  I  had  ever  beheld  during  the  half  century 
of  my  existence,  nor  did  I  hesitate  to  write  a  note  to  the  collector  in  which  I 
frankly  told  him  so. 

In  1840,  Mr.  Van  Ness  wrote  me  from  Burlington,  Vermont,  a  very  compli- 
mentary letter  with  reference  to  a  newspaper  I  was  then  publishing  at  Roches- 
ter. Ho  wrote  a  second  from  N.  York,  and  enclosed  a  year's  subscription. 
Being  requested  by  the  President's  brother-in-law,  and  son  (with  his  father's 
approbation,)  he  showed  no  unwillingness  to  give  me  a  situation.  For  some  9 
or  10  months,  three  clerks  were  employed  in  beginning  to  arrange  the  Records, 
of  whom  I  was  one  ;  and  as  I  found  many  remarkable  documents  from  time  to 
time  which  were  no  records,  I  copied  whatever  of  such  interested  or  amused 
me.  Six  months  before  I  left,  Webber,  the  chief  clerk,  had  privately  informed 
the  authorities  that  I  was  copying  papers;  and  in  March,  184.'"),  I  drew  Mr.  Bo- 
gardus's  attention  to  some  of  Hoyt's  and  his  correspondents'  stray  productions, 
by  sending  or  giving  them  to  him.  I  also  asked  Henry  Ogden,  the  old  cashier, 
to  mention  to  Mr.  Hoyt  that  many  curious  papers  of  his  were  turning  up.  Mr. 
Ogden  said  that  he  had  told  him  this  twice,  but  that  Iloyt  replied  that  he  had 
left  nothing  that  he  cared  for. 

When  particular  papers  or  books  were  wanted,  wc  had  some  200  or  300 
trunks  to  search,  all  of  them  the  property  of  the  United  States,  and  some  of  them 
open,  others  locked — some  with  keys  and  some  without — some  with  an  assort- 
ment of  all  things,  pious  and  impious,  official  and  unofficial,  from  17S9  to  1844, 
and  others  exhibiting  some  etlbrts  to  attain  method  and  order.  I  said  then,  and 
I  now  repeat,  that  the  confusion  visible  everywhere  was  in  keeping  with  the  ac- 
counts  of  Hoyt  and  Swartwout — it  could  not  have  been  the  result  of  accident. 

I  must  speak  plain — how  could  it  be  avoided  ?  "  To  reform  and  not  chastise 
would  be  impossible — the  wisest  precepts  would  be  of  little  use  unless  there 
were  examples  to  enforce  them.     To  attack  vices  in  the  abstract  without  aim- 


f ; 


tiv 


10 


THE  HOYT  AND   BUTLlia   CORRBSroriOENiK. 


■       :"l| 


mg  at  persons,  would  bo  safo   lighting  indeed,  but  it  would  I)0  iighiing  Willi 
shadows." 

Mr.  Bogardus,  with  consent  of  the  Treasury,  had  thousands  of  pitfcon  lioles 
made,  to  liold  papers  as  fast  as  we  could  sort  and  arrange  them,  lie  gave  liia 
orders  to  Samuel  P.  Goldson,  a  political  frlerd  whom  ho  had  introduced  from 
the  8th  ward,  as  the  keeper — they  wore  very  intimate,  and  Goldson  considering 
Hogardus  as  his  patron,  did  nothing  without  consulting  him.  On  the  loth  ot 
May,  (loldson  told  me  that  Bogardus  had  ordered  him  to  break  open,  oxamino 
the  contents  and  remove  to  garret,  the  Cujtom  House  Trunk  marked  'J.  ».V  L. 
Iloyt's  Law  Papers.'  I  suggested  to  him,  Mr.  Coryell,  the  other  clerk,  being 
present,  not  to  break  it  open,  but  to  let  the  men  carry  it  to  the  garret,  for  we  had 
the  carpenters  at  work,  and  many  loose  papers.  lie  replied  that  his  orders 
were  positive — took  a  large  screw  driver,  called  Mr.  Stansbury,  a  carpenter  to 
help  him,  and  they  broke  the  screw  driver  twice,  but  opened  tlie  box.  1  had 
liad  an  idea  that  the  papers  of  all  Iloyt's  remarkable  custom  house  lawsuits 
with  the  merchants  were  in  that  box,  the  contents  of  which  were  innnediately 
thrown  upon  the  floor  among  other  miscellaneous  documents,  and  afterwards 
carried  in  baskets  to  the  attic.  That  box  contained  a  part  of  the  letters  of  the 
Van  Burens  and  Benj.  Butler,  but  it  is  evident  from  Iloyt's  aflldavit  to  the  clian- 
eery  bill,  that  ho  knew  very  little  about  it.  The  box  was  not  Iloyt's — Iloyt 
was  on  record  as  having  embezzled  §220,000 — the  papers  were  in  possession 
of  the  government,  but  not  being  official,  for  the  words  '  Law  Papers'  were  a 
blind,  we  might  have  burnt  them  or  swept  them  out.  lie  had  told  Ogdcn  he 
didn't  want  them,  or  to  that  elFect ;  and  if  he  had  wanted  them,  I  should  iiavo 
done  my  best  to  thwart  him  after  I  ascertained  their  character.  I  knew  that 
Goldson  would  tell  Bogardus  instantly  what  sort  of  law  papers  we  had  got  at, 
if  indeed  he  did  not  know  before  he  ordered  the  box  to  be  opened  and  examined, 
aid  it  is  presumed  he  did  not,  for,  as  he  says  in  his  letter,  the  box  was  doubtless 
ordered  to  be  opened  as  many  others  had  been,  that  we  might  look  in  it  for  some 
important  papers  then  required  by  the  authorities,  for  which  we  had  vainly 
souglit  elsewhere. 

In  presence  of  Ingham  Coryell,  and  with  the  full  and  entire  approval  of 
Goldson,  the  keeper,  I  began  to  copy  as  many  of  these  paporsas  wereof  a  public 
character  and  fit  for  the  public  eye  ;  and  as  a  gentleman  whom  I  had  known 
for  many  years,  and  wjiohad  held  lucrative  and  important  trusts  under  the  U. 
S.,  was  about  to  leave  for  Washington,  I  called  on  him,  shewed  him  the  copies 
I  had  taken,  gave  him  many  duplicates,  and  requested  him  first  to  show  them 
to  Mr.  Van  Ness,  and  then  carry  them  to  Washington,  and  let  the  President 
see  them,  as  they  concerned  the  public  welfare.  Anotiier  of  the  clerks  appears 
to  have  informed  him  about  them,  and  desired  him  to  tell  tlic  Collector  that  I 
was  copying  them,  with  the  keeper's  consent ;  and  that  altlio'  he  had  remon- 
strated, I  was  also  allowed  to  take  such  of  them  away  to  be  copied  as  I  thought 
fit.  The  Collector  was  very  fully  informed  on  these  points  by  this  gentleman, 
and  sent  for  me,  but  was  engaged  when  I  called.  About  this  time  I  was  told 
privately  and  also  saw  tlie  notice  in  the  Morning  News,  liiut  President  Polk 
had  promised  General  Dix  that  Coddington,  being  recommended  l)y  him,  Cum- 
breleng,  Butler,  Van  Buren,  and  the  rest  of  the  faithful,  was  to  have  the  Col- 
Icctorship,  and  that  Governor  Van  Ness,  who  had  tried  hard  to  elect  Mr.  Polk, 
was  to  be  thrown  overboard  without  ceremony.  I  told  the  gentleman  who  car- 
ried the  papers  to  Washington,  to  mention  to  Mr.  Polk  where  they  were  from,* 


*Mr.  Polk's  committee  to  search  tlie  U.  S.  Bunk,  181)4,  F.  Thomas,  Chnirmnn,  ilemanOeil  of  tlio  hunk  the  [irivnlo 
letters  ol"  memhers  of  congress  to  the  bank  president,  or  any  hank  olHcer,  and  all  unanswered  letters  from  M.  C'». 
during  the  previous  two  years,  whether  about  u  new  charter  or  the  private  tratisnctions  of  such  SI.  C's,  with  the 
bank— and  tho'  nut  a  secret  committee,  they  demanded  the  hooks  of  the  hank,  not  merely  to  inspect  them,  hut  to 
4o  to  in  Hcret,  taking  tiiem  out  of  tlie  hand*  of  tlte  diieoton,  and  they  oiietted  tb«i(  tight  to  cairy  them  where  thoy 


A  DISCOVERY   'DULY  APPHKCIATBD  IH  TUB  IIIUHT  tiUABTEU.' 


11 


'■O 


)  iigluing  with 

r  pigeon  lioles 
lie  gave  his 
troduccd  from 
on  considering 
)n  the  loth  of 
Dpcn,  oxaniino 
,r]<ed  '  J.  A:  L. 
ir  clerk,  boinj^ 
•ut,  for  we  had 
hat  his  orders 
a  carpenter  tu 
B  box.  I  had 
3USR  law  suits 
D  innncdiatoly 
lid  afterwards 
I  letters  of  the 
'it  to  the  clian- 
Iloyt's — Iloyt 
!  in  possession 
apers'  were  a 
told  Ogdcn  he 
I  should  have 
I  knew  that 
ivc  had  got  at, 
md  examined, 
was  doubtless 
.  ill  it  for  some 
/c  had  vainly 

!  approval  of 

ere  of  a  public 

I  had  known 

s  under  the  U. 

him  the  copies 

to  show  them 

the  President 

ulerks  appears 

ollootor  that  I 

e  had  reinon- 

;d  as  I  thought 

liis  gentleman, 

110  I  was  told 

President  Polk 

by  him,  CJain- 

liave  the  Col- 

ilect  Mr.  Polk, 

niian  who  car- 

>ywere  from,* 

'the  liimk  llie  private 
I  letters  frnm  M,  C'». 
iicli  M.  Cs,  with  the 
I  inspect  them,  but  to 
ury  them  wheie  they 


and  how,  and  reij  nested  that  there  should  be  no  concealment  as  to  what  I  was 
doing — ami  he  did  so. 

Mr.  Ilnyt  lias  had  hosts  of  witnesses  before  three  successive  city  grand  juries 
to  "et  me  iiidieted  on  account  of  these  documents — but  in  vain.  We  shall  see 
whether  I  meritiul  the  abuse  and  slanders  that  have  been  heaped  upon  me.  I 
think  not.  I  did  everything  fairly  and  above  board,  and  even  sacrificed  the 
petty  olliee  I  h(d(l,  with  my  income,  time  and  means,  and  also  borrowed  money, 
that  I  might  be  enabled  to  lay  useful  truths  before  the  people  previous  to  the 
era  of  a  conv;—'ion.  A  mercenary  soul,  situated  as  I  was,  would  only  have 
eonsiderrd  how  much  money  ho  could  alarm  the  guilty  hypocrites  into  paying 
for  the  .lostriiction  of  the  evidences  of  their  shame  and  dishonor,  thus  placed 
within  his  control. 

On  the  1st  or  'Jnd  of  June,  I  received  the  following  note  from  the  gentleman 
to  whom  I  had  given  many  copies  to  be  shewn  to  the  President.  It  was  franked 
"Comptroller's  OlHce,  J.  VV.  M'Culloh,"  and  had  the  Washington  postmark  of 
the  JUst  of  May. 

"  Washington,  30th  May,  1845.  My  dear  sir  ;  I  received  your  letter  ex- 
"  planatory  of  the  reference  in  one  of  J.  Vs  [John  V.  Buren's]  letters  to  Iloyt, 
"  and  thank  you  for  the  information  it  gives.  The  discovery  of  those  letters 
"  seems  to  ho  providential,  AND  IS  DULY  APPRECIATED  IN  THE  lUGHT 
"  QU  AllThiR.  All  will  go  well.  I  will  be  glad  to  hear  from  you,  ami  on  any 
•'occasion,  in  which  I  can  serve  you,  write  to  me  without  res'3rve.  You  will 
"  find  me  ready  to  render  you  any  aid  in  my  power.    Yours  I'ruly." 


pleiisfd.  'I'lipy  nctimlly  i'ssiicd  their  geneml  wnrrant  to  compel  tho  production  of  all  the  letters  thiit  hnd  hoon 
writtoii  t(i  till!  Ii;iiik  or  on  priviile  or  public  bukiiiess  with  it,  for  themselves  mid  others,  within  two  ,;■'"■'<.  iiitcmlin^ 
to  siiircli  till'  siiiiie  with  the  view  of  iiistitnliii^'  a  criminal  prosecution  ng.iinst  the  writers  or  receivers.  All  tins 
Mr.  I'olk  lippnivcd  of— yet  oven  the  chiincelhir  will  compel  no  mun  to  produce  his  books  and  piipers  in  order  that 
It  iiiity  bu  !t"-'ii  whi'llior  they  fiiriiisli  evidence  on  which  to  ground  u  criminal  proscrtitiim.  "  It  is  a  compnlsory 
p  ori'ss,"  siiid  Mr.  Kvcrcll,  lute  niiiiisti-r  to  Knshtnd,  "  to  cninjiel  the  good  people  of  tho  I'.  S.  to  produce  their  books 
, Old  pii|iers,  anil  siiliiiiil  them  to  general  I'earcli  in  proof  of  crimes,  not  chiirgod  but  suspected  ;  to  be  enforced  by 
atlachnieiit,  iin|irisiiiiiiii?nt,  mid  inlinite  distress ;  a  search  of  books,  a  search  of  letters,  and  an  examination  on  oath 
of  the  pers(His  implli-iitcd,  toui'hins  the  mutters  whereof  they  are  suspected.  In  what  does  such  a  warrant  differ 
from  those  issued  under  the  1st  Charles  and  the  •iml  James,  fur  which,  amon<,'  other  things,  ,^crog<;s  was  iin- 
peiiclicd  V 

Itecorder  Morris,  now  P.  M.  of  N.  V.,  selected  by  Mr.  Polk  and  his  cabinet  on  account  of  his  principles  from 
aiMciii;;  llltMMNI  citi/ciis,  held  that  tho  end  justified  the  means  in  the  case  of  Ulentworth  ;  descended  from  the  beiicli 
of  hi-  :-riniiniil  conrt,  Joiiu'il  the  mayor,  and  the  two  started  olV  to  tho  quiet  dwelling  of  a  private  cili/.en  after  tho 
milliilijlil  hour— told  Inin  he  had  in  bis  possession  u  sealed  package  of  papers  the  property  of  a  party  then  absent — 
and  luinpolleil  him  tn  give  it  up  unilcr  a  threat  that  they  would  then  search  his  bed  rooms,  smdy,  closets,  chests 
and  drawers,  and  take  it  by  force.  They  had  no  warrant — no  oath,  general  or  special — no  sherirt"  was  present,  nor 
iidopiily — no  not  even  a  constable.  Pierce  was  not  sworn  as  to  his  knowledge  of  the  contents  of  the  packet,  or 
asked  whether  it  contained  the  evidence  of  filentwnrth's  guilt.  Judge  Morris'  real  object  was  to  find  aid  towards 
the  eloctiiin  of  his  party  leiiiler,  Van  Huron — his  immediate  purpose  was  to  prove  the  probable  guilt  of  persmis 
against  whom  no  iliiirge  whatever  had  come  before  him  as  a  judge,  by  means  of  papers  which  even  District  Attor- 
ney Whiting  luid  II  r.  Rutler  had  not  chosen  to  keep  when  they  had  them  ;  these  papers,  too,  the  property  of  a  man 
whom  their  friend  Judge  Edmonds  hud  privately  warned  to  go  away,  atlcr  he  had  taken  them  home  uad  perused 
them. 

Messrs.  Morris  and  Varian  said  that  they  did  all  this  ofTicially  ;  and  when  Governor  Seward  asked  Morris  what 
aiitnoiity  he  had  for  his  midnight  march  to  Pearce's,  ho  replied  that  much  of  the  Common  Law  in  force  here  had 
never  been  printed  any  where  ;  that  Lawyers  knew  the  unwritten  parts  of  the  law  ;  and  '.Sat  these  parts  would  be 
found  to  saiirlion  his  expeditiini  to  Pierce's  afler  private  papers.  Attorney  (lencral  lliill  flatly  denied  that  the  folks 
of  ,\ew  York  live  under  a  code  of  unknown  laws,  never  yet  set  in  type,  or  written  with  a  pen.  "  The  extraordinary 
doilrine  of  llio  Itci'nrder,  (said  be)  that  some  portions  of  the  Coininun  I, aw  have  never  been  reduced  to  writing, 
and  arc  not  to  be  fiiniid  in  any  book,  isc(|iially  novel  and  untenable.  Lord  Camden  says,  "  the  names  mid  rights 
of  public  nnigisi  rales,  tlioir  power  and  forms  ol'^proceeding,  as  they  are  settled  by  law,  have  been  long  since  written, 
.mil  are  to  be  fmind  in  bunks  niiii  records,"  If  .Mr.  Morris  is  right,  common  law  is  like  dog  law.  Pompcy  oD'ends 
nil!  and  gets  wlii|it.  He  remembers  the  whipping  and  avoids  the  oirenco.  A  man  does  a  meritorious  act — is  brought 
bi'I'ure  .ludL'c  Morris  mid  pnnislicd  for  it,  by  virtue  of  laws,  which  Moiris  tells  him  that  nobody  but  I<awyers  ever 
li(!;iril  of.  and  whiili  many  of  them  declare  to  have  no  e.xistcnce.  ifjudgcsand  lawyers  cannot  agree  as  to  whether, 
in  I  HI,"),  tlie  laws  of  .\.  V.  st;ile  are  or  are  not  written,  how  then  can  they  agree  as  to  what  the  laws  are  ?  Vet  this 
is  the  man  wlinni  President  I'olk  has  selected  to  lake  care  that  the  seals  of  the  letters  id"  the  people  of  N.  Y.  and 
their  corrospondiMits  be  not  violated  for  political  or  party  purposes  I  Is  it  not  in  character  with  his  maiden  choice 
of  I!.  K.  Hiitlor  .'  If  41)  Ilritish  ministers  have  stooped  to  the  petty  larceny  policy  of  the  administration  of  a 
roiir-hi'.  ciMifoniiding  princi|ilp  with  precedent,  and  moral  law  with  "legal  custom— if  all  the  41),  including  Peel, 
Wellington,  Canning,  (iodorich,  Melbourne,  Palnierston,  Hussell,  Crahani,  and  Aberdeen,  and  all  the  lord  lieutenants 
of  Ireland,  have,  each  in  his  turn,  caused  letters  passing  tliro'  the  postollice  to  be  secretly  opened,  read,  and  reseated 
by  stealth,  with  counterfeit  seals — and  they  do  not  deny  it — what  may  not  be  expected  from  as  convenient  a  post- 
master as  Morris,  who  adheres  to  a  code  of  law  unknown  to  his  countrymen,  including  it  is  presumed  the  British 
practice  to  which  I  have  bad  reference?  In  tho  case  of  Iloyt,  the  documents  were  in  government  boxes,  and  Iloyt 
an  embezzler  of  the  revenue,  who  had  escaped  the  penalty  of  the  sub-treasury  act  by  u  (|uibblfi — they  were  mixed 
lip  with  hiinilrodsof  tons  of  oiricinl  records— wcro  unsealed,  indecent,  unbecoming,  unci  left  in  the  custuin  house 
becttuso  tuy  jiylluted  to  enter  a  private  muiiiiuu. 


:.. 


■m 


-4  i 


!-.l' 


I 


•'  H* 


id 


WIE  CUSTOM  HOTTSE,  ITS  INMATES  AND  THE  SECRET  LETTERS. 


When  I  afterwards  saw  the  writer,  he  informed  me  that  Mr  Polk  had  perused 
the  letters,  and  been  informed  where  and  in  whitt  manner  they  were  found  ;  and 
that  the  effect  they  produced  on  his  mind  was  such  as  to  induce  him  to  depart 
from  his  original  purpose  as  expressed  to  General  Dix.  He  said  that  he  would 
not  give  the  office  to  Mr.  Coddington,  but  would  appoint  a  man  of  his  own.  I 
have  seen  a  pretty  accurate  statement  of  this  interview  in  tlie  National  hitelli. 
gencer,  written  by  its  N.  Y.  correspondent,  M.  L.  Davis,  who  did  not  get  any 
of  his  facts  from  me.  Ritchie  did  not  contradict  Davis's  statement,  nor  make 
any  remarks  upon  it.  [  sometimes  think  that  it  was  by  way  of  an  offset  to  ihese 
anli-Vun  Buren  movements  in  May  and  JnuR,  that  The  Union  abused  me  so  out- 
vageouhly  when  my  book  appeared  last  September. 

Horace  VValpole  repeats  a  saying  of  his  father,  Sir  Robert,  "that  but  few 
men  should  ever  be  Ministers,  for  it  lets  them  see  too  much  of  tlie  badness  of 
mankind."  Mr.  Van  Ness  was,  I  thought,  a  kind-hearted  man,  and  all  the  Ver- 
monters  I  had  met  with,  spoke  well  of  him,  after  he  had  been  their  governor. 
I  would  have  been  glad,  if  he  had  kept  his  ground,  but  ho  was  less  tittcd  to  deal 
with  the  host  of  crafty  place  hunters  who  surrounded  him  than  Lawrence,  whosb 
cold,  phlegmatic,  calculating  temperament,  and  mind  turned  toward  stockjob- 
bing and  lucre,  will  remain  undisturbed,  where  Van  Ness  would  almost  shed 
tears  of  piiy.  I  have  been  in  the  anti-chambers  of  Kings  and  Governors — and 
have  witnessed  the  levees  of  the  Colonial  Rulers  of  forty  colonies,  in  Downing 
street,  but  never  on  earth  saw  anything  so  formidable,  yet  humiliating  to  huniiiu 
nature,  in  the  way  of  besieging  power  for  place,  as  in  the  Custom  House  of  N.  Y. 

On  the  ."ird  of  June  last,  a  friend  wrote  me  in  conffdenco  from  Washington, 
that  Van  Ness  was  superceded,  and  Lawrence,  the  choice  of  the  President,  and 
I  wrote  my  resianation  the  same  day  and  sent  it  in.  The  Collector  sent  for  me 
twice  that  month,  and  bade  me  stay  on  account  of  my  straitened  circumstances 
uiid  large  fe.mily.  I  declined,  my  mind  being  fully  made  up  tliat  1  had  a  duty 
to  perform,  eff'ectually  to  uncloak  the  knaves  who  figure  in  part  of  this  corres- 
pondence. Nor  was  it  any  great  sacrifice,  fur  I  had  tlie  smallest  income  of  any 
clerk  in  the  C  ll.  Webber  and  Everett  were  removed  for  tlieir  political  opin- 
ions,  with  about  ten  minutes'  official  notice,  and  [  was  ordered  to  instruct  Gold- 
son  and  Coryell,  their  successors,  in  their  duties,  which  I  did.  Wo  had  pre- 
cisely  the  same  v.'ork  to  do,  yet  I  was  paid  $200  less  than  the  one,  and  .^300 
less  than  the  other.  The  treasury  regulation  seems  to  bo  purely  political,  and 
Committees  of  Congress,  named  by  their  party  Speakers,  ar^"  altogether  a  delu- 
sion.  Seventeen  men,  called  Measurers,  gpt  !i!$l.'')00  a  year  eai;li,  for  doing  worse 
than  nothing.  Secretary  Forward  proposed  to  abolish  them,  but  his  whig  cabinet 
was  air  built,  and  it  soon  vanished.  The  N.  Y.  Custom  1  louso  is  the  most  pow- 
erful piece  of  political  machinery  for  neutralizing  opinion  and  controlling  elec- 
tions, to  suit  the  ^e\v,  that  I  ever  saw  or  heard  of  in  any  country.  Do  Witt 
Clinton's  celebrated  warning  on  that  head,  is  indeed  a  truth. 

It  is  a  curious  fact  that  neither  Bogardus  nor  Collector  Van  Ness,  ever  spoke 
a  word  to  me  about  the  Hovt  correspondence  while  I  was  in  office.  During 
every  spare  moment,  from  the  l5th  of  May  till  July  l.st,  1  copied  from  these 
relics  of  Van  Burenism,  at  my  desk  and  dwelling  house,  with  the  keeper's  ap- 
probation,  and,  as  it  appears,  that  of  his  superiors  also,  w  hom  he  and  Coryell 
had  carefully  and  properly  consulted.  Had  they  objected,  I  nnist  have  desist- 
ed. The  power  of  dismissal  or  censure  remained  in  Messrs.  Polk,  Walker, 
and  Van  Ness,  or  either  of  them,  but  no  one  said  a  word.  They  doubtless 
knew  that  it  would  have  been  highly  criminal  to  conceal  such  unequivocal 
proofs  of  turpitude  from  an  abused  people.  Mr,  Walker  examined  the  letters 
with  great  care,  and  both  he  and  the  President  were  glad  that  so  much  con- 
cealed villainy  had  come  to  light.    So  far  from  being  displeased,  Pi-csident  Polk 


Ik  had  perused 
re  found  ;  and 
him  to  depart 
that  he  would 
f  his  own.  I 
itional  hitelli- 
id  not  get  any 
cnt,  nor  make 
oirsel  to  ihese 
ised  me  so  out- 

'  that  but  few 
llie  baihiess  of 
lid  all  tho  Ver- 
leir  governor, 
is  tilted  to  (leal 
vrence,  whos(-. 
'ard  slockjob- 

I  almost  shed 
•vernors — and 
5,  in  Downing 
tinu;  to  hnmau 
louse  of  N.  Y. 

Washington, 
President,  and 
tor  sent  for  me 
eircumstances 

I I  had  a  duty 
nf  this  corres- 
ncomc  of  any 
political  opin- 
instruct  Gold- 
We  had  pre- 
ne,  and  Siii300 

|)olitical,  and 
igother  a  dclu- 
)r  doing  worse 
s  whig  cabinet 

the  most  pow- 
ntroUing  dec- 
ry.    i)o  Witt 

'ss,  ever  spoke 
hce.  During 
kI  from  these 

0  keeper's  ap. 
e  and  Coryell 
st  have  desist- 
[»olk,  Walker, 
hey  doubtless 

1  unequivocal 
led  tho  letters 
so  much  con- 
:* resident  Polk 


HOW  WERE  THE  LETTERS  OBTAINED  ? 


13 


promptly  acted  on  my  information,  being  justly  indignant  at  Coddington's  at- 
tempt to  head  General  Jackson,  as  shewn  in  page  214,  No.  J  79  of  correspon- 
dence.* 


*Talk  of  violaliiig  private  confidence '.  It  wns  in  prosecution  of  my  nulilic  duties  to  the  stale  thnt  provideneo 
furnished  me  with  such  full  meiins  for  the  exposure  of  its  enemies.  While  •'  riaius  popull,  suprenm  lex,"  remains 
the  I'lw  of  (Jod  und  miin,  n  rule  to  regulute  our  conduct  towards  our  neighhors.  uiid  the  practice  according  to  which 
has  been  approved  hy  posterity  in  the  case  of  every  hiessed  reformer  who  has  left  his  toil  on  earth  for  his  reward 
in  he;ive[i,  what  could  1  have  been,  but  one  of  the  worst  of  traitors,  if  I  had  spared  those  enemies  that  were  delivered 
into  my  hands  ^ 

liet  men  Jesse  lloyt,  the  tool  of  these  plotters,  let  their  hirelings  the  poor  newspaper  hacks,  Kitchio  and  Ileiss  of 
the  Union,  Ulair  tnd"  Hives  of  the  Globe,  Noah  of  the  .Sun,  Bennett  of  the  Herald,  O'Sullivan  of  the  News,  Frencli 
k  (.'assidv  of  the  Alius,  Croswell  of  the  Arjrus,  the  Solomons  of  the  two  I'otts.  here  and  in  Boston,  the  Troy  Bud- 
jet,  and  Senator  Mack,  with  other  more  obscure  drudges,  the  bearers  of  official  burthens,  on  whoso  gulled  shoulders 
their  masters  have  ol'ten  ridden  into  power  over  the  necks  of  a  betrayed  and  insulted  people  ;  let  them  all  rejoice  in 
the  partial  victory  which  they  have  obtained,  thro'  W.  T.  McCoun,  in  hindering  the  circulation  of  mv  former  book 
for  a  time.  Let  the  sacrifices  which  they  have  already  made  in  the  temple  of  mammon  suHice,  in  irettmg  a  neigh- 
bour, in  some  cases,  to  burn  a  copy  for  which  he  may  have  paid,  but  retaining  their  own  like  the  tlesh  which  the 
lieathens  took  from  the  altars  of  their  gods  to  sell  in  the  shambles.  Let  every  covetous  christian  purchase  it  ami 
every  jew,  as  hallowed  at  that  shrine  where  thay  all  mutually  and  lovingly  worship  every  (Saturday  and  Sabbath. 

The  fear  of  losing  his  office,  svhen  Lawrence  came  in,  must  have  been  the  motive  thnt  induced  Goldson  to  tell, 
and  persist  'ii  a  falsehood,  in  this  matter.  When  1  had  stated  In  the  Tribune  how  I  came  by  the  letters,  GoJdsoii 
replied  us  follows : 

"  Mr  Mackenzie  says  : — '  With  tlie  consent  of  Mr.  Roldson,  the  keeper,  I  publicly  cojiied,  whenever  I  had  spare 
"time,  such  of  those  letters  us  I  thought  the  public  ought  to  see  (omitting  private  passages.)  and  (as  .Mr.  Goldson  and 
"  Mr.  Coryell  will  no  doubt  testify,  if  cnlled  on  by  the  Couit  of  Chancery)  I  took  home  (xvith  the  keeper's  consent) 
'various  letters,  to  copy  them  in  the  evenings.  This  course  continued  for  nearly  a  month  from  Alay  15.'  To  this 
'statement,  and  every  part  of  it,  I  civo  an  iiiniualified  denial.  He  never  i,skcd  my  consent.  If  he  copied  the  pa|)ers 
"  referred  to  '  publicly,'  us  he  says,  it  was  without  my  knowledge.    If  he  took  them  home,  it  was  without  my  know- 

'•  ledge." 

A»  reference  wns  made  by  Goldson  to  the  third  clerk,  Coryoll,  I  also  appealed  to  him,  and  here  is  his  answer, 
dated  Nov.  Vi  184.5. 

"  W-  L.  Mackenzie,  Esij. — Sir:  In  reply  to  yours  of  to-day,  I  feel  bound,  under  the  circumstances,  to  say  thnt  I 
"have  read  \»  the.  Tribune  vour  statement  aiid  Mr  Goldson's  reply,  and  THAT  I'PON  THK  rNPLEASANT 
"ISSUE  TIII'S  MADE  BfiTWKKN  VOU,  YOU  ARE  COKRECT.     Kesp'y  yours.    INGHAM  CORYELL." 

Mr.  Coryell  is  well  connected,  and  came  to  N.  Y.  highly  reco:iiiiien(led  by  tho  govnrnur  and  many  leading  men 
of  the  democratic  party  in  rennsylvania.  Goldson,  on  the  14lh,  wrote  in  the  Tribune,  "  I  repeat  thai  the  statement 
of  Mackenzie  is  in  every  particular  false— false  both  in  fact  and  spirit."  Kunior  has  it  that  he  swore  to  the  same 
ell'ecl  before  several  grand  juries.  Again,  on  the  18th,  Goldson  wrote,  that  "  certain  gov't  papers  were  wanting, 
"and  the  kevs  to  sundry  gov't  cases  and  boxes,  in  which  it  was  supposed  they  were  deposited,  were  lost.  Mr. 
"  Uognrdus  ordered  these  gov't  boxes  and  cases  broken  open  and  the  papers  arranged.  One  of  them  wns  found  to 
"  contain  hundreds  of  letters  addressed  to  Mr.  Hoyt."  Ho  goes  on  to  say,  that  he  gut  a  now  lock  and  key  ;  ond 
that,  with  his  consent,  neither  Coryell  nor  myself  opened  that  box  afterwards  ;  but  if  this  had  been  true  apart  jf 
tbese  remarkable  disclosures  had  never  appeared. 

As  Goldson  and  (^l^vell  are  both  retained  by  Lawrence  in  the  same  department,  to  this  hour,  with  the  consent  of 
Mr.  Polk  and  Mr.  VViifkcr,  I  copy  Coryell's  statement  of  Nov.  -Joth,  frmii  the  Tribune,  as  follows  : 

"  Mackenzie,  (iohlson  and  I  were  the  only  clerks  in  the  room  ;  (loldson  was  the  senior  and  gave  Mackenzie  pcr- 
misiiun  to  ciipy  the  letters  ;  /  belief  cd,  but  did  not  knoto,  that  he  intended  to  publish  them,  und  told  Goldson  thnt  he 
did  wrong  in  giving  hini  tho  permission.  Instead  of  aiding  him  to  copy  them,  us  tinldson  charges,  I,  through  a 
friend,  told  the  I'olleclcir  that  .Mr.  Mackenzie  was  taking  copies,  and  that  ho  the  CulJeclor.  ought  to  enquire  into 
tiie  mutter.  Mr.  Van  Ness  sent  Mr  Bogiirdiis.  who  is  the  personal  friend  of  .Mr.  (ioldson,  to  make  the  inquiry. 
He  did  inquire,  and  he  reported  that  it  was  all  right;  und  so  far  from  tearing  that  lie  wnuld  lose  his  place  for 
permitting  hmi  to  copy  the  letters,  Goldson,  after  he  knew  that  Mackenzie  wns  about  to  leave  tlie  office,  excused 
iiini  from  other  dnties,'that  he  might  make  extracts  from  papers  in  the  ollice.  which  Mackenzie  has  used  in  his  book. 
1  refer  to  the  publslied  letters  of  Mr.  Van  Ness  und  Mr  Bognrdiis,  to  prove  that  my  statpinent  as  to  them  is  true, 
and  knowing  these  liicts  to  be  so,  Goldion  now  says  that  Ac  could  not  hut  know  that  lie  sk  mid  lose  Ma  place,  his 
livelihood,  and  alieniaie  every  friend  he  possessed  by  tlic  conduct  charged  upon  him.  .Now  I  reply  that  he  did  not 
then  think  so ;  Mr  Van  Ness  and  Mr.  Bogardus  were  then  his  friends,  they  knew  that  he  wns  the  senior  clerk  in 
charge  of  the  papers ;  they  knew  that  Mackenzie  was  copying  these  letters  with  Gohlsun's  pernilssioii  or  cunnivanca, 
und  took  no  steps  to  prevent  it,  and  Goldson  knew  this." 

On  seeing  this,  Bognrdusgave  Corvell  the  lie  in  the  most  plain  terms,  in  tho  Tribune  nf  the  28th  of  Nov.— saying 
that  his  stateiiieni  wns  "an  unblushinit  and  malicious  falsehood."  Messrs.  Polk,  Lawrence  and  Walker  continuo 
to  avail  themselves  nf  his  services  also  ! '. 

But  the  calm  and  intrepid  youth  kept  his  ground  ably  and  0>nrlessly  ;  und  I  trust  that  his  love  of  truth,  and  con- 
tempt of  office  and  $1000  a  ycir,  if  to  be  dishonestly  hold,  will  yet  bn  liunored  by  the  apprnbalioii  of  the  nohlo 
hearted  and  virtuous  among  his  countrymen.  On  the'iOth,  he  slated  in  the  Tribune  that  the  moment  I  liegnn  to 
copy  the  Hoyt  correspondence  ho  requested  a  gentleman  of  great  respectability  to  mention  the  fact  to  Mr.  Van  Ness, 
who  did  so — and  ho  refers  to  Mr.  Van  Ness's  leller  of  Sept.  \i5,  wlicro  he  .slates  Ihiit  lie  had  been  informed  thnt  I 
had  f'oiiiid  s  line  icnporliint  private  correspondence  of  Hoyt  among  tho  archives,  nnd  hail  caused  ilogardiisto  make 
a  private  examination,  who  reported  that  the  papers  were  of  no  apparent  coiist'qnoncu — and  to  Bogiirdus's  published 
card,  where  linsavs  that  the  ducumeiits  were  of  no  consequence,  and  not  wcrtli  taking  away.  Bogardus  went  tci 
(ioldson,  who  hnil  laughed  heartily  at  Butler's  mock  piety,  nnd  Van  Iluren's  cursing  and  gamhling.  but  he  never 
opened  liis  lips  to  inc,  nor  did  Goldson  ever  mention  to  me  that  there  had  been  a  search  or  an  enquiry.  Coryell's 
last  epistle  closed  the  correspondence  in  these  words : 

"  I  am  made  lo  appear  as  the  partisan  of  Mackenzie  who,  hy  the  publication  of  his  book,  has  orrrayed  ngainit 
him  an  Innneiico  powerful  in  this  community.  My  accusers  have  enlisted  themselves  as  the  tools  and  ingtruineiits 
of  those  who  are  laboring  to  arraign  Mackenzie  for  felony,  of  which  they  know  him  to  ho  innocent,  by  way  of  pro- 
tecting themselves.  1  am  not  his  partisan — I  had  no  agency  in  the  pi.lilication  of  his  book— I  have  no  Interest  in 
tnstaiiiin^  him.  On  the  contrary  I  am  well  aware  that  what  I  ha%'o  said  in  his  favor  will  provoke  against  nie  tli« 
ill  will  ot  men  whom  I  have  no  wish  to  offend,  hut  Goldson  und  Bogardus  have  placed  me  in  a  situation  where  I 
am  compelled  to  speak  the  truth  or  else  do  as  they  httVH  done,  fcenr/a/nr  wiVmcw  (iir(iiM,«t  ./l/acAfntiV.  ♦  *  *  * 
*  *  *  *  *  Mackenzie's  book  is  un  exposure  of  nien  who  have  held  important  liiiafttial  nnd  political  posts;  • 
men  having  great  weight  and  Influence  in  sodety  nnd  with  the  Uovemmcnt.    Among  those  assuilad  is  the  present 


■y% 


m 


I    I 


'  .1. 


'r' 


14 


THE  AtJTnOR'S  APOLOGY  FOR  THIS  VOLUME. 


CHAPTER    III 


The  Author's  Afohsy  for  puNishmg  the  Butler  ana  Van  Buren  Correspondence. 
Constitutional  Reforms  nrgent/ij  required.  Governor  Wright  and  the  Anti-Rent- 
ers.  L.  D.  S/amm.  Je.s.;c  HoyCs  extraordinary  Chancery  Bill  and  Vice-Chan- 
cellar  M' Court's  still  more  extraordinary  decision  about  it.  Benjamin  F.  But- 
ler's professinn  of  Piety.  Mrs.  Butter,  a  Politician.  Van  Buren's  vacillating 
Policy.     What  may  he  considered  Literary  Property  in  these  times. 

With  such  opportuailifs  as  I  had  of  making  these  disclosures;  sufToring  as  I 
have  sufleied  in  the  cause  of  liberty  ;  what  an  incurious  creature  must  1  liavc 
heen,  what  a  simpleton,  not  fo  have  opened  my  eyes  to  that  which  was  so  plain- 
ly  spread  before  my  view ;  what  a  traitor  if,  when  1  possessed  it,  I  iiad  courted 
or  received  the  reward  of  silence ;  if  1  had  kept  silence!  No!  trusting  in 
the  coming  emancipation  of  the  human  race  from  all  the  former  restraints  of 
misrule  and  o|)prebsion ;  already  seeing  in  the  words  of  the  ancient  heathen 
poet  in  accordance  with  the  prophecies  of  scripture,  "  a  new  order  of  things 
beginning;"  already  seeing  a  long  continuance  of  peace  among  the  most  civil- 
ized nations,  and  the  progress  of  the  arts  rendering  the  former  advantages  for 
war  worthless  ;  either  tending  to  secure  a  continuance  of  peace  or  to  end  war 
in  one  hasty  general  struggle ;  seeing  even  many  of  the  creatures  that  were 
placed  in  subjection  to  man,  and  whoso  necessary  attention  to  them  in  some 
measure  humanized  mankind,  rendered  unnecessary,  supplanted  ;  seeing  all 
things  preparing  for  the  greater  happiness  of  mankind  in  a  universal  reign  of 
love,  should  I  not  do  what  I  could  to  wipe  oifthe  reproach  of  this  land,  as  fail- 
ing in  the  experin)ent  of  self-government,  through  the  remnants  of  ancient  fraud 
that  still  remain  amidst  that  glorious  progress  which  we  once  seemed  destined 
to  make  in  the  career  of  improvement  among  the  nations  ;  the  last  but  the  best 
form  of  government  far  outstripping  them  all  ! 

How  must  the  heart  of  every  sincere  patriot  ho  sad  to  see  the  Declaration  of 
Independence  nullified  in  so  many  cases,  if  not  in  every  state,  by  the  slate 
Constitution,  in  what  is  it  not  disregarded  in  the  practical  working  of  it !  Who 
would  not  grieve  to  see,  amidst  the  late  troubles  of  one  of  our  smaller  States, 
instead  of  the  great  political  parties  in  the  others  suggesting  aught  as  an  elTec- 
tive  remedy,  fomenting  the  quarrel  and  triumphing  in  its  progress,  for  the  sake 
of  political  effect,  without  any  measure  for  the  full  establishment  of  those  equal 
rights  to  which  the  wiiolk  nation  is  pledged  in  the  sight  of  God  to  one  another, 
before  the  world  !  Who  would  not  grieve  at  the  success  with  which  the  guilty 
often  escape  through  the  meshes  of  law  in  this  State,  and  the  innocent  are 
overwhelmed  ;  to  see  a  governor  proclaim  the  injustice  of  certain  usurpations,  ad- 
vise  their  abandonment,  hut  yet  hold  out  the  terrors  of  the  law  against  their  viola- 
tors  ;  to  see  men  condemned  for  murder  that  are  said  to  have  taken  the  life  of 
one  that  came  to  oppose  them  and  execute  an  unjust  Ian  i  To  see  such  things, 
and  here  find  so  many  felons  go  "  unwhipt  of  justice,"  assisted  in  their  crime 
and  their  escape  from  its  due  punishment  through  that  imported,  foreign,  feudal 
legislation,  and  those  relics  of  ancient  fraud  which  seemed  to  have  been  swept 
away  in  the  spring-tide  flood  of  the  revolution  ;  yet  here,  carried  back  and  settling 
down  upon  our  sliores  in  every  ebb  and  flow  of  the  change  of  parties  and  pre- 

('(illectnr,  whniie  npiinintment  liiis  cimngeil  tlio  relation*  lictween  Messrs.  Goldsnn,  nii;;nri1us  anil  Mncken/ie. 
Refore  thi«,  Mr.  RoiiUon  gnve  Mnckenzia  permissinn  tu  cnpv  tlie  letters,  and  ><r.  Dngnriliis  cniilil  tlncl  "notliini; 
of  importnnce  in  the  mutter,"  but  now  none  louder  than  tlicy  in  denoiinrin!;  Mackenzie.  Dennnrintion  is  not 
ennu(;h  ;  thev,  or  one  of  tlieni,  at  least,  liavc  gone  before  the  grand  jury  for  the  purpose  of  bavin;;  bim  indicted  for 
a  felony.  VVby  is  this  ?  U  it  not  manifest  that  tbnt  which  was  of  "  no  impHrtnncc"  under  Mr.  Van  Ness,  in  their 
eslimntion,  has  become  a  felony  under  Mr.  Lawrence?  And  is  it  not  cqiinlly  manifest  that  all  this  zeal  against 
Maciicnzie  nriftinates  in  n  base  nnd  ^'rovelin^  desire  to  conciliate  the  Collector  Ht  the  expense  of  truth  and  honor! 
«*»****  I  ,|o  not  slop  to  enquire  what  are  the  collector  [I.awrenceJ'a  opuiions  or  wishes.  1  dare 
b«  honeit  and  iiieitk  tlie  truth,  let  it  pleaite  ut  oflend  whom  it  may.    I  hone  I  am  done  with  Mr.  Dogardus. 

INGHAM  CORYEH,." 


'M 


THE  CONVENTION— PRINCIPLE — L.  D.  SLAMM. 


15 


Correspondence, 
i  the  Anii-RcnI- 
and  Vice-Clian- 
mjamin  F.  But- 
reu^s  vacillating 
ines. 

;  sufToring  as  I 
irc  must  1  liavo 
ch  was  so  plaiii- 
t,  I  liad  courtetl 
>fo !  trusting  in 
cr  restraints  of 
ncieiit  heathoii 
order  of  things 
;  the  most  civil - 
advantages  for 
3  or  to  end  war 
:urps  that  were 
)  theiTi  in  some 
ted  ;  seeing  all 
iversal  reign  of 
is  land,  as  fail- 
if  ancient  fraud 
eemed  destined 
ast  but  the  best 

Declaration  of 

e,  by  the  slate 

g  of  it !     Who 

smaller  States, 

'ht  as  an  efiec- 

ss,  for  the  sake 

it  of  those  equal 

to  one  another, 

liich  the  guilty 

e  innocent  are 

usurpations,  ad- 

linst  their  viola- 

iken  the  life  of 

ce  such  things, 

in  their  crime 

foreign,  feudal 

ive  been  swept 

ack  and  settling 

lartics  and  pre- 

rdus  nnil  Mncknn/.in. 

iiiild  find  "  iintliiiit; 

Deniinrintiiin  ia  not 
living  liini  jnilictetl  for 
ilr.  Vnn  Nesn,  it)  their 
I  nil  this  7.enl  agninst 
!  of  truth  and  honor! 
ins  or  wishes.  I  dnre 
Mr.  BognrdiH. 
lAM  CORYELIi." 


i 


tended  reforms  in  the  framing  of  constitutions  and  the  revising  of  laws  ;  if  not 
ready  to  wish  for  the  abrogation  of  human  laws,  and  with  a  trial  of  a  jury  of 
our  peers,  the  palladium  of  liberty,  in  a  court  where  only  the  enlightened  con- 
sciences of  good  men  and  their  sense  of  honesty  should  be  allowed  to  affect  the 
decision  in  pronouncing  sentence  according  to  the  evidence ;  how  must  I  have 
been  excited  to  do  at  least  what  was  put  in  my  power,  to  afTord  a  demonstra- 
tion  of  the  truth  of  sacred  writ,  "  that  the  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil," 
and  to  call  upon  the  people  of  this  state,  in  prospect  of  holding  a  convention,  to 
reform  and  perfect  its  constitution ;  and  of  all  the  states ;  to  establish  more 
checks,  and  hencelbrth  allow  of  no  office  holder  but  by  their  direct  suffrage,  of  no 
nomination  but  with  your  full  knowledge — and  to  permit  no  one  elected  to  legis- 
late  in  any  pecuniary  matters  regarding  his  own  pay  or  whatever  else  may  con- 
duce to  his  own  personal  and  exclusive  advantage  ;  but  to  enjoy  his  salary  ac- 
cording to  the  appointment  of  the  people,  in  his  election  !  Such  are  the  princi- 
ples in  which  I  have  had  the  happiness  to  be  indoctrinated  ;  *  principles  that  I 
know  not  if  they  are  fully  carried  out  in  practice  among  any  society  of  men 
but  the  Seccders  of  Scotland,  a  church  strongly  attached  to  Democracy  in  cleri- 
cal government,  and  which  I  may  call  my  mother  church,  having  been  born  and 
baptized  in  it. 

Whatever  motives  of  disappointed  ambition,  whatever  motives  of  self-seeking 
and  hope  of  future  favor  may  be  imputed  to  the  author,  he  is  conscious  to  him- 
self of  the  rectitude  of  his  conduct,  and,  that,  in  due  time,  it  will  be  approved 
by  every  sincere  lover  of  his  country's  welfare,  by  every  one  that  reckons 
himself  bound  to  guard  the  republic  against  injury.  If  it  had  been  revenge 
that  had  prompted  him,  he  might  have  had  that  long  ago  in  matters  that  more 
nearly  related  himself;  but,  when  he  considered  himself  able  to  serve  the  pub. 
lie,  he  overlooked  personal  injuries,  and  instead  of  being  the  op])onent  of  the 
party,  the  worst  part  of  which  reckon  themselves  chiefly  aggrieved  by  this  pub- 
lication, he  became  its  advocate  and  pleaded  its  claims  to  State  and  National 
power  as  far  as  he  was  then  deceived,  and,  as  far  as  he  reckoned  its  proposals 
preferable  to  those  of  the  party  that  then  defeated  it. 

Laboring  for  the  good  of  whatever  land  it  has  been  his  lot  under  providence 
to  inhabit,  amidst  the  ill-treatment  which  he  has  received  for  the  want  of  sue- 
cess  in  a  cause  at  least  equal  to  that  for  which  our  revolutionary  ancestors  of 
this  nation,  are  justly  honored  ;  marked  and  proscribed  with  a  price  set  upon  his 
head,  equal  to  tliat  at  which  some  of  the  mo.st  illustrious  of  tiiem  were  valued 
by  the  same  government ;  the  last  among  all  the  survivors  of  that  ill  fated  strug- 
gle, that  has  not  obtained  a  pardon  and  an  allowance  to  return  to  his  unforfcited 
rights  and  property  ;  wore  he  to  be  crushed  now  by  such  an  attempt  as  lloyt, 
Butler,  Van  Buren,  and  their  supporters  have  made,  how  would  tyrants  rejoice 
and  the  lovers  of  rational  liberty  lament,  reckoning  the  refuge  of  the  oppressed, 
the  dungeon  of  the  free ! 

Is  it  to  be  supposed  that  I  should  destroy  my  fair  fame,  lay  aside  every  prin- 
ciple  of  honor,  yacrifice  a  life-long  reputation,  and  disregarding  all  consequences, 


■:'^i::.i 


*  When  the  qLeslimi  ofii  slnlo  cmivention  \vi\s  first  spoken  of,  I  wiis  in  the  Mechiiniis'  lii.slitnle,  here,  mid  wtolo 
many  iirlirles  in  its  I'nvonr,  thu'  nut  over  my  own  si^'nnUirc.  I,cvi  I).  cShinini,  a  IriHted  editor  of  the  Dcinocrncy, 
or  |icrhn|isorthcirartt'nl  iinil  selfish  lenders,  has,  ilnrinK  the  Inst  three  yours,  hesiowod  niui'h  iihnse  upon  ine,  iinildnno 
nioiill  the  injury  he  cmi'd  with  the  people.  IliniscU'tlie  son  ofatjcrnian  father  and  an  Irish  mot  her,  he  descended  to 
deiionnce  ino  as  "  a  foreign  renegade"  thro'  his  press.  Let  his  private  sentiments,  pnhlisliod  hy  his  consent,  stand 
us  a  reply  to  the  sliiiidets  of  his  junrnal. 

"  VVilfinm  I..  Mackenzie,  Ksi].— Dear  Sir:  IthiinU  yon  fiir  your  attention.  The  article  younllndeto  never  cuine 
"  to  my  possession,  olne  1  should  certainly  have  puhli.shed  it.  Ue  assured  that  the  fears  you  intini.ite  do  me  injustice. 
"  Innately  a  Democrat,  I  can  never  forego  the  utterance  of  truth  from  uny  motive  of  policy  or  evpendiency.  A 
"  pressure  of  business— the  warm  interest  1  have  taken  in  municipal  reform,  us  the  colunnis  ol'the  plelieian  will  show, 
"  the  various  sulijects  which  arise  every  duy  reipiiring  some  record  of  opinion — and  the  little  ii«sislance  I  have  in 
"  the  conduct  of  my  journal,  is  my  ixul'uii:  roR  not  kktiikinu  i-usitivki.y  into  riiii  ionte.mi'latkd  Con- 

"  dTITUTIONAI.  KkkuR.M  UVKSTION.  Yuur  ftieild.  LfcVl  D.   tJLAH.M." 

••  Jujie  30,  1843." 


^§1 


'm 


<«  •■Ij 


:,!'•.;,.. 


■  if  r'fj 

.-  >M 

r 
1 1 


i    iA 


Id 


HOYT,  BUTLER,  AND  THE  COURT  OF  EQUITY. 


1 


1      ,«(' 


like  "a  marlnian  scatter  firebrands,  arrows  and  death,"  not  caring  though  the 
greatest  and  noblest  temple  of  human  liberty  ever  erected,. should  be  burned  up, 
if  I  should  obtain  a  name  ?  Far  from  it !  An  admirer  of  the  glorious  principles 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independonoe  ;  hoping  to  find  the  practical  effect  of  such 
liberty  here,  as  a  Knox  had  established  tor  the  Church  in  my  native  land,  and  a 
Buchanan  pleaded  for  the  state ;  the  practical  working  of  the  true  political  prin- 
ciples which  a  Locko  furnished  to  the  immortal  author  of  the  full  draught  of 
the  Declaration  of  independence ;  hearing  this  government  praised  by  every 
lover  of  liberty  ;  living  under  oppressions  myself ;  admiring  everything  good, 
and  carefully  endeavoring  to  excuse  everything  evil  in  the  working  of  the  re- 
publican  system  j  engaged  at  last,  as  is  well  known,  in  a  desperate,  (though  for 
the  time,)  an  unsuccessful,  attempt  to  transplant  the  same  institutions  into  a  neigh- 
boring  region  ;  was  I  not  accurately  to  mark  its  workings  according  to  my  op- 
portunities ;  and  when  made  to  feel  its  evils  so  bitterly  as  I  have  experienced  in 
my  own  person  ;  was  I  to  content  myself  as  an  idle  drone  in  the  Custom  House, 
sucking  the  honey  of  the  public  hive  ?  Far  from  it!  I  endeavored  to  improve 
the  opportunities  which  were  there  furnished,  and  the  leisure  which  the  present 
arrangement  of  the  public  service  allowed,  for  the  benefit  of  the  public;  and 
here  is  the  result  of  a  part  of  my  labors. 

But,  in  an  attempt  t  >  cloak  up  again  the  villainy  and  fraud  which  has  been 
exposed,  here  we  have  a  defaulter  to  the  public,  an  embezzler  of  the  revenue, 
that  should  have  been  glad  to  have  retired  from  view  into  the  shades  of  those 
jungles  which  it  is  now  becoming  fashionable  for  public  men  to  court,  after  a 
certain  period  of  office,  whore  they  may  live  like  wild  beasts  that  drag  their 
victims  to  their  dens,  to  devour  them  and  fatten  upon  them  at  leisure  ;  there  he 
should  have  sought  to  spend,  after  "  a  youth  of  labor,  an  age  of  ease"  with 
his  guilty  companions,  instead  of  darkening  a  court  of  justice  with  his  presence, 
or  deafening  it  with  his  complaints.  But,  "  Oh  !  shame,  where  is  thy  blush  !" 
his  cloim  is  allowed,  sanctioned  ;  and  letters  by  the  lovers  of  stock-gambling  and 
betting  on  elections — on  the  best  mode  of  intriguing  for  office,  and  how  that 
office  should  be  used,  not  for  the  public  weal,  but  to  subserve  the  basest  and 
most  wicked  personal  and  party  purposes — of  the  easiest  way  of  robbing  the 
widow  and  the  orphan  by  an  artificial  and  corrupt  upholding  of  a  rotten  bankrupt 
Banking  Institution — letters  composed  of  language  and  epithets  the  most  blasphe- 
mous, the  demoralizing  tendency  of  which  cannot  for  an  instant  be  doubted,  eve« 
by  the  most  liberal  reader — these  are  adjudged  worthy  of  the  protecting  mantle 
of  an  EQUITY  court,  as  literary  property,  and  the  booksellers  enjoined  not  to 
sell  nor  permit  the  public  to  read  the  Lives  of  Jesse  Hoyt  and  Benjamin  Butler.* 


'<'  l<eiiviiig  fur  n  time,  Mr.  V.  Uurcii'g  ready  tool,  let  us  east  a  look  at  the  principuli,  tlie  ehier  cnn«|iirntors  ainon<; 
their  iicci>iii|ilM't!s  ill  {.niill.  ^ee  mie  tilling  fur  u  time  ii  high  legal  stiition,  in  which  he  must  tremble  ut  the  blii«t  uf 
(luhlic  indiiiniitioii,  when  the  ccmtiiieil  wind  uf  the  Custom  Huuse,  that  Gidiis  Miiniifuctory  of  public  opinion,  has 
been  let  oiit  ut  ibe  pr»|>t'r  i|imrrer,  no  longer  belched  forth  from  Iho  thronts  uf  its  greiisy  demiigu{;ues  I  See  him 
with  n  ciirriii^'e  bi-vond  must  of  the  trident  in  politics,  early  making  a  profession  of  religiun  :  not  wailing  till  retire- 
ment from  iittice  to  be  tniinmulled  by  the  rcstriiints  uf  sen,  but  all  the  time  using  his  religions  profession  us  a  cloak, 
pretending  "  to  lie  denied  to  the  world,  but  following  the  mammon  of  unrighteuusncsswith  a  step  as  steady  us  time 
and  nn  appetite  us  keen  as  death." 

If  there  are  curtain  pictures  so  ludicrous,  according  to  the  description  of  the  poet,  to  see  which,  when  ndmitte<l, 
must  fonush  u  sniijei't  for  iinie<trainublu  laughter;  how  could  it  be  thought  that  I  could  restrain  my  indignation 
when  the  oppDitunity  wa^  iilt'oidi'd  mo  of  porusng  the  evidence  which  such  a  man  furnished  against  himself  I  Then 
see  his  nearest  reliition  in  life,  his  uiher  self,  a  woman,  of  whose  sex  it  has  been  said,  that  "  retirement  is  the  greatest 
glory,  and.  that  um;  fnnuius,  is  infiiinotis  ;"  how  iias  she  courted  notoriety  to  herself  among  the  uucuinpltces  uf  her 
male,  by  her  share  in  this  Kamily  compact  of  corrupt  politicians!  Who  could  withhold  Iroin  her  the  gratification 
of  enjoying  that  loving  assuciaiion  which  she  has  courted,  of  furnishing  another  proof  of  the  old  adage  "  No  plot 
withuui  a  wuiniin  :''  of  iillruclin>j  the  admiring  multitude  to  the  charms  uf  the  heroine  uf  the  piece,  a  tragedy  tutho 
public,  hitherto  a  roineily  to  thcin  .' 

It  has  been  said  tbiil  the  name  of  the  Devil  himself  ought  tu  be  mentioned  with  reverence,  an  we  nm  not  to 
speak  evil  of  dignities,  i^nrh  a  principle  must  bo  supposed  to  lend  to  some  restraint  in  speaking  of  one  that  once, 
though  nnwortliily,  tilled  the  highest  station  of  honor  in  this  land.  But  surely  this  should  not  hinder  his  bein;  al 
lowed  to  speak  f.ir  himself.  In  the  word  of  <iod  we  have  many  records  uf  the  sayings  of  the  devil  as  well  ns  uf 
wicked  men.  The  author  of  th<s  book  owes  thatwhnracter  nothing  :  I  mean  not  the  devil  hut  the  other.  Or  if  he 
vwei  him  anything,  he  is  glad  of  the  opportunity  uf  discharging  the  obligation,  of  paying  in  ihisusecuoU  iastitliuent. 


LITERAny  PROWRTY  DEFINED  IN  THE  CITT  HALL. 


17 


rinfj  though  tho 
!d  be  burned  up, 
irious  principles 
il  effect  of  such 
tive  land,  and  a 
18  political  prin- 
full  draught  of 
raised  by  every 
verything  good, 
rking  of  the  re. 
ate,  (though  for 
onsintoaneigli- 
rding  to  my  op- 
;  experienced  in 
:  Custom  House, 
/ored  to  improve 
hich  the  present 
he  public;  and 

which  has  been 

of  the  revenue, 

shades  of  those 

to  court,  after  a 

that  drag   their 

jisure  ;  there  he 

c  of  ease"  with 

[ith  his  presence, 

is  thy  blush  !" 

{-gambling  and 

and  how  that 

the  basest  and 

of  robbing  the 

rotten  bankrupt 

ie  most  blasphe- 

be  doubted,  eve» 

otecting  mantle 

enjoined  not  to 

njamin  Butler.* 

lief  conspirntors  ninoii' 
trcnilile  at  the  bluU  of 
of  |iulilic  opinion,  h&s 
eniagujiues  I  Set  him 
;  not  waiting  till  retire- 
IS  profession  us  n  clouk, 
u  step  us  steudy  us  lime 

wliicli,  when  ndmitteil, 
estniin  my  inilignutiun 
uRiiinst  himself :  Then 
itiremeut  is  the  ^reiiteb'. 
tlic  nucoinplices  of  her 
jm  her  the  grulificutinn 
c  oil!  adnge  '■  No  plot 
e  piece,  a  trugedy  to  thi; 

ircncc,  as  we  nm  not  to 
ikinc  of  one  tliut  nniM-, 
not  liindcr  his  hoing  iil_ 
the  devil  n>  well  as  of 
iHit  the  other.  l)r  if  he 
his  a  second  instuliuent. 


Could  that  be  property  to  any  one  which  had  not  only  been  abandoned  but 
could  be  of  no  use  to  him  when  recovered  ?  In  my  book,  the  letters  that 
are  claimed  have  their  fitting  place  ;  separated  from  the  context,  they  nnust  ua 
regarded  as  the  sweepings,  dross  and  rubbish  of  literature,  utterly  worthless. 
Literary  property  no  more  could  they  be  than  the  certificate  which  some  skil- 
ful  physician  gives  to  a  pauper  cured  of  the  diseases  produced  by  vice,  to  be 
exhibited  along  with  his  scars  to  excite  the  sympathy  of  every  one  that  passes 
by.  In  such  frpquent  cases  of  moral  disease  in  the  body  politic,  when  the  just 
retribution  shall  overtake  the  workers  of  evil,  pity  may  perhaps  relent  and 
hearken  to  the  cry  of  misery,  and  regard  the  sight  of  wounds  worse  than  those 
of  Lazarus,  which  even  a  dog  would  disdain  to  lick,  and  give  a  cent  to  the 
modern  representatives  of  fallen  greatness,  as  one  of  old  begged,  saying,  while 
exhibiting  his  torn  purple,  '^  Daobo/em,  pauperi  Belistirio." 

These  letters  could  only  be  useful  for  such  a  purpose,  or  to  be  publishfd  by 
their  author  as  a  confession  in  anticipation  of  the  horrors  of  a  dying  hour,  or 
the  just  judgment  of  God  :  not  without  a  precedent  in  the  annals  of  Infidels  and 
Christians,  of  Rousseau  and  Augustine.  But  they  are  sought  for  no  such  pur- 
poses, with  no  such  intentions.  A  generous  penitent  would  rejoice  in  antici- 
paling  liis  labor,  in  another's  doing  for  him  that  which  he  had  been  too  careless 
in  donig  for  iiimself ;  that  which  his  conscience  must  have  urged,  though  the 
modesty  of  iiis  nature  migiit  have  shrunk  from  the  performance. 

Then  how  vain  the  pretence  of  claiming  this  property  for  others!  Is  there 
any  onr,  tlio  most  degraded  of  the  multitude  that  figure  in  this  book,  that  would 
claim  his  labors  iirre  as  literary  property,  or  allow  them  to  be  used  as  such,  if 
it  could  he  prevented  ?  Not  one.  What  earnest  solicitation  do  we  find  in  cer- 
tain  cases  that  the  letters  may  be  burned,  and  what  assurances  that  the  same 
favor  has  been  granted  to  the  productions  of  him  from  whom  this  is  asked  !  If 
this  were  literary  property  it  must  have  changed  its  nature  in  a  wonderful 
mannei',  appearing  to  amazing  advantage  in  the  editor's  publication  contrasted 
with  the  author's  manuscript.  VVhat  a  grace  and  brilliancy  the  setting  must 
have  lent  tiicse  paste  diamonds  and  glass  jewels  of  literature! 

Low  as  others  are  in  the  scale  of  sensibility,  besides  Hoyt  the  claimant,  it  can- 
not be  supposed  that  they  are  altogether  destitute  of  feeling  on  this  subject.  It 
is  related  by  natural  historians  that  a  certain  animal,  a  sort  of  prototype  of  those 
beings  that  wallow  in  the  miro  of  political  corruption,  has  been  known  to  become 
so  insensible  in  its  fatness,  that  the  mice  have  been  allowed  to  burrow  and  nestle 
in  its  hack.  But  hero,  though  "  learning,"  in  t)io  language  of  Burke,  "  may 
have  been  cast  into  the  street  and  trodden  under  the  hoofs  of  a  swinish  multi- 
tudo,"  in  all  the  ignorancn  and  disregard  of  the  propriety  of  speech,  as  well 
as  of  di'ceiicy  of  manners,  we  must  interpret  the  clamour  with  which  we  are 
assailed  and  deafened,  as  a  claim  of  literary  property  urged  here,  as  the  grunt- 
ing of  the  hord,  in  tho  feeling  and  anlicipation  of  their  well  tilled  troughs 
being  emptied,  and  themselves  sent  as  commoners  at  largo,  through  the  streets, 
instead  of  preserving  their  present  accommodation,  in  the  well  built  pens  of  the 
public's  providing. 


lii;e!  as  a  Miorilice  lo-uii  fy  theohimoursof    ******     *;  then  relurtnntly  mv  releuse  was  firanted  lest, 
a  lunger  coiitini^nient  slioiild  injuro  his  Intoresls  in  Hii  indignant  commnnity  ;  hnt,  not"  wlthont  reqniring    1II0.0I)(I 

petilionnrs  tn  :|.ik   l)li>   I'llvnr  i\\'  r..l>iviiur  tliu  li..til  ..I*  ..liiml*..     t,^  l'...n:.,l.  »    ..«..'.«.»  .* —  A..I ...I....  -:~l.. 

an  e\ 

then  n  niche  In  the  tempie  of  fuiiio  hy  I 

sDUtr  without  a  btratagum  I" 


linger  coiitini^nient  slioiild  Injuro  his  Interests  in  Hii  indignant  commnnity  ;  hnt,  not"  wlthont  rei|Hirlng  1II0.0I)(I 
ilioner^  to  a<k  tho  favor  of  relaxing  the  hold  of  rrnoltv,  to  furnish  n  pretence  for  doing  what  was  right,  to  nfloril 
excuse  against  a  parly  that  he  feared  might  reproach  liiiii  with  nieniv  !  (Jreut  politician  !  let  prosperity  award 
en  niche  in  the  temple  of  fuiiio  hy  the  side  of  ^im  of  whom  il  ia  recorded,  that  "  be  uuuld  not  lake  a  iiiuch  of 
Itl  without  tt  strntaeum  !"  ♦ 


■■"^t- 


■■       I'l 


^t 


18 


THE  AUTHOR  S  MOTIVE  FOR  PUBLISHIMti.      ABRAUAM  V.  BUREN. 


Amidst  all  the  obstructions  that  have  been  put  in  my  way,  myself  unheard 
in  many  parts,  and  nothincj  but  calumnies  preceding  as  an  advertisement  of  my 
book,  I  know  that  I  shall  yet  be  regarded  ;  that  in  some  way  I  shall  gain  a 
public  audience,  and  secure  the  approbation  of  the  people  in  my  honest  eflbrt 
"  to  do  the  state  some  service."  Not  despairing,  but  assured  of  ultimate  suc- 
cess to  my  righteous  cause,  with  the  most  earnest  wishes  and  most  ardent  hopes 
for  it  here,  trusting  to  such  a  decision  as  most  rcconnncnds  itself  to  your  own 
consciences  in  the  prospect  of  death  and  at  the  bar  of  God,  tiiat  shall  be  re- 
echoed  in  the  grateful  approbation  of  the  jieople ;  in  the  consciousness  of  no 
ill  desert,  and  the  justice  of  my  cause,  notwithstanding  a  former  decision,  of  the 
character  of  which,  and  its  author,  Vice  Chancellor  McCoun,  the  public  have 
already  formed  their  opinion;  and  shall  soon  pronounce  their  sentence  ;  I  ap- 
peal to  you,  and  to  the  whole  people  ;  to  you  as  the  representatives  of  their  justice 
and  equity,  like  the  ancient  Roman,  who,  when  he  had  put  down  plots  and  pun- 
ished treason,  was  refused  by  a  tribune  to  be  allowed  to  maJce  a  recapitulation 
of  his  services,  but  in  taking  his  oath  of  oflice  customary  on  resignation,  swore 
tliat  he  had  saved  the  republic,  and  all  the  people  assented  with  a  shout.* 


CHAPTER    IV. 

Van  Buren's  hirth,  imrentagc,  and  family  connexions.     Hij  education  and  early 

■pursitils  .     He  studies  law — opens  a  law  office — marries.      W.  P.  Van  Ness. 

Aaron  Burr.     Death  of  Mrs.  Van  Buren.     John,  Abraham,  Smith  T.,  and 

Martin  Van  Buren,  Jr. 

Abraham  Van  Buren  was  the  owner  of  a  small  farm  in  Kinderhook,  Columbia 
county,  New  York;  and  kept  a  tavern,  or  public  house,  first,  in  a  little  log 


♦Suppose  a  clerk  finds  nmon<!  liis  employer's  papers  n  well  iligcsled  pliin,  liy  persons  lii^'li  in  his  master's  confi- 
ilence,  to  ilerriiiiil  )m\\ — with  other  plans,  showing  that  he  has  heon  already  delrnnrlod  hy  those  persons:  and  siip- 
nose  this  (,'lerk  to  remain  silent,  and  allow  the  guilty  individuals  to  ^o  on  and  do  mncli  more  ncischiof,  when,  hail 
he  warned  his  employer,  they  would  have  hecn  checked  in  time — would  not  his  conduct  he  faithless,  and  reprelien- 
tiblc  ?    Would  he  not  be  as  bad  ns  the  knaves  whose  villany  he  hail  thus  cloaked  ? 

Such  was  my  case.  I  did  not  seek  the  conlidence  of  lloyt,  Hutlcr,  Van  Huron,  &c.  I  received  none  of  it.  I 
betrayed  no  secrets,  for  I  was  entrusted  with  none.  I!ut  while  in  a  public  otl'ice.  bcloncin:;  to  the  I'nited  States,  I 
founii  the  evidence  of  knavery,  duplicity,  fraud,  and  dishonesty,  hy  which  my  rin|)loyers  had  deeply  sutferod,  ami 
were  likely  to  sulTer  nuicli  more  ;  and  that  fraud  and  knavery  [  jiastcned  piibliclv  to  cxposu,  and  lay  before  the 
hiji'best  authority  in  the  land,  as  I  was  in  honor  hound  todo.  I  also  laid  it  before  the  |ieo|ile  in  the  form  of  u  public, 
book,  to  which  1  attached  my  name  as  the  compiler — skulking  from  no  responsibility,  Imt  conrtin;;  enquiry,  i  took 
110  profit  or  advantage  by  the  publication,  because,  though  an  e.\ilo  for  the  Kno  I  bear  to  freedum,  and  poor,  I 
scorned  the  reward  of  an  informer  for  hire. 

I  borrowed  one  hundred  dollars,  after  leaving  the  Custom  Honsc,  for  which  I  gave  my  note.  This  sum  enabled 
me  to  complete  the  book.  Twenty-live  dollars  paid  the  whole  exiiensos  of  iny.ionrnoy  to  Ruston,  where  I  boarded 
at  t  Houdoin  street,  until  .Mr.  A.  .1.  Wright,  n  highly  respectable  printer  there,  had  set  up  the  manuscript.  1  think 
1  had  two  copies  of  his  edition,  and  have  had  some  0  or  8  of  the  other  printed  here — .-.iid  this  is  all  the  connexion, 
jirolit.  loss,  or  interference  in  any  way  which  I  had  or  have  with  the  Lives  of  [loyf  and  Hiiilir,  either  direct,  or  in 
liirectlv.  Of  the  sales,  costs, -prolils  or  losses,  I  know  no  more  than  the  public — anil  ns  to  the  assertion  that  I  had 
the  work  published  with  a  lictitioiis  publisher's  name,  it  is  eijiially  false  wiib  other  slaiders.  |  was  introduced  to  Mr. 
Cook  in  lioston  by  the  printer  to  the  city — I  saw  him  at  Mr.  Wright's  bet'ore  I  left — and  i  borrowed  $7  from  him 
to  pa\  my  expenses  to  .\.  V.  which  I  repaid  here.  While  in  theCustom  House,  no  man  was  more  careful  not  to 
divulge  aught  relative  to  merchants'  entries  or  invoices,  or  tlio  olficial  iiniiers  of  the  department.  Who  can  say  to 
the  contrary  ! 

I  found  the  proofs  of  Rutler  &  Co.'s  knavery  in  thi'ppopli'.i  jiossr.i.iinii — in  a  public  building  of  theirs,  which  had 
cost  them  a  million  of  dollars.  }Iad  I  concealed  these  proofs,  future  misconduct  would  have  been  .justly  laid  at  my 
door.  Do  not  those  who  blame  me  for  publishing  the  truth  in  this  case,  seek  to  screen  public  and  private  knavery 
in  all  time  coming,  by  threatening  faithful  servants  if  they  do  not  save  rogues  harmless  .' 

I  had  not  agreed  to  be  the  depository  of  dishonest  secrets,  when  I  accepted  a  clerkship  in  a  public  oflice.  I  had 
never  stept  out  of  my  own  department  to  seek  secrets  of  any  kind.  'J'o  have  concealed  the  letters  would  have  been 
to  agree  that  the  fountain  of  public  justice  should  remain  impure.  \  had  made  no  such  contract.  The  letters  were 
open.  'I'hey  were  mi.\ed  up  with  the  public  documents — /  coiilil  not.  /ir/p  remlhiir  flicm.  They  had  no  business 
there,  nor  hiid  Mr.  Hutler  any  business  to  make  the  young  I'atroon  tipsy,  keep  his  good  money  aiiil  send  him  back 
with  that  which  was  bad. 

Were  the  men  who  exposed  the  traitorous  correspondence  found  in  Major  ,\ndre's  hoots,  blnmcable  ?  "  It  is  dreid- 
ful  to  reail  such  withering  e.xposures  of  jiolitical  proihgocy,  such  shocking  cxbibitinns  of  venality,  chicanery,  hy- 
pocrisy and  fraud,"  says  the  Cominercial  Advertiser.  I  had  charged  Hoyt,  Van  Buren,  Hutler,  and  their  "allies, 
years  "before,  with  very  bad  conduct,  through  the  press.  When  I  lind  some  of  the  proofs  in  a  public  ofKce,  and 
fiivoii  in  charge  of  no  one,  I  am  blamed  for  circulating  them  !  "There  are  those  made  manifest  in  these  pages,  who 
might  gladly  invoke  the  mountains  to  fall  on  and  cover  them."  So  says  the  ("ourier  &  Knipiirer;  onii  if  I  have 
done  wrong  in  uncloaking  the  sinners,  let  it  warn  others  having  like  villany  to  conceal  not  to  einjiloy  me.  Because 
bad  men  conspire  in  secret  against  the  Kepublic,  am  1  to  be  compelled,  in  violution  of  my  oath  of  iidelity,  to  con- 
ceal their  juiscuiiduct,  ur  be  insulted  for  giviiij;  the  country  wariuiif;  1 


JEN. 

^sell"  unheard 
isemeut  of  my 
;  shall  gain  a 
\f  honest  efibrt 
ultimate  suc- 
;t  ardont  hopes 
f  to  your  own 
t  shall  be  re- 
iousness  of  no 
decision,  of  the 
e  public  have 
cntenco  ;  I  ap- 
;  of  their  justice 
plots  and  pun- 
.  recapitulation 
ignation,  swore 
a  shout.* 


alion  and  early 

.  P.  Van  Ness. 

Smith  T.,  and 


1 


VAN  BUREn'S  birth  AND  PARENTAGE. 


10 


hoolv,  Columbia 
in 


I  littlo  log 


1  ill  Ills  master's  coiifi- 
to^e  persons  ;  and  mip- 
■e  rr.iscliicr,  when,  hail 
faithless,  and  reprehen- 

ccivcil  none  of  it.  I 
the  I'nited  States,  I 
d  (lec|ily  snflerod,  and 
0,  and  hiy  hel'ore  iho 
n  tlio  form  (d'u  piihlic, 
rtMH'  enquiry.  1  took 
freedom,  and   poor,  I 

>te.    This  sum  enahled 

istiin,  whore  I  hoarded 

mannseripl.     I  think 

i  is  all  the  connexion, 

r.  either  direct,  or  in- 

e  assertion  that  I   had 

WHS  inlroilni'cd  to  Mr. 

rroweil  S~  from  him 

3  more  carel'iil  not  to 

lent.     Wlio  can  say  to 

i-\g  of  theirs,  which  had 
'  been  jnstly  laid  at  my 
;  and  jirivaio  knavery 

a  pnhlic  odice.  I  had 
etters  would  have  heeii 
raol.  The  letters  were 
They  had  no  tinsiness 
ley  aiiil  send  him  buck 

imeahle?  "Uisdreid- 
■niality,  rhii-nnery,  hy- 
Itnller,  and  their  allien, 
in  a  pnhlic  tdfice,  and 
lest  in  these  |ia),'e»,  who 
nqniror;  and  if  I  have 
)  emidov  me.  Becnino 
latU  of  fidelity,  to  con- 


buildin<^  where  his  eldest  son,  the  seventh  president  of  the  United  States,  was 
born  and  afterwards  in  a  frame  dwelling  which  he  erected  on  or  near  the  spot 
which  his  shanty  had  originally  occupied  in  the  centre  of  the  town.  Mr.  Van 
Burcn  was  quiot,  pe^  aful  and  good  natured,  but  very  illiterate — governor 
Gcopfc  Clinton  appointed  Irn  a  captain  of  militia  shortly  after  tiio  poace  of  1783, 
but  ho  soon  resigned  his  conuuission,  having  very  little  taste  for  warlike  display, 
and  no  knowlecjgc  of  military  tactics.  His  politics  were  of  the  right  sort  for 
a  tavern-keeper  in  a  neigiiborhood  inhabited  by  democrats  and  federalists — they 
were  of  tiie  neutral  sort.  He  married  when  rather  advanced  in  years,  Mary 
Goes  otherwise  Hoes,  a  widow  lady  with  three  children,  (whose  first  husband's 
name  was  Van  Men,)  a  polite,  well-bred,  managing  woman,  very  fond  of  poll- 
tics  •  and  as  active  and  ambitious  as  her  partner  in  life's  cares  was  .still,  con- 
tented, dnll  and  harmless.  They  were  very  poor,  but  Mr.  B.  F.  Butler,  whoso 
father  kept  a  store  and  tavern  in  the  same  township,  mentions  that  Mrs.  Van 
Bu.'-en  was  <'  distinguished  for  her  amiable  disposition,  her  exemplary  piety,  and 
more  than  ordinary  sagacity."  She  lived  to  see  one  of  her  sons  a  member  of 
Con  "TOSS,  and  another  of  them  a  state  senator  and  attorney  general  of' New 

York. 

Abraham  Van  Burcn,  his  wife,  and  her  former  husband,  Mr.  Van  Alon,  were 
all  of  Dutch  descent — Butler  says  that  her  maiden  name.  Goes,  "  will  be  recog- 
nl/.od  as  a  name  of  distinction  by  those  who  are  familiar  with  the  history  of  the 
Nctlicrlands,"  which  I  am  not. 

Martin,  the  eldest  son  of  Abraham  Van  Buren  and  his  wife,  Mary  Goes,  or 
Hoes,  was  born  in  the  village  of  Kinderhook,  on  the  5th  of  December,  1782 — 
his  younger  brothers  are  Lawrence,  a  farmer,  also  of  Kinderhook,  and  Abra- 
ham  now,  I  believe  postmaster  there,  but  formerly  a  lawyer  at  Hudson.  There 
were  also  two  sisters,  one  of  whom  married  Mr.  Barent  Hoes. 

The  early  life  of  Martin  Van  Buren  was  passed  in  his  father's  tavern.  He 
received  liis  education  at  the  village  school ;  and  even  that  was  cut  short  before 
he  had  completed  his  fourteenth  year.  In  1796,  he  was  sent  to  the  office  of  Mr. 
Francis  Sylvester,  a  lawyer  of  his  native  village,  to  acquire  the  art  or  practice 
of  an  attorney,  and  as  he  had  not  had  the  advantages  of  a  collegiate  education, 
the  statute,  required  him  to  study  the  technical,  diffuse,  and  tedious  forms  of 
English  legal  practice  for  seven  long  years,  previous  to  an  examination  as  to  hh 
qualifications  to  be  admitted  to  act  as  an  attorney  in  the  law  courts,  and  several 
years  more  before  attaining  the  rank  of  a  counsellor  at  law. 

After  remaining  several  years  with  Sylvester,  Van  Buren  was  taken  into  the 
law  office  of  William  P.  Van  Ness,  at  New  York.  Mr.  Van  Ness  was  from 
Columbia  county,  the  steady  friend  and  associate  of  Aaron  Burr,  and  an  astute 
caustic,  well-informed  politician.  He  wrote  a  powerful  pamphlet  against  De 
AVitt  Clinton  and  Ambrose  Spencer,  under  the  signature  of  "  Aristides;  "  and 
Van  Buren  has  been  often  accused  of  betraying  to  Judge  Spencer  or  Mr.  Clinton 
the  author's  name.  This  charge  is  doubtless  unjust,  though  M,  M.  Noah  reiter- 
ated  it  publicly  after  the  judge  had  unequivocally  pronounced  it  false. 

Through  Mr.  Van  Ness,  and,  probably  at  his  father's  tavern,  when  he  was 
on  visits  at  General  Van  Ness's,  Van  Buren  became  acquainted  with  Vice-Presi- 
dent Burr,  who  (says  Holland  or  rather  Butler,)  was  led  "  to  treat  him  with 
marked  attontinn,  and  to  make  every  reasonable  effort  to  secure  his  favorable 
regard."  In  November,  1803,  at  the  age  of  nearly  twenty-one,  Van  Buren 
was  admitted  as  an  attorney  of  the  Supreme  Court,  New  York,  and  began  busi- 
ness at  Kinderhook  under  the  firm  of  Van  Buren  &  Miller ;  his  law  partner 
being  a  son  of  Stephen  Miller,  and  both  of  them  what  was  called  <  republi- 
cans.' 


•| 


m 


..  ■v-'V  ■'' 

■■'■vl; 


■;m 


i 


30  VAN  BUREn's  MATIKTAGE,  EOTCATION,  AND  FAMin'  CONNEXIONS. 

Van  Bm-pn,  soon  after  this,  paid  his  addrcssRs  to  Miss  Hannah  Iloes — Miss 
Hannah's  biothor,  Barent,  was  courting  one  of  Van  Biiron's  sistprsat  thp  same 
time.  Botli  marriages  took  place.  Mrs.  Van  Biiren  is  dpsci'ihetl  as  having 
been  a  kind,  umiai)le,  sweet-tempered  woman,  and  tlio  connexion  was  a  liappy 
one  while  it  lasted.  Van  Buren  proved  himself  an  adoctionaie  husband — was 
stronirly  attaclicd  to  his  wife — sincerely  lamented  her  dcatli,  wliic!)  took  place 
in  1818,  of  consumption  ;  and  has  remained  a  widower  for  the  last  twenty-eight 
years. 

Of  their  family  of  four  sons,  the  most  remarkable  is  John  Van  Buren,  now 
Attorney  General  of  N.  Y.  State,  who  married  a  daiijihtor  of  .Iiidifp  James 
Vanderjjoel  of  Kinderhook,  and  is  now  a  widower.  .lames  i\I.  French,  of  the 
Albany  Atlas,  married  her  sister.  'Vrijrhtand  Van  Buren's  friends  tried  to  elect 
his  partner,  Cassirly,  State  Printer,  and  thus  keep  that  lucrative  branch  of  the 
revtnue  in  the  family  or  among  its  dependants.  The  eldest  son,  Aljraham  Van 
Buren,  married  a  daugfiter  of  Colonel  Singleton,  a  wealthy  planter  of  South 
Carolina,  and  is  a  brother-in-law  of  Senator  McDuflfi':!.  Anrlrew  Stevenson 
of  Va.  is  the  lady's  uncle.  The  third  pon,  Siniih  Thompson  Van  Bure'i,  mar- 
ried  a  duugliter  of  the  late  William  .Tamos,  a  ricli  citi/.r-n  of  Ali)any,  Mer 
sister  is  the  wife  of  Robert  E.  Temple,  a  son  of  Judge  Temple  of  Vermont, 
whom  Gov'r.  Wright  has  appointed  to  the  olHce  of  Adjutant  General  of  the 
Militia.     The  fourth  son  is  Martin  Van  Buren,  so  named  after  his  father. 


CHAPTER   V . 

Van  Bvren's  early  hahils.  The  importance  fo  Sociely  nf  a  judic/oii.'i  Educadon. 
James  I.  Van  Akn.  State  of  Parlies  in  N.  Y.  Clinton  ami  Spencer.  The 
Embargo  of  1807-8.  The  Surrogates  of  Coliimhia  countij.  Van  Biiren\s  course, 
as  a  partisan.     Aristides. 

Martin  Van  Buren  the  elder,  was  a  shrewd,  cunning,  clever  boy — very 
fond  of  betting,  gambling  and  card  playing — a  first  rate  pleader  for  a 
small  fee,  in  cases  tried  before  a  justice  of  the  peace — very  persevering  in 
such  branches  of  study  as  he  found  to  be  particularly  useful — good  at  trading 
horses  and  making  bargains — and  endeavored  to  give  souk!  consideration  to 
that  brancli  of  the  science  of  morals  railed  politics  at  a  very  early  age,  at  the 
tavern.  Dr.  Holland  mentions,  that  during  Van  Buren's  boy'iood,  Kinderliook 
was  a  litigious,  quarrelsome  place,  where  '•  party  politics  raged  violently,  and 
frequently  disturljod  the  peaceful  I'clations  of  neighbors  whose  real  interests 
were  not  in  conflict  with  each  otiier,"  and  "  the  llieatre  of  incessant  litigation 
and  judicial  combat,  especially  in  the  local  courts."'  A  gentleman  who  remem- 
bers him  from  his  infanc}-,  tells  me  that  his  common  conversation  in  early  life 
far  more  resembled  the  style  of  his  son  .Tolm's  epistles  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  tlian  those 
of  his  student  Benjamin  Butler,  dated  from  Sandy  Mill. 

IIow  important  is  useful  knowledge,  not  only  to  the  person  taught,  but  to  the 
community,  to  his  country,  and  the  world  !  With  young  Van  Buren's  talent;', 
energetic  character,  and  ambition  to  raise  himself  to  riches  and  distinction, 
what  advantages  might  not  his  country  have  derived  from  his  exertions,  had  his 
education  been  judicious  and  liberal — had  he  reccvied  that  instruction  which 
forms  the  mind,  elevates  the  soul,  directs  the  judgment,  gives  a  zest  to  the  finest 
feelings  of  humanity,  enables  native  talent  and  genius  to  enlist  under  the  ban- 
ners of  virtue,  and  sends  forth  into  society  men  of  patriotism  and  love  of  truth, 
whose  souls  are  filled  with  generous  anticipations  of  improving  the  condition 
and  increasing  the  social  comforts  of  mankind  !  Jefi*erson,  Clinton  and  Lafay- 
ette, tho'  reared  in  alHuence.  struggled  through  life  to  increa:>e  the  public  stock 


of  usefu 
they  died 
— he  has 
families, 
honors  ai 
public  lif 
Ness,  a  1 
Hudson  8 
the  villaji 
cases  of  c 
ticians,  g 
office  of  a 
of  Englis 
succedinn 
jury  to  hi 
Van  Bi 
Nov.  180 
in  the  sup 
nership  w 
self,  had 
elected  a 
Butler,  ai 
the  Hudso 
as  a  rcput) 
-  call  the/e 
influence  < 
(says  the  '. 
varying  b( 
federal  ca 
In  1800 
the  united 
wards  tem 
ally  by  his 
with  the  L 
and  W.  FI 
its  passage 
City  of  Ne 
rican  Citit 
Spencer  p 
congress  f 
Assembly 
Veeder,  a 
opponents 
with  appo 
Miller  to 
Court.     V 
In  the  c( 
in  favor  of 
In  1810 
)nond  tells 
Van  Burer 
I'ogate   bef 
duties,  tho 


IONS. 

\h  lines — Miss 
Pi-sat  tlip  Slime 
il)pil  as  having 
111  was  a  liappy 
husband — was 
hicii  look  place 
)st  twenty. eight 

an  Rurcn,  now 
if  .hul<fo  James 

Vrenoli,  of  the 
ids  tried  lo  elect 
0  hianch  of  the 
,  Aljraham  Van 
>lanter  of  South 
Irew  Stevenson 
an  Hurnn,  mar- 
■  AUiany.  Her 
Die  of  Verniont, 

General  of  the 

his  father. 


Cfoiis  Education. 
I  Spencer.  The 
n  Burcn's  course 

ever  boy — very 
pleader  for  a 
y  persevering  in 
-p;ood  at  trading 
consideration  to 
arly  aire,  at  the 
lood,  Kiiiderhook 
ed  violently,  and 
)se  real  interests 
:essant  litigation 
man  wlio  remem- 
,tion  in  early  life 
lloyt,  tlian  those 

iaiiijht,  but  to  the 

1  Burcn's  talenlt-', 

and  distinction, 

xerlions,  had  his 

instruction  which 

I  zf'st  to  the  finest 

it  under  the  ban- 

and  love  of  truth, 

ing  the  condition 

inton  and  Lafay- 

e  the  public  stock 


VAN  BUREN  PLEADS  LAW  AND  BECOMES  A  POLITICIAN. 


21 


of  useful  ktiowlcdge,  and  knock  ofT  the  fetters  which  bind  the  millions;  and 
they  died  poor — wealth  and  hi'^h  station  have  been  Mr.  Van  Buren's  great  aim 

he  has  been  President  of  the  Republic,  his  children  are  married  into  rich 

families,  and,  he  himself  is  the  owner  of  largo  possessions,  and  covered  with 
honors  and  distinction.  He  enjoys  the  comfort  of  a  temporary  retirement  from 
public  life  in  one  of  his  country  seats,  once  the  family  mansion  of  General  Van 
Ness,  a  lovely  spot  within  view  of  his  birth  place,  and  ne.ir  to  the  banks  of  the 
Hudson  and  the  base  of  the  lofty  Catskill.  Education,  such  as  he  received  at 
'  the  village  school,  in  the  tavern  of  his  father,  among  the  petty  quarrels  and 
i  cases  of  crime  tried  before  the  country  souires,  among  noisy  and  brawling  poli- 
ticians,  gamblers,  and  horse  jockies  of  Kinderhook  and  its  environs,  and  in  the 
ofHce  of  a  well  meaning  country  attorney,  tied  down  to  the  apocryphal  practice 
of  Enclish  law,  laid  the  foundation  of  his  fortunes  ;  and  we  shall  enquire,  in 
succeding  chapters  how  far  his  elevation  to  power  has  been  a  benefit  or  an  in- 
jury  to  his  country. 

Van  Buren  had  been  licensed  to  pnictiso  as  an  attorney  in  the  state  courts  in 
Nov,  1803 — next  year  he  was  admitted  to  practise  as  attorney  and  counsellor 
in  the  supreme  court.     Sometime  in  1805  or  1806  he  entered  into  a  law  part- 
nership with  his  half-brother  James  I.  Van  Alen,  who  was  much  older  than  him- 
self, had  been  educated  for  the  law,  was  in  good  practice,  and  in  May  1806, 
elected  a  member  of  the  tenth  congress,  which  met  in  December,  1807.     Mr. 
Butler,  and  Dr.  Holland  describe  Van  Alen  as  a  high  toned  frderalis(  f  while 
the  Hudson  Bee,  and  the  Republican  Watch  Tower  (May  {),  180fi)  name  him 
as  a  republican,  opposing  the  ex-chancellor,  R.  R.  Livingston,  and  what  they 
'*  call  iho  federal  influence.     "  In  spite  of  the  almost  all-pervading  and  all-potent 
influence  of  the  Merchants'  Bank  and  the  intrigues  of  Governer  Lewis's  party 
'     (says  the  Bee,)  the  rcpuhlicann  of  this  county  have  pre^-ented  a  sound  and  un- 
varying body."     Who  could  understand  from  this  that  Van  Alen  had  been  the 
,      federal  candidate  ? 

In  1800,  the  great  federal  party  in  the  state  of  N.  Y.  were  overthrown  by 
the  united  eilbrts  of  the  Clintons,  Livingstons  and  Aaron  Burr;  Burr  was  after- 
wards  temporarily  prostrated  by  the  Clintons  and  Livingstons,  and  more  etfectu- 
ally  by  hisduel  with  Colonel  Ilamilion — shortly  after  this  the  Clintons  quarreled 
with  the  Livingstons  and  overcame  them.  Van  Buren  took  sides  witli  the  Clintons 
and  W.  H.  Crawford  of  Georgia,  against  JefTorson's  embargo  act.  Soon  after 
its  passage  by  congress,  De  W^itt  Clinton  presided  at  a  public  meeting  in  the 
City  of  New  York,  by  which  it  was  condemned  ;  and  Cheetham,  in  The  Ame- 
rican Citizen,  the  Clintoiiian  paper,  steadily  denounced  it.  The  Clinton  and 
Spencer  party  influence  made  Daniel  D.  Tompkins,  who  was  a  member  of 
congress  for  that  city.  Governor  of  the  state  ;  and  having  a  majority  in  the 
Assembly  of  the  state,  elected  in  Feb.  1803,  Benjamin  Coe,  P.  C.  Adams,  John 
Veeder,  and  Nathan  Smith,  as  a  council  of  appointment,  to  remove  political 
opponents  from  office  and  choose  friends  to  fill  vacancies.  This  council  forth- 
with appointed  De  Witt  Clinton  to  the  mayoralty  of  New  York,  Sylvanus 
Miller  to  be  surrogate  there,  and  Joseph  C.  Yates  a  judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court.     Van  Buren's  reward  was  the  oflice  cf  surrogate  of  Columbia  County. 

In  the  course  of  the  year,  (1808,)  Clinton  and  Crawford,  changed  their  minds 
in  favor  of  the  embargo,  having  given  the  question  a  more  careful  consideration. 

In  1810,  a  federal  council  came  into  pov/er  at  Albany,  but,  tho'  (as  Ham- 
mond tells  us)  sheriffs  and  surrogates  "  wore  generally  made  to  feel  its  power," 
Van  Buren  held  on  quietly.  James  I.  Van  Alen,  his  half-brother,  was  the  sur- 
rogate before  him — making  laws  at  Washington,  and  performing  judicial 
•iuiies,  tho'  the  deputy  of  a  deputy,  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson — Van  Buren  got 


i 

,■•■1 


if 


'Kv. 


k 


22 


VAN  ALEN,  ARISTIDfiS,  SOtJTHWlCK  4:  VAN  BUREN.      UANKl.NG. 


II- 


'',>'■ 


E' 


I 


Ins  place,  March  20,  1808 — and  in  1813,  wlion  ho  was  safuly  seated  in  the 
Senate,  the  federalists  restored  the  surrogate's  office  to  Van  Aim.  In  the 
struggles  of  faction,  brothers  of  the  samo  family,  and  law-partncrs  of  the  same 
firm,  often  took  opposite  sides,  and,  like  V.  B.  and  \^  A.  played  intj  each 
other's  hands.  It  was  said  not  lonjr  since  of  the  Ijrotiicrs  Wetmore  of  New 
York,  that,  like  two  buckets  in  a  well,  when  one  was  <lown  the  other  was  up ; 
one  of  tliem  at  least  was  sure  to  ho  in  the  majority  of  the  hour  and  in  office. 
There  are  many  such  cases.  My  reference  to  pai^e  190,  note  first,  it  will  bo 
seen  that,  tho'  Van  Alen,  the  federalist,  did  not  hold  on  continually,  his  brother, 
Martin,  the  democrat,  hastened  to  put  him  back  into  the  surrofrnto's  in  1821, 
throwing  in  the  office  of  assistant  county  judge,  with  its  emoluments,  for  his 
further  acconmiodalion  ;  both  of  which  places,  I  believe,  he  held  on  to,  besides 
his  legal  practice,  till  the  day  of  his  death. 

M.  M.  Noah  and  others  have  insinuated  that  Van  Buren  went  over  to  gover- 
nor Lewis  and  the  Livingstons  in  IHOI,  when  twenty-one  years  old,  in  conse- 
quence of  a  (juarrel  with  VV.  1\  Van  Ness,  arising  out  of  the  secret  disclosure 
of  that  gentleman's  authorship  of  'Aristidos' — but  as  .Fudge  Spencer  has  stated 
that  this  charge  of  a  betrayal  of  confidence  has  no  foundation,  we  are  bound 
wholly  to  discredit  it.  In  1807,  as  Butler  and  Holland  inform  us.  Van  Buren 
was  no  longer  found  under  the  Livingston  standard — ho  supported  Daniel  D. 
Tompkins,  who  was  Governor  Lewis's  opponent — and  again  in  1810.  From 
1808  to  1812  he  was  a  thorough-going  Clintonian,  and  delivered  a  strong  and 
energetic  address  in  favor  of  Clinton  as  President,  in  opposition  to  Madison,  in 
November,  1812,  in  the  legislative  caucus  at  Albany.  Solomon  Southwick 
and  Martin  Van  Buren  were  sworn  friends  in  politics  from  1804  to  1813.  They 
went  for  Lewis  in  1804 — for  Tompkins,  against  Lewis  in  1807 — for  Tompkins 
in  1810 — and  for  entangling  Do  Witt  Clinton  in  their  toils — to  put  down  Madison 
in  1812.  In  Southwick's  remarkable  letter  to  me  [page  2H3,]  on  Van  Buren, 
he  gives  a  death  bed  version  as  it  were  of  Van  Burcn's  true  character,  as  he 
liad  ascertained  it  from  a  personal  intimacy  of  many  years.  The  reader  may 
judge  from  the  facts  given  in  this  volume  whether  his  strictures  are  warranted. 


CHAPTER  VI 


Van  Bureii's  experience  on  N.  Y.  hanking.  lie  lobbies  for  a  charter  to  the  Bank 
of  Hudson.  Van  Buren,  his  hrolhcr-in-Iaw,  Cantine,  and  W.  P.  Van  Ness 
become  directors  of  that  bank.  It  explodes — a  total  wreck.  Van  Ness  upon 
Society.  Madison  gives  him  a  U.  S.  judgeship.  His  manner  of  guarding  the 
court  monies.  Theron  Rudd.  Van  Buren's  unconquerable  dislike  to  bank 
shares. 

Van  Buren  is,  and  always  has  been,  a  studious,  enquiring,  observing  man. 
In  his  early  days  the  principles  of  banking  and  paper  currency  were  discussed  in 
Congress,  in  tho  State  Legislatures,  by  the  press,  and  in  private  circles,  with 
the  utmost  earnestness  ;  and  that  class  of  instructive  facts  which  were  exhibited 
in  the  state  banks'  suspension  of  1837,  were  in  active  operation  before  his  eyes, 
during  the  stoppage  of  cash  payments  in  1814  and  1815 :  he  was  as  well 
aware,  in  1829,  when  he  recommended  a  chain  of  safety  (! ! !)  fund  banlts, 
and  in  1834,  when  he  placed  them  in  a  state  of  dependance  on  the  federal  ex- 
ecutive, that  the  result  would  be  a  general  bankruptcy,  as,  when,  in  1839,  he 
echoed  the  impotent  threats  of  the  Hermitage  against  the  deceptions  of  their 
presidents,  directors  and  officers.  With  Van  Buren  there  had  been  no  duplicity ; 
he  understood  and  anticipated  every  move  they  made.  This  fact  will  become 
apparent  to  the  impartial  and  attentive  reader. 


In  180 

the  charl 

due  time 

Moses  I. 

wards  stt 

who  had 

monies,  i 

William 

late  colle 

dent  of  tl 

structor  c 

When  Vi 

board ;  b 

charter,  i 

1823,  it  < 

tho   scree 

.sembly  a 

which  re| 

that  on  lo 

had  come 

ous  and 

which  the 

down  fror 

and  tho  p 

constituen 

A  few  I 

Van  Nes.' 

quest  of  t 

of  society 

"  Althnufj 
wiiicli  distil 
l)U|)iis,  and  ; 
iiiiwt  congei 
spring  of  dt 
luxuriance  t 
ject,  will  ev 
ill  every  thit 
iiiissiuu  of  ( 
detection,  ai 
desii;ning  m 
consummnti 
'-•xhibit  spec 
iilinoat  hallU 
us,  since  oui 
intoxicated  ( 
ilmt  these  at 
most  prospu 
piring  spirit 

Wm.  P 

District  Ji 
clerk,  and 
judge,  tur 
not  desirin 
and  gave 
in  charge 
him  to  pa; 
the  cash  v 


IKl.NG. 

ly  seated  in  tl'e 
\  Alcii.  In  the 
icrs  of  the  same 
aycil  int)  nach 
etiTiorc  of  Now 
e  other  was  up  ; 
jr  and  in  olTico. 
>  first,  it  will  bo 
illy,  his  brother, 
■op;ato's  in  1R21, 
luments,  for  his 
•Id  on  to,  besides 

nt  ovor  to  gover- 
rs  old,  in  conse- 
socrct  disclosure 
)encor  has  stated 
1,  we  are  bound 
n  us,  Van  Buren 
lorled  Daniel  D. 
in  1810.     From 
red  a  strong  and 
II  to  Madison,  in 
oinon  South  wick 
I  to  1813.     They 
7 — for  Tompkins 
(Ut  down  Madison 
,]  on  Van  Buren, 
character,  as  he 
The  reader  may 
;s  are  warranted. 


arter  to  the  Bank 
V.  P.  Van  Ness 
Van  Ness  upon 
•r  of  guarding  the 
h  dislike  to  bank 


THE   HUDSON   BANK.      VAN   NESS  ON   SOCIKTV.      THEIJON   RUOD. 


23 


observing  man. 
were  discussed  in 
vate  circles,  with 
ch  wore  exhibited 
n  before  his  eyes, 
;  he  was  as  well 
!!!)  fund  banus, 
in  the  federal  ex- 
vhen,  in  1839,  he 
eceptions  of  their 
jeen  no  duplicity ; 
fact  will  become 


ifli 


with  the  lobby  for 


In  1808,  Van  Buren  went  to  Albany  to  use  his  mlluence 
the  chartering  of  the  Bank  of  Hudson ;  the  application  was  successful,  and  in 
due  time  he  became  a  director  and  prosecuting  attorney  for  the  institution. 
Moses  I.  Cantine,  his  brother-in-law,  a  state  senator  of  his  politics,  and  after- 
wards state  printer,  was  one  of  the  directors  on  the  part  of  the  people  of  N.  Y., 
who  had  a  share  of  the  management,  held  stock,  deposited  part  of  the  public 
monies,  in  this  bank,  and  elected  two  directors,  through  the  State  Legislature. 
William  P.  Van  Ness,  the  friend  of  Burr,  the  brother  of  Cornelius  P.  Van  Nes.s, 
late  collector  of  customs,  New  York,  and  of  General  John  P.  Van  Ness,  Presi- 
dent  of  the  Bank  of  the  Metropolis,  Washington,  and  who  had  been  a  legal  in- 
structor of  Van  Buren,  was  one  of  his  associates  at  the  board  of  direction. 
When  Van  Buren  left  Hudson  for  Albany  he  gave  up  his  seat  at  the  discount 
board ;  but  as  Attorney  General  it  remained  under  his  supervision,  through  its 
charter,  and  as  being  a  state  institution,  and  for  years  paying  no  specie.  In 
1823,  it  exploded,  but  Van  Buren  had  sold  out  his  stock;  having  been  behind 
the  screen,  he  was  well  aware  how  matters  were  going.  The  Ilouse  of  As- 
sembly  appointed  a  committee  to  enquire  into  the  ailairs  of  the  Hudson  Bank, 
which  reported  on  the  third  of  February,  that  year,  [see  Assembly's  Journal,] 
that  on  looking  into  its  management,  going  back  "  many  years,"  the  facts  which 
iiad  come  under  their  observation  "disclose  a  scene  of  wild  speculation,  ruin- 
ous and  improvident  management  on  the  part  of  many  of  its  officers,"  by 
which  the  stock-holders  lost  their  stock,  the  bill-holders  their  bills,  which  went 
down  from  being  worth  five  to  six  cents  per  dollar,  to  nothing;  and  Van  Buren 
and  the  public  gained  some  experience — he  in  safcty-fund  banking,  and  his 
constituents  in  its  results. 

A  few  months  after  Van  Buren  removed  to  Hudson,  his  friend.  Judge  (W.  P.) 
Van  Ness,  then  of  Columbia  county,  delivered  an  able  charge  to  the  grand-in- 
quest  of  that  county,  there,  wherein  ho  took  occasion  to  describe  the  condition 
of  society  as  follows  : 

"  Although  we  liave  not  quite  attained  the  skill  and  hardihood  in  the  perpetration  of  crimes 
wlilcli  distinguishes  tiie  nations  of  the  old  world,  wc  may  claim  all  thn  merit  of  most  hopeful 
pu|)ils,  and  successful  iiiiitiitors.  All  the  evil  propensities  of  foreign  growth  have  here  found  a 
most  congenial  soil.  That  species  of  protligucy,  vv'hich  has  hitherto  been  believed  to  be  the  off. 
spring  of  deep  national,  and  individual  degeneracy,  seems  to  flourish  here,  with  a  poisonous 
luxuriance  that  overshadows  and  blasts  every  virtuous  principle.  A  little  attention  to  this  sub- 
ject, will  evince  to  you  that  in  these  days  of  speculation  and  refinement,  mankind  is  improving 
in  every  thing  but  virtue.  That  his  ingenuity  is  exerted  with  great  success,  in  the  skilful  com- 
mission of  crimes,  and  in  the  practice  of  devices  infinitely  various,  for  the  purpose  of  eluding 
detection,  and  escaping  the  penalties  of  the  law.  In  a  simple  state  of  manners,  the  artifices  of 
designing  men,  were  less  comple.v.  Vice  marched  directly  to  its  object.  The  conception  and 
con.summation  of  a  crime  rapidly  succeeded  each  other.  But  now  the  multiplied  acts  of  men  often 
exhibit  specimens  of  the  most  skilful  and  accomplished  villainy,  which,  by  evasive  dexterity, 
almost  batHes  the  usual  meihods  of  scrutiny  aiul  detection.  The  wealth  that  has  poured  in  upon 
us,  since  our  national  birth,  and  the  reputation  we  have  established,  has  exalted  our  pride,  and 
intoxicated  our  vanity,  with  the  hopes  of  uninterrupted  prosperity.  IJut  it  should  be  remembered, 
that  these  advantages  in  a  national  us  well  as  private  view,  arc  frail  and  evanescent,  aud  that  the 
most  prosjjurous  periods  arc  not  uiifrc(iuently  selected  by  the  wisdom  of  God  to  chastise  the  as- 
piring spirit  of  a  people." 

Wm.  P.  Van  Ness  was  soon  after  appointed  by  Mr.  Madison,  to  the  office  of 
District  Judge  at  New  York ;  and  in  1812,  he  removed  Charles  Clinton  the 
clerk,  and  appointed  Theron  Rudd  in  his  stead.  Mr.  Talmadge,  the  circuit 
judge,  turned  ofT  Iludd  and  appointed  John  C.  Spencer's  uncle,  Philip,  Clinton 
not  desiring  a  reappointment.  In  August,l813,  Mr.  Van  Ne.ss  put  out  Spencer 
and  gave  Rudd  the  clerk's  place  again.  It  wasRudd's  duty  to  keep  the  money 
in  charge  of  the  court,  in  a  bank  designated  to  hiin,  and  a  rule  of  court  forbade 
liiin  to  pay  out  or  remove  any  of  it  without  the  judge's  order,  stating  to  whom 
the  cash  was  to  be  paid,  aud  why.    Judge  Van  Ness  repealed  the  rule.    Ano- 


■  -.■- }. 


"i.-' V,  ; 


/■■>:,-  •; 


^"•Vi!^ 


■■'■;'i  '■' 


34 


A    UKFALCATIOX.    VAN    BUREN   AND   THE   FINANCIERS   OF    1808. 


ther  rule  of  court  which  subjected  Rudfl's  account  of  cash  on  hand,  to  two  half 
yearly  inspections  hy  the  judge  and  district  attorney,  the  judge  amended 
l)y  leaving  out  the  district  attorney's  name,  but  never  after  enquired  info  Rudd's 
Hnancial  operations.  The  law  required  Van  Ness  to  take  bonds  and  security 
tor  the  faithful  pertbrmance  of  his  duties,  but  he  omitted  it  when  ho  reappointed 
him.  In  Fob.  1817,  lludd  had  about  $1.'30,()00  in  his  hands  belonging  to  sui- 
tors in  Van  Ness's  court,  and  suspicion  having  arisen  a  committee  of  congress 
examined  the  judge,  who  went  to  VVashington  and  told  a  committee  of  the  Sen- 
ate that  tl:e  cash  in  charge  of  his  court  was  perfectly  safe  in  "the  Midrlle  Dis- 
trict Bank,"  nortii  of  the  highlands,  and  that  his  clerk,  Rudd,  was  "  every  way 
responsible  under  his  bond."  The  clerk  had  given  no  bond — the  judge  had 
made  no  enquiry  about  the  money  for  several  years.  .Judge  Van  Ness  tried 
in  vain  to  prevent  congress  from  passing  a  law  requiring  '  court  monies'  to  be 
paid  into  bank,  and  all  payments  by  them  to  be  by  the  judge's  order.  In  June, 
1817,  an  order  for  the  attachment  of  Rudd  was  issued — he  was  put  in  prison — 
let  out  again — and  finally  a  committee  of  congress,  April  10,  1818,  announced 
that  8117,397  of  the  public  money  "  were  unaccounted  for  by  Theroki  Rudd, 
and  that  they  have  been  most  grossly  and  nefariously  purloined."  No  law 
was  then  passed  to  punish  further  peculation;  and,  when,  in  July,  1840,  a 
penal  enactment  found  its  way  into  the  sub-treasury  bill.  Judge  Betts,  the  suc- 
cessor of  Van  Ness,  discovered  that  it  would  not  apply  to  Jesse  Hoyt's  case. 
Rudd  was  a  groat  admirer  of  Van  Burnn — upheld  his  administration  powerful- 
ly, as  editor  of  the  New  Kra — went  for  the  sub-treasury — and,  like  Price, 
Swartwout,  Gouverneur  and  Iloyt,  probably  expended  a  fair  share  of  the  'court 
monies'  in  manufacturing  public  opinion,  to  serve  party  leaders,  at  Tammany 
Hall,  Texas,  or  elsewhere. 

Judge  Van  Ness's  practice,  thro'  his  clerk,  Rudd,  aflbrded  an  apt  illustration 
of  his  theory  of  society,  above  quoted.  Altho'  the  conmiittee  of  congress  blnined 
his  remissness,  they  had  no  reason  to  believe  that  he  reeeived  a  dollar  of  the 
missing  treasure.  He  died  in  18'J4,  anything  but  wealthy — and  the  beautiful 
lands  and  mansion  of  his  family  were  purchased,  and  are  now  occupied  by  his 
ancient  pupil,  Van  Burcn. 

Van  Buren's  official  biographer,  Holland,  tells  us,  page  S03,  "  that  he  has 
wholly  abstained  from  becoming  the  owner  of  any  bank  stock,  or  taking  any 
interest  in  any  company  incorporated  by  the  legislature  of  New  York,  since  the 
period  of  his  entrance  into  the  Senate  of  that  state  in  1812  ;"  all  which  is  as 
true,  but  not  more  so,  than  O'Sullivan's  assertion  in  his  lite  of  B.  F.  Butler, 
Van  Buren's  law-partner,  that  he  left  the  Wi  "--ngton  and  Warren  Bank,  in 
good  condition,  paying  every  body  specie.  Van  Buren  was  not  only  interested 
in  banks,  but  was  one  of  the  most  active  managers  of  the  very  worst  of  them, 
in  1814,  that  at  Hudson.  * 


*  In  18()8,  tlieleffisliitiiretif  New  York  pas^c■(^  an  act  to  leiul  certain  olasses  of  tho  citizens  a  sum  ut*  money  for  their 
relief.  Mr.  Van  Riiren's  friend,  agent,  nnil  admirer,  Mordecvi  M.  Noah,  gives  tlio  fallowing  brief  history  of  it  in 
(Ae.V.  y.  Keening  t<tar  of  August  1,  1834  : 

"The  chiirlerK  of  the  Hank  of  New  York,  the  Dank  of  Albany,  the  Karnle^^'  Hank  of  Truyandthe  Rank  of  Col- 
umbia, were  about  ex|iiririg,  and  they  hud  all  applied  for  the  e.xtension  of  their  rhnrter^i.  The*  fonuiicrcial  rnndition 
nf  the  country  and  \U  currency,  was  at  that  time  under  great  embarras<!ment,  resulting  from  the  then  embargo,  and 
other  restrictions  Imposed  by  the  General  Government  on  all  the  mercantile  business  of  the  nation,  &c.  The  members 
from  the  counties  (otlicr  than  those  where  the  banks  mentioned  were  located)  complained  that  these  franchises  and 
grant<  were  partial  In  their  o|>eration,  and  that  their  constituents  were  also  laboring  under  great  dilficulties.  which 
could  not,  and  would  not  be  lessened  or  relieved  by  the  renewal  of  the  bank  charters  To  obviate  this  alleged  nanialily 
the  loan  of  lt(Od  was  adopted.  The  bdl  regulating  this  loan  was  drawn  by  the  then  Attorney  General,  and  a  mem 
ber  of  Assembly  from  this  city.  There  is  another  fact  which  occurred  at  that  time,  the  incornoration  of  the  Bank 
of  Hudson.  Martin  Van  Huron  was  in  .Vlhany  during  the  sessiim  of  18(W.  a  lobbij  mtmbrr  for  the  chartering  of  Mat 
bank.  He  was  a  warm  advocate  for  the  recharUrinff  of  the  others,  and  co  oiiernting  with  those  who  supported 
them.  He  was  a  busy  Inbby  mttniber  for  the  renewal  of  the  bank  charters,  and  tor  the  Hudson  Bank,  in  which  net 
of  incorporation  (we  thinli)  he  was  named  as  a  director.  He  wa^  a  director  of  that  institution  for  a  nnmlier  o, 
yean," 


oj 

i 


1808. 


VAN   BUREN   WEARING   HIS  HARD  MONEY   FACB.      THE  BANK  OF   AMERICA.     25 


land,  to  two  half 
juflge  amended 
I i  reel  into  Rudd's 
ids  and  security 
n  he  reappointed 
belonging  to  sui- 
ittoe  of  conjjress 
littee  of  the  Sen- 
'the  Midflle  Dis- 
vas  "  every  way 
1 — the  judjje  had 
Van  Ness  tried 
irt  monies'  to  be 
order.  In  June, 
i  put  in  prison — 
1818,  announced 
y  Theroii  Rudd, 
ined."  No  law 
in  July,  1840,  a 
:o  Belts,  the  sue- 
se  Hoyt's  case. 
;ratioii  powerful- 
•and,  like  Price, 
are  of  the  '  court 
rs,  at  Tammany 

inapt  illustration 
congress  blntned 
;d  u  dollar  of  the 
nd  the  beautiful 
occupied  by  his 

:)3,  "  that  he  has 
k,  or  taking  any 
V  York,  since  the 
'  all  which  is  as 
of  B.  F.  Butler, 
V^arren  Bank,  in 
It  only  interested 
y  worst  of  them, 


I  '<iim  uf  money  for  their 
ng  brief  histury  of  it  in 

My  iirij  the  Riitik  of  Col- 
fiti  coiiiiiicrcinl  ronilitioii 
n  the  then  emiiargo.  anil 
iitton,  &.C.  The  members 
:hiit  these  frnnchises  and 
»reat  illlficnltiea,  wliivh 
iit4ithisiillegeil  iittrtiiility 
cy  GenernI,  unii  ti  mem 
Rurnorntjon  of  the  Biink 
iir  tlie  chartering  of  Mat 
ith  those  who  supported 
Ison  Bunk,  in  which  net 
Itntinn  for  annml)«ru, 


CHAPTER  VII. 

Van  Bnren  sets  up  aji  an  enemy  to  Chartered  Banks!  The  Bank  of  America, 
or  Six  Million  Bank.  Tompkins  opposes  it,  and  describes  the  datigers  of  the 
N.  Y.  banking  system.  Houthwirk  and  the  friends  of  tlie  bank  support  Van 
Buren  in  1812  for  the  Senate.  General  Root,  .James  W.  Wilkin,  Ambrose 
and  J.  C.  Spencer,  and  Samuel  Campbell  sustain  Tompkins.  The  Common 
Schools  cheated  out  of  the  Bank  Bonus.  Judge  W.  IV.  Van  Ntst's  bribe.  The 
Merchants'  Bank  Charter,  1805. 

When  Van  Buren  was  a  candidate  for  the  Vice  Presidency,  a  sketch  of  his 
life  appeared  in  the  Albany  Argus,  and  afterwards  in  paniplilct  form,  bv  B. 
F.  Butler.  When  in  ISiJo,  he  was  put  forward  for  the  oflice  of  President,  But. 
ler's  pamphlet  was  enlarged  into  a  duodecimo;  Dr.  Holland  was  the  repu- 
ted author,  but  Butler  compiled  the  more  important  parts.  Blair's  Globe,  the 
Argus,  nnd  other  prints  under  Van  Buieii's  control,  warranted  the  narrative  to 
be  authentic,  and  I  llicrtjfore  quote  it  as  Van  Hui-en's  own  version  of  his  history 
and  principles.  In  page  HOI,  it  tolls  us,  that  "  Of  all  inventions  which  have 
been  put  in  operation,  in  tin's  country,  to  promote  the  inordinate  accumulation 
of  wealth,  the  most  exceptionable  are  incorporated  companies;  and  the  worst 
of  all  incorporated  companios  are  banks."  In  page  40,  it  assures  us,  that,  in 
the  days  of  Washington,  *•  tlic  leath'ng  doctrines  of  the  democratic  party  wero 
*  *  *  *  no  privileges  to  particular  sections  of  the  country  or  to  parti- 
cular classes  of  the  community — no  monopolies,  trading  companie;^,  or  gover- 
mental  banks" — while  "the  doctrines  of  the  anti-republican  party  were  similar 
to  those  of  the  present  day.  They  were  for  a  splendid,  consolidated  govern- 
ment, suri'ORTEu  HY  A  National  Bank,  a\i»  Tiicvolvinu  aboitt  ax  intriguing 
AND  coKKUi'TiNt;  TREASURY."  In  page  'MYi,  it  denounces  "  incorporated  banks," 
and  a  paper  currency  ;  remarking,  that  "  it  may  be  reasonably  doubted  whether 
the  whole  [banking]  system,  from  beginning  to  end,  is  not  an  infraction  of  the 
constitution.  It  is,  at  least,  an  evasion  of  its  plain  provisions,  pernicious  in  its 
influence  upon  industry  antl  morals,  and  meriting  the  firm  resistance  of  all  true 
lovers  of  equal  rights." 

When,  in  1811,  Geoi-ge  Clinton's  casting  vote  in  the  United  States  Senate, 
closed  the  career  of  the  first  national  bank,  its  friends  pursued  very  nearly  the 
same  course  which  the  directors  of  the  second  national  bank  followed,  when 
Jackson's  veto  prevented  a  renewal  of  its  charter.  They  endeavored  to  incor- 
porate  it  as  a  state  institution;  and  as  Pennsylvania  was  opposed  to  them,  and 
her  legislature  refused  them  a  state  charter,  by  a  vote  of  fiij  to  •22,  they  came 
to  Albany,  and  thro'  persuasion,  influence,  interest,  and  I  regret  to  add,  bribery, 
obtained  majorities  in  both  branches  of  the  legislature,  for  chartering  "the 
Bank  of  America,"  witii  u  capital  of  six  millions  of  dollars.  Holland,  page 
304,  tells  us  that  "  In  the  spring  of  1812,  Governor  Tompkins  prorogued  the 
legislature,  to  prevent  the  passage  of  the  charter  for  the  bank  ;  and  Mr.  Van 
Buren  yielded  this  energetic,  but  necessary,  exercise  of  power,  his  tirmest  sup- 
port."  This  may  be  true,  for  Van  Huron's  opponent,  !'».  P.  Livingston,  was  a 
thorough  Bank  man — yet  I  perceive  that  Solomon  Southwick,  State  Printer, 
President  of  the  Farmers  and  Mecluinics'  Rank,  Albany,  who  was  the  most  ultra 
advocate  of"  the  Bank  of  America"  in  the  Union,  and  employed  by  its  projectors 
to  travel  over  the  state  in  1811,  and  enlist  recruits  and  manufacture  public  opin- 
ion for  its  use,  and  who  had  become  deadly  hostile  to  Tompkins,  earnestly  urg- 
ed the  people  to  choose  Van  Buren  p.s  a  Senator;  this  he  did  in  April,  1812, 
only  a  month  before  the  bank  bill  passed  into  a  law  in  spite  of  Tompkins  and 
the  war  party.       These  were  his  words: 


v:.iv., 


-! 


i 


;  ■.■; )! 


f  - 

I;    - 

•i 


"■I 


36 


SOIJTHWICK  is   TWO   CHARACTERS  OF    VAN   BUREN. 


|u 


"Albany  llofristor,  April,  1812. — Middle  Distuict — for  Senator,  MARTIN 
VAN  DUilExN.  Til  the  Middlo  District,  WE  REJOICE  in  the  nomination 
of  MR.  VAN  BUREN— WE  HAVE  LONG  KNOWN  AND  ESTEEMED 
HIM.  He  possesses  genius,  intell'gence,  and  eloquence — has  long  been  one 
of  the  firmest  pro])s  of  the  Republican  interest ;  and  with  a  spirit  which  will 
not  bend  to  servility  or  sycophancy,  cannot  fail  to  become  a  distinguished  and 
useful  member  of  the  Senate.  Attempts  arc  now  making  to  divide  the  party 
on  a  (juestion  which  has  no  connexion  with  it.  We  allude  to  the  bank  question. 
Attempts  are  said  to  have  been  made  to  corrupt  certain  members,  but  without 
success  ;  and  surely  an  unsuccessful  attempt  to  corrupt  ONE  member  who 
voted  against  the  bill,  is  not  to  be  admitted  as  proof,  nor  ought  it  to  give  birth 
even  to  a  suspicion,  that  another  who  voted  for  it  had  been  corrupted." 

Van  Buren,  was  elected — the  six  million  bank  bill  became  a  law — and  on 
the  eighth  of  December,  18H8,  Mr.  Southwick  wrote  me  as  follows: 

"  I  hope,  my  dear  sir,  that  you  arc  now  convinced  of  what  I  told  you  in 
August  last,  that  Van  Buren  was  heartless,  hypocritical,  selfish  and  unprincipled. 
He  is  the  tool  or  slave  of  a  foul  heart  and  a  false  ambition,  and  never  possessed 
a  particle  of  true  greatness.  T  speak  not  from  prejudice — I  know  him  inti- 
mately—VERY  INTIMATELY  FOR  SEVENTEEN  YEARS,  and  never 
knew  him  to  act  from  a  noble  and  dis'iiterested  motive;  always  full  of  low 
cunning,  dark  intrigue,  and  base  selfishiiess."' 

He  died  soon  after,  and  the  Albany  Argus,  and  Evening  Journal,  thus  do- 
scribed  him :  "  He  was  among  the  most  ardent,  generous,  warm-hearted  men 
that  ever  lived.  He  was  in  his  manners,  feelings  and  sentiments,  a  republican. 
Oppression  and  tyranny  found  in  him  an  enthusiastic  and  fearless  ojjponent." 
Hammond  speaks  of  him  in  the  same  strain. 

In  less  than  three  months  from  the  time  when  Southwick  took  the  field  for 
Van  Buren,  as  above,  namely  in  July,  181:J,  John  C.  Spencer,  in  the  Ontario 
Messenger,  remarked,  that,  "  next  to  the  toi-ics,  we  think  apostate  republican 
editors  deserve  to  be  marked  and  known.  Tiie  first  whose  name  is  entitled  to 
be  enrolled  on  this  list  is  Solomon  Southwick."' 

The  memorial  of  Cornelius  Ray  and  otiiers,  read  in  Senate,  February  15, 
1812,  set  forth,  that  the  trustees  of  the  late  Bank  of  the  Hnited  States'  hacl 
accumulated  a  largo  sum  in  specie  in  their  vaults,  which  they  were  desirous 
to  employ  in  the  business  of  banking  ;  that  of  this  money  a  considerable  sum 
was  owned  by  foreigners,  who  could  neither  vote  on  their  shares  nor  be  dircc- 
tors;  that  a  jiartial  revival  of  tlie  late  national  bank  was  desired  by  its  trustees  ; 
who  wished  tlic  stock-holders  of  the  late  United  States  Bank  incorporated  as 
the  Phoenix  I'aiik,  for  twenty  years,  witii  $5,{)00, 000  of  capital,  whicli  privilege 
of  incorporation  they  were  ready  to  purchase  at  the  expense  of  .$500,000  in 
cash,  to  bo  paid  to  the  state,  and  other  .$.'500,000  they  would  lend  to  the  state  at 
five  per  cent.  An  additional  million  of  stock  was  aft(!rwards  added  by  the 
legislature,  which  refuseil  to  allow  New  York  state  to  hold  the  .$00,000  she  had 
held  in  the  old  U.  S.  Bank,  and  refused  to  give  U.  S.  Hank  stockholders,  if 
natives,  a  |H'ef(MTnce  io  ditto,  if  foreigiR«rs.  The  bonus  or  price  of  the  charter 
was  raised  to  .$()00,000,  ami  a  loan  to  ihe  state  of  .$2,000,000.  Of  its  capital, 
.$5,000,000  were  to  be  paid  in  specie  at  once,  and  it  was  to  bo  restricted  to  a 
bank  note  circulation  ecjual  to  its  capital.     No  other  bank  oppo.sed  its  charter. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  of  Marcii,  (lovornor  Toiupkins  prorogued  the  legisla- 
ture to  tlie  twenty-fir.st  of  May.  He  had  no  veto  power.  In  liis  speech  at  the 
prorogation,  he  mentioned  that,  at  the  previous  session,  members  had  been  tam- 
pered with  to  induce  the  passage  of  the  late  Jersey  Bank  charter — and  "that 
some  years  since,  it  was  ascertained  beyond  any  reasonable  doubt,  that  corrupt 
iuduceinenls  were  held  out  to  members  of  the  Legislature  in  order  to  obtain 


I 


I 


GOVERNOR  TOMPKINS  ON   N.   Y.   BANKING.      BRIBERY  TRIALS. 


2T 


inator,  MARTIN 
I  tho  nomination 
D  ESTEEMED 
IS  long  been  one 
spirit  which  will 
listinguished  and 

divide  the  party 
le  bank  question, 
hers,  but  without 
iK  member  who 
It  it  to  give  birth 
•rupted." 

a  law — and  on 
Hows: 

hat  I  told  you  in 
and  unprincipled. 

never  possessed 

knew  him  inti- 
ARS,  and  never 
ivays  full  of  low 

lournal,  thus  do- 
irm-hoartod  men 

Its,  a  republican. 

rlcss  opponent." 

took  tho  field  for 
r,  in  the  Ontario 
estate  republican 
imc  is  entitled  to 

te,  February  15, 
nited  States  had 
jy  were  desirous 
considerable  sum 
res  nor  be  dircc- 
d  by  its  trustees  ; 

incorporated  as 
1,  whicli  privilege 
!  of  .S5()l),00()  'in 
'ud  to  the  state  at 
•ds  added  by  the 
.$00,000  she  had 

stockholders,  if 
ce  of  the  charter 
.  Of  its  capital, 
)o  restricted  to  a 
losed  its  charter, 
[ued  the  legisla- 
his  speech  at  the 
PS  had  been  tam- 
,rter — and  "  that 
lubt,  that  corrupt 
1  order  to  obtain 


their  votes  in  favor  of  an  incorporation  of  a  banking  institution  [the  Merchants' 
Bank]  in  the  city  of  New  York  ;  and  the  very  strong  and  general  suspicion, 
that  tiie  emoluments  tendered  were,  in  certain  instances,  accepted,  inflicted  a 
deep  wound  upon  the  purity  and  independence  of  legislation.  That  it  appeared 
by  the  journals  of  the  Assembly,  that  attempts  have  been  made  to  corrupt,  by 
bribes,  four  meml)ors  of  that  body,  to  vote  tor  the  passage  of  the  bill  to  incor- 
porate the  Bank  of  America ;  and  it  also  appeared  by  the  journals  of  the  Sen- 
ate, that  an  improper  attcnipt  had  been  made  to  influence  one  of  the  Senators 
to  vote  lor  the  bill." 

Governor  Tompkins,  when  he  opened  the  session,  on  the  twenty-eighth  of 
January,  said,  that,  "not  unt'rp(|uently,  the  prominent  men  who  seek  the  incor- 
poration of  new  banks,  are  tho  very  same  who  have  deeply  participated  in  the 
original  stock  of  most  of  the  previously  established  banks.  Having  disposed 
of  that  slock  at  a  lucrative  advance,  and  their  avidity  ijeing  sharpened  by  re- 
peated gratification,  they  become  more  importunate  and  vehement  in  every  fresh 
attempt  to  obtain  an  opportunity  of  renewing  their  speculations.  If  (said  he) 
we  still  persevere  in  nmlliplying  banks,  will  there  not  be  danger  of  infusing  into 
the  public  mind  a  suspicion,  either  that  wo  yield  too  plainly  to  the  management 
and  pressure  of  external  combinations,  or  that  the  uidiallowed  shrine  of  cupidity 
has  its  adorers  within  the  very  sanctuary  of  legislation — such  a  suspicion  will 
be  the  prelude  to  the  (kfwnfall  of  republican  government,  for  it  is  erected  and 
supported  upon  tho  allections  of  the  people  at  large,  and  upon  their  faith  in  tho 
inviolable  firmness  and  probity  of  their  public  agents,  and  when  once  the  found- 
ation is  removed  the  superstructure  must  fall,  of  ccurso." 

Among  those  who  were  opi)osed  to  lli/.f  bank  and  approvers  of  the  governor's 
course,  I  find  the  names  of  Archibald  Mclntyre,  James  W.  Wilkin,  Erastus 
Root,  John  Tayler,  John  W.  Taylor,  F.  A.  Bloodgood,  Ambrose  Spencer,  John 
C.  Spencer,  Samuel  Campbell,  B.  Coe,  Nathan  Sanford,  Henry  Yates,  Alex- 
ander Sheldon,  and  Isaac  Ogden.  Among  the  friends  of  the  bank,  were  Sam- 
ucl  Jones,  Jr.,  Ilalsey  Rogers,  E.  P.  Livingston,  Morgan  Lewis,  Jonas  Piatt, 
and  Ab'm  Van  Vechten.  Van  Buren's  biographer,  Holland,  states,  pages  86 
and  87,  that  he  supported  Tompkins  with  his  "  utmost  infuence  and  best  talents," 
and  that  the  bill  "  did  not  become  a  law  ;  but  owed  its  defeat  to  the  firmness  of 
the  governor."  This  is  not  true — the  bill  became  a  la'.,  in  June,  1812 — Oliver 
Wolcott  was  the  first  president — and  Preserved  Fish  and  Thcodorus  Bailey,  ultra 
democrats,  wore  named  in  the  act,  with  others,  as  directors  tor  two  years. 

Next  year  (1813)  in  March,  the  opponents  of  Madison  came  inio  power  in 
the  Assembly,  but  the  senate  remained  democratic,  so  called.  Of  the  bonus 
agreed  to  be  paid  towards  conmion  schools  for  their  charter,  the  Bank  of  Amer- 
ica asked  to  have  ."$300,000  returned  to  them — and  it  was  done,  by  10  to  9  in 
the  senate.  Root  and  Van  Buren,  Bloodgood  and  Wilkin,  being  among  tho  nays, 
to  their  credit  bo  it  recorded.  It  does  seem  to  me,  that,  as  neither  party  wanted, 
to  be  rid  of  banks — and,  that,  as  there  was  as  much  rotteimess  about  '  the  Man- 
hattan' of  tho  Democrats  as  *  the  Merchants'  of  tho  Federalists — the  ofler  of 
the  trustees  of  the  LI.  S.  Bank,  was,  in  Us  way,  very  liberal,  had  it  been  unac- 
com[)anied  with  bribery — but  tho  corrupting  of  the  next  year's  legislature  to 
induce  them  to  give  back  to  the  bank  $300,000  of  tho  purchase  money  of  the 
monopoly,  out  of  the  common  .school  fund,  after  the  baidc  was  afloat,  through 
wholesale  corruption,  was  a  refinement  in  knavery  evincing  talents  suitable  for 
Botany  Bay  or  Van  Dieman's  Land.  Soutliwiek,  Thomas,  and  others,  were 
tried  for  bribery,  and  acquitted.  Judge  W.  W.  Van  Ness,  of  Columbia  county, 
presided  at  Southwick's  trial,  and  look  a  brilje  of  85,000  out  of  tho  funds  of 
the  bank,  for  his  services  in  voting  for  the  bill  as  a  memi)er  of  the  council  of 
revision  (!!!)    Charles  King,  J.  A.  Hamilton,  and  J,  Verplanok,  manfully  stated 


\:     !■ 


ilf*. 


-;';;hi- 


m^ 


!'■■   ■  I'^l 


'M 


I    Hi] 


I'll 


i' '! 

'iiji 


i!'!^ 


I' 

'fl! 


I ', 


2S 


A  JtJDGE  TKIED  FOR   BRIBERV.      THKODORUS  BAILEY.      VAN  BtTREN. 


the  facts  in  the  American — General  Root,  in  18'20,  brought  the  judge  before  the 
legislature,  where,  instead  of  tcllin!;  a  plain  story  like  a  man,  he  appeared  en- 
trenched behind  the  legal  quibbles  of  four  hired  lawyers,  six  of  the  committee 
being  also  men  of  law.  John  Duer  and  Rudolph  Bunner  swore  positively  that 
Van  Ness  had  told  them  that  he  was  entitled  to  the  third  of  $20,0()it,  secretly 
appropriated  by  the  bank  for  a  grntvity  to  him,  and  the  services  of  Grosvcnor 
and  VVilliams.  and  that  he  feared  he  would  only  get  $5,(»()0.  The  receipt  and 
books  of  the  bank  were  not  forthcoming — the  judge  had  the  cash — but  the  shock 
he  got  through  the  enquiry  alTeeted  his  health — he  died  in  \&ZA.  Butler  alludes 
to  him  in  letter  thirty-eight  of  Correspondence. 

I  am  particular  in  noticing  the  system  of  New  York  bank  chartering,  to  show 
how  well  aware  Messrs.  Van  Buren,  Cambreleng,  Wright,  Flagg,  Dix,  Young, 
Kendall,  Butler,  Beardstey,  Marcy,  Benton,  Dickenson,  Lawrence,  Hoyt,  Allen, 
Fish,  &c.,  were,  of  what  would  be  the  results  of  their  tampering  with  the  cur- 
rency from  18v»8  to  1840. 

Theodorus  Bailey,  who  was  one  of  the  most  active  and  urgent  of  the  lobby 
waiters  for  the  Bank  of  America,  in  1812,  presided  at  a  meeting  of  the  demo- 
crats of  New  York,  on  the  twenty-third  of  April,  1805,  at  which  an  address 
was  got  up,  signed  by  him.  and  sent  through  the  state,  denouncing  the  infamous 
proceedings  connected  with  the  Merchants'  liank  charter.     Here  are  extracts : 

"Alas!  the  infliiencp  of  gold  lias  triumphrd  over  thn  lienor  and  intpi-psts  of  our  country. — It 
is  undeniable  that  a  member  of  the  senate  endeavourrd  to  bribe  one  of  his  colleanjncs,  and  that 
he  is  still  permitted  to  degrade  that  honorable  body  by  his  presence.  Can  iLitnre  contidence  be 
reposed  in  him?  Can  our  lives,  our  liberties  and  foriunef:,  be  safely  entrusted  in  such  hands  ? 
If  he  was  gailty,  why  was  he  not  expelled  7  If  hf  was  innocent,  why  was  he  censured  by  a  vote 
of  the  senate?  When  the  charge  of  corruption  was  openly  aimouncrfl  in  the  Assembly,  a  com- 
mittee of  investigation  was  appointed  by  the  Speaker,  by  the  command  and  with  the  sanction  of 
that  house.  The  chairman  of  the  committee  presented  a  report,  and  a  majority  refused  to  reteive 
it  {  Can  we  believe  that  men,  conscious  of  integrity,  and  jealous  of  their  characters,  would  have 
shrunk  from  evidence  calculated  to  vindicate  the  innocent,  and  detect  the  guilty  ?  Would  thetj 
hate  added  to  such  committtr  individuals  fiulrject  to  the  i^enirnl  criiniiiation,  knowing  as  theij 
must  have  known,  that  thvi,-  coiiduri  rnuld  In  attributed  In  no  other  eaune  than  a  determination 
to  suppress  the  truth  ''' 

"  Corruption  [saya  Col.  Uunne]  was  first  employed  in  the  senate  hou.se,  it  produced  the  desired- 
effect — the  press  proclaimed  the  I'act ;  the  senate,  in  con.-equence,  instituted  an  enquiry,  passed  a 
vote  of  censure  upon  the  corrupted  member,  and  yet,  strange  to  relate,  this  very  senate  ordered 
the  printer  who  proclaimed  the  turpitude  to  be  prosecuted,  denying  him  the  privilege  of  giving  the 
truth  in  evidence." 

C  TI  A  P  T  E  R    V  I  I  r  . 

Van  Buren  removes  /V.v  /a/r  ojjicr  la  Ilndscn,  Is  appointed  AHorut'ij  General. 
Receives  the  support  of  the,  Aiiti-Kealcrs  for  the  State  Senate.  Changes  his 
residence  to  Albany,  h  removed  fnuu  ihn  Attorney  Genera/ship,  and  elected 
to  the  United  States  Senate .  Fifty -one  higfi.mi  tided  Federalists  join  the  Buck- 
tails  to  put  down  Clinton,  Clinton  expose.^  "  the  organized  rorps.''  Van 
Buren^s  early  ejj'ort  to  eaiwert  the  post  ojice  into  a  machine  of  party  hy  pun- 
ishing post-masters  J  or  opinion's  sake. 

Tn  the  latter  part  of  180*^,  or  beginning  ot'  ISflO,  Van  Buren  removed  his  law 
otliee  to  Hudson,  and  coiitimied  to  practice  in  the  state  and  county  courts  till 
February,  IS!-'),  when  he  .siicceeded  Abraham  Van  Vechten  as  Attorney  (.!en- 
eral  of  N.  Y.  The  (.'onncil  of  Appointment  chosen  by  the  Assembly  voted,  two 
lor  Van  Buren,  (.lonathaii  Daytf)!!  and  Luca.s  I'llmendorff,)  and  two  (Ruggles 
Hubbard  and  Farrand  Strunahan)  for  .lohn  Wood  worth,  whom  B.  F.  Butler 
appears  to  have  so  much  disliked.  Governor  Tompkins  gave  the  easting  vote,  in 
favor  of  Van  Buren.  In  May,  1H12,  Van  Buren  was  elected  Senator  for  the 
Middle  District — the  anti-rcnlora  of  Columbia  county,  whom   he  frequently 


i 


i 


V.  BTJRK^ 

harangued,  i 

turned  the  s( 

ward  P.  Liv 

for  the  officf^ 

over  20,000 

At  the  til 

oreatly  acita 

reference  to 

Van  Burt 

and  voted  fc 

and  the  old  J 

Southwick  a 

came  a  men 

from  Hud  so 

oflice  of  Go 

in  conformit 

his  election, 

207  of  Con 

have  been 

as  lieutenan 

fore  conveni 

In  .Tuly,  1 

of  Governoi 

torney  Gene 

his  place. 

S.  Senator, 

legislative  c 

80  votes—!; 

party  cauci 

members  of 

private  pat 

majority,  ci 

and  the  wis 

In  1819, 

A.  Duer,  (1 

his  letters, 

design  to  p 

•losiah  Ogd 

Hamilton  t 

1820,  decl 

Monroe's  a 

for  governr 

the  latter. 

these  fifty-i 

of  a  goven 

rily,  or  utt 

the  people 

they  seem 

Governt 

Van  Bure 

shows  tha 

with  the  s 

ing"  as  ' 

10i,hesa 


BUREN. 

idge  before  the 
^  appeared  en- 
thft  committee 
positively  that 
),0()ii,  secretly 
s  of  Grosvenor 
he  receipt  and 
—but  the  shock 
Butler  alludes 

ferinrr,  fo  show 

I,  Dix,  Young, 

,  Hoyt,  Allen, 

with  the  cur- 

f  of  the  lobby 
of  the  demo- 
^h  an  address 
g  the  infamous 
?  are  extracts : 
onr  country. — It 
enijiies,  nnd   that 
ire  conlulence  be 
d  ill  siith  hands  ? 
rnsuifd  by  a  vote 
\!=.«rml)ly,  n  com- 
til  the  sanction  of 
Irel'iiscd  to  receive 
clei-p,  would  have 
y  I      IVotdil  then 
knowing  as  theij 
I  a  detrrminatioii 

duced  the  di'sired' 
enquiry,  passed  a 
ry  senate  ordered 
ilege  of  giving  the 


^rnty  General. 
Changes  his 
p,  and  fk'cted 
io/'ii  the.  Buck, 
■orps.'-'  Van 
parfij  hij  pun. 

loved  his  law 
ify  courts  till 
attorney  (.Jen- 
>ly  voted,  two 
wo  (Ruggles 
B.  F.  Butler 
isting  vote,  in 
nator  for  the 
c  frequently 


i 


V.  BtsntJi  IN  THE  SENATE.      HE  UNITRS  WITH  THE  FEDS  TO  OUST  CLINTON.      29 

haraniued,  and  the  friends  of  Do  Witt  Clinton  in  Rockland  county,  having 
turned  the  scale  in  his  favor.  He  received  5,it.S3,  votes  and  his  opponent,  Ed- 
ward  P.  Livingston,  whom  he  afterwards  sfronirly  recommended  and  supported 
for  the  oflSun  of  lieutenant  governor,  got  but  5,8  'O.  Holland  says  there  were 
over  20, 000  votes  polled,  which  I  believe,  was  not  the  ca-e. 

At  the  titne  of  Van  Buren's  election  to  the  senate,  Columbia  county  was 
orreatly  agitated  with  the  anti-rent  question.  His  conduct  and  proceedings  with 
reference  to  that  agitation  are  noticed  in  a  subsf^quent  part  of  this  work. 

Van  Buren  took  his  seat  in  the  senate  of  New  York,  in  November,  1>^r2, 
and  voted  for  De  Witt  Clinton  fur  President,  in  opposition  to  James  Madison 
and  the  old  JefTorsonian  party,  having  been  supported  for  tlm  senate  by  Solomon 
Southwick  and  other  editors  in  the  interest  of  Clinton.  In  March,  lHi3,  he  be- 
came a  meiTiber  of  the  court  for  the  revision  of  errors  :  and  in  18  6,  removed 
from  Hudson  to  Albany,  where  he  resided  till  l'!<2!),  when  he  exchanged  the 
office  of  Governor  of  N.  Y.  fov  that  of  Secretary  of  Sftite,  at  Washington, 
in  conformity  with  a  secret  understanding  with  General  .Tackson,  previous  to 
his  election,  as  may  be  seen  by  referring  lo  his  ictter  to  J.  Hoyt,  No.  165  page 
207  of  Correspondence,  where  he  expresses  the  belief  that  his  designs  would 
have  been  frustrated  had  the  honest  and  conscientious  Pitcher  been  nominated 
as  lieutenant  governor,  at  Herkiiner,  instead  of  that  pliant,  corrupt,  and  there- 
fore convenient  party  tool,  Enos  T.  Tbroop. 

In  .luly,  1819,  Van  Buren,  who  had  long  been  the  most  active  and  untiring 
of  Governor  Clinton's  opponents,  was  removed  froin  the  induential  office  of  At- 
torney Genera!,  now  held  by  his  son.  .fohn,  and  Thomas  .T.  Oakley  appointed  in 
his  place.  In  the  session  of  l^'il,  Van  Buren  was  sent  to  Washington  as  U. 
S.  Senator,  in  the  stead  of  Nathan  Sanford,  whose  term  had  expired.  In  a 
legislative  caucus  he  got  ^S  votes — Sanford  got  24.  In  the  legislature  he  had 
86  votes — Sanforrl,  60.  It  is  a  curious  fact  that  but  for  the  operation  of  the 
party  caucus  pledge,  Van  Buren  would  have  failed,  a  decided  majority  of  the 
members  of  the  two  houses  being  against  him.  By  securing  a  majority  in  a 
private  party  meeting,  however,  the  minority  of  the  party  had  to  go  with  its 
majority,  contrary  to  their  judgment,  to  nullify  the  plainest  provisions  of  law 
and  the  wishes  of  the  whole  legislative  body. 

In  1819,  a  party  pniong  the  federalists,  of  whoin  Charles  King  and  William 
A.  Duer,  (late  president  of  Columbia  college,  N.  Y.,  and  whom  .Fesse  Hoyt,  in 
his  letters,  notices  in  rather  an  unfriendly  manner,)  seemed  to  have  formed  a 
design  to  put  down  ('linfon.  Fitly-one  of  them,  including  .Tames  A.  Hamilton, 
.losiah  Ogden  Holfinan,  .lohn  A.  King,  .fames  Lynch,  .Tohnson  Verplanck,  .lohn  C. 
Hamilton  and  .Tohn  Duer,  issued  an  address,  on  the  fourteenth  of  February, 
1820,  declaring  that  the  federal  party  was  at  an  end — that  they  approve  of 
Monroe's  administration — that  they  will  support  Tompkins  and  oppose  Clinton 
for  governor,  though  they  neither  object  to  the  measures,  morals,  nor  abilities  of 
the  latter.  The  Albany  regency,  with  Van  Buren  as  their  leader,  united  with 
these  fifty-one  "  high-minded  '"  federalists,  says  I  lammond,  "to  oppose  the  election 
of  a  governor,  neither  of  which  charged  upon  him  a  want  of  capacity,  or  integ- 
rity, or  uttered  a  solitary  syllable  against  his  measures."'  He  was  sustained  by 
the  people  by  a  majority  of  1457  votes,  but  his  no-prlncipled  opponents  (for  such 
they  seem  to  have  been,)  carried  the  legislature. 

Governor  Clinton's  speech  to  the  legislature  gave  great  oifence  lo  B.  F.  Butler, 
Van  Buren,  Hoyt,  Marcy,  &c. ;  and  his  message  in  .January,  18'21,  where  he 
shows  that  the  orticials  in  the  pay  of  the  federal  government  were  interfering 
with  the  state  elections,  is  described  by  the  financial  admircrof'- stated  preach- 
ing"  as  "very  abusive."  [See  No.  47,  page  167.]  In  his  letter  No.  Ml,  page 
XOl,  he  says  "  Clinton  is  raving  mad,  beside  being  a  fool" — in  IdlU  (see  No.  2) 


•',   :■''?'■; 


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t 


30 


THE  CONVENTION  OF    liSi}!.      VAN  BUfiEN  AND  THE  POST  OFFICE. 


he  thought  Clinton's  situation  was  "  daily  becoming  more  desperate" — and  in 
1828  he  shed  orocodile  tears  over  his  grave.  In  Clinton's  speech  he  intimated 
that  the  otHcers  ot"  the  U.  S.  government  were  "  interfering  in  the  state  elections, 
as  an  organized  and  disciplined  corps,'*  and  he  recommended,  as  ho  had  done 
before,  a  state  convention  to  amend  the  constitution,  whose  doings  should  besuU- 
mitted  to  the  people  for  their  verdict.  .Judge  lUshoetler  rc|)orted  in  the  Assem- 
bly a  bill  calling  such  a  convention,  which  Clinton,  disapproving  of  some  of  ils 
provisions,  vetoed  in  the  Council  of  Revision,  he  desiring  an  equal  representa- 
tion and  that  whatever  amendments  might  be  made  in  convention  should  be  sul)- 
mitted  .sepnratcJi/  to  the  people.  A  new  hill  next  session,  first  referring  the  whole 
matter  to  the  electors,  passed  the  legislature,  and  a  third  bill  ordered  the  elec- 
tions to  take  place  in  .luue,  1K21,  and  the  members  to  assendde  at  Albany  in 
August.  Their  proceedings  arc  referred  to  at  length  in  another  i)art  of  this 
volume. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Van  Burcn  c/crlionrrr.'i  for  llie  Presidrjiri/ hi/  l''J/ing  an  unlnith.  Sinreritj/  the 
fir.sl  of  virlues.  The  old  Buffalo  Ban!;,  hy  Van  Burcn,  Barker,  and  the  jiarli/. 
"  Van  Burcn  goes  for  a  never-jiaijiag  han'>.  The  Bucklail  Demoeracij.  Bank 
suNpcnaions,  and  hard  money  prineiples  in  1817. 

Whkn  Sir  Walter  Scott's  publishers  had  given  to  the  world  Waverlcy,  (Juy 
Mannering,  and  the  Antiquary,  as  anonymous,  tiie  baronet  was  frequently  ask- 
ed, ARK  you  the  author?  His  uniform  reply  was,  "I  am  not.'"  lie  after- 
wards owned  that  he  had  written  these  books  ;  and  in  explanation  of  his  previous 
statement  to  the  r^ontrary,  said,  "  1  considered  myself  like  an  accused  person, 
put  on  trial,  to  deny  all  that  could  not  be  proved  against  me,  and  refuse  evidence 
to  my  own  conviction — in  short,  I  felt  entitled  to  refuse  my  own  evidence  to 
disclose  that  which  I  wished  to  conceal." 

Van  Buren  was  introduced  to  the  republic  as  a  candidate  for  the  presidency, 
under  the  cloak  of  a  friend,  always  a  friend,  to  a  sound  specie  currency — his 
biographers,  his  political  friends  in  congress,  the  presses  of  his  party,  and  the 
aspirant  himself,  all  chaunted  one  chorus,  and  that  was  in  praise  of  the  "  real 
hard  money  man."     In  his  letter  to  Sherrod  Williams,  Aug.  S,  1836,  he  says  : 

"  In  the  course  of  my  eight  years  service  in  the  senate  of  this  state,  a  very 
large  proportion  of  its  banking  capital  was  incorporated,  «Jtf/  the  journals  of  1  hat 

*VVilli  his  message  to  the  A^semhly,  <Iov(>rnor  I'linton  sent  mimy  ilorunietits  to  prove  an  nndiie  interfcreiiKo  of 
the  general  goveriiiiicnl  witli  the  state  elections,  lie  showed  thai  Van  Unto.i,  a  thorough  partisan  ol'the  men  then 
ill  jiower  at  Wasliington,  Imil  aiiilressed  the  follDving  letter  to  !\lr.  .Meigs,  just  twenty-one  days  before  the  state 
election,  urging  the  jiosl  ollicc  department  to  remove  certain  postmasters,  though  frti  of  h/amc,  to  serve  ids  party, 
and  intimidate  by  such  example,  the  si.v  hnndred  pud  seventy-funr  post-masters  of  the  state — bidding  Mr.  JMeigs 
remove  them  quickly  and  much  good  would  fldlow — that  is,  to  remove  them  before  the  election  and  many  votes 
would  be  thereby  ucijuired  by  the  candniate.',  f  his  party.  Sir.  Monell  nnide  oath  that  the  post-master-gonerul 
hud  been  told  that  the  gentlemen  thus  namci'i  for  removal  (by  Viiu  Buren)  were  uniform  republicans,  and  that  as 
no  specific  charges  had  been  made  agaiiisl  them,  it  was  evident  that  their  removal  (for  they  were  turned  out)  was 
a  punishment  for  .su|iportiiig  ('linloii  for  governor.  The  papers  ^ent  to  the  .Vssembly  ecnitaincd  evidence  to  show 
that  Uoger  Skinner  had  not  been  idle  at  Sandy  Hill.  Lot  (;lark,  named  for  a  post-ina.-ter  by  V.  it.,  ligures  after- 
wards in  the  Crawford  caucus  of  IHi!4.  "  \  government  of  iullueiii'e  and  corruption,  (said  Mr.  Clinton,)  is  the 
worst  possible  shape  which  u  republican  government  can  assume,  because  under  the  I'urins  of  freedom,  it  coiiibiues 
the  essence  of  tyranny." 

Mirtin  yan  Buren  to  Henry  JWci^,  General  P.  O.,  Washinglm. — "  .April,  4.  IHOO.— .My  Dear  Sir :  Our  snflerings , 
owing  to  the  rascality  of  deputy  post-masters,  IS  intolerable,  and  CIUMS  aloud  for  relief  We  find  it  absolutely 
impossible  to  penetrate  the  interior  with  our  papers,  and  unless  we  can  atliiin  them  by  two  or  three  prompt  removals, 
there  is  no  limiting  the  injurious  consei|iiences  that  may  result  from  it ;  let  me,  therefore,  entreat  the  post-innstcr- 
general  to  do  an  act  of  Justice,  and  render  us  a  partial  service,  by  the  removal  of  Holt,  of  Herkimer,  and  tlio 
appointment  of  .labez  I'ox,  Ksip— Also  of  Howell,  of  lialli,  and  the  appointment  of  an  excellent  friend,  W.  11. 
Hochester,  Ksip,  a  young  111:111  of  the  first  re.ipcctabilily  and  worth  in  the  stale,  and  the  removal  of  Smith,  at  I.ittin 
Falls,  and  tiie  appointment  of  llollisler,  and  the  removal  of  (Jhamberhn,  In  Oxford,  and  the  appoinlmeiit  of  JmI 
Clark,  l'>i.  I  urn  in  extreme  haste,  and  can,  therefore,  add  no  more.  I'.se  the  enclosed  pajiers  according  to  your 
discretion  ;  and  if  anvlhing  is  done,  let  it  be  (piickly  dime,  and  you  may  rely  upon  it,  much  good  will  result  from 
it.     Yitun  afffrtionatr/ii,  '  M.  V.  IJIJUKN. 

A|iril  l.'i,  IH-JI).  Hon.  R.  ,1.  .Meigs,  .luu'r. — Sir;  From  various  representations  which  have  been  made  to  ine  Ir 
regard  to  tlie  mal-practices  of  the  post-master  at  Norwich,  I  uioat  UurdioJIy  unite  with  Mr.  Van  Uuren  in  recoiii- 
ineuUiiis  bis  leiuuvul,  oiiil  the  ujipuiiitiueiit  uf  Mr.  Lut  t'luik.  JUllN  R.  UAAKI!,  (M.  C.) 


hody  idll  shoit 

subject.     Mosi 

been  so  dispose 

WILL  BE  I 

THE  EXCE 

/)/■  the  war. 

i'uits  the  more 

That  my  vote 

and  should  no 

scribed  to  mi 

stance  as  deb 

This  was  a 

of  Waverley 

would,  in  gen 

beyond  the  p 

people  at  elec 

is  not  that  of 

cd  leader.s — 

general,  awa 

fe.ssed  every  ■ 

(lorsed  his  or 

To  show  1 

ascertained  f< 

on  trial,  and 

(loubtcd.     Lt 

infamous  to  j 

about  to  appr 

natural  form 

as  best  suites 

"  sincerity  is 

tuos."     Wei 

America  woi 

hood,  from  'I 

The  Banli 

then  attornej 

.lacobBarke 

major  Cantiii 

sion,  made  t 

when  cash  p 

required  to  [ 

issuing  notes 

Jonas  Wi 

bank  at  Buf 

mercial  pur 

the  town." 

A.  S.  Clark 

in  committet 

rose  and  sta 

vote  for  it. 

thirds  of  th( 

ant,  as  shev 

the  United  ! 

Hudson  Bai 

The  bill : 


OFFICE. 

rate" — and  in 

li  he  intimated 

slate  elections, 

as  lin  had  done 

sliould  besnl). 

1  in  the  Asseni- 

c)f  some  ot  its 

ial   rf-prcsenta- 

sliould  i)e  sni»- 

lini;  the  whole 

leied  the  elec- 

at  .\lhany  in 

or  jiurt  ol"  tlii.-i 


Shirenli/  the 

and  I  he  jxirh/. 

ocrunj.     Jianic 

Vaverley,  d'liy 
iicqneiitly  ask- 
)t/'  He  af'ter- 
of  liisi)rovious 
cciised  person, 
t'ofuse  evidence 
wn  evidence  to 

the  presidency, 
currency — his 
party,  and  the 
0  of  "the  <'  real 
1836,  he  says  : 
is  state,  a  very 
iournals  of  that 

ndiie  interfcrciipe  ol' 
lisiiii  ol'rhe  men  then 
liiys  before  lliu  slrvte 
ic,  to  servo  liis  |mrty, 
— Iiiddiiifi  Mr.  iMeifjs 
(ion  unil  mnny  votca 
i  |iost-imister(;oiierul 
iil)lieaii9,  mid  lliiil  its 
.ere  liirneil  oiil)  was 
eil  evidence  to  show 
'  v.  H..  ligiires  al'lor- 
Mr.  Clinton,)  is  ilia 
I'reedom,  it  combines 

irSiriOursnneriiiKs, 
\'c  find  it  nbsoliitely 
ree  prompt  removaii, 
■nt  the  post-mnster- 
f  Herkimer,  uiid  tlio 
elinnt  I'rioiid,  \V.  It, 
il  Id' Smith,  fit  hittin 
iipiiointnient  of  JmI 
rs  aci'ordinf;  to  your 
ood  will  result  from 

Rl.  V.  HUItKN. 
leeii  iiiiide  to  me  ir 
Mil  Uureii  ill  recoiu- 
UaAK£,  (M.  C.) 


VAN   BUBEn's   bank   PfilNCIPLKS— 1810  AND    1836. 


31. 


hodij  loill  show  that  I  look  an  active,  part  in  all  the  questions  lohich  arose  upon  the 
subject.  Most  of  the  applications  for  banks  that  vere  rejected,  viill  be  found  to  have 
been  so  disposed  of  on  mi/  motion  ;  AND  EVERY  APPLICATION,  SAVE  ONE, 
WILL  BE  FOUND  TO  HAVE  MY  VOTE  RECOROh^.D  AGAINST  IT. 
THE  EXCEPTION  was  that  of  a  bank  eslabiished  at  BUFFALO  at  the  close 
of  the  war.  It  was  established  with  the  avowed  design  of  enabling  the  inhabit- 
ants the  more  speedily  to  rebuild  the  town  after  it  had  been  burnt  by  the  enemy. 
That  my  vote  in  that  particular  case  would  be  governed  by  that  consideration, 
and  should  not  be  construed  into  a  departure  from  the  course  which  I  had  pre- 
scribed to  myself,  was  stated  in  my  place.  The  motive  proved  in  that  in- 
stance as  delusive  as  usual." 

TliivS  was  as  far  from  the  truth  as  Scott's  first  assertion  about  the  authorship 
ofWaverley;  but,  doubtless,  Van  Buren  well  knew  that  his  hard  money  voters 
would,  in  general,  read  only  their  own  party  journals,  and  listen  to  no  orators 
beyond  tlie  pale  of  their  sect.  Party,  or  rather  faction,  is  every  thing.  The 
|)Coplc  at  elections  move  as  armies  do,  under  command.  The  mind  that  directs 
is  not  that  of  tlic  people,  or  of  any  great  part  of  them,  but  of  men  who  are  call- 
ed leaders — an  oligarchy  to  all  intents  and  purposes.  Their  leaders  were,  in 
jrcncral,  aware  that  Van  Buren  had  no  principles  whatever — that  he  had  pro- 
i'csscd  every  thing,  or  anything,  and  been  on  any  and  every  side — but  they  en- 
dorsed his  orthodoxy,  because  lie  suited  their  purjioses,  and  he  succeeded. 

To  show  how  necessary  it  is  to  investigate  character  by  the  use  of  well 
uscertained  facts,  this  volume  is  written.  Van  Buren  and  his  confederates  arc 
on  trial,  and  the  testimony  for  their  conviction  shall  be  ample,  clear,  and  un- 
doubted. Let  us  hope  that  the  lime  fast  hastens  in  which  it  will  be  esteemed 
infamous  to  gain  power  and  influence  by  false  pretences.  Even  Lucifer,  when 
about  to  ajiproach  the  mother  of  mankind  with  falsehood  on  his  lips,  dofied  his 
natural  form  and  garb  as  a  fallen  angel,  and  assumed  the  guise  of  the  serpent 
as  best  suited  to  the  deceitful  part  he  was  about  to  act.  Blair  tells  us  that 
'•  sincerity  is  the  basis  of  every  virtue" — Thomson,  that  it  is  "  the  first  of  vir- 
tues." Were  it  in  more  general  use  among  the  lawyers,  priests  and  politicians, 
America  would  again  become  the  Eden  from  which  tlie  ellects  of  the  first  false- 
hood, from  Tophet,  drove  our  first  parents. 

The  Bank  of  Niagara  at  Butfalo  was  chartered  in  181G — Van  Buren  was 
then  attorney-gen(  il,  and  the  bucktail  leader  in  the  state  senate — his  friend 
Jacob  Barker  was  a  senator  from  the  city  of  New  York  ;  and  his  brother-in-law, 
major  Cantino,  a  senator  from  Columbia,  Greene,  &c.  Van  Buren,  on  this  occa- 
sion, made  the  only  efibrt  I  ever  heard  of  to  grant  a  bank  a  charter  during  a  time 
when  cash  payments  were  suspended,  with  the  condition  that  it  should  never  bo 
required  to  pay  specie,  unless  when  it  thought  fit,  but  might  goon  twenty  years, 
issuing  notes,  promising  to  pay  specie,  but  never  fulfilling  that  promise. 

Jonas  Williams  and  others  memorialized  the  senate  on  the  Gth  of  Feb.  for  a 
bank  at  Buflulo,  with  $750,000  capital,  stating  that  the  agricultural  and  com- 
mercial pursuits  of  the  people  required  it,  but  not  one  word  about  "  rebuilding 
the  town."  The  memorial  was  referred  to  Jacob  Barker,  Philetus  Swift,  and 
A.  S.  Clark,  who  reported  a  bill  chartering  a  bank.  The  bill  was  considered 
in  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  8th  of  March,  on  which  occasion  Van  Buren 
rose  and  .stated,  that  its  provisions  met  his  hearty  approbation,  and  that  he  .should 
vote  for  it.  He  did  .so — .so  did  Cantine.  Barker  kept  below  the  bar.  Two- 
thirds  of  the  senate  went  for  the  bill,  which  passed.  Its  provisions  are  import- 
ant,  as  shewing  Van  Buren's  views  in  1816,  after  the  state  banks  had  suspended, 
the  United  States  Bank  been  put  down,  and  he  had  had  much  experience  as  a 
Hudson  Bank  director,  attorney-general,  ».Vc. 

The  bill  provided,  1.  That  the  Stockholders,  none  of  them  liable  for  its  debts, 


f 
I' 


¥  ■ 


t^i^ 


•^^:■^ 


'';'< 


I  ' :' 


••v'^.'^i-' 


■■■'■i> :  'i'l ' 

•'  '*  .■'• .  ■■'[', 
'>i'-v  -  ;  I' 


;? 


I     ■•>':•■ 


'i 


92 


THB  OLD  DANK  OF  BUFFALO — PAY  WHEN  YOtT  PLEASK. 


•I  if 


r 


should  continue  to  be  a  corporation  till  1832.  Even  then  it  was  planned  fo  have 
all  the  bank  monopoly  charters  run  out  as  near  together  as  possible,  that  the 
powers  of  corruption  mij^ht  be  invoked,  as  they  were  in  1 82!J,  to  perpetuate 
them. — 2.  The  capital  was  to  be  $400,000. — :}.  One  notice  in  one  paper  in  the 
county,  :-!0  days  before  an  election  of  directors,  was  to  be  suffici'Mn ;  and  stool'. 
holders  were  to  vote  in  person  or  by  proxy.  4.  If  John  was  a  poor  farmer  with  one 
share  (-SoO)  he  was  to  give  one  vote.  If  his  brother  Martin  had  500  shares,  he 
was  empowered  to  give  one  vote  more  alone  than  499  farmers  with  a  share 
each,  taken  together.  [Would  Van  Buren  like  to  introduce  this  sort  of  de. 
mocracy  at  the  ballot  boxes  ?]  5.  The  bank  was  not  to  be  compelled  to  pay  specie 
for  any  bank  notes  it  migiit  issue,  by  virtue  of  the  ch;irter.  G.  The  first  di- 
rectors  were  to  be  chosen  by  the  Legislature.  7.  And  might  begin  to  bank  and 
issue  notes  when  they  pleased  ;  and  call  on  the  stockholders  to  pay  10  or  121- 
cents  in  the  dollar  on  their  shares  at  first,  and  the  rest  when  they  saw  fit. 

The  Senate,  without  knowing  who  would  or  who  wouldn't  take  stock,  named 
the  first  directors,  and  took  care  to  appoint  one  of  themselves  on  the  board. 
There  was  no  commission  named  to  apportion  the  stock  equally — it  was  left  to 
be  jobbed  for.  The  .Toft'erson  Co.  bank  bill  appointed  commissioners,  and  left 
it  to  the  shareholders  to  elect  directors.  Van  Buren  voted  against  it,  and  against, 
the  Herkimer  Co.  bank  petition,  March  2Sth.  The  banks  he  voted  against  sue 
ceeded  better  than  those  he  supported. 

On  the  5th  of  April,  I'^IO,  (sec  the  senate  journals,)  the  Council  of  Revision 
admonished  Van  Buren,  Cantine  and  their  majority  in  the  Senate,  that  it  would 
be  unjust  to  allow  the  Niagara  B:ink  bill  to  pass  into  a  law  unless  it  \\e\'e 
amended  so  that  if  the  bank  issued  paper  it  might  be  bound  t<»  redeem  it  in 
money — that  it  need  not  pay  out  a  dollar  in  money  as  the  bill  was  drawn  ;  and 
that  if  it  had  no  money  to  pay  bills  with  it  had  better  not  issue  any,  because 
the  more  banks  there  were  issuing  such  paper  the  less  of  specie  we  would  sec 
in  the  state.  It  was  notorious  (said  the  Council)  that  for  more  than  a  twelve- 
monih  the  incorporated  banks  of  the  State  haf!  refused  to  redeem  their  notes  in 
specie.  They  had  found  it  far  more  gainful  to  sell  their  dollars  to  the  usurers 
of  Europe,  and  to  charge  our  merchants  a  high  premiinn  for  silver,  while  they 
glutted  the  American  market  with  paper  promises  on  which  they  charged  7  per 
cent,  interest,  though  they  cost  them  notiiing.  They  further  urged,  that  this 
was  the  first  attempt  made  in  this  State  to  give  special  privileges  to  a  new 
Bank,  since  the  old  ones  had  defied  the  public;  and  refused  to  pay  their  debts; 
and  that  they,  (the  Council.)  returned  the  bill  fo  the  Senate,  because  they  wished 
to  protect  the  public  against  the  multiplication  of  corporations  issuing  a  currency 
which  thev  refused  to  convert  into  cA'^h  on  demand. 

On  the  lOth  of  April,  (see  senate  journal,  page  2;K!,)  VAN  BUREN  made 
a  speech  to  persuade  two-thirds  of  the  members  of  the  Senate  to  incorporate  the 
Bank  in  spite  of  the  Council  of  Revision,  and  WITHOUT  A  SPECIE  PAY- 
ING CLAUSE,  in  the  very  teeth  of  its  hones;  objections.  He  MOVED  TO 
INSEUT  A  CLAUSE  TO  THAT  EFFECT,  and  thus  pass  the  bill!  On 
the  1  Ith,  the  bill  was  reconsidered  in  committee  of  the  whole,  but  as  it  was  found 
utterly  impracticable  to  get  two-thirds  to  vote  for  paper  currency,  not  payable 
in  cash,  by  a  direct  vote,  the  Council's  amendment  had  to  be  reluctantly  adopted 
by  the  "democrats,"  and  Van  Buren  and  Cantine  again  voted  for  the  Bank, 
which  became  a  had  i>a\v. 

Altho'  Van  Buren  could  not  get  a  clause  in  the  hill  to  permit  the  hank  to  flood 
the  country  with  paper  promises  it  would  be  under  no  obligation  to  redeem,  he 
contrived  that  the  charter  should  allow  the  bank  to  stop  when  it  had  no  specie, 
buy  in  its  worthless  rags  at  10  or  12  cents  to  the  dollar,  and  begin  again  as 
often  as  it  pleased  to  play  this  game.     It  did  so,  and  cheated  the  public  whole- 


sale. I  sold 
defrauded  ou 
mechanic  out 
dent  was  ind 
$25,000  loan 
Kibbe,  its  firs 
chants'  Bank 
Swartwout  v 
House  on  T 
Wednesday, 
the  cords  to  [ 
Ron.  SvvAivn 
become  such 
place,  chealii 
at  least  three 


EvenAbonll 
day,  to  send  a  d( 

Van  Barents 
becomes  S 
Del.  hr'uU 
acted  with 
and  neio  1 
and  Ontur 
Van  Dure 
the  Bankh 

Bv  referci 
B.  F.  Butler 
owner  of  th 
ready  to  bu 
hands  from 
Q.  Leake  it 

♦  Attorney  ( 
mities  of  Vai 
statute  book,  I: 
In  18:?i;,  its  pa 
tiil)atc  their  s 
iiii-'nts  have  n 
institutions  w 
consequences 
meats,  have 
greater  pnipo 
which  few  ar 

On  tlie  '^Ot 
Senate,  all  h 
Asseinl)ly,  to 
inorepoWLTa 
What  niathK 
confers  on  a  t 
to  tax  the  cou 
make  pajier  i 
eering  oracle 


IE. 


VAN  BUREn's  buffalo  AND  CHENANGO  BANKS. 


98 


lanned  to  have 
ssiblp,  that  the 

10  porpptuato 
10  pappr  in  the 
nt ;  and  sfocl'- 
irmer  with  one 
500  shares,  he 
rs  with  a  share 
this  sort  of  de- 
nd  tn  pay  specie 
5.  The  first  di- 
rill  to  bank  and 
pay  !0  or  1-21 
y  saw  fit. 
e  stock,  named 

on  the  board. 

—it  was  left  to 

oners,  and  left 

it,  and  against 

cd  against  sue- 

cil  of  Revision 
e,  that  it  would 
unless  it  were 
t(»  redeem  it  in 
as  drawn  ;  and 

0  any,  because 
f  we  would  sec 

than  a  twel ve- 
il their  notes  in 
;  to  the  usurers 
ver,  while  they 
■  charged  7  per 
urixed,  that  this 
loces  to  a  new 
ay  their  debts  ; 
i.so  they  wished 
ling  a  currency 

RUREN  made 
incorporate  the 
;F»ECIK  PAY- 
MOVED  TO 
the  bill  !     On 
as  it  was  found 
y,  not  payable 
ctantly  adopted 
for  the  Bank, 

he  bank  to  flood 

1  to  redeem,  he 
had  no  specie, 
begin  again  as 
!  public  whole- 


sale. I  sold  its  notes  in  1820  and  in  1821,  eight  dollars  for  one — the  State  was 
defrauded  out  of  its  dt-posits,  the  fiiriners  out  of  their  produce,  and  the 
mechanic  out  of  the  fruits  of  his  labor.  Once  more  the  bank  started,  its  Presi- 
dent was  indicted  for  cheating,  J.  Barker  was  to  have  $5,000  for  procuring  a 
$25,000  loan  to  keep  it  going,  but  it  broke  again  before  aid  could  get  to  Buti'alo. 
Kibbe,  its  first  President,  was  a  Burrite,  concerned  in  frauds  by  which  the  Mer- 
chants' Bank  Charter  passed  in  1S05,  and  one  of  "  the  lobby."  General 
Swartwout  writes  (IS23),  "  iMy  Dear  Morrison — The  Dutchess  must  pass  the 
House  on  Tuesday,  and  yours  [the  Chemical  Bank]  will  pass  the  Senate  on 
Wednesday,  certain.  See  KiDBiii  as  soon  after  dinner  as  possible — he  knows 
the  cords  to  pull  upon,  and  will  carry  you  triumphantly  through.  Your  friend, 
Kou.  SwAurwodT."  Van  Buren's  bank  initiated  the  Buffalo  people,  who  had 
become  such  proficients  in  the  mysteries  that  thirteen  banks  broke  down  in  that 
place,  cheating  the  weaver  of  cloth,  and  the  grower  of  wheat,  wool,  &c.,out  of 
at  least  three  millions  of  dollars. 


CHAPTER    X 


Even  Abon  Hassan,  the  most  disinterested  of  all  viceroys,  forgot  not,  during  his  Caliphate  of  onft 
day,  to  send  a  douceur  of  one  thousand  pieces  of  gold  to  his  own  household. — Walter  Scott. 

Van  Bareii's  confederates  blow  vp  the  old  Buffalo  bank. — Its  cashier  (n'd  Hoyt) 
becomes  State  Prinler  to  the  I'Jiuktails. — Marctf,  l.cake^  and  the  New  Hopcj 
Del.  I)ridgc  Company. —  Van  Biiren  not  fond  of  swarms  of  Batiks. — How  he 
acted  with  the  Chenanrio  Bank  Charter. —  Walworth,  VanBuren.,  and  the  old 
and  new  Pluttsburgh  Banks  — On  taxing  Bank  Utock,  and  chartering  Utica 
and  Ontario  Branch  Banks. — Clinton  U7id  Ihr  ,^ssembly  of  N.  Y  defeated  by 
Van  Biiren  and  his  hold  over  Senate  in  an  effort  to  expose  errors  in,  and  amend 
the  Banking  System. —  The  Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  Banks. 

By  reference  to  pages  154  and  155,  letters  9,  10,  and  11,  it  will  be  seen  that 
B.  F.  Butler  had  a  keen  scent ;  he  wanted  Hoyt  to  be  cashier,  and  Barker 
owner  of  the  Buffalo  bank  which  Van  Buren  had  created,  and  which  was  then 
ready  to  burst  up.  Van  Buren's  unprincipled  followers  had  it  in  their  own 
hands  from  the  commencement.  Isaac  Kibbie  was  its  first  President,  and  Isaac 
Q.  Leake  its  first  cashier;    and  when  it  broke  down  in  1819,*  Van  Buren  in- 


♦  Attorney  General  Taicott  applied  to  Chancellor  Saiiford  in  1H2-I,  enumerating  the  enor- 
mities of  Van  Buren's  Buffalo  bank,  with  a  view  to  the  spongini,'  oti'  its  charter  from  the 
statute  book,  but  it  eouldn't  be  done.  Perhaps,  lilce  a  Scotch  peeras^e,  it's  only  dormant  now. 
In  183(!,  its  parent.  Van  Buren,  c^rnvcly  ad'lre^«ed  S.  Williams  thus: — "  As  if  anxious  to  con- 
tribute their  share  to  this  inroail  upon  the  policy  of  the  federal  constiuuion,  the  state  goveru- 
nvjnls  have  not  enly  created  swarms  of  banlcing  institutions,  but  until  recently,  most  of  these 
institutions  were  authorized  u>  issue  notes  ol'as  low  a  denomination  as  a  single  dollar.  The 
consequences  of  this  departure  from  the  appropriate  functions  of  the  federal  and  .state  govern- 
ments, have  been  extensively  injurious.  Tnat  gold  and  silver  should  constitute  a  much 
greater  jiroportion  of  the  circulatin"'  medium  of  the  country  than  they  now  do,  is  a  position 
which  few  are  disposed  to  deny." 

On  the  'iOth  of  April,  18IH,  iluring  the  same  session  of  the  Van  Rtiren  majority  in  the 
Senate,  all  hurry  and  bustle  to  hasten  favorite  measures,  on  speculation,  a  bill  fiom  the 
Assembly,  to  withdiaw  from  tlie  demcK-racy,  the  many,  and  confer  on  the  aristocracy,  the  few, 
more  power  and  influence,  came  up  in  the  form  of  a  bill  to  incorporate  the  Bank  of  Chenango. 
What  madness  is  it  that  blinds  the  tillers  of  the  soil  to  their  best  interests'?  Such  a  bank 
confers  on  a  few  au-Kious  gamblers  power  to  hire  and  employ  lying  attorneys  and  lying  editors ; 
to  tax  the  country  many  tliousands  of  dollars  yearly  for  the  use  of  the  idle  and  profligate;  lo 
make  pajicr  moiiey  promises  scarce  in  a  country,  or  plentiful,  at  pleasure ;  to  hire  election- 
eering oracles  and  orators;  to  bespatter  honesty  and  sincerity  iu  homespun  with  falsehood; 


S.- 


■>)■■ 


■j  .'■■•■'■ 


v.; 

I '     ' ' 


34      LEAKE  AND  CANTINE,  VAN  i^UllEN  AND  THE  PLATTSBURGU  BANKS. 


VAN 


J         1  \:l 


I     iil 


vited  Leake  to  join  his  brother-in-law,  Cantine,  as  one  of  the  state  printers, 
and  joint  editor  of  his  mouth-piece,  the  Albany  Argus.  Leake  was  turned  ou: 
of  the  Argus  by  Van  Buren  in  1824  to  make  way  for  Croswell,  and  sent  out  tu 
Pennsylvania  to  take  charge  of  another  Icakif  vessel,  or  bank  craft,  as  treasurer 
of  the  INew  Hope,  Delaware  Bridge  Company,  a  concern  such  as  Van  Burea 
would  have  made  the  Buffalo  Bank  if  he  could,  with  power  to  fail  from  time  to 
time,  compound  and  go  on  again,  for  ever.  It  went  down  in  1821,  the  treasure- 
vanished.  Leake  &  Co.  began  again  in  1825,  and  in  1826,  we  find  him  puffing 
the  frail  bark  in  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Post.  Governor  Marcy  was  one  of  its  bor- 
rowers, and  a  knot  of  speculators  used  it  in  N.  Y.  as  Butler  and  Barker  did  the 
Washington  and  W^arren.  The  Pennsylvanians  were  so  often  pillaged  that  they 
drove  it  out  of  their  State,  and  it  is  now  set  up  again  the  sixth  time,  and  its  notes 
have  a  wide  circulation,  hailing  from  the  Jersey  side  of  the  Delaware. 

In  1817,  Reuben  Hyde  Walworth  appeared  before  the  legislature,  as  senior 
petitioner  for  a  bank  charter,  of  like  character  with  the  others,  to  be  located  at 
Plattsburgh,  the  stock  to  be  discrcetli/  distributed,  &c.  Senators  Hascall,  Bloom, 
and  Walter  Bowne,  of  the  Seventh  Ward  Bank,  N.  Y.,  reported  that  the  Land 
round  Plattsburgh  is  "  fruitful  in  the  productions  of  the  earth,"  like  Canaan  of 
old  ;  and  that  "  it  is  believed  that  a  bank  will  enable  the  merchants  to  purchase 
this  produce,  and  save  the  farmers  much,  if  not  the  entire,  transportation  to 
Montreal."  Of  course  they  reported  a  bank  bill,  which  passed  the  Senate  in 
committee  on  the  21st  of  March  (page  222  of  Journal)  :  Van  Buren  and  Cantine 
declared  that  they  could  not  possibly  support  the  measure,  and  recorded  their 
votes  to  throw  it  out,  but  failed  ;  yeas  14,  nays  only  11.  Next  day  two  addi- 
tional senators  were  present,  and  it  was  seen  that  if  Van  Buren  and  his  brother- 
in-law  should  both  hold  out,  the  bill  would  be  lost,  14  to  13.  This  would 
never  do.  Nor  would  it  suit  Van  Buren  to  wheel  round  on  such  a  short 
notice.  The  leader  therefore  kept  among  the  nays  on  the  final  passage  of  the 
bill,  but  Cantine  declared  that  he  had  got  a  new  light  within  the  last  twenty-j'our 
hours,  and  immediately  reversed  his  cote,  thus  securing  the  passage  of  the  chartti 
in  the  Senate,  by  a  majority  of  one.*     He  played  the  same  suspicious  game  on 

to  join  with  others  in  lip(;oniin;^  hanlcrupt,  ami  rcfiisinfjf  payment  of  (lolitf*,  while  •  onipellin;,' 
iniiividujils  to  fuKil  thi-ir  obligations-  to  ilie  haniv' ;  and,  should  the  conecin  hecoiiv  insolveiu, 
wiilcsproad  ruin  eusui's,  wliile  those  whose  tollv'  oi'  Kuill,  or  both,  did  the  inis(  jief,  lie  liv, 
jeady  to  lohliy  at  Albany  l"!'  new  means  lo  2iliindeiby  law,  when  pidilie  Indiana  ion  is  hiisji- 
ed  to  si  re  p. 

On  the  above  day  the  i^enatc  went  intc  committee  on  the  Chcnanp:o  bank  ei.irtcr,  Van 
Jiurcti  Wnv^  most  appropriatniy  in  the  ehair.  Senator  Yates  moveil  to  rcjeel  il  as  anli- 
riciuocralic,  tVe.  But  the  party  loveil  it,  it  promised  to  add  lo  their  temjiorary  power,  to  j  ieM 
enormous  cain  on  the  stock,  and  lorm  an  ollset  against  the  opposition.  Major  Cantine  iu'lil 
np  both  hands  in  its  favor;  vSamuel  Younjj  declared  that  hisliearl  was  in  it;  the  coinmittc" 
rose ;  Van  Buren  reported  that  the  bill  had  been  adopted  ;  no  one  even  whispereil  ^\i:,ivc  in- 
Ikc.  fii/rs  and  nan,''  as  w<is  usual ;  the  bill  was  ordered  to  j^o  ahead  without  even  a  division. 

Had  Mr.  Van  Buren  been  averse  to  this  charter,  he  would  have  called  for  the  ayes  an' 
noes  on  the  report,  liut  lie  agreed  to  its  reception  ;  and  when  the  bill  was  (-np;r()ssed  aip' 
passed  (see  Senate  Journal,  passes  353  and  3r)l), Cantine,  Skinner,  and  Samuel  Voting,  voted  lur 
it,  while'  Van  iiuren  slipped  below  the  bar  to  avoiil  a  vote,  knowing,'  that  his  friends'  votes  wouM 
ensure  the  success  of  liie  bill.  Here,  again,  the  ollicial  records  of  liie  State  i,'ive  the  lie  to  lii- 
asscrtion  that  "  every  apjilication  [lor  a  bank]  save  one,  would  l)e  found  to  liave  his  vole 
recorded  af,Minst  it." 

*  In  1>-M,  tiio  honlt  of  l'liittslmrt!t\  c.vplodeil,  anil  there  were  iiiiuiy  rccriiiilnntidiis  alining  the  dcmncmcy 
•IiuIkc  IMiitt  prosecuteiK'niiiplrolicr  l''lii(!(,',  tlien  a  spunky  rnnnlry  editor,  for  libel  ;  the  liankdircrlors  proscciitol 
I'latt ;  the  firniers  found  tlwir  pruiliire  in  tliiit  "  fruitful  "  land  Irnnsniuletl  Into  Imnk  pajwr  of  bud  repute  ;  iiml 
Van  lluren  conirrntiilated  himself  in  not  luivlng  voted  with  brother  Cantine  in  W!. 

To  help  Van  Huren  to  the  Presidency  in  ISKi,  the  imrty  chartered  a  .«econd  bank  at  Plattsburgh  ;  and,  niih 
nu  ftnod  will  towards  Clinton,  named  il  after  liini.  'I'he  nominal  capital  was  S'2tlU,(IOO  ;  the  real  money  in  il< 
vaults  very  little  indeed.  Tor  .sonii:  three  or  four  years  its  prrsident  and  CHshicr  ninniiBed  its  afliiirs  Bhn(^^t 
exrhiaively,  and  appropriated  its  funds  lo  their  private  use,  or  for  the  benefit  of  their  favorites.  They  were  m 
the  clasj  called  speculators  ;  their  olditrnlions  are  worthless ;  and  as  to  brinalng  the  lazy  directors  to  Look,  fur 
the  benefit  of  tht  bill-holde;s,  the  oligarchy,  wltu  rule,  do  nut  cncoUKige  such  prtictises. 


the  same  da] 
of  monopoly 
memoranda, 
close  til'!  w> 
these  somen 

Mr.  O.  A, 
us,  .lanuary 
lators,  and  tr 
shape  its  pol 
1808,  one  of 

In  1810, ( 
WJis  called  u 
chartered  ba 
rtujuirtjd  to  il 
some  investit 
after  Dcceml 
to  pay  what : 
some  accoun 
showing,  1.  'j 
they  owe.  .' 
the  bank  by 
the  proportio 
discounted  di 
after  that  tini 
the  return  m 
bank  concert 
such  measun 

What  cou 
abovt!  in(|uir; 
Van  Buren, 
opponents  as 
to  the  adoj>ti 

•  In  IHI8,  (SCO  . 
!\ni\  complaint  of  I 
Scnntr  lor  concur 

" lif.'ioli'cd,  (if 
to  ini|uire  into  tin 
tcred  the  trust  ^rr 
by  them  aiitbori/i 
or  have  made 
they  have  ut  all 
ill  s|H'cie  ;  and  vv 
cir  usurious  pracii 
eitlicr  of  ibe  Naid 
ijuire  by  what  me 
inilteo  liHve  powc 
all  convenient 
and  Mr.  Webb  lit 

To  Van  lluren 
was  gall  am!  wor 
have  slnnil  a  sear 

Next  day.  Man 
of  tile  banks  niiil 
yiind  nil  <|iicstiiii 
shrines— that  tin 
the  fricniU  of  liU 
form.  It  will  bi 
whether  the  Sen 
the  Snimte  PC)  ^ 

The  resolution 
30,  MemrB.  Root, 
proplietic  mcssBd 
icr  wished  to  iio 
cants  to  procure 


-T 


GII  BANKS. 


VAN  BUREn's  plans  FOR  REFORMING  THE  BANKING  SYSTEM. 


35 


;  state  printers, 

was  turned  ou: 

and  sent  out  tu 

raft,  as  trensurer 

h  as  Van  I5ure:i 

fail  from  time  to 

21,  the  treasure: 

find  him  puffing 

as  one  of  its  bor- 

J  Barker  did  the 

illaged  that  they 

Tie,  and  its  notes 

aware. 

ilature,  as  senior 

to  be  located  at 

Hascall,  Bloom, 

;d  that  the  land 

"  like  Canaan  of 

lants  to  purchase 

transportation  to 

ed  the  Senate  in 

uren  and  Cantine 

d  recorded  their 

xt  day  two  add!- 

and  his  brother- 

13.     This  would 

m  such    a  short 

lal  passage  of  the 

ic  last  ticcnty-J'our 

ic;e  of  the  charter 

spicious  game  on 

ts,  while  I  dinpolliii;' 
a  liocuui'  iii.solvi'iii, 
tho  ini.M  lii^r,  lie  In, 
iiulitj:!!!).  ion  is  hnsii- 

•  bank  ei.Trtcr,  Van, 
lo  n'jfci  ii  as  anii- 
irary  powci',  tu  }  irM 
Majur  Cantine  hvl' 
n  it ;  the  comniitlc" 
whispered  '\iiirc  m 
It  even  a  division, 
ed  lor  the  ayes  an' 
was  eiip^rossed  ani' 
nel  Youn^,  voted  Iim 
iViends'  voles  woiil'l 
le  1,'ive  the  lie  to  Ili- 
ad tu  have  his  ww 

\  nmcinc  the  (Icmocriicy 
iinkdirpctnrs  iiroscciilnl 
tpcr  of  bad  repute  ;  aii'l 

rinttsbiirgli ;  nnd,  wiili 
the  roiil  niimcy  in  iis 
niigeil  its  nflulr.s  alino-i 
voritns.  Ttiey  were  nl 
/■y  directors  tu  liouk,  i»r 


the  same  day  in  the  case  of  the  Geneva  bank,  coining  quietly  round  to  the  side 
of  monopoly  Ihff  moment  his  volt;  was  wanted.  What  a  pity  Jesse  Hoyt's 
memoranda,  paptM's  and  correspondence,'*  did  not  extend  back  to  IHIH,  and  dis- 
close til'!  WKiiiiiTv  reasons  which  induced  the  Van  iiunni  blate  ]>rinter  to  make 
these  somersets  ! 

Mr.  O.  A.  Bro-ynson,  (»rie  of  the  writcis  in  the  Democratic  Review,  assures 
us,  January  ISl','  that  "  Hankers,  caj)itulists,  corporators,  stockjobbers,  specu- 
lators, and  trallicking  politicians  control  the  govermaent,  and,in  nearly  all  cases, 
shape  its  policy."  is  not  Van  Buien,  and  luis  he  not  been  lor  .'{8  years,  since 
180S,  one  of  the  most  artful  and  crafty  of  these  "  trafficking  politicians  V 

In  ISK),  (Situate  Journal,  April  Iti,  pages  202,  2();{,)  an  excellent  resolution 
was  called  up  for  consideration,  in  substance  as  follows  :  "  That  as  the  several 
chartered  bunks  had  for  Sumc  time  wholly  refused  to  pay  their  notes,  when 
retjuirtid  to  do  so  by  tlu)se  who  held  them — tht;  safety  of  the  public  demanded 
some  investigation  into  their  ailaiis — and  that  the  CtunptrolU^r  be  required  on  or 
after  J)ecember  next  to  call  on  sucli  banks  as  shall  not  by  that  date  have  begun 
to  pay  what  th(>y  owe  to  the  people,  who  hold  tiieir  promises,  in  specie — to  give 
some  account  of  their  atliiirs,  each  bank  on  the  oath  of  its  president  and  cashier, 
showing,  1.  The  amount  of  their  notes  in  circulation.  2.  What  amount  of  debt 
they  owe.  .'».  What  sum  they  have  in  specie.  4.  How  much  money  is  due 
the  bank  by  individuals,  i").  And  how  nmch  from  other  banks,  fi.  What  was 
the  proportion  betwctui  the  funds  they  had  on  hand,  and  the  amount  of  bills 
discounted  during  the  three  months  before  such  bank  stopped  payment — and, 
after  that  timt^,  what  was  it  during  each  three  months  up  to  the  time  on  which 
the  return  might  be  made.  7.  And,  generally,  a  full  and  fair  account  of  the 
hank  concerns,  so  that  the  legislature,  on  behalf  of  the  country,  might  adopt 
such  measures  next  session  as  the  public  welfare  would  be  found  to  require. 

What  could  be  more  just,  approj)riate,  and  imperiously  called  for  thau  the 
above  intjuiry,  during  a  suspension  of  cash  payments  1  Yai  most  true  it  is,  that 
Van  Buren,  the  lt;ader  of  the  faction  who  have  for  many  years  denounced  their 
opponents  as  the  bank  party — Van  Buren  and  his  aide-de-camp,  Cantine,  offered 
to  the  adoption  of  the  above  resolve  a  powerful  and  steady  opposition,*  and 

■  In  IHiR,  (sec  |iiisf!  ICi:i  (if  ihn  Srn;itr  .Iniirnal,)  tlio  Assnnilily,  on  the  recommpndation  of  Covornor  Clinton 
nnd  ronipliiint  of  thi;  people  in  vurioii^  p:irts  of  tlie  Stiite.  hnvin^  iu]u|ilrd  a  resolution,  sent  it,  March  20,  to  tho 
Senate  for  cunnirreiu'e,  us  fcillciws  : 

"  liisnireil,  (if  tile  Senate  i-nnc  iir  licreiii)  lhi\t  a  Joint  f'oiiiiuittec  of  tlie  Seiiain  and  Assembly  1k>  ap|iointoi1 
til  inipiire  Into  llii'  iiinde  mil  niaiiiier  in  which  tin;  several  incorpnrated  banks  within  tliis  .Stato  have  udniinis- 
tcrcd  the  trust  i:rnnted  to  tliein  ;  and  whether  any  or  either  of  the  oflieers,  ni;ents  or  directors,  or  other  persons 
by  them  authori/.eil,  li.tve  serielly  or  impliedly  iliverted  any  part  of  tlie  funds  thereof  to  auy  imi  roper  pur|H)Scs, 
or  have  madi^  use  id'  any  iiniluo  iuean»  for  the  purpose  of  foreinK  'heir  pa[)er  into  cirnilatum  ;  and  whether 
they  have  ut  nil  times  promptly  complied  with  all  tho  demands  made  upon  them  for  the  payment  of  their  mites 
ill  specie  ;  and  whether  any  or  either  of  the  said  otheers,  ateiits,  or  directors,  have  been  guilty  of  any  fraudulent 
or  usurious  prnctiees  as  such  ;  and  whether  any  or  either  of  ihem  have  used  or  now  do  use  any  of  the  fiindg  of 
either  of  tho  said  hanks  for  covenous  or  oppressive  purposes  :  and  also  that  the  committee  be  instructed  to  In- 
ipiire by  what  means  the  several  incorporaied  banks  in  Ibis  Slate  procured  their  charters.  That  tho  said  com- 
niltteo  have  power  to  send  for  persons  and  papers,  and  that  they  report  their  proceedines  to  this  legislature  witli 
all  convenient  speed;  and  in  case  ot' such  coinnrronee,  (hat  Mr.  I'lerson,  Mr.  Uuer,  Mr.  lioot,  Mr.  Lawrence, 
and  Mr.  Wehh  be  of  the.  said  comiiiillee  mi  the  part  of  this  House." 

To  Van  lliiren  mid  his  band  of  deceitful  preleiehrK  to  democracy — the  pharisecs  of  Iht^  Sen'''.-— such  a  resolve 
was  gall  and  wormwood.  Iliiw  would  the  \Vashiii|;tou  and  Warren,  the  Old  UullaH),  and  oibcr  pretended  banks 
have  stood  a  searchiiiu  invesllitation  into  their  o|icrati('ns  and  sti\ndlnK  '?    They  could  nut  do  it. 

Ne\l  day.  March  'Jl,  Van  Huron  iinil  some  others  of  the  inajorily  delivered  able  and  i  lo(|ueiit  speeches  in  favor 
of  the  banks  and  the  bankers.  It  was  s  lid  that  their  usefuliiess,  honesty,  rectitude,  ami  proper  conduct  were  be- 
yond nil  (|iiestion— that  to  doubt  them  was  to  doubt  the  honor  of  the  honorable  gentlemen  who  presided  at  their 
sbriiiCH— that  the  people  would  be  indignant  at  the  insult  ofTercd  m  Ibi'  resolution  to  "  tlic  democratic  banks," 
the  friends  of  liberty,  eipiality,  and  a  better  currency— and  lliat  all  inijuiry  must  be  resisted,  in  every  shaiie  and 
form.  It  will  be  toiind  by  reference  lo  the  Senate  Journal,  of  March  '21,  that  "  Mr.  President  put  the  question 
whether  the  Senate  would  agree  to  the  said  resolution,  nnd  it  passed  in  the  negative.  Therefore,  resolved,  that 
the  Senate  00  NOT  CONfUR,"  fee. 

The  resolution  which  Van  nuren  and  his  pnrtv  thus  voted  down  in  the  Scnafn,  had  pas«ed  tlie  Assemlily  70  to 
30,  Me»srs.  Root,  Kdwards  and  Sliurpe  for,  and  Sir.  Oakley  against  it.  It  was  based  on  Governor  Clinton's  really 
prophetic  message,  mid  an  excellent  report  by  Mr.  Isaac  Plerwn,  from  the  Assembly's  Coniiuiitee.  Judge  Ulshoef- 
for  wished  to  go  further  still- he  moved  "lo  iiistilute  an  inquiry  into  tho  measures  now  taking  by  bank  appli- 
cants to  procure  charters,"  but  was  out-voted.    Van  Buren  and  the  Banks  JiaU  agreed  that  all  cniniiry  should  bo 


-   'B 


•jV 


i^ 


-■'■  i :■.■'  k''  1 

,    (      .:,  r  . 

■   »      >    -  : 


■'•■.    t( 


m 


36 


VAN  BUREN  ON  BANK  ENQLURY.    OHIO  BANKING. 


POLl 


•',!!■ 


f      ''i, 


* 


1 

■I 
1 


acting  as  the  agents  or  instruments  of  the  delinquent  oankers,  succeeded  in 
quashing  inquiry.  They  both  voted  against  the  itsolution — neither  of  them 
suggested  or  otlered  any  substitute.  [See  Journal,  p.  203. J  The  Bankers  put 
their  feet  on  the  people's  necks — increased  in  number  and  in  power — bank 
presses  were  set  u|) — grumblers  were  conciliated — false  beacons  held  up  to 
delude  the  millions — and  the  flatterers,  the  vile  parasites  of  the  most  uneducateu 
of  the  population,  attained  a  bad  eminence  by  the  worst  of  means,  and  avarice 
and  Jalse  ambition  were  satiated  with  wholesale  plunder  out  of  the  blood  anu 
sweat  of  our  too  generous  and  confiding  countrymen.  That  a  system  thus 
successful  should  embolden  the  immoral  to  deeds  of  wholesale  villainy — thai 
banks,  thus  the  masters  of  the  legislature,  should  not  be  very  particular  as  to  the 
Golconda  or  Potosi  whence  their  wealth  was  derived — is  not  to  be  wondered  at 


C  H  APT  E  R   X  1 . 


Knowest  iliou  not  that  ilx-  triumpliin?  ol'  ilip  wicked  is  siiort,  and  llip  jov  ol  the  h>TX)crite  but 
for  a  moment  1  Tliougli  his  exrellent y  mount  up  to  tiie  Heavens,  and  his  head  reach  uniu 
the  clouds  !  yet  he  sh.ill  perish  :  a  tire  not  blown  siiall  consume  iiim;  it  shall  po  ill  with  him 
that  is  left  in  liis  tabernacle. — Ja/j,  rhap.  \x. 

Why  did  President  J'olk  appoint  Ex- P resident  Butler  to,  and  why  does  he 
continue  him  in  th<:  ojjirv  of  T.  iS.  District  Attorney  / — 13utler''s  extortions  u-hen 
district  attorney  under  Van  Burcn, — His  religious  hypocrisy. — Ritchie  censures 
the  author  for  uncloaking  Butler,  Van  Buren,  Coddington  and.  others. — 
Butler'' s  brief  history. — He  studies  law  and  politics  with  Van  Buien,  and 
becomes  his  law-partner. — Jacob  Barker  buys  the  Washington  and  IVarren 
Bank  charter,  and  sets  Butler  up  as  its  mock  J'resident- — Halsey  Rogers. — 
Van  Buren  carries  the  Bank  cunningly  through  the  Legislature,  and  sup- 
ports the  Auburn  bank. — Swart  and  Mallory. — Butler''s  bank  roguery,  or  the  art 
and  mystery  of  M.  Van  Burcn\s  System  of  State  Banking,  happily  illustrated 
by  the  practice  of  his  law-partner,  up  at  Sandy  Hill. — Lessons  for  young 
Bunkers  and  Brokers. — '  Ferdinand  Mendez  Pinto  was  but  a  type  of  thee,  thou 
Prince  of  Liars  .'' — Barker,  Hoyt  and  Butler  play  a  steady  game  of  brag,  and 
seek  to  pujf  their  icorlhless  rags,  through  the  Patroon,  Van  Rensselaer. — Stated 
Preaching. 

When  Mr.  Polk,  in  I^Iay,  1845,  had  pei  used  the  letters  of  Jol.'n  Van  Buren, 
J.  I.  Coddington,  and  others,  to  Jes.so  Hoyt,  which  appeared  in  my  Lives  oi 
Hoyt  and  Butler,  he  remarked,  that  he  would  not  give  Mr.  Coddington  the  office 
of  Collector  of  the  Port  of  New  York,  which,  on  the  recommendation  and 
advice  of  Butler,  Van  Buren,  and  others,  he  had  promised  to  him,  through 
General  Dix,  but  would  appoint  a  man  of  his  own.  The  place  was  bestowed 
on  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence. 

If  Coddington's  language,  and  his  intimacy  and  connection  with  Hoyt, 
Swartwout,  and  other  defaulters,  produced  this  change  in  the  President's  views 

qunibod.  In  PcnnBylvaniii,  the  lamirrii,  with  the  honrst  port  of  the  cnnimiinity  grnfrally,  had  mi&enil 
terrihiy  from  prpliiulcd  b.TMkcrs.  rhnrtcnd  liy  advice  of  Snyilur,  tJie  Van  Dunn  of  that  State.  Animinin« 
amunnt  of  propoity  « ,is  j'acriticril  liy  the  slietitf,  and  i'(irni|it  men  pl;iycd  any  part  lil<ply  to  hring  them  |ilenly 
of  piihlic  plunder.  Rr.  Jncl  B.  Siitherlind's  private  letter  to  M'Coy  (paqe  ISi.  No.  5)3),  lifts  the  curtsin  on  a 
state  of  snricly  nnythinL'  hut  enviiilile.  This  year,  too,  in  Nov.,  the  Cincinnati  hanks  stopped  payment,  owini; 
the  U.  S.  B  ink  8750  000  for  their  notes  received  hy  Sccretiiry  Crawford's  order,  in  payment  of  tho  Public 
Lands.  One  of  these,  tlie  .Miami  Exportinu  Company,  has  ever  lieen  in  bad  hands,  seendncly.  Its  fHiluro, 
for  the  fonrth  time,  in  I84'2,  so  enriiifod  the  citizens,  that  they  rompletcly  riddled  it,  as  also  the  Cincinnnli 
Bank.  That  did  no  ImmediMti'  good,  hut  may  serve  as  a  warninR  to  others  to  fly  low,  and  thus  prevent h 
more  extensive  violnlion  of  order. 

I  will  refer  more  fully  to  Clinton's  meseage  of  tliis  year  when  describing  Van  Buren's  dishonest  scheme  w" 
1829,  called  the  Suliety  Fund  system. 


inMay,lS45, 
aol  wiiieii  Benji 
lAttorney  at  Nt 
(record  of  fraud 
prison  .'     Mr- 
■democrat,  and 
fif  freemen.     I 
»)f  the  V\'ashiti 
partner  in  iniqi 
ell  genuine* — 
ISew  York  Ci 
ill- Id  tlie  office 
lexliiiiition  of  v 
Xwangelical  pre 
.with  the  cares 
^inlo  life,  and 
'Not  only  has  I 
liiicuinbent  of  c 


i  f  Benjamin  P 
tier,  a  smith,  al'tei 
iLandin?,  X.  V., 
iilie  House  of  A^ 
jwas  his  assislani 
,jiiiii;  and  shrewi 
'llml>on.  ia  IHl 
'iii.arried— and  no 
.baiikinsr  btisiiuv 
'  old  Butler  wa 
iCIiureh ;  but  lia 
I  lor  a  lime.  UL- 
'>iii  prayer  at  mec 
|cxiKirier  to  faith 
\[)\-  worthy  ciiize 
f.iiiul  very  couspi 
Jial  in  this  way 
I  abroad,  become 
|jes>e  Hoyt,  wh 
inas  astonished  i 
'  It  will  be  seen 
i  brcilifrs  lire  iiuitc  ii 
J  stiick<,  d'lUlitful  in- 
I  in!>  to  its  nominal 
I  "  (inly  a  lew  thous 
.,  Irtltf,  the  Asscmlilj 
!  I!i)wne,  and  Tibbel 
^  the  bill  was  put  t( 

-  ii|i  a  hill  to  tnx  ha 
".  oppo.sed  it,  to  the  i 
1  ilirect  tax  out  of  th 
.  Voung  did  not  vol 
i      On  the  15lh  of  ^ 

or  additional  bank, 
■  first  vote  (pages  2 
:i  that  the  notes  be 
I  Cantine  a  nay.  R 
•  hill.  Lost,  nays  1 
i  11  to  11,  Van  Bur 
Now  was  the  ti 

-  also  to  avoid  resp 
reconsider  the  vo 

.   restored  it  to  the 

:   bank  of  Utic.i  wet 

purposes  except  t 

bmnch  bank  of  th 

'    burgh  Bank  Ht  It 

rncent  votes,  lang 


<0. 

ers,  succeeded  in 
-neither  of  them 
'I'he  Bankers  put 

in  power — bank 
cons  held   up  to 

most  uneducateu 
eans,  and  avarice 
of  tho  blood  and 
t  a  system  thus 
alo  villainy — thai 
articular  as  to  the 
3  be  wondered  at 


POLK  AND  BUTLER,  A  QUESTION  OP  COMMON  HONESTY. 


37 


V  ol  the  lij'pocrite  but 

his  head  reach  unto 

sliall  s;q  ill  with  him 


in  May,  1845,  w'th  regard  to  him,  of  what  consists  the  secret  power,  by  means 
tot  witicii  Benjamin  F.  Butler  has  boon  continued  in  ollice  as  the  U.  S.  District 
lAttorney  at  New  York,  from  that  time  till  now,  in  view  of  as  full  and  ample  a 
j-ecord  of  fraud  and  dishonesty  as  ever  secured  for  a  criminal  a  cell  in  the  state 
prison  ?  Mr.  Polk  is  a  strict  professor  of  relij^ion,  avows  himself  to  be  a 
tiemocrat,  and  has  been  raised  to  thehiijhest  station  in  the  gift  ot  fifteen  millions 
«f  freemen.  In  September  last,  Mr.  Butler's  fraudulent  conduct,  us  President 
*)f  the  V\'ashiii2;ton  and  Warren  Bank,  was  shown  in  the  clearest  terms — his 
rartner  in  iniquity  swore  that  the  letters  which  <rave  evidence  of  his  guilt,  were 
ell  nrenuine* — the  evidence  on  the  records  of  Congress,  with  reference  to  the 
Ps'ew  York  Custom  House  defaults,  seizures,  iind  prosecutions,  wliile  Butler 
]\M  the  office  under  V^an  Burenj"  which  Mr.  Polk  replaced  him  in,  is  a  disgraceful 
jexlut)ition  of  wholesale  legal  e.\torlion — and  all  this  under  the  cloak  of  a  pious, 
(evangelical  professor  of  religion,  careless  about  worldly  wealth,  and  engrossed 
Avith  the  cares  of  Heaven-seeking,  slated  preaching,  the  gospel,  a  savor  of  life 
'unto  life,  and  the  terror  of  Tophet  to  those  "  who  neglect  so  great  salvation." 
'iS'ot  only  has  Mr.  Polk  continued  to  endorse  thi>  availability  of  Butler,  as  the 
(incumbent  of  one  of  the  most  intluential  and  lucrative  ollices  in  tho  department 


and  why  does  he 
?'s  extortions  when 
Ritchie  censures 
on   and   others. — 

Van  But  en,  and 
'/ton  and  I'Varren 
JIalscy  Rot j ers. — 
islature,  and  sup- 
roguery,  or  the  art 
happily  illustrated 
Lessons  for  youmj 

type  of  thee,  thou 
juine  of  brag,  and 
'nsselaer. — Stated 


John  Van  Buren, 
I  in  my  Lives  oi 
Jdington  the  office 
ammendation  and 
to  him,  through 
ice  was  bestowed 

tion   with   Hoyt, 
President's  views 


gpncmlly,  had  sufferi<l 
hni  Stale.  An  imininti 
r'ly  t(i  hring  them  plenty 
)).  lifls  the  curtain  on  a 
5tiip()eil  payment,  nwint 
payment  of  iho  Piiblir 
sci-nilnply.  Us  fHiliirc, 
,  (IS  also  the  Uincinn«u 
nw,  nnil  thus  prevent « 

i'»  dishonest  .scheme  oi' 


!  .  Benjamin  F.  I'.mler,  ninny  years  ilie  law-pan iier  i)i'  Van  Riiion,  is  a  >on  of  MedaJ  But- 
lier.  a  siniili.  aClerwnnls  clerk  to  Stephen  Hoj;el)ooiit.  and  tinally  tavern-keeper  at  Kin  itn-hook 
iLandin?,  N.  \.,  an  indiisirious,  jiains-takin:;  man.  wlitmi  ilie  Van  Buren  interest  ))laerd  in 
tliie  House  of  Asscnihly,  and  alierwards  made  liim,  alxMii  Ih'Jt.a  ('(juniy  Jud".fe.  Benjamin 
)\iiis  his  assistant  in  his  pnhlie  huusr" ;  hul  as  lie  L^ave  eviueni'O  ol  talent,  united  to  irn-ul  eiin- 
,juiiic  and  shrewdne.-.s,  and  a  love  lor  readiiii:.  he  sent  him  lo  siudy  lau  with  Van  Buren  at 
ifludson,  in  IHll.  in  IHl*.  Van  Bnren  made  him  his  lau-pariner.  In  1  SIS,  Butler  f;ot 
'married — and  ne.vt  year  tried  what  he  supposed  to  hi'  a  surer  and  sp(.>i>i(ierroad  to  riches — the 

•  liaiikins:  business. 

Old  Butler  was  a  promineiu  jirofessor  ol'  ndiuion. — very  cou-^pieuou-  in  liie  Preshyierian 
>('hureh;  but  liavin;?  been  rebuked  lor  some  carelessness  oi'  other,  he  joined  the  .Mrihodisis 
0br  a  time.     IlLs  son  Benjamin  was  (or  seemed  (o  br)  (i'rvenl  in  spirit,  earnest,  and  eloquent 

•  ill  prayer  at  meeiin^^s  of  the  saints,  lie  was  really  fonons  anu  celebrated  in  early  lile  as  an 
'•e.vliorler  to  faith  and  re|)enijince.  |  have  letters  from  Coluud)ia  County  and  Albany,  wi  iilcn 
,hv  woithy  eilizcns,  who  remember  him.  nearly ''liily  years  sim  c.  a  /ealous.  deyout-lookini;', 

■  iiiul  very  eonspii-uous  proles>or  ol  holiness.     He  ac(piijed  relii;ious,  le','al,  and  poliiiea'    api 
iial  in  this  way ;  and  so  strou!;  had  the  habit  of  reprovini,'  sinners,  and  playin;^  the  saint 
.abroad,  become  in  him.  that  he  actually  played  it  olf.  on'asioually,  on  his  partner  in  iniquity, 

.les>e  iloyt,  while  enijaijed  in  scenes  of  pilia<;e  and  rascality,  the  e.\posure  ot'some  of  which 
.n;is  astonished  even  Wall  Street.  x\.  V.,  and  the  Bank  Charter  l'a>tory,  al  Albany. 

*  it  trill  l)e  seen  by  nUirence  lo  R.  H,  Ncvins'.s  leltrr  ol"  instruciions  Ui  his  irii-ml  lloyi,  Hint  liio  Wall-street 
;  brciki  rs  are  quite  averse  tii  ii  cjireii  ta.v  cm  liank  .slciik ;  anil  witli  reason,  runtiisiun  in  the  iMirronry,  tiinry 
:  ^l"Ck^,  iliiibUul  institiitiotis,  are  aiiioni;  Ihoir  surest  props.  .\  trix  on  bank  capital  would  be  apportioned  accorif- 
i  ini;  to  its  noiuinHl  ainimnt,  and  such  l)ank«  «<  .Nevins  desnilies,  .No,  llf^,  pau'e  Ij^U,  with  live  millions  capital 
i  "only  a  lew  thousand  dollar!"  in  sfiecie,  and  bank  credits  lor  the  balance,''  would  siitH^r.  as '.ley  onpht.  In 
r,  Ibis,  the  Assembly  passed  a  bill  to  lay  a  tax  on  banU  slock    paije  U-l!t,  Senate  .lournal),  but  Va'   llurcn,  C'antine, 

■  llownc,  and  Tibbcts,  opposed  it  in  the  i^'enale.  Youni»  was  in  Us  I'avor.  It  was  the  close  ol  the  session,  and 
^  the  bill  was  put  to  sleep.  Next  year  (l«19>,  on  the  Hth  of  .\pril  (p.  "73  of  Journal),  the  .Assi  nihly  again  sent 
:  lip  H  bill  to  tax  bank  slock  for  the  benefit  of  the  conimon  schools  of  the  Stale— and  why  lot?  Van  Buren 
'  opposed  it,  to  the  deliftht  of  the  brokers  and  bankers  ;  but  was  ready  that  same  session  to  iin|)o»e  and  collect  a 
;  direct  tax  out  of  the  pmir  farmer's  hard  earninRS.  The  recency  went  atiainst  it,  Van  Vechten  went  with  them. 
I  Voung  did  not  vote,  and  In  1*23  we  find  Nevins  instructin!:  his  tit  representative,  J.  Uoyt,  <m  the  same  subject. 
i      On  the  15th  of  March,  ULi,  a  bill  came  frcun  the  .Assembly  lo  pram  the  bank  of  Utica  a  charier  lor  a  branch, 

or  additional  bank,  by  the  same  owners,  at  (JanaiidiiL'ua,  with  a  president,  twelve  directors,  &c.  The  Senate's 
'  first  vote  (pages '.JllS-St,  Journal),  WHS,  yeas  13,  nays  U;  Van  lliiien  invisilile,  Caiuine  a  yea.  It  was  moved 
that  the  notes  brine  issued  al  both  places,  should  be  payable  al  both.  Lost,  12  to  10,  v.ni  Buren  invisibk . 
i'  Cantine  a.  nay,  Radclill'e  moved  a  clause,  dectarini!  that  the  lesisi  uure  may  at  any  lime  repeal  or  amend  this 
;  bill.  Lost,  nays  1'2,  yeas  III.  Cantine  a  nay.  Van  Hiiren  invisible  Tho  bill  was  thrown  out,  March  i!3d,  vote 
i   11  In  II,  Van  Buren  Invisible, 

Now  was  the  time  for  Van  Burcii  to  reap|)oar  in  his  place  in  the  Senate.  Me  wanted  tho  hill  to  pass,  but 
also  lo  avoid  responsibility.  When  ho  saw  it  could  not  be  c.\rried  without  his  help,  he  voted  for  a  motion  lo 
reconsider  the  v<Ue  by  wfiicli  it  had  been  lost,  which  required  two-thirds  of  the  Senators,  and  havintr  thus 
.  restored  it  lo  the  orders  of  the  day,  he  recnnled  his  name  in  us  favor  and  it  passed,  and  the  direclors  of  the 
bank  of  Utic.t  were  I'orthwilh  enabled  lo  establish  a  branch  in  connection  with  theirs  at  C  inandai::ua,  for  all 
purposes  except  that  of  redeemiiiR  in  cash.  Iho  notes  Ihoy  iiiiRht  issue  there  :  We  next  find  him  voting  for  a 
liranch  bank  of  the  bank  of  Ontario  at  Utica  ;  and  again  (p.  HII'J),  for  an  additional  or  branch  bank  of  the  New- 
:  inurgh  Bunk  at  Ithaca.  To  comprehend  the  real  character  of  this  cunning  and  deceitful  poUticlun,  his  mure 
nicent  votes,  language,  and  codUucI,  must  be  kept  in  view. 


.'.,,.     ,-1! 


'■■^imi 


l:ff 


:'i! 


38  VAN  DUUEN  INTRIGUING  TOR  THE  WAeHIINGTON  AND  WARREN  HANK. 

of  public  justice,  but  ho  even  Went  so  I'lir  as  to  diivct  Thomas  Hitfhie,  (Ik. 
organ,  aflvtuatf,  or  niouth|)iece  ol'  liis  jfovcrniuonl,  to  censure  me  in  tbt^  harslicj 
terms  ibr  exposinj;  Butler's  hypocrisy,  avaric(!  and  rapacity,  which  Ritchie  dk 
acconhngly  through  the  colunuis  ol'  the  Daily  Union.  Js  there  a  bargaii 
between  the  parties  ?     Are  they  members  oi"  a  mutual  insurance  company  .' 

On  the  lirst  week  in  March,  1«1'J,  in  th(^  'Mlh  year  of  his  age,  U.  F.  IJutln 
look  up  his  abod(!  at  the  village  of  Sandy  Hill,  in  the  county  of  Washingtun. 
fifty  or  .sixty  miles  north  of  Albany,  as  lawyer,  christian  exhorter,  and  pri'siddi. 
of  the  Washington  and  Warren  Jiank,  a  '  monii^d  corporation'  of  two  yeui^ 
standing,*  which  tlie  notorious  stockjobber,  Jacob  barker,  hud  bougiit  from  tin 


♦  The  W.Tsliiii^'idii  niiil  Warren  H.-iiik  fharlcr  may  I"'  luund  in  llic  Sialiiii's  of  \i'« 
Yi)rk  lor  IHI7.  lis  pnnjsions  were  very  inudi  alcin  to  those  of  the  old  haiilv  ol'  NIafjara,;! 
Buffalo.  It  will  ho  seen  liiat  ilalsey  Itoirers,  who  is  deserihed  in  Sudani's  Keport,  on  ilii 
Senate  Journal  ol  IH'Jl,  as  one  of  those  unprincipled  creatures  who  haiii^mpon  the  le>,'islatiiiv 
lor  j,'ain,  as  lohby  niendieis — vile  charaeters,  ^'iiilly  of  lettint,'  themselves  out  for  such  rewiii, 
as  may  lie  e.xlorted  from  the  liopes  and  fears  of  the  timid  and  desperate — was  aj)poiute(l  i 
commissioner  to  distribute  the  stock. 

The  hill  orijrinaled  in  the  Assembly.  On  the 'i-lth  of  March.  1HI7.  the  Senate  (Van  Burcn 
threw  it  out — Van  Hiireu  and  his  brotlier-in-law,  Cantine,  ihi-  Stale-printer,  both  spcakiii. 
and  voting  ajjainst  it. 

Four  days  after,  Senator  Hail  moved  to  n'store  the  bill.  Tin's  reciuired  two-thirds  of  lii 
Senate,  which  had  then '27  meniber.s.  if  Mr.  Van  15uren  was  ojiposed  to  banks,  why  did  I, 
vole  for  this  bill,  when  /lis  iiifir  nliMncc  would  have  |)revented  it  from  bein<,'  afjain  piacetl  i; 
the  order  ot  the  day  '\  And  havini;  done  .so,  why  did  he  deny  it  in  IKJtJ,  and  declare,  in  In 
Slierrod  'Williams  letter,  that  he  hail  never  voted  but  lor  the  old  IJutliilo  bank'!  Are  not  1> 
two-thirds  of  "27 — and  was  not  he  one  of  the  \H\  Was  not  his  lelative,  Cantine  of  the  Ar;,Mi> 
another'!  What  sort  of  uriiiitnnih  had  tlie  applicants  forlliis  bank  used  in  the  course  of  il|. 
fourdays  with  a  couple  of  money-loving  lawyers,  who  had  'special  privileges"  to  bestow  ( 
withhold,  which  induced  lliem  lo  tnllc  ami  rot': on  holksitlrn — for  ;ind  a^'aiiisl — bank  and  aiiii 
bank? 

"  I  have  always  been  opposed  to  ihe  increase  of  banks,"  .said  Van  Burcn,  in  his  letter  \' 
Sherrod  Williams.  How  could  h<'  be  exjiected  to  add.  "  and  therefore  lecommended  an 
voted  for  thrm  !"  "  I  have  known  Mr.  Van  Hiiren  lonu'  and  intimately,"  said  Senator  lie  n 
ton.  "  He  is  a  real  hanl-money  man  ;  op|Hised  to  the  paper  .system;  in  favor  ol  a  natioiiii 
currency  of  jroUI."  Yet  this  hard-money  man  could  wheel  about  and  restore  to  lile  the  Wa.-h 
in^'ton  and  Warren  l}ank",  receiviiii,' a  new  liijht  within  the  space  of  tour  days;  and  his  la« 
partner,  Butler,  could,  with  his  advice  and  consent,  accept  the  l^residency  of  thai  fraudiili  n 
corporation — and  when  it  litnl  closeil  its  doors,  return  back  to  his  old  partnership.  ''An  iii- 
InMluction  of  a  new  bank  into  the  most  distant  of  our  villai;es,  jilaix's  ihe  bti>iness  ol  iIim 
villaire  within  the  inllueiice  of  the  money  power  of  l-jii,'laiid."  said  Mr.  Van  Biireii,  in  a  i'n 
sidcntial  message  from  Wasjiin-jum — but  he  omitted  to  add  that  he  had  ])laced  within  tlur, 
and  oilier  yet  worse  inlliiences,  the  bank  once  loctiled  up  at  Sandy  Hill. 

The  "  re.storation"  of  the  Washiiijitoii  and  Warren  Bank  Bill  took  j)lace  on  the  '2>ith — Mi 
Enos  T.  Throoji's  Auburn  Bank  bill  pass'.'d  the  Senate  ne.\t  day,  without  an  opposing  voii 
— Van  Bureii  and  everybody  else  being  in  its  favor.  JS'e.ict  came  the  final  passage  ot  ili. 
Washington  and  Warren  (March  .'U.st),  and  the  Senate  that  had  been  15  to  13  against  ii,  .sci, 
it  up  to  the  Governor  and  Council,  by  a  vole  of  if)  lo  (i.  Cantine  now  for  the  bill— V;i; 
Buren  below  the  bar!  Senators  Mallory  and  Swart  had  voted  it  down  at  their  leader's  Mi- 
lling, on  the  'Jllh;  now  ihcy  wheeled  into  line  and  voted  it  up  again!  (iovernor  Man- 
di'serihes  Mallory  as  one  of  the  mosl  ujuiglit  of  men,  and  he  threw  uj)  the  American  bucaiiN 
Charles  King  cvjiressed  a  doubt. 

Th(!  W.  tiiid  W.  Bank  bill  provided  that  it  wasto  issue  ils  noies  whenever  the  stiirkholdnv 
had  paid  into  its  vaults  ten  cents  on  the  dollar  of  ils  capital,  and  that  the  operations  of  di- 
count  and  deposit  were  to  be  carried  on  at  Sandy  Hill  only,  AVlial  ils  n/Hniliiriis  there  cci- 
sisted  in,  may  be  seen  bv  consulting  the  descri|itive  epistles  ol'Mr.  President  Butler.  By  il. 
month  of  February,  IHIU.  its  ]iromises  to  pay  S'-Th,*!!!!!  were  in  the  hantis  of  the  people,  ni  ll' 
form  of  bank  notes,  yielding  Mr.  Barker  ;Jtil!',WH  of  intciesi,  from  that  source  alone.  How 
was  it  in  February,  18*20! 

Senator  Hammond,  from  a  Committee  on  Bank  Charter  granting  (.see  Senate  Jonrii!' 
I8l8,  pages  111  and  115),  rejiorted  that  the  charier  for  a  bank  incorjioration, called  the  Wash, 
ingtou  and  Warren  Bank,  could  be  of  no  use  to  the  .section  of  country  where  it  was  noiiii- 
nally  located,  as  llie  stock  was  nearly  all  lield  by  a  private  banker  in  JXew  York  City  (Barkui , 


folk's  d 

'speculators  wli 

iNewYorkjto 

to  Sandy  Hill  i 

be  able  to  holt 

Jacob  Barke 

;  cat'  bank,  Bull 

;  Director   and 

1  published  in  \ 

j  iifteen  months, 

have  recoinmc 


I  on  wliof  e  credit 

|, Sandy  Hill,  its  n 

On'relerence  ti 

Hiitlcr  in  favor  o 

at  BulUUo,  the  "li 

printers,  had  had 

\     On  the'ilslof 

'  tease  the  enem\ 

to  mock  the  hum 

meiit.    There  w 

and  Tuesday,  l\v 

ISli'W  in  .specie, 

;llie  Bank  had  pc 

j5t!Uil)  ill  ni''^'"'* '' 

I  such  demands 

others"— that  is, 

sixpences,  to  soil 

Two  or  three 

lli'jir  debtors.     1 

had  only  $1100, 

157)  that  I  was  i 

and  that  1  would 

which  coulil  ha 

specie  for  S'>.'Jl'f 

claim  through  A 

ihe  bank  has  no 

,  bold  and  impud 

merchants  and  d 

pay— and  he  wa 

lion— I  say,  if  In 

What  became  ol 

:  E.xchangc  Bank 

On  Wednesdf 

slop" — in  other  > 

:  services  in,  W. 

I  all  insliiu:lioiis  i'\ 

I  I  ahip,  I  may  as 

j  Nc-w  York  stocl 

f  promises  to  pay 

I  on  one  day  that 

]  could  only  hold 

j  should  shut  shoj 

!  says,  would  hav 

him  news  that  1 

sands  who  wen 

Oh,  no !     He  h; 

On  the  '25th  c 

directed  iam  to 

loan  of  Sl.OOO, 

adding,  "  You 

Compare  this  a 

days.    Could  d 


i 


I 


AUREM  UANK. 


Kiiiius  Kitfhio,  111,. 
iru;  ill  th»i  hursli(  i, 
which  Ritchif  ik 

lliero  a  bar^^aii 
)ci'  company  r 
ag.',  B.  F.  JJutlr, 
ty  of  Washington, 
Iter,  and  jji-csidd,; 
ion'  of  two  ycuis 

bought  lioia  til. 


folk's  district  ATTOHNIiV  OFIICIATING  AA  K  UANK  I'llL.SIDKN T.      39 


speculators  who  got  it  up.  Barker  could  issue  its  hills  at  his  Exchange  liank, 
New  York,  to  mechanics  and  traders,  who  would  find  it  no  easy  task  to  go  north 
to  Sandy  Hill  to  get  them  cashed.  With  brokers  and  bankers  he  expected  to 
bo  able  to  hold  his  own. 

Jacob  Barker  being  the  sole,  or  almost,  solo  proprietor  of  this  real  '  wild- 
cat' bank,  Bulbar  was  selected  as  his  colleague,  and  duly  installed  as  its  President, 
Director  and  Bank  Attorney.  His  correspondence  with  Uoyt  and  Barker, 
published  in  pages  lol  to  Ifi.^,  of  this  volume,  running  through  a  period  of 
littuen  months,  will  surely  satisfy  the  most  sceptical,  that  Van  15uren  could  not 
have  recouunciuled  a  more  suitable  coadjutor,  as  the  legal  adviser  of  (Jeueral 


Hie  SlaUUr.s  of  X,.« 
li.'Uik  ()(■  .Ninfj.-m,  ;i 
aiii's  |{i'|M>it,  on  III- 
U|)(.ii  the  lc;,'islalui, 
mil  (ui  Mii'lncwjip, 

III'— was  appoiiilnii 

.Senate  (Van  IJnrcn 
rintcT,  IpiiiIi  spoakii,. 

red  two-tliiriis  of  il; 
It)  hanks,  wliy  diil  I 
■in^'  ajrain  placed  c 
li,  ami  declare,  in  In. 
>  bankJ  Ave  not  h 
( 'amine  of  the  Ai;,'ib 
d  in  ilie  course  ol'ili 
V ilexes"  to  hcsiow  I 
iii.-t — bank  and  aim. 

Jmen,  in  his  Iclicr  i 
e  it'coniMicnded  air 
I',"  .said  Senator  I!,  n. 
n  i'avor  ol  a  natioii;i 
*loietolilc  the  Wa.>-li 
ir  days:  and  his  km. 
L-y  oi'  that  tiaiiduliii 
aitnersliij).  "7\|,  j,,. 
<  the  hiisiness  ol  i|i;i 
Van  IJnrcn,  in  a  J'n 
d  placed  within  liur 

;iec  on  the  28th— Mr 
It  an  o))posiiip  voii 

final  pa.ssnice  of  ih. 

to  13  ai,'ainsi  it,  .sn. 
w  Ibr  the   hill— V;i; 

at  their  leader's  hi.. 
i!    Cnn-ernorAlan 


Ion  whose  credit  its  circulation  depended;  and  that  tholl^ll  it  pretended  to  do  business  at 
'.Sindy  Hill,  its  real  location  was  New  York. 

/  On  relerence  to  Butler's  correspondence,  pac;c  155,  he  will  be  found  exertins;  him.seU'  wiili 
J  Hiitler  in  t'a\'t>r  of  lloyt,  a.s  a  siiiiable  Cashier  to  the  old,  thrice-insolvent  Bank  of  iViasarn, 
iat  Biilliilo,  the  "harlcr  for  which  Van  Buren  drew  and  voted  for.  Leake,  oue  of  the  .State 
J  primers,  had  had  the  olliie  I'or  a  time. 

■;  On  the  *Jlsi  of  June,  IHl!),  Butler  employed  Hoyt  to  collect  small  clian:,'e,  with  which  to 
f' tease  the  enemy,'  (p.  I5(!.)  In  other  word.s,  he  wanted  shillinp;s  and  sixpences,  wliercwith 
•  to  mock  the  honest  liirmcrs  who  had  ','iveii  their  wheat  l()r  his  hills,  with  a  pretence  (jf  pay- 
)  meiit.  There  was  A  llUX  on  the  bank,  and  he  says  that  he  had  redeemed  on  the  Mondav 
iaiiil  Tuesday,  two  day«,  Si^i^'l.  beini,'  r$'M()  per  day,  (liiriiiii  a  run  I  lie  had  in  the  bank  just 
|SH"^* '"  •'*l"^i'''-'. '"^"'f'.^' ^''"J"^''' ('"'  '^^'"■'^  Barker)  for  three  or  four  days  more.  At  this  time 
;lli('  Bntik  had  pcrhajis  jt'jOO, 01)11  of  its  noti's  afloat  in  the  country.  Two  persons  havinf,'  sent 
jjtititi  ill  iu)tes  to  be  cashed  (pa;,'(!  157),  the  enra'.'ed  linancier  llirealeiicd  that,  if  any  more 
I  such  demands  were  made  upon  him,  he  would  "put  them  on  the  same  j^round  with  the 
j  clliers" — that  is,  he  would  pretend  to  pay  them  in  their  turn,  he  paving  "in  a  slow  way,"  in 
I  si.xiicnces,  to  .some  other  real  or  imai^inary  creditor,  diiriiii;  '  bank'  liouis.' 


y  Two  or  three  bankers  and  brokers  had  taken  in  payment  ^J  1(1, 000  of  Butler's  notes  from 
I  llicir  debtors.  They  ^ent  Ciilch'ist  and  Wiswall  up  to  Sandy  Hill  to  c^et  the  cash.  Butler 
'  had  only  JiJi  100,  but  he  pretended  to  ))ay.  '•  I  have  told  Mr.  (Jilchrist  (says  he  to  Hoyt,  patjo 
j  157)  that  I  was  ready  to  nay  specie,  and  wn  !d  pay  specie  at  all  times  duri!i,ar  bankinij  hours; 
I  ami  that  I  would  pay  iiothinq;  else."     Now  this  was  a  falsehood,  for  all  he  had  was  ;$1'100, 


which  could  have  been  counteil  in  15  to  .'U;  minutes,  and  Gilchrist  had  aslced  ji^ood  notes  or 

I'.'ipoiie  for  S5,<i00,  and  Wiswall  for  about  3fi,000.  Next  day,  June  'I'M,  he  bade  Hoyt  to  pro- 
.  claim  Ihroiiijh  Albany  the  solvency  of  the  bank.  "Tell  all  persons  (.said  he,  pajje  "|57)  that 
llic  hank  lias  not  stopped,  I'nd  wit/  not  sliip  jKii/mnif,  (ind  Ifuil  in:  jmi/  in,  sinric."  This  was  a 
bold  and  impudent  untruth,  as  his  |)revi()us  letters  show,  and  its  object  was  to  induce  the 
merchants  ami  dealers  to  take  the  notes  for  ;;ri'i>ds.  If  he  knew  that  the  bank  had  means  to 
pay— and  he  was  a  deceiver  of  the  peojile  if  he  held  his  ollice,  in  i!,MUiranco  of  its  real  coiidi- 
']  tioii— I  .say,  if  he  knew  this  (and  he  says  he  did),  why  were  the  p  dilic  cheatetl,  on  his  advice  1 
What  became  of  the  bank  funds  ?  Was  the  W.  and  W.  B.  a  tender  to  Barker's  insolvent 
E.\chan'j;c  Bank,  and  Butler  his  decoy-duck  !     Let  tlieir  correspondence  answer. 


On  Wednesday  (letter  10),  Butler  wrote  to  Hoyt— "Tell  all  persons  that  the  bank  will  not 
uji" — in  other  words,  tell  all  persons  to  exchansje  their  property  for,  and  take  payment  for  their 
.services  in,  W.  and  W.  notes,  sia:ned  B.  F.  Butler.     Next  day  (letter  tiO),  "  Inthc  ab.senceof 


•ver  the  st(*ckholdr|. 
iie  o])cratioi)s  of  di- 
I'/M-ni/iiriis  there  coi.- 
di'iit  Butler.  Byll. 
of  the  people,  .'11  11/ 
source  alone.    lIo\. 

see  .Senate  JouriiP 

on,  called  the  Wash. 

where  it  was  nom- 

York  City  (Barker , 


all  inslniclioas  from  Mr.  Barker  (or  a  forlni,i,'hl,  1  consider  it  my  duty  to  continue  paying.  Jf 
I  flnp,  I  may  ax  well  xlup  next  week  ns  this."  Here,  we  have  a  mere  clerk,  an  automaton  of  a 
]  New  York  stock-jobber,  decked  out  with  the  robes  of  a  Bank  President,  and  ;i|500,000  of  his 
\  promises  to  pay  nut  afloat  by  his  guilty  colleague,  among  the  farmers  i;nd  trailers,  aflirming 
j  on  one  day  that  liis  concern  was  solvent,  and  the  next  teUinu'  their  cimfederate,  Hoyt,  that  he 
I  coiilil  only  hold  out  for  a  week,  and  waitetl  the  JN'ew  York  stock-jobber's  orders,  whether  he 


I  .Miould  .shut  shop,  or  go  on  paying  in  cents  and  si.\pences.  out  of  a  S'l  K'O  fund.     Boyd,  he 

I  says,  would  have  advanced  him  some  money  on  n  dratl  on  Barker,  but  a;-  Ving  hud  brought 
him  news  that  Barker  was  hard  pressed,  he  would  not  draw  on  him.     Did  ne  warn  the  ihou- 

'  .sands  who  were  exchanging  property  for  his  bills,  that  he  might  have  to  stop  in  a  week 'J 

■  Oh,  no!     He  had,  in  effect,  stopped  already. 

On  the  '25th  of  June,  he  wrote  Hoyt  tliat,  unless  eumpclled,  he  would  not  stop  till  Barker 

''  directed  iain  to  do  so.  On  the  'iGth  (letter  "23),  he  sent  his  own  note  to  Baird,  by  Hoyt,  for  a 
loan  of  Sl.OOO,  lor  the  bank,  secured  by  iJtJ  other  notes,  bank  propertv,  value  over  ^10,000 — 
adding,  "  You  may  rely  upon  it  that  the  bank  CAN  AND  WILL  continue  its  redemptions." 
Compare  this  assertion  with  his  funds,  the  bank  debts,  and  his  statements  on  the  two  previou.s 
days.    CotUil  deception  go  farther  1    iiow  did  he  iind  out,  ou  Thursday,  that  it  ./as  dishon- 


'■-■  ■ ' 


;■.:■.'['* 


.      *       JV              .'  ^ 

Si:m^^ 

■a-:.r;v 

;..>;■;  -(^^ 

,r>,\.,\'.4 

>        ''    ■  !■  ft 

.'''.  '■''•? 

''''\v\ 

>','•••■'     *> 

40 


VAN  BUREN  S  PUPIL,  A  TRUE  CHIP  OF  THE  OLD  BLOCK. 


1 


n' 


Jackson,  in  those  nit-asures  of  madness  and  mischief,  during  the  wars  about 
the  national  treasure  anil  currency,  which  ended  in  a  public  bankruptcy,  by 
which  500  millions  of  dollars  of  debt  were  blotted  out  with  the  sponge  of  ilie 
statutf-,  and  wide  spread  ruin  and  misery  entailed  on  many  thousands  of  out 
most  thrifty,  frugal,  and  trustworthy  citizens. 


CHAPTER   XII. 


The  love  of  money  is  the  root  of  all  evil ;  wliich  while  some  coveted  after,  they  have  errej 
from  the  faith.— 1  Timothy,  vi.  10. 

Gov.  Wright  endorses  his  old  comrade  at  Sandtj  IlilVs  Candor  and  Inleyrili/  !— 
^^  Ask  mi/  brother  ij  I  be  a  //^^t/." —  Value  of  Paper  Enactments  uyamst  But.' 
lerizers. —  O^  Sullivan  in  the  Review  tries  to  whitewash  Butler — Ba  ker\ 
Exchange  Bank,  and  other  humbugs. — He,  Van  Buren,  and  Butler  strong  for  n 
National  Bank. —  Van  Bnren  lectures  Folks  in  the  IVest  about  Bank  Currup. 
tions  ! — Butler^s  Bank  goes  down,  and  he  goes  off  to  Albany  and  re-joins  his  ok 
partner. 

In  Senate,  February,  4,  1S34,  General  Jackson  had  sent  a  message,  with  B, 
F.  Butler's  re.  ort,  as  attorney -general,  for  the  removal  of  the  agency  for  paying 


orable  to  deceive  Boyd ;  and  on  Saturday,  tliat  he  might  safely  deceive,  not  Baird  only,  bu: 
all  to  whom  that  gentleman  might  exhibit  his  I ''iter  ] 
On  the  ^il»  of  June,  Barker  writes  in  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Post,  "  The  bank  has  notstoppe. 
sayni'ent — which  please  promulgate."     On  t)ie  30ih,  Hoyt  pubhshO'. 


payment — it  will  not  stop  pay 


On  the  3J  of  July,  Butler  wrote  tt 


part  of  a  letter,  full  of  I'alsehooJ,  in  the  Albany  papers. 

him,  "  Your  extract  was  well  timed."  Tuin  to  iVo.  -Jj,  page  159,  I'ur  Butle'r's  statement  thus 
circulated.  After  pulhng  himself,  he  .says,  "  When  there  were  more  calls  than  he  could  satisfy 
with  his  own  hands,  he  called  iu  hi**  neighbors  to  assist  him  in  paying,  and  when  there  wpif 
more  than  all  could  attend  to,  he  requested  those  persons  that  came  Wiih  the  bills,  to  laythm 
down,  and  take  as  many  dollars  in  specie  as  they  leil  in  bills" — in  other  words,  to  help  them- 
selves.  '■  Sell  all  the  goods  you  can  tor  these  notes,"  says  Mr.  Butler,  through  the  press,  anc 
this  after  full  consultation  wuh  hiseonl'ederate  in  this  Ifaudulent,  cheating  concern.  At  tht 
same  time  he  was  threatening  those  who  sent  up  a  lew  dollars,  refusing  his  o\v  n  notes  ir, 
payment  of  a  debt  due  the  bank,  and  only  paying  a  few  hundred  dollars  a  day  to  transieir 
favorites,  and  none  at  all  to  bankers  or  brokers,  though  "  there  were  thousands  of  men  amlo. 
paper  there."  (page  158). 

His  letter  to  Hoyl,  to  try  to  get  from  Mr.  Van  Rensselaer,  the  young  Patroon,  a  favorabli 
account  of  his  baiik,  '•  though  he  did  noi  pay  him,"  is  a  master-piece  of  knavery.  'le  ki'p- 
drinking  into.vicating  liquors  with  the  putrooii,  I'uu  two  ok  turkk  hours,  cErnn!  .e  bank 
CLOSED,  behind  his  bank  counter,  and  in  sight  of  his  customers,  and  got  iiim  in  this  way  h 
take  back  to  Albany  nearly  jjuOd  of  his  W.  and  W.  note-s,  for  which  1  dare  .say  he  nevti  alter- 
wards  got  40  cents  to  the  dollar. 

I  paid  the  "  poor  and  neeJy"  in  his  presence,  says  Butler — and  if  wc  get  his  opinion  prai-- 
ing  GUI'  bank,  "  I  daresay  it  will  pa.ss  current,  and  be  a  legal  tender  in  your  Dutch  metropolis. 
and  it  would  answer  for  ciieulation,  «.Vc."  If  Bullcr,  taught  at  the  ruin-shop  in  infancy,  an. 
by  his  tutor  and  partner.  Van  Burcn,  in  youth,  was  ihiis  atcomplisacd  in  knavery  in  IHIK,  a: 
2-i  years  of  age,  what  must  be  his  jnoficiency  in  I81G,  in  his  5lst  winter,  as  district  attornov 
ol'ihe  United  .Stall's  for  tJie  eoinmcrcial  nietro])olis  oi'  America!!  If,  at '21,  he  could  covir 
with  the  ni.intln  oi'  hypocri.sy,  and  a  pretended  zeal  Ibr  "a  laithl'u!  and  respectable  minister 
"  the  staled  preaching  of  the  go.spcl"  at  bandy  Hill,  and  the  cry  of  "  How  can  tho^c  oscap 
who  neglect  so  great  salvation  !'  —the  avarice  that  usu.illy  bi'sets  men  in  old  age,  are  i;ot  tliir. 
commcioial  public  lo  \y^  pilie!,  who  have  lo  do  willi  the  aliorney  who,  when  hunting  dowi; 
the  merchants  oi'  -N'ew  Yoiic,  in  1838  tu  1811,  made  llu;  fortunes  vl'  ir.aishals.  clerks,  nava'- 
officers,  surveyors,  co, lectors,  and  di-trict  attorneys 'I  It  would  almost  seem  as  if  Price  and  k 
had  understood  each  <jtiier  in  1837-8. 

Mr.  Butler's  party  paper  here,  the  Morning  News,  having  complained  that  his  letters  ar,' 
garbled,  1  oiler,  as  a  sjiLciinen  ol  Ihe  omissions,  to  supply  the  blaiiks  in  letter.  No.  IG,  page 
153,  to  Barker.    Alter  •' Dear  Sir,  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦  ♦"  read  "  I  have  written  you  very  lieqiiently  .. 
'.ho  four  days  jiasi  but  knowing  that  you  will  have  a  desire  lo  hear  from  jne  as  olten  as  j(»s-i 


■i 


pensions  to  re 
remarked  that 
within  the  pest 
officer  who  mi 
(though  at  Sai 
there,  and  awa 
Warren  Bank  t 
influence,  for  i 
would  not  give 

It  his  conscii 
jniust  it  have  bi 
'place  in  the  s; 
principal  sub-tt 
Bank  will  a.ssu 
a  clever  writer 
the  dc'sccndani 
been  one  of  th 

It  appears  tl 
ollars — 1)0  to 
that  others  mi; 
else  thinks  1  h; 
it,  "  tell  him  tl 
been  lung  and 
remains  in  olFu 
the  face  of  the 
report  of  the  c 
out  a  syllabli 
in  the  highest 
incuniuents  in  ' 
visionary.  II 
one  essential  d 

On  the  first 
Ihe  Sai.dj  Hill 
fact,  as  presidi 
[quoting  scrip 
aiiiount  to  tnu 
rEllFECTL' 


l)le  duiing  mv  pi 
eniliest  informal 
(if  »vi.O  10  in  curr 
('.escription  whic 
in  current  bills- 
Tlovi,  to  be  cunv 
tVoui  the  .Mcchai 
li'iiik,  and  to  nia 
he  had  at  Albrin 
pav  the  greater 
"What  Mr.  Gik 
ihc  .'tnge  lo-dny. 
jiKide  to  short  mi 
♦  Thouirh  d-iti 
b:ink,  usn.l  bv  a 
lo  talk  of  "  s))  -0 


cracies.' 


Jn  all 


.■  .    ■'I  '    :  * 


BLOCK. 


WRir.HT  UPON  BUTLER.     BUTLER  AND  THE  BANK. 


41 


g  the  wars  about 
c  bankruptcy,  by 
the  sponge  of  the 
thousands  of  out 


after,  they  have  emi 

r  and  Inleyriti/  !— 
meats  uyamst  Bui- 
Butler  — Ba  kerh 
Butler  strong  Jot  n 
)out  Bank  Uurrup- 
and  re-joins  his  ok 

message,  with  B, 
agency  for  paying 

2,  not  Baird  only,  bir. 

bank  has  not  stoppe, 
:  30th,  Hoyl  pubhsho^. 
July,  Butler  wrote  tt 
uticr's  statt-ment  thus 
*  than  lie  could  satisfy 
and  wlicn  there  weic 

I  the  bills,  to  lay  therri 
r  words,  to  help  them- 
hrough  the  press,  anc 
ting  concern.  At  tin 
sing  his  own  notes  ir, 
ars  a  day  to  transieii' 
usands  olincn  anili\ 

I'atroon,  a  favorable 
f  iniavery.  'le  kif 
;rm,  BKron:  .k  bank 
;ot  iiini  in  this  way  Im 
re  say  he  nevti  aitur- 

get  his  opinion  prai-- 
jur  Dutcli  metropoli). 
-sliop  in  infancy,  an. 
n  knavery  in  Ibll),  a 
-'r,  as  district  atlonioy 
ut  'J4,  he  could  covi'r 
respectable  minister, 
low  can  thoi-c  oscai*' 

II  old  ago,  iiie  not  tli.'i'. 
whon  hunting  dowi: 
irshals.  clerks,  naval- 
cm  as  if  Trice  and  k 

ed  that  his  letters  ar 
n  letter,  No.  IG,  page 
u  very  frequently 
me  as  often  as  ^  it>~i 


pensions  to  revolt;:  ary  officers  from  the  United  States  Bank.  Mr.  Clay 
remarked  that  he  had  no  confidence  in  Butler's  opinions  while  he  remained 
within  the  pestilential  atmosphere  of  Washington,  as  Jackson  would  dismiss  the 
officer  who  might  (like  Duane)  dare  to  dilier  from  him.  Mr.  Silas  Wright 
(though  at  Sandy  Hill  during  part  of  Butler's  fraudulent  banking  movements 
there,  and  aware  of  his  eflbrts  to  deceive  the  pnblic  in  the  Washington  and 
Warren  Bank  concern)  replied,  that  Butler  "  was  not  to  be  ati'ccted  by  any  such 
influence,  for  he  was  a  man  of  LN'TEGRIT  V,  truth,  and  candor,  [  —  -J  and 
would  not  give  an  opinion  which  he  did  not  in  HIS  conscience  believe  to  be 
1  light.'] 

It  his  conscience  was  as  elastic  as  his  correspondence  indicates,  m  1819,  what 

'niust  it  have  becoirie  in  18:^4  {     Should  it  be  his  tate,  hereatter,  to  miss  a  high 

jplace  in  the  sanctuary  above,  old  Beelzebub  might  very  safely  install  him  as 

Iprincipal  sub-treasurer  below.     The  ex-president  of  the  Washington  and  Warren 

IBank  will  assuredly  hold  on  to  the  dollars.     In  view  of  his  management  in  1619, 

a  clever  writer  in  the  Tribune  "asks  the  question,  not  to  wound  the  feelings  of 

the  descendants  of  a   lapsed  apostle,  whether  it  is  probable,  had  Mr.  Butler 

been  one  of  the  Twelve,  Judas  would  linve  gotten  tliat  money  1" 

It  appears  that  he  expected  a  small  sum  in  specie,  perhaps  1,000  to  4,000 
ollars — 1)0  to  210lbs — and  wc  lind  him  trying  to  deceive  one  of  the  carriers, 
that  others  might  be  deceived  through  him.  "He  fBakerj  and  everybody 
else  thinks  I  have  tons  of  it  (specie)  on  the  way,"  and  if  he  will  not  stay  for 
it,  "  tell  him  there  will  not  be  a  Io;m1  until  next  week."  President  Polk  has 
been  long  and  well  awan-  of  this  deception  ;  so  have  his  cabinet.  Butler 
remains  in  olFico  ;  and  is  it  too  much  for  me  to  ask  the  public  whether,  when  in 
the  face  of  thest;  facts  and  his  extortions  as  district  attorney,  exhibited  in  the 
report  of  the  commissioners  appointed  by  the  late  President,  he  holds  on  with- 
out a  syllable  of  complaint  from  Press  or  Pnsident,  such  conduct  is  approved 
in  the  highest  (|uarters,  and  ButUir  held  forth  as  a  pattern  for  less  favored 
incumbents  in  otliee  ?  As  to  penal  laws,  against  such  as  him,  they  are  altogether 
visionary.  Hoyt's  and  M'Nulty's.  and  similar  cases,  in  point,  show  that,  with 
OHO  essential  dilference — ihnj  iccre  rciiuivid. 

On  till'  first  of  July,  Butler  issued  an  ollicial  statement  to  the  public,  through 
the  Sai,d/  Hill  Times,  in  which  he  very  solemnlv  avowed  his  knowledge  of  the 
fact,  as  presiding  otHcer,  that  "TIIK  BANK  I.S  ABLC  TO  PAY  all  its  debts 
[quoting  scriptmv]  '  to  tlu^  uttermost  farthing.'  The;  debts  due  to  the  bank 
amount  to  more  than  double  their  notes  in  circulation,  and  their  debts  ARE 
PERFECTLY  SIX U RE."* 


Me  duiing  rnv  present  circunrstance^.  I  seize  evorr  method  of  conveyance  to  give  you  the 
earliest  information  of  mv  concerns.''  Instead  of  the  second  *  *  ♦  ♦  ♦  read,  "  The  remittance 
(U's'J.O  10  in  current  bills  by  Capt.  Wiswall,  on  Saturday  aftnnoon,  took  all  the  notes  of  that 
('(Ascription  which  wore  then  on  hand.  1  have  received  during  the  two  davs  past  about  tlfjOO 
in  current  bills— nf  that  sum  I  send  bv  one  messenger  >1>X')— and  by  aiiolhcr  jr-aO,  to  Mr. 
TicA't,  to  be  converted  into  specie — and  I  have,  sinco  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Gilchri.<t  with  the  notes 
from  the  Mechanics  and  f'\armprs'  Banlc,  lijrected  hiin  to  exchaii'_re  them  into  the  notes  of  that 
Innk,  and  In  make  them  advance  th;.'  sjiccic.  U' tint  caniiui  be  done,  and  the  specie  cannot 
be  had  at  Albrny,  then  the  bills  will  be  presented  at  the  Trov  banks,  who  will  be  compelled  to 
pav^lhc  greater  p.-u't  of  thcni."  The  words  le!l  out  where  I  place  the  thiid  ♦  ♦  ♦  *  ♦,  arc 
"  What  Mr.  Gilchrist  will  do  I  am  tmablc  tn  s;iy.  I  presume,  however,  he  will  return  with 
tlio  ^t.ige  lo-day."  The  sense  of  the  remainder  is  not  chancjc  I  by  these  omissions,  which  are 
made  to  short  mi  the  )vnnphlet. 

♦  Thou-^h  d'Uiii!,'  his  '•  budget,"  as  he  calls  it,  fiom  the  counter  of  a  dishonestly  chartered 

bank,  used  by  a  Ni^w  Vo'k  ^ockiohbjr,  to  avoid  speedy  pavments,  Ikitlcr  had  the  assurance 

to  talk  of  "  sp.'cu'atur^  and  bink  agent<,"  "greetly  speculators,  and  arrogant  monied  aristo- 

jcracios."    Jn  after  life  he  pluycd  tho  .'same  game  "in  a  larger  theatre,  slandering  and  rifling 


•'  ;-.'i"  *  •it 


•■■■■''■,;■&  1 


•t  i 


w 


1 1 


42 


BUTLER  FINANCIERING  UP  AT  SANDY  HILL. 


BA 


;5' 


■I 

I'' 

1 


f 

If 
i. 


Slmiild 
A  mill 
'I'hf  SI. 
•1'Im'  lir 
Uiir  I'', 


On  the  19th  of  November  he  complains,  that  no  poor  wight  had  ever  received 
"  more  of  public  censure  and  abuse  "  than  himself.  "  The  credit  of  the  paper 
is  very  low,"  and  my  character  is  so  depreciated  at  Albany,  according  to  report, 
that  but  few  of  my  old  acquaintances  would  acknowledge  or  receive  me." 
(p.  162.)  ilow  could  it  be  otherwise  1  Had  he  not  labored  unweariedly  to 
cheat  the  community,  or  to  allow  his  confederates  to  do  so  1  If  there  was 
double  the  value  of  the  bills  afloat  in  secure,  solvent  debts,  who  stole  tho.sf 
obligations,  so  that  the  bills  went  down  to  50  and  30  cents  1  If  the  bank  had 
ample  means,  who  plundered  it  of  tho.se  means'?  If  the  politic,  ])ious,  disin-  \\,n  .Buioi,  CI 
terested  financier,  Butler,  advised  all  who  valued  his  word,  in  June  and  July,  i  iJleeclcer  and 
to  take  the  bills  at  par,  and  assured  them  on  his  honor ^  that  they  would  be  paid,  |  vrifinfi  Cliiih 
and  that  the  bank  was  good  and  would  stand,  what  explanation  did  he  give 
when  all  but  a  few  favorites  found  themselves  cheated  and  plundered  1  Ills 
letters,  Nos.  34,  35,  50,  and  still  more  especially  No.  31,  are  a  queer  mixture 
of  religion,  law,  and  banking.  As  his  language  was  in  keeping  with  this  pious 
exterior,  many  must  have  been  deceived.* 

tlie  U.  S.  Bank,  vliile  "  tlic  parly'  were  creating  Wasliington  and  Warren  banlcs  by  \\v 
liundreii,  humbly  to  imitate  his  tc)(i  suci-ossful  f.xamph.'. 

In  Van  Buren's  address  to  the  Democratic  State  Convention  of  Indiana,  he  tells  the  I1^H^ 
siers  thai  "the  manufacture  of  paper  money  has  been  attempted  in  every  form;  it  lias  beni 
tried  liy  individuals,  been  transferred  to  corporations  by  the  .States,  then  to  corporations  In 
Congress,  engaged  in  by  the  States  themselves,  and  has  signally  failed  in  all.  It  has  iii 
general  jiroved  not  the  handmaid  of  honest  industry  and  well  regulated  enterprise,  liut  the 
pampered  menial  of  speculation,  iilleness,  and  fraud,  [t  has  coriupied  men  of  the  higlie>! 
standing;  almost  destroyed  the  conlidcnc(^  •)!'  mankind  in  each  other;  amt  darkem-d  oii; 
criminal  cak-ndar  with  names  that  might  otherwise  have  conlerred  honni'  aivl  benefit  on  ilv 
couiilry.  There  is  strong  ground  for  believing  that  such  a  system  must  liavt^  some  innati' 
iiunirnhle  defect,  of  which  no  legislation  can  divest  it,  and  against  wliich  no  human  wisdmn 
can  guard,  or  human  integrity  sustain  ilsell.''  Could  he  noi  have  gone  farther,  and  adiliH. 
that  lie  and  his  IViends  I3utler,  Marcy,  Tliroop,  &c.,  had  done  more  in  the  way  of  this  inaiiu 
facture,  corruption,  and  destruction  of  conlidence,  than  any  other  body  of  jioliticians  in  tin 
Union? 

On  the  7th  of  July,  Butler  wrote  Iloyt  that  he  liad  paid,  since  the  run  commenced,  over 
^■9,000 — say  S3'25  per  day — that  he  had  more  cash  now  than  at  tirst,  "  hut  sliall  now  hold  u\< 
— "  ought  not  the  public  to  wait  a  while'?  Wo  have  crowed  full  enough."  Again,  on  tin' 
lOtli,  "  I  will  rather  sutler  tiie  public  to  fret  a  little  than  hazard  the  .safety  of  t/ie  instituliov  by 
paying  out  too  last."'  Schuyler  owed  a  note — Butler  would  not  take  W.  and  W.  bills  in  pay- 
ment— not  he.  "He  will  lie  .sued,"  said  Butler  (page  Itll);  and  when  paying  his  debts  li; 
selected  bills  of  an  iniliflii'rent  reputation  (page  151),  "he  had  no  money  but  what  was  tiu, 
good  for  them. '  On  July  14,  Butler  was  '•satislying  all  fair  and  proper  calls,"  and  abusiiu' 
(Jlinton  as  being  "  raving  mail,  beside  being  a  fool."  August  24,  he  was  "  paying  daily,  in  .i 
slow  way."  Other  banks  had  got  his  hank  notes,  and  were  about  t(!  circulate  them  in  (piaii- 
titles,  when  Hoyt  wassetonwitii  a  series  of  cliaiicrry  iiijuiiiiioiis,butChaiicellor  Kent  thwarli : 
liim,  ajul  refused  to  enjoin  the  lianks  not  to  circulate.  In  February,  1H\J(),  Barker  advisfii 
him  that  the  W.  and  W.  could  no  longer  atl'oul  to  pay  his  salary,  aiu!  1>.  F.  Butler  rejoimv! 
his  ancient  colleague  in  the  law,  Van  Bureii ;  being,  "  with  the  assistance  of  Providenn', 
fully  resolved  never  again  to  abtuidon  his  prolession,"  He  left  the  bank  June  15,  1H20,  aiw 
on  "the  19th  the  firm  of  Van  Buren  &  Butler  was  ready  to  do  "anybody's  dirty  work,"  with 
Lorenzt)  Hoyt  for  a  .student,  and  Jes.se,  his  brother,  as  their  Wall  street  correspoiulent.  In  a 
very  lew  years  after,  Butler  was  Altorney-Geaeral  of  tiie  lle])ublic,  and  his  partner  filled  tin' 
chair  of  Washington. 

♦  In  a  card  issued  through  tin;  Evening  Post,  February,  IH'25,  Barker  said  that  ^'■200,000  nf 
its  stock  had  been  received  from  liie  debtors  v\'  the  bank,  Wliy  was  this  done,  when  if  wn^ 
well  known  that  tlie  stock  was  wortiiless'!  Wlio  besides  Barker  hnil  S'200,0()0  to  pay  in! 
Was  it  in  this  way  tiiat  the  .securities  for  double  its  bills  in  circulation  went'?  If  so,  what 
could  be  a  ba.ser  cheat  ?  Stock  was  no  payment  of  debls  due  the  bank  till  it.s  obligations  Ik 
the  public  were  met,  and  after  that,  only  at  its  cash  value  in  the  market. 

1  noticed  the  Wn.shington  and  Warien  Bank,  in  a  publication  is.sued  in  184U,  on  which 
Barker  wrote  me,  from  New  Orleans,  an  explanatory  letter,  as  follows: 

"  As  to  the  Bank  of  VVashlnRtoii  nnil  WHrrnn,  yon,  In  circct,  chi\rRo  Mr.  Viin  Hiiren,  Mr.  Butler,  and  my 
self,  witli  torriiptlnjj  llii;  l,(>(!islHlurc  of  Ni'w  York  to  proniru  ilir  chnrtpr  of  thiit  biinlt.  Mr.  Viin  Huren  win 
nui,  In  the  whulc  cuurno  ul'  hm  lil'u,  tiitorv ^itvU  mv  dulUir  in  the  liank  ul  VVushlngtun  uud  Warren  I   A«  tu  M 


ijnui 
tiesi'rts  liiiiL— 
the.  spoils 
luii<l<loin  siiin 
— Horace.  JV 
Clinton  munli) 

Van  Buki:n' 
lino;  that  has  r 
(lent  of  the  U 

rfirpciriUinn,  I  w.is  n 
■vir  lienril  ol'  ii,  I'lirt 
icr  its  iiiror|ior:itjiin 
hcliiink  u'iis  uiilorli 

lis  1     'I'lllTf  WHS  not 
illitlic  l.('uisl;iliirc. 
pen  11  iiliMlllM'r.     llo\ 

r,  usll:llly  o|i|HlM'il 
vniiirriicy  i<  in'l  lo 
ics  iKit  iiislaiitlv'itsi 

'flic  facts  |)ul)lis 
rr  trii'd  to  |ialm  i 
din  the  S.'nate  .b 
Kit  they  li;id  a  vc 

I  ciMits  in  the  ) 
iiiivery  was  pvaci 

II  U)  endorse  Bull 
I'.iiller  was  very 

liivl  published  hi; 
till  the  bankers  w 
1),  a  New  Voiic  I 
11,1  \V.  notes  at  H 
L'livi'r  ilu'iii  at  5 
iiiii','e  I'aiilc  bills 

|]iuler's  fiill-leii 
kiiuirriilic  }{'rirtt 
ir)  kit  the  bank, 
.iiUi'il."     Far  be 

ii'i'  api^ropriate 

111  Juil'',  IH-Jl,i 
nunl ;  llien— but 
ii'iits,"  which  M 
MS  a  dead  failn 
nv. 

Ill  Angus!,  IHI! 
t  Sandy  Hill,  for 
i'!,';iii  his  Mxcluii 
l;i\,  IHl!)— that 
I  (hat  nioiilh  h 
uliich  occasione 
I'  had  redeemed 
?,//(/,,  "  FUOiM 


had  ever  received 
edit  of  the  paper 
icording  to  report, 
or  receive  nie." 
d  unweariedly  to 
)  1  If  there  was 
who  stole  these 
If  the  l)ank  hml 
itic,  pious,  disin- 
in  June  and  July, 
I'y  would  be  paid, 
ation  did  he  give 
plundered  1  Ilis 
i  a  queer  mixture 
iig  with  this  pious 

larren  banks  by  \]v 

an.,  Ill-  tells  the  IltH). 
•vy  thvm  ;  it  lias  beni 
II  lo  ouriHiralirms  bv 
!cl  in  all.  It  has  io 
(I  cnlfrprise,  biil  llif 

I  men  of  llic  llif^la'.^! 
and  darkened  mir 

II  ii-  and  benefit  on  liv 
isi  have  some  innati', 
'ii  no  human  wisdom 
e  farther,  and  addiil 
le  way  of  this  inaiiii- 

of  jiolitirians  in  tin 

'un  commenced,  owt 
lit  shall  now  hoUl  ii|i 
iigh."  Auain,  on  tin' 
y  of  t/it!  iiis/itiiliov  liv 
.  and  W.  bills  in  pay- 
1  payiiijj  his  debts  li 
ley  but  what  was  ti*. 
r  calls,"  and  abusini" 
s  "  payins(  daily,  in  a 
culale  them  in  (juaii- 
ncellor  Kent  thwarti ; 
IH'JO,  Karker  advisii! 

!i.  F.  Butler  rejoined 
itance  of  Providence, 
ik  June  15,  1820,  ani 
ly's  dirty  work,"  willi 
correspondent.    In  a 

his  partner  lilled  the 

said  that  ^200,000  -ii 
lis  done,  when  it  wa^ 
^•200,000  to  pay  in ! 
nwent'f  If  so,  whai 
till  its  obligations  i<> 

id  in  1843,  on  which 


•en,  Mr.  Biitlor,  and  my 
Ilk.  Mr.  Van  Hurcn  wh« 
uittl  Warren !    Ah  to  iu 


BARKER  AND  TIIK  WASIIINOTOM  AND  AVARRl'N  BANK.  4'1 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

Slioiild  Ji;si'ii  K  rail  lo  lialtle,  the  a|)phiiuiiim'  shoiii  we'd  raisi'; 

A  iiiillioii  swords  wiuild  lea\'e  llieir  sheallis,  a  iiiillicui  liaynticis  lila/e, 

'I'lie  stem  resolve,  (he  ei)iira;::e  lii'jh,  the  mind  iinlained  by  ill, 

'I'lie  /ires  thai  wanned  our  Li-iadhk's  bre.isl,  his  fcilloweis'  bosums  lill. 

Uiir  I'Vai'ukus  Ihmc  llie  slioek  of  u'ar — their  Sovs  can  bear  ii  siill. 

i>,h:t,>  Uknj  Juhj,  \H\:lJ,ij  Williiini.  Ciillni  nnh/nf. 

k'iin  Biirev^  C'linfi)n,  Sjuncfr,  Madison^  and  the  War  »/].sl2.  The  ('tiuciis. — 
lUeeckcr  and  ihniiilton. —  Vanlhueii  iipposnl  to  iVtir. — //e  .sloiidt  f'orcmosi  iii 
iirifinfi  Clinton  lo  l(dc  tin  fuld  utjnhist  .Madison, —  Injures  CHnt(>?i  and  I  ken 
ikscrls  him. — Madison  triuinidis. —  Van  liar  en  joins  llie  rirlois  and  hears  o(j' 
the  spoils. —  The  true  Polieif  of  this  Union. — (Ireat  Reformation  in  the  United 
KiiKjdom  si  nee  ISl'J. —  Vast  increase  of  Popular  Jnlluenee  anil  Liberal  Measures. 
—  Horace  Walpole.. — JImhrose  t-ipcurcr  on  Van  liuren''s  ero<d,cd  course  in  li>\2. 
CHnlon  munli/,  ablCy  honest. —  Duane  and  Spencer  (/an',  him  (jood  counsel. 

Van  Uukiin's  history  exhibits  an  ah.solulc  disregard  to  jirinoiplc,  in  evi^y- 
liinn;  that  has  rclalidn  to  llie  choirc  of  caiididaU^s  for  PrcsiiUMit  and  Vice  Pre- 
iilent  of  the  LJiiitt'd  States,  or  lo  the  mode    of  lliiMr  t'leotion.     ()n  the  22d  of 


iliiw  lie  Vdlcil  I  never  knew — |iresiimo  in  tlii!  iieL'iilive,  ns  he,  iis  well  iis  Mr.  liiiller  iinti  niy- 
■iT,  usii:illy  c]|i|iiiM'cl  (he  iniTcMse  nl'  ileisc  iiinnii'il  ;iiistiiir,icie-J,  Ihii-e  piivili'L'eil  rinliTs.  My  tliiiriieler  liir 
viiiiwrHi'y  is  iiiit  III  lie  iiiiestiiiiied  iil  llii>i  bile  il.iy.  N(i  man  sees  or  hears  the  nunie  iif  Juciili  l>:irker,  who 
liisncit  insUilillviissdCialu  Iherowilh  Deniiieiiioy.' 

'I'lie  facts  ptibli.sheil  in  ihis  voliiine  are  the  bi'sl  repiv  to  such  erroneous  slateinents  as  !5ar- 
fitrii'(l  to  palm  iipmi  the  |iiiblic.  Van  Ijiiien's  cuiKiiicl  in  iccttiiii;  the  charier  1  have  .stated 
uiii  the  S'Miate  Joiiiiial ;  and  as  to  tiie  paviiieiils  lo  the  bill-holders,  Miiller's  letters  will  show 
lat  they  had  a  very  poor  chance  of  iietiini,'  them.  Hills  that  are  paid  are  not  ipioted  at  2')  to 
II  ei'Hts  in  the  prices  ciirivnt;  lint,  doiihtless,  when  the  .securities  were  so  amjile,  niiicli 
iiavery  was  practised,  which  will  only  see  the  liulil  when  the  recordini!;  aniLcel  shall  be  called 
II  locndur.se  Hiitlei's  pieiy,  or  refuse  a  cerlilicaie. 

I'.iiller  was  very  saucy  to  ihe  br<ikers — they  could  i;et  scarc'ly  any  payments  from  him — 
liivt  published  his  lelli'i  in  ihe  Alb;iny  ]iaiieiN.  callini,''  llivin  '■  leeches  upon  the  body  ))(;litic" — 
mi  llie  bankers  were  not  much  more  foriiinaie.  Hy  wav  of  retaliation  (see  Barker's  pam))h- 
'1),  ;i  New  Voi'k  broki'i'  hawked  about  the  slreels  a  pidposal  lo  contract  to  deliver  Butler's  VV. 
inl  \V.  notes  at  Hll  ceiils  to  the  dollar,  within  six  luoiiliis.  Allerwards,  Ihe  biokeis  ollered  to 
.•!iy;'r  lliem  at  .'id  cents.  In  a  few  iiionllis  ihey  came  down  lo  I!.")  cents,  ;iiid  Barker's  E.v- 
i!iii','e  liank  bills  fell  lo  10  cents. 

Dmler's  fiill-leii;.^th  [licliire,  and  an  elaborale  memoir,  appeared  in  his  friend  O'Sullivan's 
hiiKin-iitii:  Jl'-rlnn  for  January,  lH!iI>,  in  which  the  public  are  assured  that  "  before  he  (But- 

1)  li  l"t  the  liaiik,  by  ifreal  e.\ertion  and  care,  its  t-reilit  was  restored,  and  specie  payments  re- 
iMi'd.''  Far  be  ii  from  me  to  call  this  u  lie,  but  it  would  puzzle  Huiler  himself  lo  find  a 
ime  appi'opriati!  description. 

Ill  June,  IH-Jl,  afier  the  VV.  and  W.  Bank  notes  were  bou,i,dit  in  at  ,^)0  to  T.^'i  per  cent,  dis- 
:)unl;  iheii  — but  not  lill  llien — did  this  fraudulent  concern  lecommence  a.^'ain  "cash  pay- 
leiils,"  which  Mr.  15,'irk-er  or  his  instrimii'iiis  kept  up  for  some  years.  'The  l';xclianf,'e  Batik 
las  a  dead  failure,  o{'  which  its  owner  j,'ol  rid  by  taking  the  heiiefil  of  the  State  insolvent 
'  «•. 

Ill  Aiii,'ust,  IHIO,  Mr.  Jacob  Barker  is.sued  a  )>amplilet,  a  bundle  of  which  he  sent  to  Butler, 

Sandy  Hill,  for  :reiieral  eireulatioii.     One  of  these  is  now  liefore  <  It  states  that  Harker 

'!,Mn  his  Ivvcliaiii,^'  liank,  in  New  ^'ork,  with  a  capital  of  >i;-rit),o  ,  ihat  it  (loinislp'd  till 
l;i>,  IHIi)— that  the  ayer'i;,'e  circulation  of  its  notes  was  over  li;ill  a  million  of  ilollars — tiiat 
I  ilial  month  he  ci-ased  to  pay  mit  l''.xchaiiu:e  noies,  sulistitulin.L,' Wa.shiii','lon  and  Warren 
which  occasioned  the  run  on  duller,  at:  Kaiidv  Hill)— that  from  Aul;us|,  IHIH,  to  IVIay,  \S\9, 
e  had  redeemed,  nt  par,  ^tji.'iHv},!  I.'i  of  W.  and  VV.  Iiills,  ;md  that  ///•  i,iafiili:rcil  tlw  W.  and  W. 
Inil.,  "IMIUM   rilK  KNOVVLIllKiK  UK  I  UD  (»!'' ITS  t'n.NCKKNS,  AS  tiOOD  AiS 


■:::'A:% 


W^;.. 


■r.  i  ir 


Mi: 


44 


VAN  BITREN  AND  THE  WAR  OP  1812. 


I*- 

6 


I 

'■h 


May,  1S12,  James  Madison  was  nominated  by  the  members  of  Congress  of  t'ti: 
democratic  party — the  nomination  had  Jeilorson's  approbation.  On  the  29th  (; 
that  month,  and  within  seven  days  of  the  caucus  choice  of  Madison,  all  the  ri. 
publicans  in  the  Legislature  of  N.  Y.  except  four,  met  at  Albany,  95  membc; 
present — 87  voted  to  nominate  a  candidate,  in  opposition  to  Madison,  and  tli 
VVashin«;ton  caucus,  and  De  Witt  Clinton  was  unanimously  nominated.  Gei 
James  VV.  Wilkin  oresided  at  this  State  caucus,  and  Van  Buren  approved  ar 
sui'Horted  its  choice.  He  had  been  for  a  caucus  of  Congressmen  in  ISOS — wq. 
against  it  in  1812 — for  it  ngain  in  1S16,  when  Monroe  was  nominated — and  ii 
leader  in  1821  in  favor  of  Crawford.  In  1828  he  denounced  it  as  unconsiiii 
tional,  and  in  1832  supported  the  packed  system  of  Baltimore  conventions,!: 
which  the  people  have  little  influence,  and  the  leaders  are  everything.  1: 
1824  he  was  for  putting  down  public  opinion  when  he  tliouglit  it  would  c 
against  his  nomiiiee,  Crawford — and  he  did  prevent  the  people  from  electin, 
electors  of  ])resident.  In  1828  he  had  obtained  quite  a  now  view,  and  spok 
in  favor  of  district  elections,  and  since  then  ibe  general  ticket  system  has  ^i 
his  approbation.  He  hated  atul  despised  the  poor  foreigner  in  1821  ai,. 
1824.  It  got  to  be  ftisliionablo  to  speak  respectfully  of  Irishmen  when  Gei:t 
ral  Jackson  took  the  helm — and  who  had  sooner  learnt  to  admire  tliemselvt 
and  their  country  in  1S29,  more  than  the  flatterer  of  power,  Van  Buren  1 

Crawford  was  a  leading  member  of  the  caucus  which  noininalod  Madison  i- 
1812,  and  R.  M.  Johnson  was  its  secretary.  Van  Burcn  was  then  politicall; 
opposed  to  him  in  almost  every  sense,  banking  and  currency  included.  Twelv> 
years  p.fter  [1&24)  he  seeins  to  liave  almost  adored  him. 

When  Van  Burtn  became  President,  he  hastened  to  appoint  Harmaniii 
Bleecker  a  lawyer  of  Albany,  and  former  member  of  Congress,  one  of  the  moi. 
thorough-going  opponents  of  Madison  and  the  war,  to  be  Minister  to  Hollaii(! 
When  he  joined  Jackson's  administration,  he  sent  James  A.  Hamilton,  Hoyt 
correspondent,  (pages  205  and  20'J,)  who  was  so  ready  to  endorse  Swartwout 
doctrine,  that,  although  all  the  candidates  were  avowed  and  acknowledge; 
republicans,  yet  the  s[)oils  principle  must  be  adhered  to,  and  oflTice-holdc; 
turned  out  if  they  had  supported  any  other  candidate  than  the  successful  one 
On  this  principle,  Jonathan  Thompson,  the  chairman  or  secretary  of  Old  Tam- 
many in  1812,  when  that  society  was  foremost  in  the  war  ranks,  hud  to  vaca! 
the  collectorship  of  jN'ew  York,  to  make  room  for  Samuel  Swartwout,  Burri 
old  agent  in  the  jNIexican  invasion,  or  dismemberment  of  the  Union  ;  James  i 

ANY  OTIICR,  IF  xNOT  TlIK  BEST  IN  AMERICA."  '•  Da-unfc  J  Ihui>-  th:  paper  to  ■ 
irowrf,'' said  Rarkfy.  '•  /  reroiiniicinf  to  mri/  mun  fho^t:  mux/  opiiiinii  I  vis/i  to  jinsnrc,  to  tu. 
the  iwlef,  of  l/w  H'us/ihuston.  iwil  W'orrni  liuiih.  end  alsn  Hit  luitif  uf  the  K.irhnn^^c  Dank,  for  a 
■propcrtv  he  wishes  tn  S'/f.  ■•  The  iKiti's  ol'  the  W.  ami  W.,  payal'lo  in  N.  \.,  will,  (Voni  i!,: 
date,  be  nunctually  redeemed  nl  this  (Exehaii^'e)  Hank ;  and  the  olhers  will  continue  to^ 
redeemed  at  the  Bank  at  8andy  Hill. '  '•  I  roiilidently  calciilnte  that  no  man  will  approa: 
the  polls  at  the  ne.\t  .'^prin;';'  elerlion  witji  a  hill  fof  the  Exehanire  IJankJ  in  his  juvket  whir. 
lie  rannol  then  convei't  iiiio  money,  at  pin\  il'  he  ehooi-es  to  do  so." 

Time  showed  that  all  this  was  a  deeeption.  a  iVaiid  ol  the  most  repreliensihle  characlo: 
but  it  did  not  diminish  die  close  intimaey  then  subsisting  between  Hovt,  Butler,  Barker,  ar, 
Van  Buren. 

Butler,  Barker,  ami  Van  Buren,  in  those  days,  were  all  National  Bank  men.  Barker.!: 
his  pamphlet,  jia^e  18,  e.xpresses  the  opinion,  '-that,  some  day  or  other,  the  whole  bankir.r 
business  of  the  country  will  be  done  by  a  national  bank  and  pi'ivate  bankers;  the  former  w 
redeem  its  paper  with  specie,  and  the  latter  with  the  notes  of  the  national  bank.  If  the  pr" 
sent  Bank  of  the  U.  .S.  shoidd  be  conducted  with  ability  and  prudence,  it  will  be  a  very  pio- 
fitable  as  well  as  usefid  e^tablishmi-iit. '  If  a  specie  currency  cannot,  or  will  not  be  resoiift 
to,  and  if  f!ie  pro.  >is<'s  to  pav  of  the  nation  are  not  to  b'  lised  as  the  circulating  meJiun. 
Barker's  i.lea  is  ceiiainly  inlinitely  preferable  to  !)l)()  paper-issuing  factories,  beyond  all  olhfl 
control  than  that  of  a  bankrupt  law,  and  many  ol  them  beyond  even  tlmt. 


V. 

Hamilton  too! 
ment  of  State 
gift  of  the  Go 
at  ^QVf  York, 
B.  F.  Butler  s 
On  the  8th 
party  in  Huds 
a  mtv-'ting  of  I 

war.'      Ainrnnr 

A.  Hamilton, 
convened  and 
and  that  to  en 

I  do  not  hia 
jrained  by  war 
such  measure 
h'«  biographer 
fersonian  Deni 
Duane,  Calhoi 
of  that  day. 

Van  Buren, 
dated  Oct.  3, 

*'  He  had,  f 
of  the  Democ 
uncle,  George 
and  su.stained  1 
ado '  party, 
by  their  choic 
for  several  yet 
which  olfice  h 
of  the  measur 
Tompkins ;  w 
ratists,  and  in 
party  who  wo 

Van  Buren 
to  Madison,  as 
session  of  the 
relations  prev 
sind  never  aga 

There  were 
lachusetts,  Rl 
-89  votes. 
Tan  Buren  do 
i\'ith  the  peopl 
ong  opposed, 
incere  conver 
Ihy^  Grundy, 
ninent  advoca 

His  partner 
iays  that  "  th 
Mr.  Clinton," 
r>f  public  poll 
'  was  an  open 
jreat  Britain 


VAN  BUREN,  CLINTON,  AND  THE  ELECTION  OF  1812. 


45 


gift  of  the  Government,  north  of  the  Delaware,  that  of  U.  S.  District  Attorney 
at  New  Vork.  He  gave  way  in  1834  to  Price,  a  bird  of  the  same  feather  ;  and 
B.  F.  Butler  succeeded  on  the  flight  of  Price. 

On  the  8th  of  July,  1812,  some  prominent  individuals  belonging  to  the  peace 
party  in  Hudson,  Van  Buren's  residence,  published  an  address,  recommending 
a  mt.jting  of  the  party  '  for  the  purpose  of  denouncing  James  Madison  and  the 
Among  other  onnonents  of  the  war.  this  address  was  signed  by  Jaia'^o 


war-' 


of  Congress  of  tli.  i  Hamilton  took,  for  a  time,  the  seat  of  Henry  Clay  at  the  head  of  the  depart- 
n.  On  the  29lh  (  I  ment  of  State,  which  he  soon  exchanged  for  the  most  lucrative  oflBce  in  the 
^ladison,  all  the  r.-   '    -     '' ^"^ '^ •■   ---'- -'^  ^i-  i^ -> .i--. -r  n    ^   t^:_.„:„.  a ..„ 

Ibany,  95  membci 
3  Madison,  and  tli: 
•  nominated.  Gti 
luren  approved  ar, 
imen  in  ISOS — wi 
lominated — and  it 
sd  it  as  unconstitii 
ore  conventions,  i; 
re  everything.  1: 
louglit  it  would  J 
•ople  from  electin, 
iw  view,  and  spok: 
;ket  system  has  gf 
igner  in  1821  ar, 
shinen  when  Gei;t 

admire  themselve 
V,  Van  Buren  1 
ninalcd   Madison  >: 
Aus  then  politicall; 

included.     Twelv 


appoint   Harmaniii 

ss,  one  of  the  mos 

Minister  to  Holland 


1A.  Hamilton,  the  warm  personal  friend  of  Van  Buren.  ine  nucison  meetmg 
convened  and  resolved,  '  That  the  war  is  impolitic,  unnecessary,  and  disastrous, 
and  that  to  employ  the  militia  in  an  offensive  war  is  unconstitutional.' 

I  do  not  blame  Van  Buren  ;  because,  being  of  opinion  that  nothing  was  to  be 
gained  by  war,  in  1812,  he  supported  Clinton,  supposing  that  he  would  pursue 
such  measures  as  would  earlier  ensure  a  lasting  peace  ;  but  1  blame  him  and 
h'«  biographers  for  endeavoring  to  pursuade  the  public  now,  that  he  was  a  Jef- 
fersonian  Democrat  in  IS  12,  and  friendly  to  the  declaration  of  war,  like  Clay, 
Duane,  Calhoun,  Grundy,  and  the  other  loading  supporters  of  the  administration 
of  that  day. 

Van  Buren,  in  a  letter  to  E.  I\I.  Chamberlain  and  others,  Goshen,  Indiana, 
dated  Oct.  3,  1840,  thus  speaks  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  and  1812  : — 

"  He  had,  for  many  years  previous,  and  down  to  that  period,  been  the  leader 
of  the  Democratic  parly,  in  New  York.     He  was  the  private  secretary  of  his 
uncle,  George   Clinton — was  a  member  of  the  Legislature  in  1797  and  1800, 
and  sustained  the  Democracy  in  the  'reign  of  terror  '  against  the  'Black  Cock- 
ade '  party.     He  was  chosen  U.  S.  Senator  in  1801  by  the  former,  occupied 
by  their  choice,  various  public  stations  in  New  York ;  was  in  the  State  Senate 
L  Hamilton,  Hoyl      for  several  years  before  the  war  ;  elected  Lieutenant  Governor  by  them  in  1811, 
ndorse  Swartwout      which  office  he  still  held  in  1812  ;  acted  with  his  party  to  that  period,  in  support 
and  acknowledge:     of  the  measures  of  the  General  and  State  administrations,  under  Madison  and 
,  and  office-holder:     Tompkins ;  was  to  tliat  period  abused  with  unsparing  bitterness  by  the  Fede- 
the  successful  one     ralists,  and  in  return,  he  applied  to  them  his  well  remembered  description  '  of  a 
retary  of  Old  Tam     party  who  would  rather  rule  in  Hell  than  servo  in  Heaven.'  " 
anks,  hud  to  vara:         Van  Buren  adds,  that  he  supported  Clinton  in  November,  1812,  in  preference 
Swartwout,  Burr'i     to  Madison,  as  being  an  advocate  of  war  measures  ; — and  that,  "  At  the  ensuing 
e  Union  ;  James  .i     session  of  the  Legislature,  which  commenced  in  January,  1813,  the  political 
relations  previously  existing  between  Mr.  I'linton  and  myself  were  dissolved, 
md  never  again  resumed.'' 

There  were  Iti  States  in  1812.  New  York,  New  Jersey,  Delaware,  Mas- 
sachusetts, Rhode  Island,  New  Hampshire,  and  Connecticut,  Ment  for  Clinton 
—89  votes.  Madison  got  104.  Other  IS  votes  would  have  elected  Clinton. 
\'an  Buren  doubtless  considered  that  that  great  man  had  injured  himself  deeply 
ft'ith  the  people,  for  he  left  him  next  session,  and  went  over  to  the  party  he  had 
ong  opposed,  became  useful  to  them  in  the  Senate,  and  professed  to  be  a  very 
iincere  convert  to  the  prmciples  and  measures  of  Messrs.  Madison,  Calhoun, 
Clay,  Grundy,  Root,  Spencer,  Duane,  Jackson,  Rutgers,  and  the  other  pro- 
ninent  advocates  of  armed  resistance  to  European  oppression  and  misrule. 

His  partner  and  parasite,  Butler,  in  a  letter  to  Hugh  A.  Garland,  March,  1S35, 
fays  that  "  the  republicans  of  the  legislature  of  1811-12,  who  brought  forward 
Mr.  Clinton,"  had  supported  JefHirson  and  Madison  "  in  all  the  great  questions 
f  public  policy  connected  with  our  foreign  relations" — and  that  Van  Buren 
'  was  an  open  and  decided  advocate  of  all  the  strong  measures  proposed  against 
"Jreat  Britain  during  the  session  of  Congress  of  181 1-12,  the  war  included."    Be- 


/  hnui"  the  paper  to  ■ 
Irish  to  pra^rrvi',  to  l<\. 
'■J.ri'fi(in:;r  Diinh\  forc: 
I  N.  v.,  will,  from  iL 
(MS  will  continue  to^ 
no  ni;in  will  npprocf; 
1<J  in  ins  jiocKx'l  whir; 

pri'licnsililf  chnractc: 
)yt,  l?iiil('r,  Barker,  ar,; 

Sank  men.    Bnrkfr, :: 

icr,  the  wholi'  bankir: 

ankt'rs;  the  Ibrineiw: 

nial  bank.      It'  the  jr? 

,  it  will  be  a  very  \k- 

or  will  not  be  rcsorte: 

he  circulating  nieJium 

tori  OS,  beyond  all  olhei 

llict. 


II 


•;f 


"i. 
('1 


46 


rortriGN  policy  op  England,   iieu  recent  reforms. 


It*! 


; 


fore  the  election  of  1840,  Bliiir  tokl  us,  in  the  Globe,  the  printing  presses  for  which 
were  bought  and  paid  for  by  Van  Buren's  speculating  friends  in  New  York, 
(see  Daniel  Jackson's  letter,)  that  Van  Buren  wrote  the  {Senate's  reply  to  Tomp- 
kins' Message  of  IS  14.  Jt  says  that  "  an  administration  selected  for  its  icisdum 
and  its  nrtucs  will,  in  our  opinion,  prosectde  the  war  till  our  multiplied  wrmujs  are 
upended,  and  our  riijhls  secured.''''  If  Van  Buren,  in  1811-12,  was  u  decided  ad- 
\  ocate  of  strong  measures  and  of  war,  why  did  lui  denounce  the  caucus  system 
of  which  ho  was  so  fond  in  ISOS  and  1S21,  and  which  Butler  revered  when  lie 
supposed  Andrew  JaeksoJi  was  to  be  put  down  by  it  ?  ^Vhy  did  he  denounce  a 
caucus  in  1812,  join  those  wiio  sought  lo  ])ut  down  this  wise  and  virtuous 
administration,  whose  foreign  jxdiey  Butler  tells  us  he  had  approved  of,  and  vole 
with  tlu!  Hartford  Convention  men,  and  the  feileral  States  of  Massachusetts, 
Rhode  Island,  and  Connecticut,  for  Clinton  !  JSo  one  will  argue  that  Massa- 
chusetts and  Connecticut  supported  Clinton  as  the;  war  candidate.  If  he  was 
such,  where  is  the  proof  of  it '{ 

That  W.  C.  Bryant,*  \h\  Channing,  Daniel  Webster,  and  hundreds  of  emi- 


♦  It  is  iiiuk'rstoiid  lo  li.'ivc  lu'i'ii  llii' jiidiry  111'  l''rniico  Iicliiro  tli''  I'.'iliiliilnlioii  olCiiii'lier,  in 
iiiiile  witli  llic  liiiliaiis,  and  surrniiiul  ilic  iMiijIisli  m'IiIiiir'IiIs  in  iN'uilli  y\im'i  ir;j,  by  a  icai 
roMuiuinicjitiiiii  III'  iiiililaiy  liuls,  jinliiiiiusiy  |il;ici'il  liciwccii  In'i  ruldiiy  ul  |,(iiiisi;ina  nnd  \\w 
dwellers  cm  Ilic  liniilcsof  llic  Si.  l.;i\\  iviiri'.  Somr  siicli  sclifinc  is  now  inipiilfd  lo  niit;iiii 
u'ilh  ii  \  ic'W  lo  ((ii'ii'c  the  Ihiili'd  Sljilcs  — and  lioiiiiciiiiix,  in  a  wi'll  wiillcii  paiiiphli'l,  t'vi 
(kiitly  cii'dils  ii.  lie  says  tlial  llir  AnIiIiuiIom  Mealy,  uliieli  was  eeriainly  a  vi-ry  iiard  liaiijinii 
to  lliese  Slates,  eiialiles  JMit^daiid  lo  assiiiiie  a  truly  roiiiiidalili'  alliiiidi'  mi  ilic  iioillieni  aiiil 
nortliwesteni  Irontiers  t)f  liie  Union —lo  stir  up  llie  hostile  Indian  trilii's,  childly  wt'si  ol' ih,. 
Mississippi — and,  that  ifl'e.vns  was  nol  annexed,  JMiv'land  woidd  <'oiiliol  ihc  (jiiltur  Alexiin, 
seuller  her  emissaries  amuiiL,'  the  Indiansall  the  way  uplo  Miihi;.''aii,  and  I'lieiri'h'  this  ivpiili- 
lie  with  eiieniies,  savai,^'  and  idvili/ed,  who  uoiild  risi'  lo  our  injury  at  her  hiddiiii,'. 

[I'  Repnhlii'aii  ^Viiierica  irniaiii  iriie  to  hi-r  oriijinal  di'siijn — il'  liiu'rh',  liascd  u\\  inlelli.'^enci', 
jiistiee,  and  industry  well  rfwarded,  eontinne  to  he  sidistanliallv  enjoyed  hy  her  people,  no 
eliiirts  ol' I'liiirland,  or  of  MiiLdand  and  l''raiiee  eondiined,  can  i^erinaiieiilly  retard  her  pr()ifre^s 
— no  lailioads,  northern  colonies,  western  Indians, oi'  hirelini;  nii'ici'naries,  would  avail  iniiili 
lor  eoiuiuesl.  France  is  a  conipacl  eouniry,  suiioumlcd  li\  alisolutc  monarchies,  and  In 
Holland,  KnH;land,  ami  Swil/crland — hut  was  she  not  siriniircr  airninsi  cundiiiied  lunnin'. 
when  hatllinu;  t'oi'  liherly  uiidei'  the  fli.'u:  of  Cree  iustitulions,  and  contined  within  her  iialtir;il 
limits,  than  wlien  her  rroiitiers  included  Italy,  Holland,  and  a  j^ieat  jiait  o(  Ciermany  auii 
Spain,  under  the  despotism  o|  >iapoleon  '!  In  her  sirnirt;les  lor  !j;oihI  tjovej  nmeiil,  ihe  iit'iiereu- 
and  the  just,  the  IkiUI  iind  the  hrave,  everywhere  asked  llea\en  to  hless  her — in  her  wars  tii 
aniitfxation  or  eonijuest  she  hecanu'  weak,  and  when  I  lirsl  iravelle  I  over  hei-  "  vine-eovcui 
fields  and  ,i;ay  valleys,"  she  was  a  captive,  Iwr  sli-onirholds  irarrisoncd  hv  lMi'j;lislimen,  Itiiv 
siaus,  FriissiiiMs,  and  Ausirians,  and  ilie  indiecile  Hourhoiis  and  oUl  luihlcsse  hore  rule  as  llii' 
vieej^erents  of  Melternieh,  Ah.'xaiuler,  and  the  hamn  (JastleieaLch.  In  my  o|)iiiion,  rcspectlull', 
oU'ered,  as  revised  and  corrected  hy  what  I  have  seen  hi'ie,  ihc  (Inloii  runs  more  risk  iIuoiivl 
the  (!Xeriions  ol'  the  pally  in  power  to  "Xleiid  and  per])elu:ile  shncrv  ;  iiillict  on  us  the  evils  n; 
an  unsound  eiirreney  ;  keep  millions  ol' the  people  deiriadetl  and  iLfiioraiil  ;  stir  up stieli  scene- 
as  were  witnessed  in  I'liihulelpiiia  in  IMI,  through  naiiveism  and  religions  hatreds;  boricm 
large  sums  Irom  roreign  ualions,  spend  the  iiioiiey  in  a  iirolligaie  manner  under  the  saiiciiri 
ol' sovereign  States,  and  then  virtually  repudiate  the  dejiis  ;  and  oinil  toenroice  cipial  lawsaii. 
a  pure  adMiiiiisliation  ot'justiee. 

When  we  si-e  threat  nation  like  Urilaln,  sirugi^ling  under  ihe  heavies!  load  ol'  piihiie  iM' 
lliiil  ever  was  horne  hy  any  people,  and  yei  aceomplishiiiir,  in  an  age,  many  ol  the  mo>t  gigair 
lie  relbriiis  and  iinproveuienis  on  which  this  repiihlii;  pridi's  itsell  —  wlien  we  see  ihe  miml  > 
Ihe  people  (.■(|ual  In  the  task'  ol'so  I'ar  sulidiiing  an  ai i'-tocraev,  ai  lea^i  as  uniled,  piiwerlul,;ii 
sftlendid,  as  liia!  which  issued  Irom  die  easlles  and  mansions  of  Ki'anee  into  e\ih' and  poveii. 
Idly  \eais  since,  as  lo  ensure  to  ihe  millions  ihe  prospect  ol'  a  tree  trade  w  ith  all  iialious  ii 
;;raiii  ami  pro\  isions,  while  we  lay  heavy  taxes  on  liiieigii  |iroduce--al  such  a  lime  as  tlii''' 
Would  as  niiwillinglv  go  to  hatile  wiih  Ihe  powerlul  liiiion  as  w  iih  ihe  ll'cMe  Mexieaii.  'I'! 
day  was  when  Tree  America  rejoiced  at  e\  erv  li'iuiii|i|i  ol  rrcedom  nii  lie' nld  snd.  "Willi 
never,  never  come  again  '! 

Since  IHIIJ,  IJiilain  has  desiroyid  her  lutleii  hoiuugh  represeiilaliou  in  ihe  three  kingtloiii- 
and  given  Maiiehesier,  llirmiug'ham, Leeds,  Sheiiield,  I'^dinhurgh,  Ahi'ideen,  Dundee,  Uiviii- 
ocii,  and  other  jiopulous  toinmunities  a  voie'e  in  her  Parliament.    She  Las  put  down  llii 


ure^ 

nent,  learned 
of  opinion  thi 

':  American  set 
strengthen  A 
guish  insteai 
much  ill-will. 
is  probable  ei 
on,  and  Madi 
were  for  war. 

]  ihat  majority, 

!  D'airped  borougl 
proved  niuiiicij) 
a  lu'iiving  the  com 
<\  hunuigh  svstein, 
■'  and  IJaniel  0'(J 
'  seven  cent  stam] 
■  «ay  to  a  redueti 
:  liy  us  yet  5  to  I  il 
:  ik'iiiaiided  (!  eeni 
,  I',  ney,  hut  she  ha 
all  sums  under  ,■;] 
ahvavsin  gold  ai 
piihlicity,  and  lu: 
;     Iiiiiain,  too,  si 
\  iii.'iny  grievous  d 
;  |ile;  and  the  l()ri 
lest  acts  and   o| 
■'  in' many  cases,  u 
(  MMiie  in  MiiLrlaiii 
jaild    lessened    tlii 
;  valiiahle  reforms 
*  -hip  and  eouniv 
1  canals  and  railn 
J  ilieir  eDinnierce, 
iivase  the  numi 
regions  of  God's 
iii'diillars  to  hlot 
licr  jury  and  lihe 
Ihe  last  thirty  \\ 
Mieiety  and  her 
and  iniprisonecl 
k  lit  aniendrneiit- 
ilniies  lessened  : 
(ir  less  utility,  aif 
a  year,  a  direct  ir 
a  year,  whethei' 
none  of  it.     Not 
ten  ;  and  she  pro 
iiiimomily  of  suj^ 
s.i.in  have  as  dei 
many  other  ehaii 
India  company  ti 
ef  the  tythe  syste 
itini  [likes,  canals 
rceeiU  reforms. 
Ill' England,  ami 
is  there  that  won 
worlc(>d  harder  ii 
luuler  the  iron  yi 
sinnerity  in  the 
lioctrines  of  Joh 
—the  North  Oar 
experience  migh 
one  policy,  and  i 


)RMS. 

iresses  for  which 
s  in  New  York, 
5  reply  to  Tomp- 
d  for  its  loisduin 
plied  wrongs  are. 
as  II  decided  ad- 
e  caucus  system 
(;v(!red  when  lie 
id  he  denounce  a 
nse  and  virtuous 
oved  of,  and  vole 
f  Massachusetts, 
r^ue  that  Massa- 
idate.      If  he  was 

\undreds  of  en>i- 

iliiiion  (irQ.iii'1'fo,  li' 
I  yXiiii'iiiii,  l>y  a  it'iii 
i|  l,taiisi;iiKi  ami  lln' 
,v  iiiipuifil  !>'  Miimiii 
ritlcu   p:iiii|ililt't,  t'vi 
,-ii  v(M\  liiiiil  liari,'inii 
till  the  MtirlluMii  ati^l 
<,  cliii'llv  wi'sl  <'l'  '111' 
I  ihc  Giilt  "iMfxiiv, 
(I  eiicircit'  lliis  a'puli- 
lur  hidiling. 
lasi'd  ciii  iiiti'llii^enci', 
■f(l  l)y  lirr  pi'oiilf,  iiii 
y  ri'laid  litT  protjros 
I's,  WDiilil  avail  iiiuili 
iiioiKiifliii's,  and  li\ 
st  ciimliiiit'il   lOiiiniv, 
(I  within  lii'f  naliinil 
pari  nt  Cu'iniaiiy  aim 
niiiii'iil,  111'"  sii'ia-ioih 
lici  — ill  lifi'  wars  li.: 
CI  her  "  viiR'-i'iivi'K'i 
1)\-  l^ii'^disiiiiii'ii,  Kiiv 
Icssc  l)()ic  vulo  as  llu' 
,■  opiiiiuii,  ii'.vipcfirull; 
HIS  inure  \f^\<  lliroiii;!. 
Ilii  I  nil  us  llio  rvilsui 

It  ;  stir  lIllstli'llSi'CIK- 
;ioUs  halivds;   hoUOW 

cv  iiiiili'r  llif  saiH'tic  I 
nforci'  (Mpial  lausan' 

,i  load  of  piil'iif  dil'' 
my  ()(  the  iimst  i^i^aii- 
I'll' \vi'  sec  ilii'  iniiiil  1 
-  iiiiili'd,  piiwcrliil.iUi 
iiilo  r\ilc  and  powit 
di-  Willi  ail  nalitius  II 

I  siK'li  a  liini-'  as  tliiM 
rch'.r  Mexican.     'H.- 

ll,.'  l.ld  snd.      "Willi 

II  il,c  ilnv'  kinydoiii^ 
derii,  Dundee,  Gl'OlV 
ho  Las  put  (luwu  thf 


GREAT  REFORMATION  IN  ENGLAND,  IRELAND, AND  SCOTLAND. 


47 


nent,  learned,  and  faithful  men,  of  high  talents  and  much  experience,  were  then 
of  opinion  that  a  war  would  not  force  England  to  abandon  her  impressment  of 
American  seamen  and  other  bad  practices,  that  a  continuance  of  peace  would 
strengthen  America,  prevent  immense  losses  to  her  commerce  then  afloat,  extin- 
"•uish  instead  of  greatly  increasing  her  public  debt  and  other  burthens,  avoid 
much  ill-will,  and  save  the  lives  of  many  thousands  of  innocent  human  creatures, 
is  probable  enough:  but  when  the  war  was  raging,  tht;  national  policy  decided 
oil,  and  Madison  the  candidate  of  the  majority,  the  democracy,  the  party  wlio 
wore  for  war,  why  did  Van  Buren  then  vkv.e  Cunton  on  to  a  contest  against 
that  majority,  whose  conduct,  he  says,  in  1814,  he  had  ever  approved,  and  endea- 

nsnrpcd  bormufh  Koverinnnnts  whirli  obtained  in  hor  towns  and  ritips;  qiven  the  towns  im- 

provod  nniniei])al  eharlers,  with  ihe  power  ol'eloclinir  their  mayors,  aldermen,  &c.,  and  im- 

provin.if  ihe  coiulilion  of  and  udueatini^  the  masses.     She  has  broken  down  in  Ireland  the  clo.se 

lioroutjli  system,  in  so  niiieh  that  the  proscription  and  favoritism  oCold  times  are  at  an  end, 

and  Daniel  O'Connell,  a  Itoman  Catholie,  has  been  Mayor  of  Dublin.     Siie  has  reduced  tiie 

seven  cent  stamp  duty  on  newspapers  to  two  cents,  mail  postaii^e   included — and  has  led  the 

«ay  to  a  reduction  of  letter  postai^e,  chari^ins^  only  two  cents  for  ii  letter,  any  distance,  chavi^ed 

i  Ipv  us  yet  5  to  10,  and  lor  which  she  formerly  e.vaeted    10  cents  to  half  a  crown,  while  wc 

ili'inaiided  (■)  eenls  to  50.     She  has  neither  brolvcn  down  the  I'ank  of  En;,dand  nor  a  paper  cur- 

r,  iii-y,  but  she  has  chan'j^ed  an  irredeemable  paper  circiilatinij  medium  into  i^oU  and  silver  for 

:ill  sums  under  $2^},  and   her  :}«;!.')  and  hi'/her  denominations  of  bank  notes  are  redeemable 

iilwavs  in  fjold  at  the  I'ank  of  Kn'^laml,  which  is  under  an  ellicient  supervision,  includins^  real 

|ii'i)li(ity,  and  no  safely  fund  ])olilical  inaidiinery  to  mar  its  useful  ne.ss. 

Ilritain,  too,  since  IHl!),  has  emanei|ialeil   both   pnilestants  and  catholics,  the  latter   from 

\  iiKiiu'  i;iievous  disabilities,  which  had  previously  made  them  a  discontented,  persecutetl  ])eo- 

:  pie;  and  the  lormer,  when  dissenters  from  Ihe  I'roteslanI  l'',pisco]ial  Church,  by  removiiiir  the 

lest   acts  ami    oppressions   which    ke|it   I'lesbylerians,  tluakers,  Independents,  Methodirt.-s 

I  in' many  ca.ses,  out  of  places  of  power  and  tru.-^l ;  has  endowed  many  schools  in  Ireland,  and 

I  ^(lllle  in  Mnvdand  ;  cncoura'.^cd  meclianies'  iiisliinies,  and  the  spread  of  seienlilic  kno\vled<,'c ; 

hind  lesscneil  the  disaliiliiics  under   which  the  .lews  siilfeivd.     She   has  made  many  and 

;  valuable  reforms  in  her  <'ol(inies;  ti;iven  the  Canadians  the  local  administration  of  their  low'ii- 

• 'hip  and  coiiniy  alfairs,  lent  them  lari,'e  sums  df  money,  i,'ivcii  them   muniljcent  i^rants  'i)r 

ii'imals  and  railroads,  lent  them  millions  and  endorsed  the  loans,  and  done  iiiiich  toencourajje 

sihi'ir  commene,  and  free  it  from  ancient  shackles.     While  we  are  doiiii,'our  very  best  U)  in- 

ii'ii'iise  the  numbers  of  wretclii'il,  honeless  victims  who  iiiiie  in   slavery,  and  cursinti;  new 

lit",'ioiis  of  God's  earth  with  that  horriil  scourire,  Britain  has  jiaid  nearly  four  hundred  millions 

|uf  dollars  to  blot  out  Afrii'nn  biindau;e  from  ihe  lace  of  the  earth  ;  slip  has  greatly  improved 

her  jury  and  libel  laws,  she  has  humani/ed  her  |ienal  code,  she  has  done  more  than  we  within 

the  last  thirty  years  to  make  the  civil  code  clear,  distinct,  and  suitable  to  the  condition  of 

I'Ociely  and  lier  institutions.     The  cruel  restrictions  on  a  free  press  which  banished  many 

and  imprisoned  more,  are  chietly  repealed;  the  navi^ration  laws  reduced  into  one  act;  excei- 

h  nt  amendments  made  in  many  of  her  <'ourts  of  justice,  as  to  their  procedure  ;   her  stamp 

ilnties  lessened  ;  and  while  salt,  soap,  tea,  su;:ar,  coliee,  and  a  thou.sand  other  thinj^s  of  more 

(irless  utility,  are  either  freed  from  ta.\ali<in,  or  the  tax  on  them  le.-sened  at  least  fiily  millions 

a  vear,  a  direct  tax  of  twelve  cents  |ier  pound  is  laid  on  the  incomes  of  all  men  wiuth  over  S700 

a  vear,  whether  from  bank  slock  or  bioad  acres,  but  persons  under  ft'TOO  a  year  income  pay 

lume  of  it.     Not  lone;  since  she  took  three  millions  of  dollars,  yearly  duty,  oil'  American  coi- 

i.in  ;  and  she  jiroliibits  the  ijrowih  of  tobacco  in  the  tlniled  Kimrdom,  ^ivim,"-  us  the  virtual 

monopoly  of  sii)iplyinu:  her.     ruder  the  jin 'posed  system  of  trade,  Hulfalo  and  Loekporl  will 

sKin  have  as  deep  an  interest  in  peaie  with  Mnijlaud  as  Charleston  now  has.     These,  and 

many  other  chanires  for  the  better,  iiicliidimj  the  brcalcinu:  up  of  the  monopoly  of  the  East 

India  company  to  supply  teas,  and  trade  liciwecu  India  and  the  United  KinL;ilom,lherednciion 

el' the  tythe  system,  especially  in  Ireland,  and  the  expimditnie  of  many  millions  on  railroads, 

turnpikes,  canals,  brid.i;;es,  ami  an  iiiliuile  mimbcrof  other  useful  works,  are  onlya  ])arl  of  the 

recent  reforms.     Much  has  yet  to  be  done — much  is  aecomplished  hei'i'  which  the  vast  deht 

of  Enijiand,  and  the  faithful  payment  of  its  inleiest,  prevent  her  from  atiempiinu:.     Hut  who 

is  there  that  would  rush  into  war  to-inornn\',  with  such  a  people,  in  order  liial  slaves  may  he 

worked  harder  in  Texas,  their  owners,  or  theilealers  in  them  enriched,  aiul  Canada  brou'jht 

inuler  the  iron  yoke  of  the  slave  Stales  of  this  Union  '?     My  past  lile  is  the  evidence  of  my 

sincerity  in  the  cause  of  human  emancipation,  hut  1  cannot,  and  will  not  subscribe  to  lh« 

doctrines  of  John  ('.  Calhoun  ami  James  K.  Pollc ;    and  my  judirmenl  is,  that  they  two 

—the  North  Caroliuiaii  in  the  ['residential  chair,  and  the  South  Carolinian,  whose  talents  and 

experience  inif>;lil  lonfc  since  have  enabled  him  to  claim  it — desire  to  pursue  in  tlic  main, 

tone  policy,  and  tiiat  not  favorable  to  luimaii  freedom. 


'/'.;' -^ 


■^■.'-  .. 


■\l 


•S    lil 


■J^'; 


'» 

.t 


■V.'-      M:l 


Vv^' ^ 


«  7, 


4S 


VAN  BUREN  3  CONDUCT  LAST  WAR.  WALPOLE  ON  AMERICA. 


AMBRO 


^i- 


i  '»■ 


Ik; 


vor  by  federal  aid  to  break  down  the  government  at  the  very  moment  when 
unity  was  most  required  ? 

In  the  address  of  the  Republican  members  of  the  Legislature  of  N.  Y.  to 
the  electors,  dated  April  19th,  ISlo,  and  signed  by  Eraslus  Root,  Samuel  Youiig, 
M.  Van  Biiren,  Peter  Allen,  Moses  1.  Cantinc,  Aaron  Hackley,  Peter  Stagg, 
John  Wells,  W.  C.  Bouck,  and  others,  it  is  asserted,  that  "  driven  to  the  very  verge 
of  sufferance,  our  government  was  compelled  to  choose  between  manly  resist- 
ance and  abject  submission — between  open,  determined  hostility,  and  national 
debasement  and  degradation.  The  former  altcrn.itive  was  adopted  ;  and  on  the 
18th  of  June,  1812,  a  d.i;;  which  will  form  a  proud  epoch  in  the  annals  of  our 
country,  war  was  ueciareu  agauist  Great  Pritam."  When  our  government  tooic 
this  manly  course  on  a  uuy  wnicn  Mr.  Van  i^uren  aeciares  lo  ne  a  proud  cpcch 
in  the  nation's  annals,  why  was  he  found  among  the  enemies  of  that  government, 
the  head  of  which  had  been  nominated  for  re-election,  by  a  caucus  majority  in 
Congress,  a  mode  approved  by  him  and  Butler  in  1S24,  even  when  adopted  by 
only  a  small  minority  in  Congress  to  put  down  Clay,  Jackson,  and  A  dams  1  Why 
did  he  oppose  Wheaton,  Root,  Crolius,  Sanford,  Rutgers,  and  Old  Tammany,  in 
November,  1812  r  There  is  but  one  answer — to  break  dovn  ti.e  government 
of  the  day.  Was  there  in  N.  Y.  one  enemy  to  the  war,  in  Noi-.,  1S12,  who  did 
not  take  sides  with  Coleman,  Soutliwick,  and  Martin  Van  Hu'^enl 

Van  Buren  urged  Clinton  to  take  the  worst  step,  so  great,  so  truly  noble  and 
useful  a  man  could  have  tak^n  in  ISov.,  1812 — and,  when  Clinton  failed,  ho 
basely  deserted  him  whom  he  had  betrayed,  and  hastened  to  give  in  his  allegi- 
ance to,  and  make  himself  strong  upon,  the  winning  side  ;  putling  the  administra- 
tion he  had  striven  to  ruin,  and  lauding  it,  in  1814,  for  the  very  measures  qp 
account  of  which  he  had  endeavored  to  strangle  it  in  1S12.*     Clinton  failed  in 

It  is  a  great  error  to  Mippc».se  that  tla-  aristocracy  of  Eiu'opt-  arc  nur  cucmies.  How  many  in 
France  sacriiicod  everytliing  to  lilicrty  !  Did  not  the  F'rcncli  nol)ilily  cheer  on  Dr.  FranKlin 
in  his  exertions,  and  did  nut  Lord  Cliathaui  and  the  English  lil)ci-als"cncoura.^'c  the  Colonist,-. 
to  resist  George  111.,  Lord  Norih,  and  the  Parliament  of  that  day  1  llcarlccn  to  Horace  Wal- 
pole,  the  Whig  Earl  of  Oribrd,  a.s  he  exjircssos  hi.'*  Coelings  to  his  Iriend  Sir  Iior;icc  Aiann, 
the  British  envoy  at  Florence  :  "  Paris,  Stpt.  7,  n75. 

"  I  am  what  I  always  was,  a  zealot  for  liberty  in  every  part  of  the  glohe,  and  con.sequently 
most  heartily  wish  success  to  the  Americans.  They  have  hitherto  not  uiade  one  lihinder,  and 
the  administration  have  mailo  a  thousand,  besides  the  two  capital  ones,  of  fu>t  provoking,  and 
then  uniting  the  Colonics.  The  latter  seem  to  /lave  as  good  heads  as  hcaris,  and  we  want  both. 
Instead  of  being  mortifie.l,  as  I  generally  am  when  my  country  is  defeated,  I  am  comforted 
by  finding,  that,  though  one  of  vuy  fcv  in  England,  the  seniiuioiits  of  the  rest  of  the  world 
concur  with  ami  conlirm  miiu".  i'lie  people  witli  us  are  tiiscinated  ;  and  what  must  we  be, 
when  Frenchmen  are  shocked  at  our  despotic  acts!  Indeed,  both  tiiis  nation  and  their  kin;,' 
seem  to  embrace  the  most  generous  ])rincipks — the  only  fasliion,  I  doui)l,  in  wliich  we  shall 
not  imitate  them.     Too  late  our  eye.^  will  open." 

The  recent  speeches  of  O'Conncll  show  that  England  mnii  depend  on  Ireland  in  ca.se  of  a 
war  by  us  to  sustain  an  c.vtcnsion  ol'  slavery.  Can  we  of  America  depend  on  France,  as  ni 
old,  to  engage  in  such  a  cause  ?  We  ought  not  to  e.\pect  it.  rs'or  ought  any  of  our  peoplo 
10  be  deceived  with  the  cry  that  England  and  France  aie  worn  out,  superannuated  military 
despotisms.  The  peoj)le  there  are  just  as  young,  and  as  wiile  awake  to  their  rights  as  our 
favorite  States  of  Florida  and  Te.Kr.s,  and,  if  I  mistalve  not,  a  great  ileal  more  so. 

*  (Jlii>T  JiiHticc  Sp  nc<'i',  till' biuliiiu' in  liiw  ol' Cliiiloii,  iiiul  wlu)  supp'ricil  iMailioii  nnil  lliu  adminiiiiratinn  l:i 
1812,  wlkii  Villi  liiircMi  vvus  i!n;n:;  nn  re  man  :iny  otiicr  man  in  lliu  S.iili.'  id  t'liihiiiiMSB  Uir  wiir  -.nvx  ii«  siipiMirlcr , 
ivroii!  II  lifit' r  Ii>  IliD  .V.ic  H'»)7'/,  In  Aiuiisi,  IHlli,  rrnsnrini!  Jal),  z  I).  Iliiiniin ml  lor  playing  the  syciipliam '*i 
lie  Willi)  til  V.in  Uiiieii.  Ilaiiiriioiiil  hail  lii'cn  in  llie  I'linliili'iirr  ut'  Clinton  and  iippiMxl  lo  V;iii  lliircii  anil  lii:<  A!- 
Ijiiny  tliiiiie  ;  bin  liuwliti'loil  loiiiul  in  lf!;)4,  iliu  p:!t  b^uik  yi  ar,  noi  ilit- jniLMilii|>  of  a  couiiiy  court,  and  pulld 
Van  lliiri'ii'-  war  fUTvirrs,  i.i  Ins  bo.ik  anil  in  'rUei,-'  to  lliu  n^'W^pa|l(■l>,  p  olicilily  a^  a  KiUlc'lul  riiuivali  lit. 

Judge  Spcnct'r'b  rcinaik-  oli  Ilainniiinirs  iiccuuni  ol'  Van  Uiii>  n'.->  ■.onUuLt  in  NovciiibtT,  \HVi,  uic  su  ECiisllilt 
III  d  III  ill    piiini,  llial  tlii'  render  will  hn  picas  il  i\  i  li  tli>  ni. 

"Mr.  Vun  Hunii  fsuy.-.  Ilaiiiiiionilj  on  lii>  mriv.il  til  Alb.iiiy  foinid  Mr.  Clinfnii  cniinly  ilcsliuitc  of  nny  planni 
operaiion.  Tliu  taitnta  address  and  activity  ol'  Mr.  Van  iluien  S'Hin  plareil  liini  hi  ilie  tioad  of  the  K  publicnn 
frieuds  oi  Mr.  t^lmion  I  .  ilie  .S  naie  ami.  in  laii,  in  ilie  l.i  kisIuiuk  ."  Tin;  ntult  wan  iIimI  Iti  publican  ileciiiu 
Were  noiiilnaxU  in  tiie  Spiiab  ,  m  d  Knlcral  .  I  ciiir^  ii  tlic  AMSi-inbly,  and  upon  joint  b  illut,  tiie  Clinionlau  llcKrl 
received  74  voieo,  the  F'drral  lickel  15,  anil  i!8  blank  vo  p«  "ere  cast,  and  Mr.  Hniiiinond  nays,  "  Of  aiurae  ilii 
FcdcrKliaU,  3G  ut'  liiooi,  vutcU  ilie  Cliiiiiiniita  ticket."    Ttiu  iiuestion  ib,  wtio  etfvcicil  tliu  urroiitieiueiit  by  wliidt 


Nov.,  that  y 
1813,  the  po 
resumed. 


yti  Fcilcrnlit-tB  «hn 
llhir  .secret  ballot 
It  wii-i  lint  Mr.  I 
iinerrinKly  pointji 
wan  Mr.  Van  Uiir 
>iiu  IlcpnliJican  fr 
iniind's  political  ii 
Mich  (ml i ileal  barg 
with,  would  ni'vci 
and  what  it  wai>, 
the  S  •natr,  ol'tlie 
iir.il  Wilkin'u  elcc 
iiiinii  and  stipiilai 
•'  Mr.  Van  Biip' 
entire  Federal  par 
eeplance  iit  Hint  ai 
inatiun  ul'  Mr  Ma 
Imn  of  war,  I  Hipp 
liad  iiiiiiiiriated  liii 
"The  occnrrcnc 
iinininated.  Tlie  i 
len's  qiliek  perccp 
would  bavi,'  been  i 
iHi-.wr  in  Mr.  Van  I 
In:  opinion  aRiiliisl 
war?  Under  the' 
eliiit  Mr.  Clinton, 
Mean  parly,  ainl  w 
llic  enerpeiic  prom 
lliat  .Mr.  Van  Mure 
piirly  of  ihe  stalt 
I iipiilly  declined  in 
eil  from  Ilie  iiiayoi 
asserted  that  Mr. 
( ()ii)proiMi.'^i:t<,  or  d 
iiii;  In  Mr.  llainiiii 
lie  iliuibled ;  but  il 
liirily  which  follm 
a  nobility  of  noiiI, 
crary,  and  that  lo 
WDiilil  he  mil,  cs\ 
slilerntionH  as  rcga 
iwo  Kepubliian 
ken  a  source  of  i 
Miegesl  it-elf  to  I 
ell  valion  to  Itle  I'l 
I  iliil  of  tho  eour> 
means  of  forming' 
liave  eonsideri'il, 
Hiiil.  I  make  no  iln 
cnniliict,  and  any 
This  is  all  trna, 
man  who  pntiioii 

THE    MO.MICNT   IT 

■I  RV,  In  supportiiij 
tin;  nearly  eipiiil 
iMalli^on  and  ihu  i 
venlion." 

VVilh  ninny  .iiirl 
their  employers,  |i 
at  Van  Baren'.-i  eh 
enemies  of  his  con 

Col.  Diiane  was 
went,  like  Anibro' 
not  suit  tho  powei 
pnwcr  for  tho  piir 
imislied  In  the  pu 
York,  after  inakin 
'  wriiin?  down  tt 
directed  to  prevct 
strone  iind  Do  W 
any  sort  of  fitnesi 

Iul8l6,  Diiaiie 
friend  t'ol.  Monro 
ill  favor  of  Mr.  Ci 
NewYmk."  Al 
Con^rent,  to  vote 
eral  otiien  only  p 
in(toniDi8Sd,)io 


lERICA. 


AMBROSE  SPEWCBa*B  VIEW  OF  VAN  BUREN'S  CONDUCT  LA8T  WAK.      49 


■•    '.  ■ '  ' 


y  moment  when 

ure  of  N.  Y.  to 
Samuf!  Youug, 
.y,  Peter  Slagg, 
to  the  very  verge 
'(•n  manlv  resist- 
ity,  and  national 
itcd  ;  and  on  the 
le  annals  of  our 
Tovernment  tool; 
)e  a  prouu  cpc:Ii 
that  government, 
luciis  majority  in 
fthen  adopted  by 
J.'^damsl  Why 
)ld  Tammany,  in 
ti.e  government 
.,  IS  12,  who  did 
^n1 

0  truly  noble  and 
Clinton  failed,  ho 
tjive  in  his  allegi- 
12  the  admmistra- 
,'ery  measures  oji 
Clinton  failed  in 

lies.  IIow  many  in 
eer  on  Dr.  Franklin 
ourage  tliu  Colonist.-, 
ken  to  1  turace  Wal- 
d  Sir  IloHicc  Mann, 
arii,  S>pl.  7,  1775. 
K',  and  con.'-c<}uently 
ide  one  M under,  and 
ffii>t  j)i-ovokinff,  and 
Is,  and  we  want  botli. 
nod,  I  aui  coniCortL'd 
the  rest  vl'  the  world 
,(i  what  must  we  be, 
ation  and  Iheir  kiiii; 
)l,  ill  which  we  shall 

Irclaml  in  ca.se  of  a 
nd  on  France,  as  oi 
hi  any  of  our  peopK: 
craniiuated  military 
(,)  their  rights  as  our 
more  so. 

ml  lliL'  aiiiiiinid>ntinii  ii 
r  wnr  iinl  hk  .siip(Miili.r  , 
ilaying  llic  Kvoi'linm  '-^i 
o  Vail  Diircii  and  His  Al 
cnuiiiy  Ciiurt,  and  pull'jil 

LHUIllI  e(|lllVil|illt. 

ivi,  IHl'J,  uiv  Hi)  KCiisilile 

i  tlostimte  of  nny  plannf 
lie^id  i>r  itie  K  publicnn 

lllat  III  pillllicllll   lll'CiOii 

Idt.  till-  CliiiiiiiiiMii  licKit 
ml  Rij's,  "  Of  ciiursf  ilic 
lie  urrangeuieiit  by  wliiJi 


Nov.,  that  year,  and  Van  Buren  tells  us  in  1840,  that  in  the  session  of  January, 
1813,  the  political  ties  that  had  existed  between  them  were  dissolved  and  never 
resumed. 

V!t)  FcilfrnliFtR  ah»ndnn(>d  the  <iiipp(in  of  their  own  pnliticnl  (yienilf,  and  wlinin  they  had  openly  nominated  to  give 

Ih'ir  secret  linlliit''  to  ilicir  imiIUichI  op|)onenlii,  tliiiH  (>nn.t)lln|!  Ilitni  to  triiiitipli? 

It  WHS  ii'it  Mr,  riiMloii.  lor  Vmi  Biirvti  found  liini  entirely  (liwtituttt  of  any  plan  cif  operationn.  Mr.  Hniniiionil 
iineiriiixly  pointu  nut  tile  man  who  intri^iied  with  the  Fiilrrallits,  who drovi!  ami  eonsuiiniiati'il  the  bartj.iin.  It 
wajt  Mr.  Van  Huron  who,  hv  liis  lalentn.  address  and  activity,  diri  ihiR,  and  thus  "  placed  himself  at  the  head  of 
tlic  Kepiililican  friends  of  Mr.  Clinton  in  S>  nate  and,  i.l  fact,  in  the  Lei!iii|atiire."  Hut,  accordini;  to  Mr,  Ham- 
iiiond's  political  moral.-i,  lliis  wn.s  all  riulit ;  and  it  Hct'ins  never  to  have  nccurred  to  tins  simple-minded  man  that 
.'iiii'h  political  hargain8  are  hnsed  on  a  quid  pro  qua  ;  that  siuh  astute  Fe<lerulists  a*  Mr.  Viin  Burrn  h:td  to  deal 
with,  would  never  give  Hp  their  own  electors  whom  Ihay  had  the  (Kjwer  of  cliooiiiiii,  without  some  equivalent 
and  what  It  wan,  wan  unfolded  at  the  next  meetinji;  of  the  sniiie  Legifluiurc,  in  tlie  ehxtion  of  Mr.  Rufus  Kin^  to 
Ilie  Senate  of  the  Ifniteil  states,  by  the  desertion  of  a  sutticiciit  number  of  Uepuhliiwiii  members  to  defeat  Gen- 
crnl  Wilkin's  election,  whom  the  Repulilliaii  party  had  the  {Miwcr  to  elect.  'J'liero  may  liavo  been  other  condl- 
Ijiina  and  stipulutinns  eitli«r  iinliiltilled  or  iinrevi.'aled. 

•'  Mr.  Van  Bnreii  must  have  peri  eived  lli.it  Mr.  Clinton  could  not  Ix;  clerted  Tiesidetit  without  the  aid  of  the 
entire  Kedtral  party,  unci  iliat  wiili  such  aid  Ins  prosiK'Ctf"  were  slender.  He  must  have:  b<'en  nwruo  that  tJie  ac- 
ceptance III' that  aid  wniilil  iiiio  him  in  the  estimaiioii  of  the  urent  repuhliran  party  ofthe  ('iiioii.  After  tlie  nom- 
ination of  Mr.  Madison  in  lln-  accnstniiied  manner  by  the  Repiihlican  memheiM  of  ( ■imKress,  and  after  the  declara- 
tmn  of  war,  I  then  thought  and  siill  think,  these  events  had  absolved  every  friend  cf  Mr.  Clinton,  even  tboae  who 
liad  nominated  liim,  fi»in  all  obligation  to  support  him  for  the  Presidency. 

"The  occurrence  (d'li  w:ir  with  a  mighty  iiutioii  had  not  hern  anticipated  with  certainty  when  Mr.  Clinton  waa 
iioniinated.  'fhe  declaration  <if  wnr  met  the  hfarty  nwent  of  the  Republican  party.  Did  it  escape  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
iin'r-  quick  perception  and  rapid  combmation  of  ideas,  that  r.n  oppissition  to  Mr.  ,Madli'm'»  election  and  his  defeat 
would  have  been  a  virtual  condemnation  of  the  war,  declared  by  his  advice  and  under  his  auspices'?  Did  it  not 
incur  to  Mr.  Van  Buren  that  our  public  enemy  would  regard  the  defeat  of  Mr.  Madison  as  an  e.xpreiuiion  of  pub- 
lic (ipimon  asaiiiii  the  war  '.  Was  it  not  iiotorioiiu  that  the  Federal  party  almost  iiniveriMilly  were  opposed  to  the 
\iiir  ?  Under  these  eirruliistances  a  coalition  with  any  |)oriion  of  ihe  Federal  party  to  deleat  Mr.  Madison  and 
clnt  Mr.  Clintoo,  if  suicessfiil.  would  have  been  desiructive  of  that  unity  of  opinion  which  pcrvadi  il  the  Repub- 
licaii  parly,  and  would  have  allorded  to  ilii-  enemy  iiicontestible  prmd"  of  a  fatnl  disunion  of  opinion,  aa  rucarded 
tile  enrrpeiic  prosecution  of  the  war  on  our  part,  which  must  have  been  humiliating  and  injurious.  Is  it  true 
lliat  .Mr.  Van  Uuren's  conduct  on  tlie  Presidential  question  was  in  accordam-e  with  the  views  of  ih<i  Republican 
parly  of  Uie  slate?  It  is  a  notorious  fact,  that  immediately  pfter  the  Presidential  conlrst  ceased,  Mr.  Clinton 
I  iipiilly  declined  in  the  (stimation  ofthe  RepublicanH  of  the  state,  and  in  Into  was  removed  by  a  Repiililicaii  coun- 
cil from  the  mayoraliy  of  New  York,  the  only  ollice  he  tin  n  held.  •  •  •  •  It  111. ver  has  been  insinuated  or 
Hsscrieil  that  Mr.  (Clinton  personally  took  any  agency  in  prociiriiiR  hia  election,  or  entered  into  any  bargains  or 
niiiiproinises,  or  did  anv  act  inconsistent  with  liis  honor.  He  merely  suffered  his  iiamu  to  be  used.  Uut,  accord- 
ing to  Mr.  Ilaininoiiil,  Mr.  Van  Hiiren  was  the  miistcr-spirit.  That  Mr.  Clinton  was  an  ambitious  man,  is  not  to 
111!  doubted  ;  but  it  was  oi'a  high  order,  antl  its  objects  were  piirmed  by  no  ignoble  means.  He  lovt^d  that  pnpu- 
liirliy  which  followiNl  his  deeds,  not  that  which  is  run  after.  lie  was  no  demagogue,  and  was  utterly  unlitted,  by 
a  nobility  of  soul,  tor  such  si  If  prostiintioii.  If  Mr.  Van  Buren  had  been  imbued  with  those  principles  of  demo- 
cracy, and  that  lofty  patriolisiii  to  wlilch  he  iiinkes  pretensions  and  for  which  Ins  Hdheieiils  gave  him  credit, 
would  he  not,  esiiecially  alter  tlie  declaration  of  war,  have  ndinonished  IMr.  Clinton  of  the  many  weighty  con- 
siilerations  as  regarded  the  public  good  and  his  own  fame,  whieh  forbade  a  contest  lor  the  Presidency,  between 
two  Rcpubliian  candidates.  ♦  *  *  ♦  Kvcnts  proved  that  my  motives  were  pure  and  honorable;  and  it  has 
ken  a  source  of  ijreal  satisfaction  to  me,  thai  Mr.  Clinton  live«l  to  be  convinced  ol  it.  The  thought  will  naturally 
Miggesl  itfC'lf  to  ev  rv  imnd  how  ciiines  it  ilut  I.  nearly  allied  to  Mr.  (Jlinlon,  and  much  more  interested  in  liis 
ell  vation  to  the  Preiiili.ncy,  s  •  tar  as  leelinga  .ire  concerneil,  than  Mr  Van  Hurin.  should  have  taken  the  view 
I  iliil  ofthe  course  whiih  At.,-  own  fame  .and  pntiioti-in  required  of  him  ;  and  that  Air.  Van  Buren  with  equal 
means  of  fnrmiiif,'  a  correct  opinion,  should  have  come  hunrtthj  to  an  adverse  eoncliision.  I  consider,  and  always 
have  considered,  .Mr  Van  lliireiis  coiuluct  on  that  inr'inorable  occasion,  as  the  greatest  political  error  of  his  life; 
ami.  1  inalte  no  iloiibl,  be  M,  (oiisiders  It  hiinself:  his  friends  have  in  vain  attempted  to  justify  or  palliata  his 
ciiiiiliict,  and  any  man  who  can  doFo  elPctiially,  would  be  welcome  to  him." 

This  is  nil  trua,  and  yet  w  e  liinl  Van  fJuren  held  forth,  September  ••,  IKKi,  in  the  AUiany  Ar/rus,  as  being  "  the 
iniin  who  pntiiotically  yielded  the  state  prirle  of  su|)porting  a  citr/.en  of  New   York  for  ihe  Presidency,  m  IRI.'i, 

■rllE    MII.MKNT   IT    nEeA.ME    Al'l'*lll!N  T  THAT  TlIK  SI  ri'OKT  OK  Mil.  (-'t.lNTON  IN  VOI.VF.tl  Ol'POSITION  TO  THK  lOUN- 

iiiY,  in  suppiutiiig  the  war.  ♦  ♦  •  'J'ik.  |„„„  to  whom,  It  may  almost  be  said,  ilui  nation  owes  it,  that  in 
tin;  nearly  eipiiil  struggle  between  the  contending  parlies  in  IHI.'J  and  18H,  New  York  was  found  oh  the  fide  of 
.Aladison  and  the  country,  instead  of  being  seated  with  her  delegates  in  the  secret  conclave  of  the  Hartford  Con- 
vealion." 

With  ninny  such, vehicles  offalsehood  as  the  .^r/jrin,  upheld  to  lie  liohily,  artrnlly,  and  to  the  advantage  of 
their  employers,  piiiil  by  them,  circulated  widely  among  the  people,  the  better  to  deceive  them,  who  can  wonder 
at  Van  Baren's  eleciioii  m  1  ^lil  ?  I  rejoiced  to  si«  the  iiatrioiic  hero,  for  such  I  brllevtd  him,  triumph  over  the 
eni-niies  of  his  country,  as  described  by  my  old  friend  Croswell,  to  whose  statement  ol  facts  I  gave  implicit  credit. 

Col.  Dnane  was  far  more  friendly  to  Clinton  than  to  Madison,  bttt  as  the  nation  was  on  the  eve  of  a  war,  he 
went,  like  Ambrose  Spencer,  for  unanimity.  In  March,  1812,  be  said,  in  the  Aurora,  "  l)e  Witt  Clinton  will 
not  suit  the  powers  that  be,  he  has  an  opinion  of  his  own.  The  circumstance  of  tho  employment  of  delegated 
power  for  tho  purp.)se  of  depressing  men  who  are,  on  account  of  their  great  talents,  or  public  services,  diatin- 
gnished  in  tho  public  view,  is  a  horriide  feature  in  republican  government '  after  sustaining  a  press  in  N 
York,  after  making  the  deposits  of  the  public  treasury  subservient  to  the  use  of  a  newspaper,  employed  in 
'wriiingdown  tho  Clintons '—it  is  proliBlile,  therefore,  that  the  whole  inlluonce  of  the  government  will  be 
directed  to  prevent  the  nomlnalinn  of  De  Witt  Clinton,  and  this  system,  which  holds  such  inen  as  John  Arm- 
sirong  and  Do  Witt  Clinton  up  'ir  proscription,  is  perfectly  consistent  with  tho  eniployinent  of  inun  without 
any  sort  of  fitness  for  public  dutie!i.'> 

III  1816,  Duanu  named  Clinton  as  the  true  democratic  candidate  for  President,  but  he  wotild  not  oppose  his 
friend  Col.  Monroe.  The  Atliany  Mgut,  by  Judge  Buel  (Feb.  27),  "thouchi  the  chances  rather  preponderating 
infavnrof  Mr.  Crawford— n  selection  which  It  believed  would  be  cordially  aciiniesced  in  by  the  leimblicans  of 
New'Voik."  A  leglslntive  caucus  in  February,  1810,  at  Albany,  instructed  the  delegation"  from  New  York  in 
Congress,  to  vote  for  Tompkins,  but  as  this  wotild  have  rendered  Monroe's  success  certain.  Von  Buren  and  sev- 
eral oUiera  only  proftssui  to  approTO  of  it.  It  wu  not,  (like  the  Albwy  tsritt'  mstructioas,oiiDKREO  from  Wash- 
ingtoa  in  16St6,)  to  lie  act  .tl  oii. 


%. :  if 


I''  I 


,•'  '.< ' 


'^^^:\. 


•  ?■ ,  1 


60 


A  NOBLE  INSTANCE  OF  AMKKTCAX  '^RATITLtDE. 


1    t 


t 


I 


I 


C  H  A  V  T  L  K  X  I  \ 

Like  some  tall  chft'that  lifts  its  hm  lul  lorai. 
Swells  from  the  vale,  and  mid-wnv  leaves  the  ..tomi. 
Though  ronn'l  its  breast  the  rollinjj  clotnis  nr»>  spread 
Eternal  .sunshine  iicitles  on  its  hca<\.~-  fin/dsmUi'i. 

Clinton  ejected  from  the  Canal  Boanl. — lUicl'd  (iovtrnur  bif  nccluinutlon. — 
Chnstoplicr  Colks.-—C(nial  Act  of  Is  1 7.  —  The  TawnKtin/  /iuc/,fni/s. — Cnii- 
7!intjhaiii\'i  Waniiiif^. —  histici-  trainpltil  on  for  lite,  m/ir  (f  l/:c  sjioils. — J'eler 
Alien. —  Youiif/  and  Van  Hutch's  Srri pin  nil  i^lajoriti/. —  II  ho  (X(iclltd  Clin- 
ton^—  Col.  Young  and  the  Conah, —  Von  Burcn  Self  Covdcnmcd. — J/ix  pcr- 
eciition  of  Clinton. 

TuR  bold  and  wist;  determination  with  which,  IVoni  lolU  to  182S,  J)o  Witt 
Clinton  linked  his  fortune  and  character  with  thi;  success  of  th**  j^rcat  canals  of 
this  Statt,*  and  lh<;  vimrn'tive  opposition  witli  wiiich  he  was  met  at  every  point 
by  Martin  Van  Buren,  and  his  followers  and  d..'pr'nd;nit.s,  are  matters  lA'  history, 
hi  .1824,  while  Fresid(!nt  of  the  Board  of  t'anal  Commissioners,  aetint^,  as  he 
had  always  acted,  witliuut  salary  or  enioluiuent  ;  iioldin:^  iin  other  public  olFic*! 
Ill  the  State  ;  and  the  \'aii  Ouren  or  Bucktail  party  thi'n  hokhni;  iti  their  hands 
the  reins  of  goi'ernnient,  with  a  majority  of  their  friends  on  the  Canal  Boaid,  he 
was  suddenly  aou  suiiunaidy  ejected  from  tlv  i^mird,  althoiK;h  iint  a  wlii.sper 
was  heard  against  tl.i'  [uuity  and  noble  disinteristedness  of  his  conduct  in  that 
highly  impon.uit  trust,  'ibis  wanton  attack  upon  his  feelings  roused  the  whole 
State — th"  siande!.-;  oftbo  Llittlers,  tJroswells,  and  ibrir  allies,  couldnot  prevent 
the  manly  and  the  geui-rous  of  all  patties  from  perceivinif  tlirir  ji  alousy,  in- 
gratitude, and  maliirnunt  enmity — and  at  the  next  election  for  (lovernor,  De 
\Vitt  Clinton  was  born-'  to  th*;  seat  which  his  honorrd  mielf,  ( i.orire  Clinton,  had 
so  lon;^  and  so  woiliiily  idled,  by  the  acclamations  of  the  pi'o|;ie — his  majority 
o\er  Col.  Younj;,  the  eiindidate  of  these  who  had  exp(dled  him,  iiavin::^  been 
nearly  17,000.  How  an  act  like  this  atones,  in  the  minds  of  i;ood  men,  for 
in.iny  popular  errors  !  How  the  memory  of  such  a  deed  of  justice  warms  llio 
.■•oul  to  new  exertions  for  enlightening  and   bettering  the  condition  of  society  I 


•  Do  \Viii  eiini'ir  I  I'lr---  \i,liif.i!ii\  ti'>tiiiii)iiy  ilKit  Cllri^to|>^ll!r  (."oilt.'s.  an  •■iniiirni  nml  sii^iioiDiis  f'nuinepr, 
iV-'in  Iri'laiiil, '•  WMs  tJK.' lu-t  |).  I  "iM'.iiM  ^u:;l:^.•^tell  m  ilii;  L-uvcriuiiniit  ol' llic  >i:iti',  iln;  ruijiil.^  mui  iiiipiDVC- 
!;■■  Ills  nil  tli(;  <  )nMrio  rmiti:.  I'imIi"'  was  ii  luitii  nrpKiil  thiir.irli  r— :iii  ii'fjriiioM-  inicliMi'.cimi,  ami  wi:ll  :-killtii 
in  ih«'  111  lanih.illi'^."  This  ■  lll;.;^^ticlll  wii ;  iiiiule  lit'l'urr  I7i-1.  iii  wiiiili  y(!Mr  '.lir  lc'jii,«huun'  ioIith  4  his  puiiis 
'.!•  •!  CdiiiiiiiiiiT  ;  II'  vt  Yi  'ir  :\  iii'iHii-  .■i].|ii-.ipriMli(iii  i>l'  jiift  Slv!.-)  wa.-i  iii:i(li-  In  ciiiililc  Imii  ui  Mirvoy  tlm  rciiti.-, 
'.vliicli  lie  ilid.  iind  lUiblislie.l  ;i  piinpliU  t  tiivoiiihl"!  In  a  laiiitl.  ".Noiiiie  iiiii  say  li"«  litr  «ij  iiwi'  lln'iicri- 
HidM,"  of  colebruilnu  llic  lililoii  iil'  liic  Allaiitic  ami  tin'  i/rcal  lakes  foli-civos  (.'.  II.  IJnliliiil,  "  in  tUu  aSilil!,  «  itli 
wiiicll  h>'.  ('.cvlip! 'i    till-  i:r'.'at   ."lii  ;!i;,  ;/ci   llial  umilil    ri'^iill  Irnm   dpi'Miii':    llic^i'  r.iiiiiiiiiiiiralH.iis  \\  illi   tin; 


'im  iiiiviK.    m'.   'i"iiM  \'i    iii-tii.       '    ■/,»  |i'-i    "ii?ti  *c-  ,    lii'n 

:"\  (ilsK,  liltc  kiridr.'ii  c'rop  -.,  locn  i;iit!;!U.'il  iiuii  one.'' 
I'lio  bill,  comiiMiin!!  il'.o  s!  ilo  to   r.Mi -inict  tli-  i-anaN.  bcraiiit!  a  law  in  llu' fc- ^imi   of  I-IT.     In  A^^rinlil/ 
■'  priiii'ip.illv,  11'  i;'i  t.Mtinly  nf  iliii  IVieiiils  nl    tho  iiniiiiitaliiiii  •>{  Mi.  Cliiilnn  .iinl  ilir  ic,|t 

.1         ..  ' •».-   _.  .    ,    ....    ..l.;.,jl..   I.; 


CI 

Vol  what  sin, 

intriguinaf,  col 

J  and  a  Marcy, 

I  adorned  f     Pi 

I  merely  popula 

'  who  leave  tin 

On  the  12tl 

tion  to  which 

De  Witt  Clint 

Mr.  Cunnii 

|iia"tner  in  tlu 

history  : 

'•  I  list',"  said  ; 
ihn  resi'hitidii  ju: 
(it  fi'fiy  liDiii'st 
'Imm- dt'si^;!!.     I''(i 
;i  iiiiL'nif  at  I  he  \ 
'siiiiv  that  hariiK 
:s|ii'iil  risinijiil  th 
iii  iiiiciitidii  to  v> 
lie  was  calli'd  id 
nil  aci'ouiii  Hi'  lli^ 
siiiiuilalt'  and  I'm 
iiasiiiL;  I'tir  the  ji 
('luistiaii  iiiaityi 
M''P,  until  all  w  a 
siii'iiii'.     Fur  wh 
!..\(i,  sir;  it  was  I'l 
vvV/t'A  he  i/s/,'s  iiiil'i 
jj'iii  tliei|ursii()ii  I 
lilu'ir  st'iis"  lit'  |>ii 
»'i''  in.i::alitiidc  .' 
«  1.  tliat  he  shiMiii 
wi'-oliilioii  111'  kii 
^u|)|)i)ite.s  ul'  ihi^ 
|i)it!  truly  lor  \tha 
p^  a  iNUial  ('(iiiiiii 
:  the  |ilairliis  and 
liiaii  wliiini  \te 
•  ili.'i-laii"  my  opini 
;  iiialirc.  to  ciii'ct 
i  lliis  L''^'ihlaitiii 
'  I'Uiiliiii.  is  It'll  ill 
vfks  fur  no  iijliir, 
■jit  ii|i|vais,  liav(> 


1     '    I'll  5llil«    lllIU    ll 

!iis  hand  nl  .ipoiJMiit 
•  il'iiise  id' Assi'mhly, 
:  Hid  in  I'eh.,  If  Iti,  m 
I"  the  e.xilu.iion  id" 
II  lull,  were  ll^e(l ; 
n  the  (liiplicale  sun 
iiilos  were  I'lir  Ml. 
Iiouijh  he  had  the 
lirodf  iliHi  he  WHS  HI 
Mien  WHS  Hbketl  ir 
lederal  party:  Allr 
Jliji'ctcd  that  he  iiu< 
in  (.p|K!Hl  «as  niailt 

til  very  cijiially  ili\  i 
cmild  lie  Van  lliire 
die  t'eilcruliat.s  wniil 
I'lile  li.ul  secured  (tl 
m  1810,  and  ne.\t  U 
Ihe  ge:il  to  Fellows, 
I'lirthtcss  parly  tool 


CUNNINGHAM,  OR  THE  rVIDENCB  OF  A  MANLY  SPIRIT. 


51 


•cchuaution. — 

cktnih. — Cun- 

.yioils. — J^cter 

(Xjiclin/  Clin- 

icd.  —  l/iti  pcr- 

S28,  Dp  Witt 
^rciit  ninals  of 
at  evri  V  point 
crs  ot"  history. 
,  actini:^,  as  lit* 
r  public  otrict", 
in  lln'ir  hanris 
anal  Board,  he 
not  a  wlii.spcr 
(jnduct  ill  tiiat 
is*d  the  whole 
11 1(!  not  prevent 
r  ji  alousy,  iii- 
Governor,  De 
pe  Clinton,  had 
— his  niaiority 
1,  liavinf^  been 
t^oud  men,  tor 
tifc  ^val■^lls  the. 
on  ot"  society  I 

sii^'iioiiius  finiiineer, 
aii!tl:<  iitut  iiiipiiivc- 
iiiii,  iinil  well  :'killeii 
irr  KMiTiril  Ills  piiins 
[()  Mirvcy  tho  route, 
iir  wtj  .iwi'  llio  occa- 
,  "  til  lliu  Ji'iilily  with 
luiiiril.Mii'.  \>  nil  tin; 
iiu^lit  lii^  iiiiiilf  — iimt 
( .111  i!:-.  I  linUiii,  tho 
u'kI  u  Mill  Cioiii  tliini, 
l;in(t.  Ii.kI  ciiiiiilelLil 
i\  lion  liy  icf.iii,  Like, 

ll>M    !.->  ClJIIieiUcll,  illlll 

iif^  111  nalii'ii^,  who 
■  I-'IV     III  Assfiiilil/ 

ClillliiM  illlll  llll'  ll'llr 

liiivr  liir"  Ini'Millv  In 
I'll  ili'iiil.  lit.'  ,'ii  l.iiiiu 
Ml  till'  I'. mill  liiiiinl ! 
•lit  ri'|irt'>riitiaivi's  In 
liu  'I'liiiiiiiiiny  snrli'ly 
il  !i.^  iiiiicd  liy  Butler 
ly.  Kveii  when  Viin 
,'lor.  snys  iliiimiMinii, 
sniiit;  time,  shiiulil  lie 
u  Iriend  in  Culuinbio 


S  Vol  what  sin,  since  coinniitted  by  those  electors  or  their  forefathers,  have  such 
intriguing,  cold-hearted,  artful  jiartisans,  as  a  \'an  Bureii,  a  Wright,  a  Throop, 
-  and  a  Marcy,  lieen  since  placed  in  thi!  elevated  station  which  this  great  man  once 
^adorned."'  Perhaps  it  wasto  render  more  striking,  th<!  dillerence  between  men 
J  merely  popular,  and  those  noblemen  of  nature  (or,  if  ye  will,  of  civilisation), 
'  who  leave  the  impress  of  thtur  worth  on  tlu;  earth  and  i\w  dwellers  therein. 

(Jn  the  12th  of  April,  l!S24,  the  Assembly  received  from  the  Senate,  a  resolu- 
tion to  which  their  concurrence  was  rcpiested,  for  tiie  immediate  removal  of 
De  Witt  Clinton  from  the  oHice  of  Canal  ('ommissioner. 

Mr.  Cunningham,  of  .Montgomery,  warned  the  House  against  becoming  a 
imrtner  in  the  ungrateful  deed.  J I  is  eloquent  speech  I  take  from  Hammond's 
History  : 

'•I  rise,"  sail!  "Wv.  f 'iiiiiiiii'.,'li;im.  "  wiili  no  (irdinarv  (oelin:,'  of  sin  prise  and  asloiiisluneiit  at 

tho  roMiliilidii  jtist  ii'ail,  a><'iiiiiin^  tmiii  thf  ScnaU'      Sir.  it  i>  ralculali'il  tn  nuisc  the  feelings 

III  I'V'i  V  lioiK-'st  iiitiii  iin  lliis  lliior.     Its  vi'ry  i'|i|iiii n'li  ua-^  iiiiiiKi'il  w  itii  Mack  infjiatifutle  ami 

hiisf  tli'sii,'!).     I''iii  what  1,'ipii  I  aii'l  liiii'.Dialilf  piirpn  c  has  this  ri'.solution  hccii  sent  here  Coreoii- 

1  III irriii' at  the  very  la-t  iimiiit'iit  nl  iiiir  st'^sioll        Is  it  tiini'ali'  discunl  aniuii^  us,  and  de- 

>iiiiv  that  haiiiioiiy  ami  y:iio.l   li'diii',' whii'h   (nii^l;'.  in  jiicvail  at  tnii  si'paration  !     We  have 

.■-liciit  risinif  111' thii'i- iiiiiiilii^  in  lt"4i-.liilioii.  and  iinl  mii' \m>hI  lias  hccii  said,  intiniatiirj;  a  de.sire 

(II  intL'iilidii  t(i(v\pi'l  tiiat  h(iniii;ili|i'  ic''idl''iaaii  tioiii  tin'  linaid  :it'  canal  cdniiiiissioners.      Sir, 

ilif  was  called  to  tlwit  place  liy  the  nnitdl  ynji-c  and  cdniiiuin  consciit  dl  the  people  ot'lhis  state, 

Juii  aicdiini  dl'  liis  peculiar  and  liansceiiileiit  titness  to  pie.--ide  at  that  lioard,  and  hy  his  counsel 

sliinulatL' and  I'm  ward  the  Lficat  uiulcitakinu'.     liis  lahor,  I'lir  years,  has  been  ardent  ami  uti- 

M'lisiii'^  lor  the  juililic  i;ii;id  ;   he  endured  >land,er  and  peisecution  tVoin  every  direction,  like  a 

.K'hiistian  martyr;  hut,  stca(ira>t  in  his  purpusc.  he  pursued  his  cdin'sc  with  a  lirni  and  steady 

Mi'p,  until  all  was  crdwncd  with  succe>>,  and  the  ninvt  ardent  of  his  tippusers  siit  in  sullen 

^ik'lK•e.     For  wliat.  let  nie  ask,  did  .Mr.  (/lininii  endure  all  this  !    il'ns  if  lor  tin'  Kit/.co/u  mthuii  > 

j^*  II,  sir;  il.  was  I'dr  the  lioirni  and  wcliare  dl'  his  >i.iic  ;  //,  vns  fnna  luilih'  it  ml  pafriotic  motives,  for 

i^r'iiih  iic  iisl.s  iiol'iiiii:.  nur  iliil  he  'Xju  r>  inuil/tiirj  li>il  I  lie  nrnlitiiilr  of  Ills  filioir-ri/i^nis.    Now,  sir,  1 

j'Ul  the  quest idi)  tnlhis  In  ni' ii  ahle  Hdusetn  decide,  ;ip(iii  the  tiath  whii'h  ihev  have  taken, and  upon 

Slieir  sense  ,it'  |i|(ipiiciv  and  hniidr,  whclli^'i   they  are  ic;id\ .  Ic  their  vmcs.  (u  cdinmit  the  sin 

'  in;::alilude  .'     Wliai  can  we  idia;:;-e  tn  .Mr.  <  'lintiiii  !     What  can  we  say  he  ha.s  been  jjuilty 

',  that  he  sliuuld   he  singled  iiiii  as  an  dhject  dl' .-^tiitc  \  cn^cance  ;     Will  sciinc  friend  of  this 

-iilutiiin  he  kind  ciiMn-rl;  tn  ini'drin  lue  '     fi'w.  \  challcnu'e  an   iiujuiry:  I  ilemand  from  the 

^uppiateis  of  this  lii^'li-haniied  measme,  that  lliey  lay  their  liaiid.s  iin  their  hearts,  and  answer 

jliie  truly  ftir  \yliat  c:iu.-'e  is  this  niaii  to  he  renioved  !     I  daie  assert,  in  m\-  pl;joe.  that  his  doinj^s 

Bs  a  canal  cdinmissidiiei'  are  unimpeaclied,  and  luiiiiijiciichahle,  and  such  as  have  even  elicited 

Ithe  plnu'liis  and  admiratidii  dl'  his  pdlitical  eneinie.-..     'I'jiis,  .sir,  is  the  dliicial  character  of  the 

jiiaii  wlimn  ue  imw  s"i'k  tn  desticv.     I  hdjie  that  this  Hnuse  w'ill   paiddii   me,  when  I  freely 

fl'xiare  niv  dpinidii  tiiat  this  reMilutiun  was  eiiLjeniicred  in  the  most  mihallowed  teelingfs  of 

iiijilice.  Id  elli'ct  sdine  ncrariinis  secret  puipo.se,  at  tlie  expense  nf  the  hnndr  and  inte;?rity  of 

,;liis  Legislature,     llnwcvci'  ii;iid  it  may  seem,  il  is  the  iriesistililc  impulse  (if  my  mind.     Mr. 

\cii^ildii  is  ii'ii  ill  llu  pn/iiiciil  mini:'!;   he  re|)(ises  in  the  shades  nf  luiiuiritlile  retirement ;   kc 

a'.<<s  /(//•  nil  iiji'iri,  and  possi'ssis  noiu   Init  tlu  our  oj  vliirli  hr  is  n'limf  I"  In  s/rippril.      The  Senate, 

lit  iippoars,  have  lieen  actualeti  hy  snuir  rrml  luul  mnlinnanf  pussion,  unacciiunled  fc.,* -and  have 


3  '  Til  sliDW  hiiw  ilt'iiil  I'l  cvi'iy  iilhir  I'ccliti;.',  siivc  ttrit  nl  ImiiiliiiL'  tn^iethir  Inr  imrty  |iliiii(lEr,  Viin  lliirep  and 
Jus  liiiiiil  111  ,>|i()iUiiit'ii  vvcri',  I  iilt'cr  the  rnllinviti'.;  rasus,  I  mil  l.s-.;:!,  n  (^nlnl•il  nf  A|i|iiiintmt;iit,  elected  by  the 
-Jlniise  111' Assi'iiilily,  1'iiiitriillt.il  llic  ntlii  iiil  |rilriiiiii',;t'  nl  lln'  nIiiIi'  nf  .N.  V  This  Cimiiril  wiis  anniiiilly  chiiiien, 
i  Hiiil  in  l'"eli..  If  Id,  wht'n  the  llniive  iiii'l,  IVlcr  Allen,  frniii  <  iiiliirin  (iiiiiily,  liidk  liis  seat,  wilh  nnly  n(i!).5  votes. 

I"  the  exclu.iinii  of  Henry  Kellnw-i,  who  hud  av.'"i.  In  Penniimtim,  printed  liallnts,  iimrked  "  Hmry  Fellows," 
'  111  lull,  were  Used  ;  iiiiil  \\  ith  the  tnwn  rierk  wiis  tiled  the  rertilicite  of  voles,  with  the  imiiie  iilsn  in  full ;  but 
i  111  the  duplicHte  sent  tn  the  emiiity  cli  rk   il  wiis  written  "//(«,  I''ell(iw,s."     V\ell   kniiwin^  thut  the  forty  nine 

lulus  were  liir  Mr.  1'.,  the  eiirrii|il  mid  fraudulent  clerk  rejected  them,  as  the  rejection  would  return  Allen. 
:  lliou;{h  he  hud  the  fewest  Mites.     In   llie  .Vssemlily,  VV.  A,  Piier  (iresented   the  |ietitinn   of  Keliown,  orterlnfj 

firoof  tli:4t  he  WHS  and  that  .\llen  was  not  n  iiieiiilier,  and  desirinir  that  justice  iiiiL'ht  at  once  be  done  the  county. 
Ulcn  was  asked  if  lio  had  any  st  iteiiient  to  make  to  the  inntrary,  hut  lii!  was  silent,     I''ellow(i  lielonfred  to  the 
It'deral  party :  Allen  to  the  Inicktails.     When  n  preliminary  i|uestion  was  to  lie  taken  on  Allen's  case,  it  was 
[  ulijected  that  ho  iniiiht  not  tn  vote  where  he  had  a  personal  interest :  the  Hiamker  decided  that  he  could  vote ; 
'  111  i.pjicHl  was  made  to  the  llniise,  and  the  i^pcaker  decided  that  Allen  cmild  vote  on  that  too.    Parties  were 

fii  very  eiiually  divideil,  thai  if  the  apiinintini:  p  iwer  nr  cnuiiril  eniilil  he  voted  tor,  while  Allen  hud  the  sei\t,  it 
iimlii  lie  Vail  llurenisli,  Imck'  lil,  lUMiincritic. ;  lint  if  justice  were  lirsi  dune,  anil  Kellnws  put  in  Allen's  place, 
Jlie  federalists  would  elent  the  council.  They  therefore  opposed  steadily  all  action  as  to  Follows,  till  Allen's 
Jiit<i  h,ul  .secured  (thrtniah  I'erley  l\eyes,  &c.),  for  their  friends,  the  cnnirol  of  the  oitices  thrmiKhout  the  state, 
jor  1816,  and  nc.\t  day  apiwinted  a  coiumiliee  on  elections  with  a  Inicktail  majority,  who  unnnlmmiiily  nwiirdeii 
ihe  seat  to  FeUows,  on  no  other  evidence  than  that  which  was  lieforo  the  House  the  day  i(  mot,  and  which  the 
pKiirthlcss  party  tool,  Allen,  hud  uot  then  gainsaycd  ;    the  Hjiisc  then  voted  Allen  out  and  Fellows  in,  131  to  L 


..!  Il 


V.' 


&.';.  ». 


1^1  ■\  :'■  i) 


■if.''^'^! 

V- 

'ie:\' 

r 

;.,>';'■  ;•; 

■  fi 


52 


COULD  FI.AfiG  DESCEND  90  LOW.    LOOK  AT   THE  NOTE. 


.'    I-* 


'^^) 


n 


t  ■ 


t 


made  a  riwh  upon  iIiIh  ili>iit.r, nii>l  tal\'Mi  ««  on  !.iir|iriiir.  'I'lir  I'^Miliitii'ii  m.iy  piifw;  luit 
if  H  does,  iiiv  uonl  lor  it.  wr  .'iic  ilii<i:r<ii'<'il  in  iIk'  |uil!.'m»'nl  ;hi'I  '^'(hmI  sciisi'  of  ;in  iii|iirPfl  l>iit 
intellij^eiit  conuMiinily.  WIi.iK'vit  lln-  I'liti' ni' lliix  iivolution  m.ivlic,  Id  it  he  leim  mlK'U'd 
•  hat  Mr.  f'linfon  liiis  ;ic(|uiii'(l  ;i  rcfiuiatioii  not  to  lir  ilfNtioycil  hv  the  pliilul  niiilici'  ol  a  Irw 
Irading  partisnns  of  tin- dnv.  Winn  ilic  coiiifnii'iilili'  paity  (-liirt's  oi  (he  liom  >liiill  Iihvo 
paHHCd  i»y,  I'Ud  llir  linli/in//  imruiiiiu  rs  iiikI  iii:r^ii  is,  ir'm  itmr  linirj  rcri'i/  this  (  'npili'l  Jcr  M//'.s-,','i/- 
"/r/,  shall  1)P  ovi'rwliclmci!  and  l'i'i;,'(i|tcn  in  lln'ii  own  insi-,'niticancc  when  ilio  i;t'ntlr  l»n'<V(T 
•hall  pas.s  over  tin-  |oinl>  ol  dint  p;if'nl  rniin,  caiiyiii:,'  uiili  it  tin-  jusi  tiilml'' of  lioiior  ami 
praiKC  which  is  now  wiilnn'M — tin- prn  of  ihi'  liilnit.' Iiisioiiaii,  in  Ik  iter  days  and  in  lictlrr 
tiineK,  will  do  him  |us<ti<'i'.  and  cri'i  l  to  iiis  nii'iuoiy  a  pioud  nidMniricnt  ol  lanii'.  a:.  nn|X'i'islia- 
Me  as  the  nplciidid  works  w  liirh  owe  lii''ii  oii,'in  to  his  '..fiiiui  and  pi'iHcvi'ianc"',  'I'iiis  Vote 
is  probably  tlip  last  that  will  1»'  i,'i\('n  this  session,  and  I  piay  (iod  it  may  \»'  sutdi  as  will  not 
disgrace  u«  in  th'*  ryt's  of  our  coMstitu''iii«.'' 

Give  inc  a  Ciinnin^lmii;  and  ii  Clintdii  for  "  .Native  Aiiii'iiiaiis  I''  Siicli  men 
will  always  know  how  to  treat  ariniit  l'orei;:;tnr  and  native,  Iriend  and  loo.  Ot' 
such  natives  as  ihein  any  land  mi<;lit  be  proud.  ('unningliaiii\s  heart  was  in  llic 
right  place. 

The  Assembly  concurred  with  tiie  Senate,  tv|  to  31,  Ainoni;  those  who 
voted  to  expel  Clinton  thus  summarily,  I  litid  the  names  of  H.  W  heaton,  now 
envoy  to  Berlin  ;  A.  C".  Flafrg,  now  Comptroller;  (ieiieral  .lames  Tallmadge, 
Isaac  Pierson,  and  Thomas  Hyatt.  Among  his  friemls  were  Messis.  IJarstow, 
James  Benedict,  Campbell,  Cooper,  John  Craiy,  Furinan,  McCrea,  Isaac 
Riggs,  Thorne,  VVhiting,  Tredwell,  Ezra  Smith,  and  U'ilkin. 

Addresses  and  resolutions  in  honor  of  Clinton  were  .signed  on  this  occasion, 
by  M.  Clarkson,  W.  Bayard,  P.  Hone,  T.  A.  Kminet,  i\.  iMsb,  W.  Few,  C. 
P.  White,  S.  Whitney,  Preserved  Fish,  C.  D.  Colden,  T.  Fddy,  H.  Bogardus, 
John  Rathbone,  and  C.  CI.  Haines,  iS'ew  York  ;  and  by  .John  Tayler,  James  Mc- 
Kown,  William  James,  J.  II.  Wendell,  Chandler  Starr,  Han'mond,  the  historian, 
Gideon  Hawley,  Isaiah  Townsend,  T.  Van  Vechteii,  I'..  Jenkins,  8.  M,  Hop- 

Van  Bnren  was  then  a  senntor  iiiul  attorney  (;pneriil,  niid  his  p.irly,  tn  u  ii,;iii,  sii|'|Mirlcil  iliis  L'rc.tt  wroiifr.  hiiiI 
their  pres>es  upheld  it.  How  liltle  Dt'ileinocrai'y.ot'jiistiic,  ol'  the  spirit  ol  IVre  in^liliition-^  ilit'if  w:is  in  tlifsc 
pruce«(lin|{!t,  the  cool  and  randid  readiT  in  lel't  In  jiidije.  Ttir  e\  idriire  w  as  read  oppnly  and  was  Piiiirely  doc\i 
nientary ;  the  proci's  were  clear  and  not  L'ainsaycd,  yet  llie  real  rrprescnlativ  T\a<  slnu  ma  liii  ilie  main  lm»i 
ness  of  the  Messinn  was  achieved  linJMstly  ;  atu  r  wtiicli  llie  l)U(i.iail>,  lo  a  mm,  adimlird  iljeir  own  dl.<holle^t 
eondnct  liy  vntinir  out  Ihe  inlriider  almost  iiiiaiiiimiii»ly.  ' 'I'lie  democrals  in  ilif  A-^.-emMy,"  says  tlie  .\.  V 
Eveninn;  Post  ot"  Feh.  -i-i,  "support  ihe  Spealicr  in  di'i  larin'.'  In'  will  not  Ij"'  licmnd  liy  the  rules  ol  the  llotisc 
thoy  choose  the  cveciitive  lirancli  of^overnminl  In  uir^a-  ol'ilie  voieola  man,  nlin  iliey  tliriiisf  Ives,  alter  lis 
vote  has  l>een  nlven,  arknowledi'e  had  no  liiisin''>-^  there.  Imi  whom  they  had  tir«l  permitii  d  to  dccl.ire,  hy  li;s 
own  vote,  that  he  had  ;  they  pnhlished  an  an,«er  to  the  (i(j\i.rnor's  spt  ech  \\  liii  li  was  :ii vr  acrepled  ;  aii'l 
In.stly  Ihey  say  such  a  proceediire  is,  in  the  opinion  nl  tlii.s  House,  uncon-^liliilf.inal  ajid  illctMi  \\  niih  is  so  tar  frnm 
the  truth,  that  directly  the  rmitrary  .-ipiiears  oi\  the  tare  ol'  their  own  jonriials.  .A  true  sperimen  ol  i'.nbriui.kd 
ileinocraey,"  Van  Bnren  would  have  lost  his  otHce  ot'  .Mtorney  tiencral  had  his  parly  acted  hnncMly  as  jud^ti 
in  this  case, 

Hninnionil.  who.  in  many  ildnes,  dispLiys.  in  my  miiid,  rial  indepi'iidi.nce  ot'  clinractrT  :  aUhoni.'li  .Inilfje  Spin- 
rer,  tnkini;  Hnniinond's  own  doctriias  as  a  test,  spfms  lo  show  mat  In'  w;is  iiul  always  >o ;  !;ues  ani.thtr  Piicr 
Allen  case  inthe  Sen;it(.' in  IHIT,  in  widrli  Vomi;;  mid  Van  Itiin  n  cni  a  wn  itlied  li^nre  as  iv,di:fln.  It  is  this 
In  the  Western  District,  two  senators  wire  to  bi-  chosen— one  for  tour  yi  ars  and  anoih'-r  I'or  i  ih',  hy  oiif  eler 
lion.  By  law.  In',  of  I  he  two  i'lio(,-ii  l<).:i  tin-i,  who  li.as  llie  most  vol' s,  siis  four  Mara-  tin  iili^r,  oniv  It  was 
disputed  which  of  the  two  eltetnl  hail  most  \ti|is— tin  dispnli  reli  rn  d  lo  a  commiUi  i -~  who  riporii.d,  that  li|(W.i 
V  nt«K  were  |.'ivin  li)r  Isaac  WiImhi — Ihat  M.Hf.'i  wreyuen  lor  Jeiliah  I'lenih  itjasl.'.il  for  Jnlalia/i  Pnndcrg.lst,  ai  ■! 
lU  t'or  Jcil.  Prcmii'mast.  Koity  iwoof  the  ilectors  who  .spellid  .ledcdiuli  swojr,  lo  ilic  sali-laciion  of  the  .senate's 
cninndttee,  that  tiny  hnd  intcipilcd  ./«/((i//,  and  llnse  ii  aildiil  to  the  M,"JH.')  who  had  spi'lled  the  name  riglil, 
inuite  15,0^7,  or  18  more  than  Wilson,  saying  iiothma  of  iln:  other  M,  which  ii  wa.s  i  h  ir  were  also  iniemled  firr 
Prenderjast.  The  euinnnttce  also  riported  Hint  Wilson  had  not  allejied  that  there  was  .i  Jedediah  Pren- 
dergnvt  ill  the  districi — and,  of  cotirse.  ihat  Jiijiah  P.  on^ht  to  sit  tor  four  yi  ais  and  I.saai:  \^'il^oM  for  one.  CoiiM 
there  he  two  opinions  on  siicli  a  iiueslion  ?  There  u  ire.  Van  llunii  ro.sr  in  his  place  and  nijied  his  party  I" 
call  the  feWMt  votes  the  most  and  cive  the  long  lerni  m  Wilson — and  Siiimiel  Vouni;  produced  the  Bible,  and  siiiil 
there  were  in  it  hotli  Jedlali  ,-md  Jedediah,  and  heno-  he  would  say  ihat  Wilson  had  llic  iiiosi  vi-ies.  Van  Rii- 
ren'B  party  (all  but  Waller  Bowiie)  went  wiili  him  in  favor  of  Wilson,  i:i  lo  1 1.  The  two  P.enderpasts  ami 
Wlliion  did  not  voie.  Lawyers  CnnNiie,  Van  I5ureii,  Yoiuijr,  Roger  Skinner,  and  Ogdeii  were  i  i  the  niajoriiy- 
and  when  we  see  the  father  aciing  thus  o|XMily,  can  we  wonder  at  se<'in;;  his  prolli|;atc  son  cur;ing,  betting,  cnni- 
hlliiir,  lighting  in  the  courts,  and  using  Marcv's  mock  iiie-sages  to  iiiak"  iimney  by,  as  a  W.'ill  f  ncl  slockjobliT' 
The  only  wonder  is,  that  N.  Y,  should  appoint  such  a  iH'rson  lier  atlomi  y  grneral,  as  if  ilem  rcrai'V  eori-istnl  i' 
admiiii^terinK  |iuhlic  justice  ihrougli  tiie  moslprolll^aK'  characters  in  llie  coiimmiuly.  Will  m  glw  llaniniond  s;iy 
(Vol.  i,,  p.  41)4)  that  '•  it  would  have  been  more  cnilitahh:  to  Voniig  and  his  friends  lo  have  voted  witliout  arguing  " 

Roffer  Skinner's  political  cliarucier  may  be  guessed  at  from  his  leUir  lo  Hnyl,  iii  jin^i' l!)7,  of  the  Cnrrcspoii' 
denee  In  the  ppnng  of  1821,  I  lir-t  heard  of  him  from  an  old  friend,  Dr.  Shaw,  of  the  AHmny  Academy,  wlin 
invited  me  to  be  present  nt  a  public  dinner  given  lo  Archibald  Mclntyre,  the  able,  indefatigahle,  and  iiicorrupli- 
ble  comptroller  of  Uie  itnte,  whom  Hkinncr  and  his  council  had  just  removed  from  office,  ou  the  gimple  principle 
tint  kt  WM  too  boneat,  too  great  a  check  upon  aciin^-democrats,  such  as  I  am  here  describing. 


kins,  and 
injuriously 
vered  to  tl 
Clinton' 

I     and  voterl 
Mayor  of 
S.  Senator 
&c.— (!t^. 
^  Fdwa 
^y»  Judge 
no.  140^"]- 
fj^  John 
Burt— ^ 
Haight— g: 
(^  Melar 
\Vard,  will 
Some  of  th 
Dudleys,  I 
Wright  .say 
Feds.     It  \ 
vote  was  gi 
— Croswell 
presses  of 
"  Joseph's 
we  have  it 

**  (,'olonel  Vol 
iiiilnst  removal. 
a's  it  ought,  com 
iiiaehine,  to  eiir 
anil  IJroswell  in 
plele  the  work, 
and  (i.  .Morris.  I 
glory  might  be  i 
U'hile  on   thi 
iiresented  to  tlu 
IiickK  the  wholi 
pay  oiriheir  dc 
|ile  of  N,  Y.-l 
(liHii  lifly  years, 
now  the  lolls  III 
Clark,  illd  you  ; 
Ihe  grave  ol'  |ir 
kind,  is  alieiidri 
nongs  of '  iiiiern 
|iros|ierity  of  m 
siructed  to  reori 
will  allix  the  in 
rnnununity  has 
and  Ctmniplain 
having  paid  Ihe 
ttldof  Ihe  auctii 
Ou  the  I7ih  < 
which  vaid, 
thBtiie  eoncnrr 
iVhen  Voiinii 
the  survey  of  1 
years  thereaftpi 
forced  by  the  ib 
goaded  along  Ic 
oltered  an  able 
his  rejiort  of  IH' 
nUG  would  not 
tators  at  the  pn 
Mr,  Wright  sni 
iiesi  of  repairs, 
hence  tlie  incr 
neglects  to  fulti 
three  millioni  a 
miMppli«d  thei 


WRIGHT  AND  VAN  BURFN  F rRSF.CtrTING  OI.IVTON. 


63 


;orE. 

>ii  may  piifw;  luit 
III'  i\\\  ininvpfl  Imt 

it  Iw  K'liH  mlx'it'd 
111  malur  i>l  a  Irw 

<<  liiiiii  shall  liHVe 

Cij'il:'!  fcr  svh.'s/- 
n  I  111'  u'ciiilf  hn'ivc 
iliui''  i<i  Ihiui'I"  ami 
l;i\.s  ami  in  liclli'r 

line.  a:>  iinin'rislia- 
naiii-''.  'I'liis  vol'' 
'  such  as  wfll  imi 


si"     Such  nun 

(I  and  loo.     Of 

lifiul  was  in  tlio 

onif  tliost'    wlio 

Wlicatun,  now 

lines  Tallmailgc, 

Utssis.  Hiirstow, 

McCieii,   Isaac 

on  this  occasion, 
ish,  W.  Few,  V. 
ly,  [{.  13ogar<lus, 
riyler,  Janu'S  jNIc- 
)ncl,  till'  historian, 
viiis,  S.  M.  Hop- 
ed this  urcHl  w  roup,  iiml 
itiiiii^  ilifii.' vviis  In  llit'si' 
y  hikI  was  rniircly  Jiicii 
:it  oiil  iili  lilt!  iiiiiin  liil>i 
ilrd  llifir  ii«n  (iKlioiicvt 
-I'lnlily."  s:iys  the  N.  Y. 
llii'  nlirs  (il  Ihr  llniisc  : 
iry  thriiisrlVf<,;irior  lis 
iii'ilit  rl  tci  diclari',  lijf  li;s 
iis  iii'V'T  M(Tc|itrd  ;  iiml 
(.'(.Ml   «  liii'li  i<  SI)  fiir  I'rniii 

>|ic'l'illl(<n  lit  I'.NORiDLICD 

iiclcd  honi.-tly  as  juilst;' 

• :  allliDiiL'li  .liidfii'  Spcii- 
i  mi;  i;iM'>  ;iivaliir  Prirr 
•c  ivc  jvids;!*  Il  is  this: 
lii-r  lor  i.nr,  |py  mif  t,ler- 

till  1  111!  r,  iiiic  It  wiis 
will)  rr|)orl(d,  lh;il  li,OO.i 
Inlnlidh  riilidcrgiLSl,  nml 
ali-lacliDii  III' till'  srnatu'* 
I  ^|l•'llcd  llic  iiaiiif  risht, 
III-  wcrri  al^■l)  inii'iiiUd  fur 
•  was  a  Jrdidiah  Preii- 
i;  WiUoii  IbriiDf.  Omiil 
r  and  iiijiod  liis  party  I" 
111  need  the  ii/We,  and  siiiil 
11'  most  vclcti.  Van  Bii- 
ill' two  r.piiilci^nsw  Hnil 
;ii  wiTR  i  1  till'  majoriiy- 
S'ln  turtiM!:,  ht'llinj.',  cnni- 

Wall  f  nil  sKickjdhbfr! 
It'  ilpiii  rcrai-V  con-istfd  |:i 
Vrll  III  iilii  liiminioadsiiy 

voti'd  without  itrRiiinc." 
:i(;i-  197,  of  tin;  Corrwpoii' 
1!  Allinny  Academy,  wlio 
ifiitieahli!,  niid  incorrupli- 
e,  oil  the  simple  principle 
icribing. 


kins,  and  Alfivd  ("oiu-kliiii;,  .Mbany.  Tiif  malice  of  his  oiiomies  must  have 
injuriously  allccteil  their  iiisuUiii;j;  luirgain  of  the  Statt?,  which  was  to  be  deli* 
vered  to  the  minority  caucus  for  Crawford  nc.vt  Novi'inhor.* 

Clinton's  expulsion  was  proposed  in  the  Senate,  hy  John  Bowman  of  Monroe, 
and  voted  for  hy  Tt^t^  Silas  Wright,  now  (Jovernor — (jr^  Walter  Bowne,  since 
Mayor  of  New  York — (9^  Charles  \].  I^udlcy,  successor  to  Van  Buren  as  U. 
S.  Senator — ^f^  Jonas  Earll,  junior,  (Viiial  (Joiniiiissioner,  1*.  M.  of  Syracuse, 
&c. — jj^^neman  J.  lii  (Uield,  wlioin  \Vii;.rhi  wanted  Clinton  to  make  a  Judo'e — 
gC^  I'M  ward  1*.  Livingston,  Von  liiiren's  candidate  for  liieut.  Governor — 
^;^^Judge  James  .Malluiv,  for  wlimn  Marev  hail   such  tender  felings,  fp   199, 

no.  140. J — (^  I'liley    k'eyes,  the   political   .schoolmaster   of   Silas   Wrio'ht 

{^  John  Lefferts,  fioin  I  .»ng  Island — (jtjr*  JJowman,   the  mover — Q[^  James 

Burt— {?r^  Byram  (ireen — ffe,-  James   Met -all— (ii:^ Greenly— (Ji^^ 

Haight — i^,>  Col.  Farrand  Slranahan — ^r.  John  .Sudani — (^^  Stephen  Thorn — 
(i^  Melan(;lhon  Wheeler — i^i^  Sherman  Wooster — and  ^t^  General  Jasper 
\Vard,  who  did  not  wait  to  l)e  expelled  the  Senate,  as  his  history  will  tell. 
Sonif^  of  these  men  may  have  acted  without  thought,  but  the  Wrights,  Bowne;), 
Dudleys,  Farlls,  .Stninahans,  and  Wards,  knew  what  they  Mere  about.  As 
Wright  .says  to  Van  Hiiren,  they  did  not  want  to  do  "  journeywork,"  like  the 
Feds.  It  wouldn't  b;;  their  t'aull  if  they  failed  to  seize  the  spoils.  When  this 
vote  was  given,  .Marcy  was  Comptroller — his  father-in-law,  Knower,  Treasurer 
— Croswell  printed  for  the  .State,  and  maiuilactured  *'  opinion  "  for  the  retail 
pres.ses  of  the  party.  The  men  who  went  this  length  woidd  have  enacted 
"  Jo.se|)h's  hietluen"  in  Genesis,  or  driven  Mordecai  from  the  king's  gate,  as 
we  have  it  in  Esther.     IJowman  got  the  Rochester  Bank  charter  that  season. 

•*  JJiilonel  Voiiiic  was  (;|iiiti>ii'.s  siicressiir,  lis  Ihr  k'lulln!!  iiii'iiilirr  im  llic  ('anal  lioiird,  and  approved  of  liis 
uiijii>t  riMii'ival.  ifiilikf  i,'Uiitiiii,  liMweviT,  ihi'  Colnnil  si'rvrd  (or  (ny.  iiiiil  iho  iMiiiiiil.ssioii,  instead  of  beln|{. 
as  itiiiiulii,  i:iim|)ii»t'd  of  men  of  variuiis  p'lliiics  miuI  liiiih  ihiirntiT.  drL'tncMteil  too  much  Into  ii  mere  imrty 
inai'hiiie,  to  enrich  the  poliliral  leaders  and  tlieiri'lecrninenrins:  ile|icnil<iits.  Marcy  wrote  in  the  Trov  Rud|{et, 
mill  Ooswell  in  the  Arsus.  censiirins  Clinton's  canal  policy.  When  il  was  seen  liiit  a  li'W  years  vviiiild  com-' 
plele  the  work,  ('iiiit.in.  who.  with  Tlionias  Dddy.  K.  It.  Iiivini!>tiiii,  \V.  .North.  .■^  l)e  Wilt.  S.  V.  ItensuplHer, 
and  (i.  .Morris,  had  tirued  on.  and  reporli-d  in  lavor  oi  the  Krie  riaiir,  i:i  yi'ir^  jpelore.  was  tinned  out,  (hut  tiit) 
([liiry  iniuht  he  an  iiiulivideil  halo,  ciicircliiis  only  Van  Biiren's  hro\v. 
While  on  the  fiinal   noiinl,  on  whicli  he  had  a  «eat  as  early  as  IhI."..  \'oiiiii;.  in  IH'J.'i.  wrote.  iii|(ne(1,  nnd 

firesented  to  the  leL'islntiire  a  report,  in  liis  ollicial  capticity,  staling'  Ins  lulu  f.  ihal  a  parallel  eaiml,  or  duuhle 
licks  the  whole  distance,  .iloneside  the  l!r:e  canal,  wonlil  miom  In-  iiiili'-prii«alile— thai  the  raiiaU  would  soon 
pay  olflheir  dclit  and  \  iild  a  'ireat  ri'v.'iiiii'  li''sidcs-  and  ilial  nllier  simes  would  profit  hy  the  laiidahle  e.xaiii- 
ple  of  N.  v.— that  within  ten  vi'ars  tUir  tolls  would  proliaMy  hr  tripled,  and  fif  not  ridnced)  mlfiht,  In  less 
tiiiin  lifly  years,  aioouiil  to  .*l0.iMM>.OIKl.  Wlieii  rriiiiiided  ot  ihis  report  lately  in  sjenate,  he  reninrked  thnteveii 
HOW  tlie  lolls  on  the  canals  would  In;  live  niillioas  had  ilicy  not  hcen  reduced.  Why  then,  Hsked  tienerHl 
Clark,  did  yon  stale  in  IHIIli  in  your  repurl  on  linaiii  c.  111  ii  '•  lliiiiian  i!ov.riiiiieiil  is.  ;is  it  Mlwaya  has  been, 
the  irrave  nl'  proiliiilive  iiiili|>try  lli  il  e\i'.-v  step  it  lakes  in  ende.ivoriiiL'  to  carry  no  works  of  lalMir  of  any 
kind,  is  allendrd  Willi  s.-urilice  and  wisie  in  llie  roiiiniiiniiy,  and  sinks  it  ileeper  and  deejier  in  debt:— that  the 
sonpii  of  '  internal  iniproMiiieni '  are  liluls  on  the  laws  of  <;.mI,  and  a  de.idly  iinldcw  ii|Min  the  happinesa  and 
pros|ierity  of  man  !  that,  Willi  rrilTence  m  canal  lo in^),  i-c.,  a  c.niveiilion  will  ii>-  called,  which  will  be  in 
slructed  to  reoriiani/.e  and  remodel  mir  pmsirate  coiistititioii ;  and  which  r. invention  will  repudiate  the  debt  ; 
will  affix  the  impress  ol  infamy  upon  pa<i  proliiuale  laws ;  and  ereit  new  harriers  for  'he  future !— that  the 
roniiimnity  has  lieeii  alm^ed  and  deceived,  lor  year-;,  hy  the  constanl  reiieralion  of  the  fHUehniMl,  that  the  Erie 
and  Ctmniplaln  canals  were  enricliinr  the  stale,  whereas,  it  is  a  irnili  wilhiii  the  reach  of  all,  that  so  farfrum 
havinu  paid  llie  cost  olile  ir  consirint  on.  there  would  lie  now  H  debt  afiaiiist  tlieni,  had  tliey  nut  received  tlio 
Sldof  the  auction  and  ^all  diilics  ol'.'»;H,  iV.l.or.'.n" 

Oil  the  17lh  of  Aiii;ii«t,  Yonici's  n  p...-.  al.ove  ipioiid.  appeired  in  lull  in  the  Alliany  Arcus,  the  editor  of 
wliif  h  said,  "  That  this  Is  a  iiio-l  able  an.'  powerful  tloiiiiiieiit  no  one  Will  ileny.  "  1 1|  coiir.sc  he  did  not  say 
thnl'he  ennenrred  in  all  il-  piiilioin. 

U'hen  VoiinK's  liilerirti  Inipr.ivemiiit  Ui'|.  at  of  HO",  appeired.  it  wis  t'lllowe.I  by  .'i  bill  in  the  Senate  for 
the  survey  of  Id  new  e:inal  ronti"--,  ini  liiilin;^  ^e'  ('licMam'o  Hi  nk  Itivei.  and  Cent'sce  Valley — yet  in  a  few 
years  thereafter,  he  denniinceil  ihe  Chenani'o  .-anal,  atlirmiiii;  that  I'eniisylvania  and  New  Yc^rk  "  tiad  lieen 
forced  by  the  deniairoL'ues  of  euli.  Inio  ili>'  Im-^iile  alliliiile  of  pr.illisale  rivalry  ;  and  each  has  been  recklesfiy 
goaded  nloni!  by  tin-  bloody  lash  of  internal  improvement."  I  ini'.ilil  to  stale  lieic.  thai,  in  IK'lj  and  1H31J,  he 
ollered  an  able  opposition  to  Ibe  bills  t\,\  conslnnlin^'  llie  I'lii-naiiL'o  and  IJcnea'i'  Valley  ciiiils  and  lliat,  in 
his  reimrtof  IHIlll,  he  sliowed  that  the  Cheieiniio  i  im:iI  would  cost  over  a  iiiillion  of  dollars,  and  that  its  reve^ 
nuc  would  not  piv,  eitlier  for  interei.l,  repairs,  or  even  siiperinliiidence.  Inn  civc  value  lo  the  hind<  of  !i|>«cu- 
ialors  at  tlie  public  cost.  In  the  late  discussions  in  Semae,  on  the  eAlrava(ijiiil  e.xpenililurcs  mi  the  canaix, 
Mr.  VVrlpht  said,  and,  I  lliink,  truly,  "  Let  tlieri!  be  cniiipelition  in  labor,  nut  in  iiiore  parly  feally.  This  busl- 
nesi  of  repairs,  orrepairinKthe  canals,  had  become  a  parly  iiuichine,  put  in  operiition  just  before  election,  and 
hence  the  incroaae  of  exiwsnditures."  Another  senator,  I'litnani,  showed  that  J5l)0,0()(i  liiul  been  paid  for 
neglects  to  fiilfll  contracts,  in  (jiving  which  it  appears  Uiere  in  enmigii  of  fttvoritisiii.  It  seems  that  two  or 
three  millions  of  the  canal  funds  have  passed  through  Vuung's  hands  :  but  1  hear  of  iiu  case  la  which  h«  has 
nilMpplicd  them. 


VV^t" 

' 

1 

<«. 

i!' 


l| 


:'«t 
% 


64 


IN  LIFE  HE  CimSKD  HIM  WHOM  IN  DF.ATH  HE  BLESSED. 


I 


r 


Was  there  a  bargain  to  immolate  Clinton  and  rais*'  ('rawford,  connected  with 
that  sale  of  the  public  patrimony,  also  ? 

Jedediah  Morgan,  John  Cramer,  and  Archibald  Mclntyre  (not  the  comptroller) 
were  .its  only  opponents  !     They  may  well  feel  proud  of  it. 

Allow  me  to  change  the  scene  to  1828 — Clinton  in  his  coffin,  and  Van  Buren 
in  Washington,  thus  addressing  the  inentbers  of  Congress  relative  to  the 
deceased  : — "  Tlie  high  order  of  his  talents,  the  untiring  zeal  and  great  success 
with  which  those  talents  have,  through  a  series  of  years,  been  devoted  to  the 
prosecution  of  plans  of  great  public  utility,  are  known  to  you  all.  *  *  *  The 
greatest  public  improvement  of  the  age  in  which  we  live,  was  commenced  under 
the  guidance  of  his  counsels,  and  spl«Mulidly  accomplish<;d  under  his  immediate 
auspices.  *  *  'The  triumphsof  his  talents  and  patriotism  cannot  fail  to  become 
monuments  of  high  and  enduring  fame.  *  *  *  ]  ain  greatly  tempted  to  envy 
him  the  grave  with  its  honors." 

How  like  unto  Balaam's  conduct  when  Balak  sent  his  princes  to  induce  him  to 
curse  Israel,  [Numbers  xxiii.]  was  the  politic  \'ari  Buren's  !  Balaam  wished  to 
C'lrse  but  durst  not.  "  How  shall  /curse  whom  Clod  hath  not  cnrsed?  Jfoir  shall  I 
defy  whom  the  Lord  hath  not  defied  !  Let  me  die  the  death  of  the  riyhleousy  and 
let  my  last  end  be  like  /ji.v.'"*     What  a  commentary  uj)on  18:^4,  was  the  funeral 

•  In  1819,  there  Wiis  a  vacancy  on  tlu'  ImmhIi  oI"  the  Siipiemi- foiirt  of  iIk"  Stale  ofNrw 
York,  which  a  mutual  friend  of  Clinton  and  of  Van  Ruien.  (hen  hiy:h  in  othce.  told  Clintoii 
that  Van  Buren  wished  to  till — that  lie  had  .said  .so  to  him.  and  j,'iv'en  a.s  a  reason  that  he  \va< 
weary  of  th«  turmoil  ol'  p(ilitic.'i--and  iliat  ii  was  poliii.'  iiiid  e.v|ii'dic'iil  to  i,'ivi!  him  ihe  jiid^'c- 
ship.  "As  a  measure  of  mi'ie  policy,''  said  t'linlon,  ■  ii  iniijlil  he  expf(iienl ;  hiU  so  unprin- 
cipled a  man  do  I  consider  All-.  Van  iJuren.  that  1  could  nr-vcr  justlty  myself  in  makinp:  sudi 
tin  experiment,  merely  tiir  the  sak(>  of  disarmin;,'  liis  resentment  airainsi  me."  .lohn  Wood- 
worth  was  appointed,'  whom  Hutler speaks  sos|)iii'fidly  in  lils  leticrs, and  Van  Buren,  Butler, 
ami  their  eonfederates,  persecuted  Clinton  till  his  death,  and  then — niil  till  then — prai.sedliim 
as  the  greatest  of  statesmen  and  of  patriots. 

The  bitter  haired  of  Van  Buren  to  Clinton  may  he  inferred  from  Butler's  letters.     Tie  \\a> 
at  Sandy  Hill  when  Woodworth  was  ajipc/inted.     Van  Buren  was  a  i^enator  at  Albany  in 
1H18-1!>,  and  was  almcist  violent  in  ins  opposition  to  Bufus  Kin'/,  then  a  eandi<late  for  the  I 
S.  Senate.     In  Deeemlier.  '.Slit,  he  wheeled  idund  to  the  side  of  Kiiiijr,  wrote  a  pamphlet  on 
his  behalt^— and  why!     Me  had  hecdme  saiisfied  tiiat   Kim^- was  not  the  iriend  of  Clinton' 
"Sensible  as  1  am  (says  \'ari  Buren)  of  tie-  •.■■leai  merits  ol  Mr.  Kinu,  and  of  the  advantat;i^ 
which  would  probably  result  from  his  appointineiit,  still,  did  !  believe  that   he  was  oppo.sed  i. 
us  in  the  present  ciiniro\  el sv  between  Hie  repidilican  /w/7//iiiid  Mr.  I'liiiliin  and  his /(7/(.i/Yr> 
euuld  1  even  suppose  that  lie  looked  wiili  iiidijlrn  iirr  on  llie  sliutri'le  o|   llie  yical  biKiy  of  oiii 
citizens  tf)  extricate  themselves  from  an  /'/////r/;'v  (Cliuinii'sJ  wliich  has  so  jonir  /;/,,s.vv/  vjuiii  If,. 
state,  and  nmfir  vhirh  fli>'  rmi  iii  l  <  /  m  ,/i',,i  Ju  r  Inir  <  /.  rt/lnni  iii  /'.■-  I  'iiii'ii,  I  lia\  e  iic)  hesiialiuii 
in  sayin,?,  I  unuid  nppo.s<'  his  appoiiilinci.t. 

('oloiiel  Duane,  ever  free  ami  letirlessdi  nnimecd  V;in  Buren  and  his  new  allies  for  tlu'ir 
persecution  of  CliiUon.     In  the  Aiiroia  ofOciohei.  is-Jl.  I  find  these  remaifs: 

"  But  why  ealumniute  Mr.  Cliiaon  !  I!ccaii-e  the  I'lniiience  ot  his  ipialifieatious,  and  the 
place  which  lie  holds,  in  ilie  esteem  ol  all  iiiielli;,'cMt  ami  iihi'iiil  minds,  iciidei.s  liini  an  objr.i 
of  apprehension  to  those  \\  ho  are  in  po\\cr,  and  who  look  to  him  as  a  leailid  rival,  from  tlir 
disparity  betwe(>n  their  faculties,  and  the  pl.-o'i  he  holds  iii  the  eves  and  hetuis  of  the  peopli 
Fur  thi.s  calumny  olAlr.  C.  ihe  pnhiication  ol  tiic  laws,  ihe  |iaiiiin;ii;e  ol'ihc  |iovt-o()iee,  and  all 
the  miserable  crundis  of  a  corrupt  svsicm  ate  divtriliuted,  show  ini'  the  inel.iicehoh  fact  that  ili'.- 
press  mav  he  ])uivliased  for  a  iiiiilid  ai.nual  sii|i|.n,!  -  ainl  pci\citcd  iiil<i  aii  eni'ine  of  nuliohul 
ileerradalion.  ' 

WiliiHin  L.  Stone  in  the  .N.  \.  Commercial  iif  Cd.  II,  Ih'J.S,  a-k'^  .•.  veral  Icadinj^  queslion< 
ot  Van  Buren's  supjxiiteis — amon!,'iheni  these: 

"Who,  ainonir  the  w.'iole  host  of  .\lr.  (.'iinton's  enemies,  was  s(»  active  and  so  artful  !i.«i  Mr. 
Van  Buren  ?  Wlio  so  ivlenlless  :ind  so  pi'isecutiii!,' !  Wiiat  |>olitii';il  jilan  for  devel.jpinfrtl" 
resources  of  the  state  did  Mr.  Clinton  ever  devi.se,  that  Mr,  V  an  liiircn  did  not  attempt  eithci 
to  thwart,  or  to  deprive  him  of  the  honor  !  VViinl  ]iiitli  did  .\Ir.  ( 'iintcjii  evd'  propose  to  travii 
that  Mr.  Van  Buren  did  not  cross'!  When  did  .\lr.  Clinton  ever  raise  his  arm  in  the  nulili'. 
wervice  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  did  not  attempt  to  paraly/e  it '!  When  did  Mr.  Van  Buren's  hos- 
tility to  Mr.  Cli-^ton  ever  sleep?  Not  until  the  illustrious  man  slept  with  his  fathers,  and  tin; 
grave  had  closed  upon  his  remains.  Then  it  was,  and  not  till  then,  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  bocaiuc 
jiware  of  the  talents,  the  virtues,  the  inesiiuiable  worth  of  Mr.  Clinton.' 


parade  of  1 
scarfs,  mom 
hill  to  revvai 
and  by  the  > 
before,  the 
poor  but  dis 
Jackson's  bi 
Clinton,  the 
his  death,  IS' 
of  its  l)rigiu< 
abuse  of  CI 
thu.s  pronoui 
was  (lesignai 
honors.  Bu 
are  his  mom 


The  Crawfoi 
pie  on  llw  I 
F.Uctoral 

I'rosircll, 
Piiblir  (Ji 
and  thr 

In  oin!  c!,i^ 
telligencor— 
to  nominate 
United  St.'it! 
Kaloii,  \i.  V 
that  they  Inu 
eaueii:-;,  aiul 
eaueu;-;  :it   ih 
siiiil,  '•  that 
I'ontiiieiii  \\v\ 
favor  :if  this 
he  made." 
I  aeh  for   .\ia 

\  ice    I'lTsi'le 

A.mori'.!;  tin 
C.  C.l'ambn 
and  John  i'o 
by  Conii.ri's.'.;, 
where  all  tlif 
to  one  persoi 
slitulion.* 


•  Tiie  state 
tution,  that  the 
■qiial  in  popula 
ber  by  the  vote 


e:ssed. 

,  connected  witli 

t  the  comptroller) 

1,  and  Van  Buren 
relative  to  the 
and  great  success 
n  devoted  to  the 
i  all.  *  *  *  The 
;ommenced  under 
er  his  immediate 
not  fail  to  become 
t(!inpted  to  envy 

<  to  induce  him  to 
Balaam  wished  to 
(«/?  Jlowshalll 
the  liyhleousj  ami 
t,  was  the  funeral 

of  till"  St!il(>of  New 
in  ottii't'.  told  Clinton 
I  reason  thai  he  \va- 
I  ijivo  him  ihe  juiin- 
iieiit ;  liiit  so  iinprin- 
■sfit'  in  mnkincr  smh 

I  me."  John  Wood 
(I  Van  Buren,  BiilliM, 

II  then — praised  liim 


VA.v  r.ri;nN  s  c.\t;cus,  or  de.mocracy  ii'.siDn  hows. 


parade  of  182S,  with  Saviigc,  Siither'Kiiul,  Flagg  and  Mavcy,  derorated  with 
scarfs,  mourning  for  Clinton,  and  uinong  his  paU-bc:iri'rs  I  What  ;i  censure  the 
hill  to  reward  Clinloii''s  invahiable  services,  by  a  grant  of  mnney  lo  his  chikiren. 


and  by  the  very  men  \vho.<^(.'  envy  of  his  talents  had  d( 


anil  so  artful  a.s  Mr. 
l;iii  liir  ilevel>)pinf;tli' 
(lid  not  attempt  eithci 
eviT  propose  to  travn 

liis  arm  in  the  puhlii 
Mr.  Van  Buren's  hos- 
th  his  fathers,  and  the 
Ir.  Van  Buren  bocaiuf 


er's  letters.     Tie  \vn-     | 
■lenator  at  Albany  in 
(•an<liiiate  tor  the  I 
wrote  a  pamphlet  on 
le  friend  of  Clinton' 
i(i  of  the  advantai;!'^ 
It  lie  was  opposed  i. 
hm  and  ]\\^  folliirrn 
he  uieal  hiKiy  ol'  oin 

itU'J  /HiHSfll  lljiinl  Ih: 

.  I  lia\e  no  hesiialii.il 

s  iitu  allies  for  llii'ir 
lai  ls : 

iialilieations,  and  the 
chiiei^  liim  an  ohjf.i 
I'ailid  ri\'ul,  Iruni  tlir 

hearls  di'  the-  peopli 
till-  iitisl-(. nice,  and  all 

.mrlioh  I'ael  that  ill' 
an  ent.'ine  olnutioimi 

ral  h'adins  quesliuib    ■ 


'11 


.!:■•.,  on'y  lour  years 


before,  the  hi-imbU;  privilege  of  .sen'ing  his  country  \.itMOM'   i":  j   or  resvard, 

poor  but  disiiitorestc.d,  in  the  midst  of  \'un  Buren'.s  grct  civ  f;poi!',r.u-n  !     Andrew 

Jackson's  birthday  toast,  March    15,  lb2S,  was,  "'(;i;:  lu.  lao'-^.    c'l  I)e  Witt 

Clinton,  the   Patriot,  t'le  Philuntliropist,  nnd  the  distiL?;'.';;;!.!'     ;.•    i'.  :,;vji:n.     la 

his  death,  New  i'oik  has  lost  one  of  her  mo.st  useful  .-.oii",  ai.-    1 

of  its  brightest  ornaments.'"     Kven   Ritchie,  whose  column;  ;  .il 

abuse  of  (^liiitoii,  in  toriner  y(  an;,  was   moved  ;  and  t!'i:>   rV;v"''e.i 

thus  pronounced  his  eulogy  : — "  A  f^real  man  has  fallen  in  h;ra?   I 

was  designated  for  the  firs',  chair  in  tiie  nation  is  cut   fd-' in  th.' 

honors.     But  liis  name  will  go  down  to  posterity,  full  uf  ;k  ni.'r,  .■.u^^■  b.ijs  v/orks 

are  his  monuui'-nt  " 


u;  nation  one 

Icemt'd  witii 

■'.I    Enqi:irer 

A  mun  who 

uxAsX  of  his 


CH  A  PTKR    XV. 

The  Crawford  Caucus  of  1S34. —  Van  Buren,  Cambrd.vui,  end  Stevenson  tram~ 
pleon  llic  Denidcratlc  Princ.'ipU\ — Srcret  Comhinntimi  >•/ Itoarnry  !.fuh?rs. —  The 
Jukctornl  Luw. — Monarchical  Ftnlurcs  in  our  SijslCni.—  r.'i.-fnj,  IVriijhi,  Earll, 
I'rosircll,  Ian  linrui.,  ami  f  he  rest  of  Ihe  Alhanif  Ol'njnrcjii<.  Ui.tiimj  i,j  put  uowu 
Public  Opiiiidii  —  \()iing  up  fir  d'/n-ernor. — The  Old  I'edirufisls. — iVrir/lit 
and  the   Scrmtan. 

In  one  day,  in  tl;e  winter  of  1S21,  two  notices  appe  rad  in  llie  .Xal'nnal  In- 
telligencer— lii(?  lir.'.l  t'allinjr  a  meeting  or  caucus  of  the  memberj  ol  Congress, 
to  nominate  lit  pci'sons  to  hll  the  odices  of  President  and  Vice  I'resident  of  the 
United  States — t'li'  otii  r,  a  ilei'luration  signed  by  H.  M.  Johii.son,  John  H. 
Katon,  \i.  Y.  ll.'.yne,  S.  D.  liii'luini,  (u'o.  Krein(>r,  J.  R.  Poin.~.  It,  and  others, 
that  they  had  bei'ii  uu'orme.l,  that  of  2L)1  members,  Kii  ueie  opposed  hi  the 
cniu'U-'.,  and  pi'.ibaldy  more.  Dn  the  1-Hli  of  l''ebruary.  tit!  members  attended  a 
eaiK'Us  :it  the  (';ipitol:  Van  Buun  moved  that  tht  y  be  called  by  state>*,  and 
said,  '•  that  the  (.fople  were  aiixiouslv  waiting  for  n  nomination,  antl  he  felt 
eonfideiii  lh;il  a  large  portion  of  the  re;  ublicaiis  of  the  C'nion  a\re  decidedly  J« 
fiwor  •</'  this  lundt'  of  noniinatiiiii  and  ;.  .it  it  was  quite  neeessary  that  it  should 
i>e  made."  Tlie  ballot  shoua'd  til  votes  for  Crawford,  2  for  Adams,  and  1 
ra''b  for  Mai'oa  and  .lael;soii,  to  be  President — and  "'<  votes  for  (Jallatin,  as 
\  loe  President.      CrawUird  and  (Jallalin  were  nominated. 

A.mong  the  members  taking  part  in  this  wonderful  piece  of  iin|)osture,  were 
('.  C.  Cambreleng,  Andrew  Steven-ion,  Lr-wis  Katon,  l,o(:  Clark,  P.  P.  l^arbour, 
anil  John  I'oi.Atti.  Ivvan  if  thf  jiraetiee  of  a  virtual  election  of  tlie  President 
l»y  Cona'ress,  tbron;',h  a  (  aucus,  bad  been  defensible,  a  caucus  in  favor  of  oni', 
wiiere  all  the  candidates  were  of  one  party,  was  confniiiig  the  people's  choice 
to  one  per.sim,  and  thus  .stitling  public  opinion  and  rescinding  in  so  far  the  con- 


stitution. 


•  Tlie  stale  of  North  Carolina  ha^  in  1818,  proposed,  as  amendments  to  the.  IT.  S,  consti- 
tution, that  the  rcpre-'icauuives  in  conf;re.ss  should  ho  chosen  by  sopa.rale  districl.s,  made  as 
':qual  in  population  as  pij-isilile  by  the  several  state  lefjislatiire.s ;  eiich  di'-trict  to  ele<a  one  mem- 
ber by  the  votes  of  its  ^uaUli'-'d  ek  -tors— and  that,  for  the  purpoi^e  of  electing  clcclora  of  presi- 


-'•Vw. 


.'",!,*'■ 


vV 


I  i. 


li-   I 


'■  m 


■  1 

1,; 

l.f^ 

*.; 


il 


69 


BUCKTAIL  PRINCIPLES,   ROTTEN  BOROUGHS  OUT  OP  ENGLAND. 


!f    $ 


;■ 


In  January,  1824,  there  might  be  seen  the  really  paradoxical  spectacle  of  a 
body  of  nicu  in  tlie  legislature,  arrogating  to  themselves  the  exclusive  title  of 
republicans,  (he  democracy^  who  were  unwearied  in  endeavoring  to  defeat  the 
people's  instructions,  by  giving  the  go-by  to  a  law  required  by  the  whole  state, 
giving  to  the  country,  and  not  reserving  to  party  leaders  in  the  Legislature,  the 
election  of  electors  of  President  and  Vice  President.  I  hope  the  day  draws 
near  in  which  the  people  will  vote  directly  for  the  men  of  their  choice  to  these 
offices,  and  that  on  the  same  day  too,  throughout  the  republic. 

By  reference  to  B.  F.  Butler's  letters,  pp.  IU8, 169,  and  to  Hoyt's.  Croswell's, 
Van  Buren's,  Skinner's,  and  Livingston's,  pp.  193  to  198,  it  will  be  seen  that 
there  was  a  secret  combination  among  the  leaders  to  keep  power  from  the 
people,  and  to  use  it  contrary  to  their  well  known  will.  "  If  Clinton  is  very 
dangerous,  (says  Livingston,)  they  [the  party  in  the  1  >gisluture]  will  go  one 
way  ;  and  if  il  is  thought  he  cannot  make  any  difficulty,  they  will  go  t'other 
way."  The  ijutriols  thus  acting  for  Van  Burcn  and  Crawford,  had  the  assurance 
to  talk  of  a  bargain  between  President  Adams  and  Secretary  Clay  !  !  A.  C. 
Fiagg  seems  to  have  been  the  leader  of  the  oligarchs  in  the  Assembly.  His 
press,  the  Plattsburgh  Republican,  and  also  the  Albany  Argus,  had  come  out  in 
lavorofthe  measure  before  the  election,  and  then  moved  round  to  another  course.* 

dent  and  vice  pic;-idonf,  imcIi  state  ought  to  be  divided  into  separate  disn-ict.«,  as  many  as  it  was 
entitled  to  f  lectors;  I'achol's-aid  districts  to  be  contiguous,  and  convenient  tor  tlie  people  to  meet 
in,  and  to  choose  one  representative.  This  was  the  di.strict  system,  both  for  electors  and  Congress- 
men, and  eleven  Seiiaiors,  i  minding  Bowne,  Skinner,  Seymour,  and  Living-ston,  (Peter  R.  J  sup- 
ported it.  Samuel  ^'oidis,  Van  Buren,  Caniinc,  Tibbets,  and  six  others,  opposed  it.  Several 
years  ulier,  in  ilie  U.  8.  Senate,  Van  Buren  proposed  to  divide  each  oi  the  states  into  as  many 
liibiricLs  as  its  number  of  electors — each  district  to  choose  one  elector — the  electors,  so  chosen,  tn 
moot  and  voie  fur  jnesident  iind  vice  president;  and  in  ca.se  no  om.'  candidate;  had  a  majority 
vi'  their  voices,  they  were  to  be  convened  again,  to  vote  lor  one  of  the  two  candidates  to  whom 
liiey  had  given  the  iiio.-i  voles  l)elbre ;  and  then,  if  the  votes  were  equal,  and  no  choice  mad'-, 
liie  House  of  Represpntaiivi  s  were  to  make  a  choice.  He  agitated  this  question  for  tlireo  vears, 
and  others  iiavc  Kept  some  letoim  or  other  before  the  community  ever  seiner,  but  no  steady  and 
connected  eflbrt  has  been  made  to  aflbrd  a  real  remedy  for  a  great  and  serious  dilhcuity. 

There  are  many  feaiiues  in  the  United  States  system  of  government  ihat  approtich  much 
nearer  to  the  British  and  French  monarchical  plan,  than  to  demo.  rac;*.  lii  the  Obskkvkh, 
New  York,  20th  December,  I8'i;«,  the  editor  says  :— 

"  Our  readers  are  aware  that,  as  tlie  constitution  now  stands,  if  the  electors  fail  to  choose  on 
the  fust  trial,  tiie  chuiee  devolves  on  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  that  in  this  case  the 
representatives  of  eaoli  stale  are  entitled  to  one  vote.  The  present  number  of  slates  in  ilic 
['nion  is  twentv-foui-.  Thirteen  are  a  majority.  The  population  of  the  United  States,  in  18'J(i, 
\\;>s  nearly  10,000,000.  Thiiieen  states  can  be  selected,  whose  joint  population  is  le.ss  than 
-;,'?00,000.  (Jt  course,  if  is  possible  that  l,tOO,(K)0  per.-^ons,  ur  a  little  inore  than  one-tenth  part 
of  the  population  of  tin;  Uuiied  States,  may  legally  appoint  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
in  op))osiiiou  lo  the  will  of  the  other  nine-tenths.  This  ca.se,  moreover,  is  not  a  solitary  one. 
It  is  a  (act,  that  tlie  princijile  which  we  so  .strongly  condemn  in  the  English  rotten  boiough  .sys- 
tem, pervades  every  part  ol  ihe  constitution  of  the  Uniiwl  Slates,  and  threniens,  in  the  end,  lo 
be  as  ruinous  to  the  i  ighls  of  the  ptwple  in  this  country,  as  it  has  been  in  Great  Britain.  The 
treaty-making  power  is  vested  by  the  eon.stitution  in  the  President  and  two-iiiiids  of  the  Senate. 
Two-Uiirds  of  the  Senate  represent  two-thirds  of  the  .states — that  is,  at  present,  sixteen  out  of 
twenty-four.  Sixteen  slate's  (■;in  be  selected,  whose  joint  population  does  not  exceed  3,100,000 
It  is  possible,  therefore,  that  treaties  may  be  inadu  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of  two-thirds  of 
the  American  people." 

Under  the  last  Cong'pssional  apportionment,  a  presidential  election,  if  carried  into  the  House 
of  Representatives,  mighi  be  decided  against  a  candidate  supported  by  more  than  two-thirds  oi' 
the  population,  properiv,  and  representation  in  that  House,  of  the  whole  Union,  and  in  tavor 
of  a  candidate  not  voted  Ibr  bv  even  one-third  of  these.  The  .slave  representation  makes  thi^ 
state  of  thiiigs  still  worse.  Jackson,  in  1825,  had  but  three  votes  out  of  seventy-llirce,  in  New 
York  and  New  England;  but  Van  Buren  united  interests  with  him  in  1828,  and,  with  the  help 
of  tJie  conn-actors,  oHice-seekers,  la^VT^ers,  and  editors,  converted  many,  myself  among  the 
number. 

♦  On  the  3d  of  August,  .it  a  special  session  in  Senate,  Mr.  Ogden  moved  a  resolution  "  that 
it  is  expedient  to  pass  a  law  aA  Lh*  frtsent  meeting  oj  the  Ugislalure,  givins  io  the  people  ot 


FLAG 

t  In  1824,  C 
jchiefly  of  mei 
hd  of  April,  tl 
itiO  votes,  and 
jand  Burt  21. 
jby  Clinton  an 
^Young  was  a\ 
■*ond  Vice  Pr 
^cheme  of  l!r 
Wtes  of  a  hi 
^u'nority  oongi 
M  the  state  ii 
|ii  one  state, 
jkiid  that  is  So 
ticteat  in  the  1 


Ills  Slate  the  e 

iViii,'lil,   Walter 

lilalkiry,  .lonas 

J'iiuni,   VVIieelei 

f;il(!  .M'lntire,  Jc; 

piiileil  !h;it  ;i  spec 

I  (111  the  ')th,  lilt 

jliciiirs,  was  <'ai 

i.Mi','e,.\Vlieaion, 

I"  I. .mil's  of  llie; 

Ulii,  ihe  Ud'V  e.lil 

l;ii;i!  and  \V'ii;;li 

Hi.  aiii!  tl'-.iil  ;r. 

I  liiDiuji  V  an 

llillelieed    Ihe    li 

I  e  I  anal  fJuai'il.  I 

I  lu  lie  pi'e--i( 

li'iitenniil  li'n\e 

iii'eh  to  give  111. 

[ii'aied  and  pre|Hi 

iiul),  ".Mi.  \Vr 

lllil.  il'eleeted,  ; 

I  this  inanu'liv 
[ed-.'.  \\  e  slial 
lis  a  limn  who  e 
lit,  who  is  ai  ilii 

made  must  be 
,vilij,'Mon  hu\  in,; 
president  till  .\ 
iwinan,  Iliiiriir. 
yes  (Silas  Wri 
>.spKn),  Woosier 
lly  mai'li.sed,  wh 
[iihle  111  seize  tu 
'eil  lo  Van  Hnn 
Hn  tiie  canal  bo 
(ssueh  men  as  V 
1  Kool  pieferred 
iuie  the  vario 
■ea  voice  in  tin 
I'leelurs  of  pres 
iss  by  general  I 
my.  Young  an 
•et,  and  South  C 
(le  a  choice  by  t 
ite,  and  he  was 


FLAGG  S  SHOW.      WHIG  FIT  AND  THt  IMMORTAL  SKVENTEEN. 


57 


NOLAND. 

[  spectacle  of  a 
xclusive  title  of 
ng  to  defeat  the 
the  whole  state, 
Legislature,  the 
3  the  clay  draws 
choice  to  these 

yt's.  Croswell's, 
all  be  seen  that 
power  from  the 
f  Clinton  is  very 
re]  will  go  one 
y  will  go  t'other 
lad  the  assurance 
■  Clay  !  !  A.  C 
Assembly.  His 
had  come  out  in 
another  course.* 

t.«,  a.s  many  as  it  was 
ir  the  people  to  meet 
ectors  and  Congress- 
slon,(PotorR.,)  sup- 
opposed  it.    Several 

states  into  as  many 
"lectors,  so  cliohen,  t" 
date  had  a  majority 

candidates  to  whom 
and  tio  choire  made, 
?Mion  for  Llireo  years, 
ee,  but  no  steady  and 
ou-i  dithcuity. 

hat  approach  much 

111  tlie  OlitiEKVEfi, 

tors  fail  to  choose  on 
hat  in  this  ca.se  the 
nher  of  .states  in  the 

nited  States,  in  1S'.2(I, 
ipulaiion  is  less  tlian 
e  than  one-tenth  pan 

of  the  United  States, 
not  a  solitary  one. 
.1  mlten  borough  sys- 
•niens,  in  the  end,  to 
Great  Britain.    I'Ih' 

.iliirds  of  tlic  Senate. 

resent,  sixteen  out  of 
not  exceed  a.tOO.OOO 
shes  of  two-thirds  of 


arricd  into  the  House 
re  than  two-thirds  oi 
Union,  and  in  favor 
;sentation  makes  ihi^ 
—venty-tiirce,  in  New 
!8,  and,  with  the  heir 
•,  myself  among  the 

ed  a  resolution  "  that 
ving  to  the  people  ot 


'     In  1824,  Colonel  Young  was  the  candidate  of  the  bucktail  caucus,  composed 

chiefly  of  members  of  the  legislature  friendly  to  Crawford,  for  governor.     On  the 

|oj  of  April,  this  caucus,  100  in  number,  met ;  and  on  the  fust  ballot,  Young  had 

|tiO  votes,  and  Joseph  C.  Yates  4;") ;  Erastus  Root  had  75  for  lieutenant  governor, 

^and  Burt  21.     Root  was  for  Crawford,  Young  for  Clay,  and  both  were  defeated 

fbv  Clinton  and  Tallmadge,  who  had  their  nominations  from  a  state  convention. 

lYoung  was  avowedly  friendly,  throus^hout,  to  the  election  of  electors  of  President 

•*iind   Vice   President  by  the  people,  and  oppo.^^ed  to  Van   Buren's  bargaining 

ffheme  of  1824,  by  which   he   and   the    Albany  Regency  sold,  as  it  were,  the 

Votes  of  a  hirelinjf  ntajority  of  baiikiobbinu!;  lawgivers,  to   a  particular  set  of 

ininority  congressioiml  caucusing  protligatcs,  and  endeavored  to  pledge  the  votes 

M  the  state  in  opposition  to   tlie   known  wishes  of  a  iiiajority  of  the   people. 

fn  one  state,  only,  is  the  election  of  electois  confided   to  the  legislature  now, 

jhiul  that  is  Sotith  Carolina.      Vouno's  steady  opposition  to  Crawford  ensured  his 

|(  feat  in  the  legislature,  and  catisud  Adams  to  be  returned  in  his  stead,  as  the 


I 


I 


eleetois  of  Prei-iiUnt  aini   \iie  President."     The  ikhs  were  Silas 


r<iaie  iiie  iiii'ki;  m  lh-liuk.  in  i  ir.-imiii  .uiu  y  n  u  i  icmihiu.  i  iic  /((/(.>  were  oiiaK 
i'dil,  Walter  I'owiie,  .(ohii  Siidain,  !■'.  .s^Jraiiahan  I''..  1'.  Liviiij<.--tiin,  Ji/s/HT  M'an/,  .las. 
llorv,  .lonas  Kiiill,  Cliaiies  I'..  IJudley,  Perley  Ivryes,  tireen,  Cireeiily,  Biotisun,  LetTerts, 
irii.  VVheeli'i,  W'oosier,  ArCall  and  llenian,  .1.  Kedlield.  Anioni,'  the  (^//r,?  were  Aiciii- 
1  ,\l'liitiie,  Jdliii  (,'raiu<'r,  llui^lil,  iJurl,  Lyiide.  and  Huiidus.     I'hij;f<  imd  his  fritnds  ijre- 

,    1  .1     .  ._  .  ;,.!  .•..,.   , :ii I    1...I   ,l...l 


111-,  Stale  the  i-lioiee  i 

iVris 

riiui 

;iL.  -  -  ,  ..... 
jiided  tliat  a  special  ses;.i<)U  was  ill(.';,ral,  l)iit  wen'  overruled. 
(Millie  r»!h,  tin'  resolve. /(;  i^irrilu-  people,  and  lalce  i'rciii  llie  I.eifi.^lature  tlie  choice  of 
li'ciurs,  was  carried  in  liie  assLMuoly.  7.'>  to  .14;  Croliits,  (''iniunii,  Mct'luie,  lvif,'f(s,  Tall- 
i','e..\Vii''aliiii,  anil  Wilkin  aiiinii';'  tlu'  yeas,  t'laji;:,'  said  ihai  "  as  Ihr  .•/imr  was  now  over  and 
!.,liiii'.'- iM  llie  :,i'iili''liK-M  :  p:  tad  o!i  llie  reeiiid,  iir  Iii|h-lI  i!;'  ',  vwli-  iviniy  In  iidjoiiri!,"  ('(<le- 
,,ui.  llii'  1>MV  edliiir  ul'tii.'  I'd-I,  I'ldled  llii>  \Mlii];;  a  ri.iiiuK.ii-^  lanT-  li.'  u..s  w  iih  \'an  Hiiii.'n, 
lUL^ij  and  NV'i  ij'.lii.  f"i"  ( 'rawlunl  — and  lie  weni  with  Van  Hiirt-n,  t.iu,  lor  Kiii'^as  senator  in 
•I!!,  am!  di-.id  a.'/ain^i  llie  war  and  ("lay  and  .Vladi.-oii,  in  I.sl-J,  The  M-nale  Wdiild  nut  act. 
I  liioUL.ii  Van  Piiii'i'U,  W'riL^lil,  f'lau'if.  Key.-,,  Alairy,  Kii.iurraial  lin'ir  artful  eonlederales, 
iliiiiii'i'd  ilii'  Ir'Mshiiiiii'  I'l  liriy  j>uMii'  opiiiidn  liir  I  WO  scssit,i:s,  and  lo  ou;it  (.'lintoii  from 
liual  IJnaid.  liiey  ha  I  ili'-i' n'waid.  ('lawloi'd  lailfd  l.i  :.cei  ilie '..de  oi  .\.  "\'. --he  .'ailed 
l;,'I  tii  lie  |)i'e--idciii-  I'linii.ii  was  elrcicil  as  ( ioveriiur  bv  17, OHO  majority,  and 'i'allniadj?e 
li'iiI'Miaiit  (,Jn\eriior  bv  !i'J, 111)0,  uvi'r  \'aii  liipens  inHuinei's.  Wi  iuht  vciletj  on  the  lOih  of 
iiiih  ttjf^ive  Ihi'  ehi)ii-e  nl  eie(  liiis  to  the  people,  by  i;ih,'ial  lirlii't— be  Ihen  proposed  a  eom- 
■atedand  piep.  i  .lepnusM'lieine  wliieli  only  :;.it  fdurMippnrters.  "The  tact  was"  (says  Hanv- 
Hill),  "  .Mr.  \V I  i.i;hi,  previous  til  his  rleetiiiii,  bad  iriveii  tin'  people  to  under.^tand  that  he 
jiilil  if  clccti'il,  support  a  bill  .'jiviiii;  III  ihc  piople  the  ri'/bt  In  ehi'iLsc  |)resideniial  electors. 
li.s  uiaiuj'uvriiitc  was  ,•;.,■  ijic  puipii.;e  of  e.vbibiiiii.;  uii  appearance  ul'  ri'dei'inin^  thai 
,„r,e.  ^\  c  sliall  shoiily  liiil  liiiii  \iiiiii:,' for  an  iiidcliniie  pu-.lpoii>'iiiciit  of  ibe  bill."'  And 
i-' a  man  who  eonld  llius  ih-ccnd  lo  ihe  nic.-niness  of  niel.  ini,'  llie  men  he  pit-tended  to  repre- 
[,  who  is  ill  this  dav  t'overiior  of  New  ^'oii;.  The  limber  oiil  of  which  iniod  fjovernors 
made  must  be  scarce  In  thes-'  p;uls.  The  bill  trot  ihe  >,'o  by  same  day  (10  March),  E.  P. 
iiiL'sion  having'  moved  In  ^'lOp  all  con.sidl'ralion  of  ihe  bill  to  iri\e  she  peojile  the  choice  of 
)ii'esident  till  November,  uhiii  it  would  be  ii  -I'less  iiir  aiioiher  four  years.  Himself  and 
winan,  Ilmnir,  IJion^on,  Dmlley,  (H'Ui's  correspondent.)  Kaill  (canal  (.'om'r).  Greenly, 
.yps  (Silas  Wri.L^ht's  mentor),  Lciferls,  Xlallory,  M'Call.  Uedlield,  siranuhan,  Siulam,  Ward 
iSHKu),  Wooster,  and  Uoveiiior  Wri;.5hi     •'••■  ■ '  •*■  — •'• i-- > i. ,.«.>- ........  .i..,.. 


......    y.^....-.      ..».,-.,... y, _-. T--  T  -- .    ~ ,      .  .    -».v» 

sHKu),  Wooster,  and  Uoveiiior  Wri;.5hi— tiie  iminorial  17  pretcmlers  to  a  democracy  they 
ly  piiicii.sed,  when,  as  Wi  ij,'hl  .>ays  in  his  leitcr  (p.  OtKl),  they  had  to  do  journey  work,  l)eins 
able  til  sei/.e  riiK  spoils.  (Jul.  Vouiiu',  like  bis  li'iciid  t.:r.  nier,  and  (ieneral  Rixit,  was  op- 
nedlo  Van  Huien  in  this  mailer.  Wii^dii,  then  in  his  MOih  year,  voted  to  remove  Clinton 
ill  the  canal  board.  It  is  enoindi  to  .shake  a  man's  liiiih  in  pojiular  institutions  when  he 
is  such  men  as  Van  Huicn  and  W  ii;:iit  sucicid  a  '  'liiitonas  t;ii\crniirsoflhis','reatstate.  Gene- 
Root  preferred  in  lN-1,  ami  Van  IJuicn  in  is'j^i,  an  eledion  ul'eKelors  by  .separate  districts, 
'au-^e  the  varioii-.  districts  have  a  wuiciy  of  interests,  and  each  section  of  country  .should 
t'c  a  voice  in  thi-choiceolehief  inasfivlraic.  'I'he  iiiyumenis  usi'd  in  favor  of  a  general  ticket 
electors  of  president  would  juslily  to  a  far  ^.^ealei  e.Mcni.  the  election  ot'  members  of  cou- 
ss  hi'  fjeneral  ticket,  foi- ihe  eleciois  jierforin  but  one  act  while  the  congressmen  perform 
ny.  Yoimg  and  Van  Buren,  however,  are  now  strongly  in  i'avor  of  election  by  general 
let,  and  South  Carolina  chooses  her  electors  by  the  Legislature,  allcr  every  otiier  state  has 
de  a  choice  by  the  peojile.  Only  one  of  the  above  seventeen  ventured  to  re-appear  as  a  can- 
ate,  and  he  was  swept  away  by  the  overwhelming  majority  given  to  his  opponent, 


k":  %  ■ 


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rut  TLKM  I  LDLKALlisi'  Ab  A  Kl.rUOALll.      UVlAl  lOK  JACKOON. 


I- 


It'; 


second  candidute,  instead  of  ht'iiig  behind  C'rawlord  and  Clay,  and  not  a 
candidate  at  all.  Thus  it  was  throuirh  iVcw  Y'ork  that  Adams  became 
President.  Adams  had  84  votes,  including;  ',i2  from  this  state,  obtained  through 
a  union  of  the  friends  of  Clay  and  Adams  in  the  legislature.  Crawford  had  41, 
but  would  have  had  73  had  he  gut  the  32  from  iS.  V.,  and  Adams  but  r,'2, 
Instead  of  applying  to  parties  tiie  names  which  would  most  clearly  indicate 
their  principles,  the  usage  is,  to  apply  to  an  opponent  any  term  which  popular 
leaders  and  presses  have  rendered  odious  to  the  more  ignorant.  Young  de- 
nounced, not  long  sitice,  the  su])poilers  of  John  Q.  Adams  as  j't'deralista.  When 
it  was  shown  that  he  had  aided  .\dams'  election  in  1HJ4,  lie  said  that  at  that 
time  Adams  was  a  good  democrat,  if  so,  why  abuse  Clay  for  preferring  one 
democrat  to  another  1  The  trutli  is,  tiiat  IJiair,  Crosw»'ll,  and  many  other 
unprincipled  hirelings  use  the  term  fedcraiisl  as  a  reproach,  and  their  impudence 
in  so  doing  is  unmatched,  for  Taney,  McLai.e,  Hryant,  Buchanan,  Ingersol, 
Bleecker,  Oakley,  Powers,  J^eekinaii,  \  anderpool,  and  very  many  others  of  the 
party  calling  itself  democratic;,  were  Icunierly  niembers  of  the  great  federal 
parly,  which  numbers  thousands  uf  the  greatest,  wisest,  and  best  names  known 
to  American  histoiy.  It  is  now  no  more  ;  it  had  its  faults,  its  merits,  its  un- 
worthy members — but  it  was  honored  in  not  having  reared  and  educated  a  Buit 
and  a  Van  Buren.  Col.  Young,  in  Senate,  j-'eb.  4,  lS4t)  [Argus  report]  doe* 
not  hesitate  severely  to  censure  \  an  Huren  tor  the  Crawford  caucus  of  I8'i4; 
he  denounces  it  as  '•  made  by  a  minority  of  the  democratic  members  oi 
congress  ;  and  that  very  act  brol.e  dow  n  that  macliinery,  for  never  since  have 
members  of  compress  nominated  a  president.  It  was  regarded  as  so  great  iii: 
outrage  on  the  former  practice  —for  never  before  had  a  minority  undertaken  ti. 
nominate — that  the  whole  system  broke  down." 


P( 

Jurr's  argumc 
lind,  when  he 
fackson  was  tl 
tiew's  for  conq 
%i  part,  by  the 

\  *  The  violent  d 
r  reestul.ili.sliMiei 
ii'eiit  annexation 
p  (if  fi'i''linif  to 
\oi(y  tor  brief 
'.in  Buren,  Bentc 
1  .(anios  Knox  Po 
15.  he  beinc:  the 
in  lii.s  inaui^ural 
iisohemn.s  and  ai,' 
i  certain  Suites  ( 
•■  ;he  dis.'<olution  o 
1  ciplc  to  the  Unio 
!  lALL  TK.N'D 
qP''  SKCIMOXS  ( 
izcMs,  and  iSriOl 
f(t  t.'ierisjhts  uf  ot!i 
!ioe,  i/'  'J'e.vns  n^i 

ill  A.\D  uxaf 

iit;.  Rulei'  uf  th( 
lit  ari.'-n  iVuni 
iriipotent^e  to  su- 
ai.\'  he  stood  tl 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Andrew  Jachson  mint imled  for  PrrsldenI,  in  Iblf),  6(/  Col.  Burr.— The  Tcm 
Movement. — Polk     and     Slnirrji.—  Swarlicoi^rs     ProcefditKjs. — Cfimtnmji 
View-f. — Jachon''^  posUUm  in    ISOG. — Ih  afts    (la   />'//•/•'.<    A<init. — Ihun 
attempt  to  Diftsolve  the  Umoit. — McDi'Jfir'n  F.f'rl. —  The.  True  Policy  of  Ihv  _ 
Republic. — .Jackson  and    \'<in  Buren  liuyimj    Texas. — Hnmillon  on  Burr-jj^ 
Burr  fcilh  him. —  F./ilers   into  Arramji-nwiUs   with   Pitt. — Bvrr\   Fumiltj.- 
Judge  Marshall  on  Blennerhassitt. — ii'illi-inson''s   Testimom/. — Dareznc^s  Ai-\ 
j.fgt_ — The  Daytons  of  Netr  .fersey, — Frank  ()(jdm.  — Scdrjxvick  on  Texan,-] 
TexttH,  how  Settled. —  Its  Conventinn. — ("hanniiKj  on  Slavery. —  Van  BurenC 
Instructions  to  the  Mixican  Minister,  in  1S29. — Benpvolence  and  Disintereslj^ 
edness  of  the    U.  S.    Government. — A   Curious  Arrjument. — Gaines  Invtuk 
Mexico. —  Senator   Uouston. — CaUioxnPs  Upiuio?is  ini   Slavay. — His  Letter: 
to  King  and  Jl'ilson  Shannnu.— Canada,  a  Uefuye  for  the  Oppressed  Slave- 
Southern  Policy  Disclosed  III  a  Caiiditl  Minister  to  Mexico. —  On  Fxtendm^ 
the  Area  of  O'ppes.iion. — i/ov  to   Raise  the  Price  <f  Virginia  Negroes.-t 
Murphy's  Hint  to  Play  the  Ht/pocrite, — Our  Treaty  with  the  Mexicans.— 1¥ 
Destiny  of  the  Americans.. —Public  Life.—Xational  Purity.  ' 

Andrew  Jackson  was  first  nominated  as  President  of  tlie  United  States,  bij 
Aaron  Burr.  Col.  Burr's  letter,  with  liis  reasons  for  preferring  Jackson,  w)f 
addressed  to  Governor  Alston,  as  early  as  1815,  and  will  be  found  among  tM 
correspondence.     I  have  seen  it  stated,  but  not  on  any  specific  authority,  thij 


lu 


Mr.  r».,jk- th,)u;rhl 
|liin!'  wroni;  in 
lili'N  of  his  iMi, 
jiii."-lhem  -M'llii 
jpaiviit  from  I'w 
li'-hiiiL'-  fiiin  (jr  I 
jiop  i|y  ia  ail  th; 
liiiiii',  .'ninjil}' 
lii-ilili'  jiiiii  I,  jiiv 
|i''i'— and  had  a 
Mai'l;  drirr>n  u 
'  !','ati(|  ,1  mono; 
'iifnfy  and  I'ntni' 
l''r  when  ihcy  pi 
I  mov.  in  ('haVai'i 
h'amin  to|r|  th: 

Pbstradenndbic 
et  si0(;l,-jo)i]j,.,.  I 

Minu'.9  p.jnned  p 
"he  author  ol'ii 
Ppiited  eom))iler 
(i'i,"'ii  llic  hi:,dii' 
id.^iU,  ( '.  VV.  La 
|'i'"i'  he  had  "th. 
■■"■1'^  of  hi^:,  doi, 
^  HI.  -'r-7M  il,. 
I''7,  hi.-;  e.vcu.'!i'  f( 
isi'f  Praijco.  V 
l^ve  States  di 
anstodoiis  Moxi 
"a  native  of  S. 
||ny  humble  stric 
"'agains^t  tiie  po 


IACK60N. 


lay>  and  not  a 
Ailains  became 
)btaiinHl  through 
'raw ford  had  41, 
Adams  but 


POLK  S  INAUGURAL.      MEXICO,  SLAVERY  AND  TEXAS. 


59 


urr's  arguments  In  favor  of  Jackson  had  great  influciico  over  Van  Buren's 
ind,  when  he  became  his  adherent.     Unquestionably,  the  popularity  of  Gen. 
ackson  was  the  leading  inducement.     W  e  shall  find  that  13urr  and  Jackson's 
1  •   iv  indicate     t'^^'^  ^^^  conquering  Mexico  from  Spain,  in  1S05,  have  l).;pn  since  earned  out 
^  ^hk-h  popular     h  f^^^t  ^y  ^^^^  Texas  movement  of  Polk,*  Van  Buren,  Jackson,  Calhoun,  and 

Young  de-     * * 

;  »  Tlie  violent  dismpinbi^rmenl  of  Mexico  by  citizens  of  the  Tlnitinl  States,  with  a  view  to 
leestitblishiiienl  ol'sluvory  iu  Texa^ ;  and  Ihe  veiy  remarlcablc  ci'viinr  'anci's  atit.'udiag  its 


ant 

>ler(ilists.     When 

said  that  at  thai 
for  preferring  one 

and  many  othtr 
I  their  impudeme 
u'hannn,  Ingersol, 
any  others  of  the 

the  great  federal 
ln'st  names  known 

its  merits,  its  uii- 
id  educated  a  Burt 
irgus  report]  dot"' 
.1  "eaucus  of  l8:i4 
;iatie  nien\bers  oi 
!■  lu'.ver  sine*,'  hii\> 
led  as  so  great  an 
,rity  undertaken  t.  *  i"  ^'■''•"  ''•^' 


loeiit  annotation  lo  (his  Union,  in  violation  of  gooJ  faitli  to  a  fV'  'adly  repuhli'-  •  w'd'.:  tl 
(p  of  fi'flini^  to  which  tlit"<i'  evenf*,  ;ind  their  expected  re«iihs,  have  n^ivon  ri  •^,  I'orni  some 
jhvy  tor  brief  notices  ol'iiie  \;irioiis  jmris  jihiyed  in  the  exeliini;  I'rJim.i,  ly  Ab---:  i-..  Polk, 
an  Buren,  Benton,  H(niston,  .lackson,  Burr,  Sw'nrtwont,  and  th''jr  friends,  or  confederates. 

'.fames  Knox  Polk  toolc  the  orith  of  oiiice  at  tiie  Capitol,  ;is  President,  on  'I'uesday,  M.'irch  'iMi, 
If),  he  bein?:  then  in  hi-*  50lh  year. 

Ill  his  inausijural  address,  he  expressed  a  deep  rog:ret  thrit  "  mi-Lmidi'd  pTsans"  b:id  ;ni'ulg»d 
schemes  and  agitations  '•  whose  object  is  the  destruction  of  POMK'iTr.:)  iN.rnTi'rinv.'i:  p\:stiii:< 
certain  States  or  sections" — arul  thoui^'ht  t!iat,  all  must  spp  ih:;t  if '';•■  >  mv 
he  dissolution  ot'  tlie  Union"  must  speedilv  Ibliow.     '-To  in'-'c'  ~e  t'-  ■ 
,|,K>  to  the  Union  (said  he)  OUR  LAWS  SHOULD  BE  .FUST.    A  S  V 
L\LL  TF,.\i)  TO   PAYOR  MONOPOLIES,  OR  THE    .!.■;  ■■H.,r 
■'  SF.CTIONS  0|{.  (:L.\.sSKS,  mii^toperatetothoprejudico  o.  tin  hit  •■ 
i/e:i-,  and  SHOULD  Hf:  AVOIDED. '    It  would  t)o  his  aim  "lo  .  ',:■■■" 

{(*•  i::c  rights  ol'othir  nations,"  and  '■none,  could  lail  to  see  the  u  •!;.'»'';'r  tJ  c 

pfcici',  it''J'exas  remains  an  iridependent  state." 


il''J'exas  remains  an  iridependent  state."     ''Our  title  to  il; 
c»:,v  AND  UNaUESTION.Vl].'  i;."     Th"  President  "  tervenllv 
;>iit'.  Ruler  oiilie  Uuive;-'.  {.)  -jnard  this  heaven-l'avored  lami ;: 


couuti' 

invoj.-e  ' 
iM'r.-t  t 


'•'•■on ,  couic!  ■  iii;i'ee<', 
:'!■  'hnifr't  ■•■!  oiv 

i\.iiv)\  wjnc'H 

A  :.  t-,V\,"li  :A 
■■■  ^'  t'---:  .'■ :.  ,..• 

■     '  '  ■ :  M.  r    ,1- 1:'. 

;■; :  ■'■■•:/  ;.:r;.  futni-; 
ci'  t.ie  f'3i'er:on  i:> 


li'oni  an  unui--.'  pubii'.  policy.''     '-With  a  firm  rliancc 


juth  of  dut;,    whi. 


I,, 


!/• 


'.  ',f  Ih.^A'- 
li-  •".>  w.ii.di 
'.visd^ni  of 

r.;.'j;et'-i  to 


trimjs.—Channimji 
,s  *  A(ienl. — Biiif' 
Trill-  'Policy  of  lh\' 
(iiiiillon  on  Burr-t 
-Bun's   Futmlij-- 
11/. — Dareznc's  Ai-\ 
fgvlck  on  Texas.'. 
.'(.^,1 — Van  Buren) 
'uce  and  Disintercfi' 
/. — Gaivev  Jimuh 
nray. — -Wis  Ldti 
>  Oppressed  Slave. 
;,.,;_ —  On  Extendiii 
Vlrcima  Negroes.- 
the  Mexicaus. — T/ii 

le  United  States 
erring  Jackson,  w 
be  found  among  il 
cific  authority,  thi 


(  iiinpotence  to  sustain  anddi['>'''i  iiini  in  th 
p  i;.ip-/  he  stood  tiicri^  to  taice  tlie  o;:th,  kVi-. 

«")  '  aliMt  i>  wi.rlti  mviiIp  Uir,  if'ii-.  not  the  jiUi.e, 
'I'lirn'  .iey  mid  tlirii'  loriiii'iit— i!im"  L'lory  niirish'oiif. 

•Mir.  Polk  thou'.;ht  tlLat  ih^'  law.s  shuuld  be  just  ahd  IVc-  froia  J.e-.i'.pc/ly,  .-,•  .,'  il-..it  there  w.Vi 
n  iiir;!'  wnmic  in  one  man  with  a  wliite  ski^  ,  [ij-^essin;^  a  life  li-,;!';:  oi' t'.ie  Ir.bor  ("f  imny 
lipili''-;  of  his  fidjow  ire;itin'''s  whu'^e  skins  wi-re  more  or  li'.':s  ti'i'j'.di  v»iih  Mac',.  — u-i  ii.irin  iii 
in;'  tlicni  — ~ellii:i;  them    ■  e|iar;;tin;:  the  husband  from  thr  wile,  t:;c  '.h-U  V  iVom  the  broth'i-r, 
parcut  from  the  rliil(i--lvi'e|Hni;  tlieni  in  poverty,  misfiy,  and  '■' jt'd  i.L;!iMr.incc,  and  ;■•;;■ -rdy 
ishiaL' him  or  her  ulio  v.oiilil  venture  to  t"ach  theni"  to  i',-:id  in.  i  wi.Lc    tkero.  Vvas  uo 
np  )ly  ia  ail  that,  ni'tliiic.:  unjust-    •  >,  n.ir  in  a'Dicrin^'^-  'Tr\.    ,  ih-  p-.ari'U'.ai;v'  of  a  w^.'aker 
aiilie,  :dmply  becausi^  that  r:'pu^  'ie  .,.as  weaker— and  !ic  iuv  'kcd  the  aid  of  Alini.'hty  Goi 
iiinlile  hiinto  jircsfrNc  the  ITuion.  throu.'Ii  the  continuance  o''t■ri^:do.■'  •ipH'.ncf  der.icTitic 
li.e— and  had  a  lirui  reliance  up  >n  the  winlom  of  Omnip'tcn    ■  :  )  aid  liini  in  having  even" 
i.lael;  driven  <ait  of  the  n"w  ad.liiion  of  th- "  iitavcu-favu.ed  lead  "  called  Tc'cai:,  and 
''•and  a  monopoly  of  the  liave-trade  upludd  th.'re,  which  lie  ■.vjisidcr.'t  I'.'vy  esriciUial  "  to 
<afety  and  future  ivac'',''     Had  tiie  naltimnre  Con\'ention  iinniinated  15  .iija/i.iin  Franlclin 
cr  when  they  pitched  upon  a  pious  Tennessee  lawyer,  h'>  could  nr.t  liavo  pcrfi'niicd  hii 
rivire  in  ehnracter.    Wlien  defencaiLr  his  friend  Jacob  Barker,  in  an  iiiuictment  for  fraud, 
amiii  told  the  cotiit  and  jury  that  th''  L'lr.!,  in  his  .i;ood  pjovidcao,  he  1  uatidicd  over 
b's  trade  andblc^.sed  it ;  .l.icoh's  occuaption,  thus  especially  sa!icii!ied,  bein;r  d":.'!  ol'a  VVall 
t  stockjobber !    I  shoukl  not  fed  at  all  surprised,  il  it  wcrV?  to  tu.n  out;  that.  Pienjar.iin,  \vir-> 
'fiine.<?  i)ciuicd  protests  and  messas-es  for  .lackson  and  Van  Buren,  tdiould  prove  to  have 
the  author  ol'ihis  imitpie  inaut,'ural  of  .Tami'S  Kno.t  Polk.     It  il-nounecs  dcfauliois,  avA 
puted  compiler  has  .sinci'  prov^'d  his  sinceritv  in  the  cau'c  of  f^v';ular  a''couiiiants  ly  cu;- 
1!,"  in  tlie  hi^<hi'.-l  pecuniarv  tru.t.-i  the  vry  punctual  il.  J.  ^Vali:cr,  our  defaiilting  bank 
dent,  <'.  VV.  Lawienfc,  with  tin'  aforesaidBenjannu  and  ;  ueh  lil..'.     Jt  is  to  be  doubted 
Ic^r  he  had  "the  wisdom  ot'  Omnipotence  to  sustain  anl  dir^'t  him"  in  t!ic--e  and  some 
aiis  of  his,  done  alter  the  fashion  of  (diaries  1.,  defender  of  the  faith,  &.c.,  &c.     "Wh^n 
t':'  HI.  se'zed  ih"  Danish  licet,  and  liombarded  Copenlia;;eii,  tlie  Cdi)it,d  of  hisf.iithful  ally, 
'C,  his  excuse  for  the  robbery  was,  that  the  ilect,  if  lie  did  not  "^cize  it,  niij.dit  fall  into  the 
s  of  France.     Pri'sident  Polk  finds  an  argument  for  tlio  annexation  of  Texas,  in  t!ds.  that 
slave  States  did  not  seizi;  upon  it  to  be  used  as  a  nesro  pen,  Eiiglar..i  niii;lil  intlucuceUie 
lis  todojis  Mexico  had  done,  crush  slave-driving  and  slave-working  there  altogether  I  Being 
If  a  native  of  Scotland,  and  Robert  Dale  Owen  the  aancxationi.st,  an  Ilnglr.hman,  I  be^ 
ny  humble  strictures  upon  President  Polk's  piety  and  politic-,  may  be  taiicn  as  a  sort  ot 
'■  against  the  powerful  harangues  and  steady  votes  of  the  Indiana  philosopl;pr,.inlavorof 


C^-f; 


•  -1 


■.-4' 


..-f 


HI 


=jiv. 


••'M.:... 


■•K 


i 

1  ■ 

.''      ' 

t. 

\- 

'. v,i  LI 


BURR,  BLENNEKHASSEXr,  JaCKSON  AND  THE  DONS. 


Houston.  By  reference  to  the  annexed  correspondence,  it  will  be  seen  that 
Samuel  Swartwout,  who  was  an  active  canvasser  for  Jackson,  in  New  Jersey, 
as  early  as  1823,  expended  large  sums  in  Texan  lands,  sent  settlers  there,  kent 
up  a  correspondence  with  Houston  and  the  Texan  malcontents,  and  with  MsjOr 
Neville,  an  old  associate  of  Burr's,  interested  himself  deeply  in  the  Texan 
trade,  and  was  looked  up  to  by  young  Blennerhasselt  as  a  friend,  and 
the  friend  of  his  father.  Swartwout's  connection  with  Burr,  Elennerhassett, 
am'  the  attempt  on  Mexico,  in  1805-ti,  is  matter  of  history.  As  an  illus- 
tration of  the  life  and  times  of  Van  Buren,  and  showing  what  his  course  has 
been,  I  have  appended  as  a  note,*  a  brief  sketch  of  the  origin  and  progress  of 

increasing  the  domain  of  human  bondage  and  swflering  in  the  South,  as  a  means  of  decreasiri? 
it  in  the  Nortli — and  wlio  consoles  "  his  eicellency"  by  the  assurance  that  "  Slavery,  lik- 
Monarchy,  is  a  temporary  evil,  which  will  disappear  when  it  becomes  commercially  unproli- 
table  !"  or  in  other  words,  that  Mr.  Polk  will  discontinue  selling  his  Tenncissee  negroes  whtr. 
he  can  find  no  one  to  buy  them  from  him  ! !  The  President's  well-written  message  to  Coc- 
gress,  when  they  met  last,  would  be  amusing,  were  it  not  a  burlesque  upt*n  the  great  principle 
of  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  a  practical  defiance  of  the  cardinal  doctrines  of  that 
glorious  manifesto,  yet  to  be  honored  in  more  auspicious  times.     Am  i  too  sanguine '! 

I  hear  from  youth, '  Man's  prospects  daily  brighten  : 
Each  files  his  fetters  surely,  silently ; 
The  Press  illumines,  and  the  gas  enlightens ; 
Th*  glorioui'  steamboat  speeds  across  the  sea : 
AnolEer  twenty  years,  and  then — and  then — 
A  sunbeam  shall  the  lovely  germ  unfold.' 
Oh !  I  have  waited  thirty  years  in  vain — 
Enough,  enough — the  world  ia  all  too  old ! 

BEnANCER. 

•  !n  a  Wtter  to  Governor  Claiborne,  of  Louisiana,  dated  Nov.  12,  1800,  General  Jacksc: 
Bays:—"  Be  on  tlie  ale:*  keep  a  watchful  eye  upon  our  General  [Wilkinson],  and  beware o: 
an  attack  [on  New  Oi  Icai.sj,  as  well  from  our  u\mi  country  aa  Spain.  You  have  enemies  with:: 
your  own  city  that  may  try  to  separate  it  from  the  Union.  ^Ou  know  I  never  hazard  Jd«; 
without  good  ground.  .  .  .  He  on  the  alert.  Your  government  [Luuisianaj,  1  fear,  is  in  daiigf. 
I  fear  there  are  plans  afoot  inimical  to  tiie  Union.  ...  I  love  my  muiitrv  and  government  , 
HATE  THE  DONS :  I  WOULD  LIKE  TO  SEE  MEXICO  REDUCED :  but  1  «; 
die  in  the  last  ditch  before  I  would  yield  a  foot  to  the  Dons,  or  see  the  Union  reduced."  JN'e;, 
.Jan.  3,  Jefferson,  who  had  perfect  confidence  in  Wilkinson,  wrote  to  him,  with  in.structio:.. 
how  to  arrest  Burr's  movements,  .ind  added,  "  If  everything  from  that  place  (Louisville);- 
successfully  arrested,  'there  is  nothing  irom  below  tJiat  is  to  he  feared.  Be  a.ssured  that  'IV: 
nessee,  ana  particularly  General  Jackson,  are  faithful.' 

General  Jackson  admits  here  his  hatred  cf  the  Spanish  in  Me.xicij,  and  Ids  earnest  desin'i 
see  it  reduced.     He  retained  the  friendship  of  Burr  to  the  day  ol  his  deatli;  was  his  gcim: 
agent  in  Tennessee  in  1800  and  1807,  and  received  large  sums  of  money  from  him  for  theu' 
of  that  agency.    Burr,  when  in  Teimessee,  was  often  at  Jackson's,  who  introduced  hiuu 
mally  at  a  ball  in  Nashville,  the  night  before  he  .sailed  with  his  recruits  and  boats  fromi 
mouth  of  the  Cumberland  River,  when  he  took  with  him  Stokely  Hays,  his  ('Jack.son'.s): 
phew.    Wiien,  months  after,  the  press  and  the  government  had  noticed  Burr  s  course,  the; 
i>ut  not  sooner,  did  Jackson  write  to  Claiborne,  who.se  suspicions  he  directed  against  H/ur 
son,  and  not  against  Burr.    That  he  had  no  wish  to  dismember  this  Union,  1  believe ;  but  aM 
his  being  free  from  the  knowledge  of  Burr's  plans  for  invading  Me.\ieo,  1  .see  no  rea.'-oii; 
think  that  he  was  so.     His  anxiety  to  break  up  and  dismember  that  Roman  Catholic  counir 
appears  to  have  continued  U>  the  last  hour  of  his  life.    It  was  Wilkinson's  letter  to  .1: 
ferson,  Nov.  25th,  that  enabled  him  to  comprehend  Burr's  designs,  vi/.,  the  severance  ul  u ; 
Uni'^n  by  the  Alleghany  Mountains,  and  the  conquest  of  Mexico.     A  committee  in  Tennes  j 
see,  r\  which  were  W.  B.  Lewis,  John  Overton,  R.  C.  Foster,  Joliu  Shelby,  Th.  Clailio:, 
and  k  tenjnet  io  18^  to  take  evidence  and  report  on  the  natiue  of  Jackson's  connection  w; 
BuA      In  General  John  Cotlee's  letter  to  them,  August  28,  he  says,  that  Buir  was  in  Toiiiif- 
see  in  1805  and  in.lHOC) — that  he  wrote  afterwards  that  there  would  be  war  with  Spain, 
which  case  Jefferson  was  to  give  him  the  command  of  an  expedition  against  Mexico— li: 
Butt  t  'nt  $3,500  to  Jackson,  which,  with  «ther  $500,  were  placed  in  his  (Coffee's)  harnli ; 
bui  i  a  id  purchase  six  boats,  and  layin  provisions.    That  suspicions  afterwards  arose  thatij 
wa«  n^i  neht,  and  in  December,  1806,  the  balance  was  handed  to  Burr,  in  Tennessee— ttu 
)>uil  wa«  chat^  by  Jaakson  with  improper  vi?ws,  which  he  denied,  and  that  then  Jacktc  | 


>  THE  DONS. 

will  be  seen  that 
D,  in  New  Jersey, 
ettlers  there,  kent 
s,  and  with  Msjor 
•ly  in  the  Texan 
as  a  friend,  and 
r,  Eiennerhassett, 
)ry.  As  an  illus- 
hat  his  course  ha$ 
in  and  progress  of 

a  means  of  decreasin§ 
;  that  "  Slavery,  lik- 
loinmercially  unproti- 
nnc*see  ncgri)es  wlicr. 
ittt-n  message  to  Cot. 
on  the  great  principlts 
dinal  doctrines  ol'tliai 
too  sanguine  'J 


NGER. 

IHOfi,  General  Jacksc 
liuKiin],  and  beware i; 
uu  have  enemies  withi: 
w  I  never  hazard  idej; 
iia],  1  lear,  is  in  dange: 
itrv  and  government:, 
iDUCED  ;  but  1  w: 
Union  reduced."  Ke: 
him,  with  instructio:., 
It  place  (Louisville)!- 
Be  assured  that  'i\ 

nd  liis  i-arnest  desiri' 
death  ;  was  his  gcmr: 
y  I'runi  liim  I'or  tlieut 
ho  introduced  himi^ 
'uits  and  boats  from  i. 
iiys,  his  fJackson's) 
i-ed  Burr  s  course,  Ihe: 
irectetl  against  llilhr 
ion,l  believe;  buta>: 
ieo,  I  sei.^  no  reayoii; 
Jinan  Catholic  count: 
illvinson's  letter  tu  !■. 
/..,  the  severance  ul'u 
committee  in  Tt'iite 
Sh<-lhy,  'I'h.  ClaiUi,: 
I'kson's  connection  w; 
:it  Buir  was  in  Tcniif 
be  war  with  Spain. 
1  against  Mexico— li;  i 
his  (Coffee's)  hands.; 
•fterwards  arose  thai  J 
irr,  in  Tennessee— it;  j 
,auU  that  then  Jack.<cj 


MCDtFFIE  ON  DISSOLVING  THK   UNION.      BURR  AND  JACKSON.  61 

the  dismemberment  of  a  weak  power,  by  the  force  and  fraud  of  a  strong  one. 
The  truly  ^'eat  and  good  Dr.  Channing,  in  his  letter  to  Clay  on  Texas,  appre- 
hended that »  s  incorporation  with  the  Union  would  prove  a  deep  injury  to  these 

gave  him  a  letter  to  Gov.  Claiborne,  and  sent  his  nephew  with  him.  Judge  Williams  stated 
to  the  committee,  that  in  the  spring  or  fall  of  IHOU,  Jack.son  spoke  to  him  about  a  commis-siou 
in  Burr's  army,  adding,  "  When  I  recollect  tliat  the  destruction  of  American  institutions  was 
the  object  of  the  Burr  conspiracy,  and  that  General  Jackson  was  in  the  pos.ses.sioH  of  facts 
and  circum.stances  which  would  have  convicted  the  conspirators,  and  yet  improperly  with- 
held them  when  sunnnoned  to  Richmond  to  give  his  testimony,"  &f.  lie  also  wrote  to  Jack.sou 
as  to  what  he  had  writt'-n,  that  while  Burr  or  Adair,  or  both,  were  at  Jackson's  house,  he  (tlie 
general)  told  him  (Williams)  and  otiiers — "Take  notice,  gentlemen,  you  will  liud  tnat  a 
division  of  the  United  States  has  taken  deep  root ;  you  will  lind  that  a  nund)er  of  the  Senate, 
and  a  number  of  the  members  of  the  House  oi'  Representatives,  are  deeply  involved  in  the 
scheme." 

How  often,  in  the  history  of  this  country,  do  wo  see  anxious  wishes  expressed  for  a  disso- 
lution nf  the  Union  !  Burr  tried  to  dissolve  il — the  nn-n  of  thi-  flast,  whom  Adams  could  not 
be  brought  to  act  with,  tried  to  dissolves  it — the  abolitionists  of  tiie  East  complain  of  it  now 
— and  how  often  have  Governor  McDuliie  and  others  of  South  (Jarolina  sighed  alter  more 
southern  territory,  as  a  means  of  ruling  tlie  Union,  or  splitting  it  up!  In  the  South  Caroli- 
nian of  Feb.  8,  iSll,  I  fmd  MeDuliie's  speech  in  the  Senate  of  the  llitii  of  January,  in  whicli 
he  calculates  the  value  of  this  great  ami  glorious  confederacy  of  states  by  dollars  and  cents, 
thus: — "  Sir,  ever  since  the  tarilf  of  IN'JS,  1  have  regarded  the  exporting,  tiie  slave  states  of 
this  Union,  as  being  practically  reduced  to  a  state  of  ailonial  vaxsala^e  /<»  t/i£  mamifacUuin<x 
dnle.t.  It  i.%  a  niiuh  mi'ir  (ipprr.'isirr  lifti/r  of  lri//ti/arij  ilfpciulinrr  th;mthi\.t\vliichuncohound\iH 
to  Great  Britain.  ...  1  can  .solenndy  dciiare,  a-*  a  citi/en  <>{'  South  Carolina,  that  in  nearly 
a  quarter  of  a  century  i  have  never  felt  this  ifovernment  [t!i:it  of  tiic  U.  S.J  but  by  its  op- 
pre>-<ii>ns."  Governor  .McDuliie,  in  IHll,  hesitated  imt  to  slate,  in  Senate,  a  project  to 
divide  the  United  Slates  into  lluee  confederations,  and  to  i.'alculate  by  dollars  and  cents  the 
advantages  of  his  .scheme.  Like  his  friend  Van  Buren,  he  was  a  warm  supiRiitcr  of  \\>ik 
for  President ;  and  so  were  J.'irkson,  Calhoun,  and  others,  wiui,  like  JVIcDulIie,  considered  the 
bondage  of  the  Iciihiapped  AlVicaii  the  I'orner-.^tone  of  itemocratic,  institutions. 

In  Gen.  Jackson's  letlcr  to  G.  W.  Campliell,  Jan.  1.'),   IfiOT,  he  stales,  iliat  on  Nov.  lOih, 

l8tW,  ("apt. — -calli'd  al  his  lunise,  ainl  told  him  that  t/ir  inlvnitiiirrs  intended  to  divide  llie 

Union,  "  by  sfizin'.r  -New  Orleans  ami  the  JJanlc.  shullin^  the  port,  C(jn(piering  Mcicico,  ana 

uniting  th'-  western  jiarts  oi'the  Union  to  the  conciuered  conniry" — that ,  of  N  Y.,  hail 

told  him  so— that   knowini,'  that  Burr  was  well  actpiainted  with ,'•  it  rushed  into  his 

mind  like  lightning  that  Burr  was  at  the  head" — that  he  wrote  to  Burr  that  he  susptx'ted  him, 
and  then  to  Governor  Cjailioiiie,  but  withtmt  warnimr  him  of  Burr — that  Burr  denied  the 
charge  ol'  intciidini,'  to  s|)lii  up  the  Union,  but  not  a  word  is  said  as  to  iiuadiirg  Me.vii'o.  It 
was  atler  this  Ni)Vi'inl)t'r  couvi'r -atioii  ihnl  .lai'k.soa  was  most  iniin.'ule  with  Buir,  introduced 
him  at  Ihe  ball,  even  alter  .h'll'crson's  ininlamatioii,  and  sent  his  nephew  with  him,  who  letl 
him,  as  he  tells  the  committee,  ai  iln-  moulli  ol'  Bayou  I'ierre.  Willis  Alston  stated  that  Jel- 
ferson  had  lold  him  that  .lai'kson  iiael  wriitfU  to  him  tiiat  In.-  '•  had  been  tendered  a  high  conr- 
mand  by  Burr,"  and  had  tendered  his  s.Tvi'vs  "TO  MAKE  A  DKSCKNT  Ui'UN  MEXICO. ' 
Is  it  not  remarkable  that  Jackson,  though  in  attend;, nee  at  Binr's  trial  beibre  Judge  Martiiiail, 
was  ikH  examined  J  lie  promi.ses  Campbell,  that  ■  in  a  l<\v  weeks  ho  would  give  the  proof." 
When  did  he  do  it  ? 

The  true  course  for  this  republic,  in  its  dealimrs  with  Mexico,  would  have  been,  to  be  gene- 
rous and  liberal  to  a  people  struggling  for  lieedoni,  but  without  enough  of  intelligence  to 
s<'pure  and  maintain  it  in  iiuieiness.  The  independence  of  Mexico  was  acknowledged  at 
Washington  while  slic  was  in  the  nddst  of  a  revolution — and  distracted  with  faction,  harassed 
by  wars  with  Spain  atel  EiiUH'e,  Uouhli'd  with  doiuesiic  iwolts,  some  of  them  caused  by 
Americans,  eni-ouraged.  as  I  shall  show,  by  oliirial  men  here  :  who  could  expect  that  the  U.  S. 
commerce  would  nol  sulli'r  injuiy  >  The  Sabine  river,  iVc.,  formed  the  wistern  boundary  of 
the  Union,  as  settled  in  IHID  with  Spain,  and  in  l.S-J.S  wilii  Mexico— yet  scan'ely  was  Jackson 
seated  in  the  chair  of  Washiniclon,  than,  in  August,  1H-J!(,  he  olleieil  Mexico  live  millions  of 
dollars  for  Texas,  and  again,  in  IKI.'),  he  ordered  the  otier  to  be  I'cpeated.  In  iS'M,  C'ongrcss 
declared  Texas  independent,  and  in  IHli'i,  added  that  line  province  of  Mexico  to  ilic  Union,  as 
a  new  State,  contlrming  ami  restoring  perpetual  slavery  throughout  a  territory  of  400,000 
square  miles,  Irom  which  (Jatholic  Mexico  inid  banished  it  'Jl  years  before  I 

Mr.  Adams,  in  his  six'ech  in  Congress,  April  15,  lh4'2,  speaking  of  the  Mexican  treaty  of 

1828,  said :  "  I  had  myself,  in  the  negotiation  of  our  treaty  with  Spain,  labored  to  get  the  Rio 

del  Norte  as  our  boundary ;  and  1  acUiered  to  the  demand  till  Mr.  Monroe  and  all  liis  cabinet 

Idirected  me  to  forego  it,  ana  to  ass«nt  to  take  the  Sabine,    JJeJore  t/ie  treaty  was  sigwd,  it  teas 


'^^. 


4. 


!, 


(-■  ., 


1 


H 


I 


63 


AARON  BUKK.       PLAN  TO  SEIZE  NEW  OKLflANS.      SWARTWOUT. 


states.  It  will  not  stand  alone,  lie  says, — it  will  involve  us  in  European  wars- 
"  It  will  darken  our  future  history.  It  will  be  linked  by  an  iron  necessity  to 
long  continued  deeds  of  rapine  and  blooil.  Ages  may  not  see  the  catastrophe 
of  the  tragedy,  the  fust  scene  of  which  we  are  so  ready  to  enact.     Of  all  pre- 


ftirried  hy  vir,  at  th:  commonff  of  Mr.  Monroe,  to  (tvinrol  Jn'l.so/i,  who,  after  c.raviininv^  il  vitk 
the  map  in  /li^  ham! .  appnnri/  of  t/o'  Suhinr  as  thr  tioHm/nrii.'' 

Aaron  Burr,  who  iniiiii)iato(i  .laclv^Dii  tor  Pn'siili'iii  in  1815,  was  the  early  friend  of  Van 
Hinvn.  ihi'  friend  of  lii-<  law  teaeher,  Van  Mess,  ilie  i-onfederale  of  llie  Swarlwowls,  and  ihe 
Mppoiienl  of  Jelii'r-on,  whom  Alexander  llaniilluii  pn'l'.'rred,  Ihonirli  of  a  ditferenl  s(  houl  in 
I'olilii's,  because,  as  lie  stales  in  Ids  ielii'i  lo  ( ».  VVolcnti.  uf  J)ee.  17,  IHOO,  Hnrr  was  '  on."  ot' 
Ihe  worst  men  in  the  coinniunity,"  who,  as  ])rt'si(lei)i,  ''  woidd  he  restrained  hy  no  njoral  seru- 
]ilps,"  l>ut  would  '•  (Mn|iloy  Ihe  roL'Ues  of  all  pariies  \o  ()\enide  the  wod  men  of  all  parlies,  and 
lo  prosecute  ohjeeis  wlueh  wise  men  of  i'ver>  description  will  disappKUi/'  llamillon's 
jiuli'iolism  kept  IJnir  from  the  presidency — Burr  cli:dlem;eil  llamilloii,  slut  him  thu)ni,'h  the 
heart,  was  indicted  t()r  the  miir(ier,  planned  his  Minthern  scjiemes  next,  hecame  odious  iu  tlie 
north,  ,'iomjht  British  jiid,  failed  )n  his  plans,  and  reinoved  tiir  foiu- years  to  Em'ope.  Col. 
l)n,Tne,  in  liie  Aurora,  IHllS,  says  that  "Miranda  w;is  sent  to  America,  ns  was  jiroved  upon 
oath,  l>y  Dundas  and  Sir  Home   Popi  am.     Bmi-'s  ex]iedition,  which  was  only  a  part  of  the 


I'd  in.  was  .set  on  fo(>l  and  j'aid  hy  '  I'riiain.     Burr's  pajjcrs 

.tpher,  AI.  I,.  Davis,  who,  in  a  leiscr  to  the  Cotiricr  and  lln- 

>  ,  Mvin-  KXCKl'TCOLONKL  WILLIAMSON.  OF    THK 

•  •  of  the  [Burr's]  iirraniremcnts.  hoiti  in  Kni^lrind  and  ilc 

iiiiitl^'  b-  Hccomplish  till'  ohj'vt.     Tlie  death  ol  the  Biilish  jire- 


.--cheme  which  Mirai       -ens 

«vnt  .nto  the  hands  oi     '  < ! 

ijiiir.-r,  savs  that  ••  IVo 

I'.RITISH  ARMV,  knfc>    'ir 

United  States,  which  liaii 

iiiier,  I'itt,  and  it  ahtne,  (ictinied  the  ■  i  '     )rise. 

Aaron  Burr's  tr'-'indiMtiii'i'  was  a  (ieinuu  — his  lather.  !i  Preshyterlnn  minisiei,  was  horn  iti 
Fairtiehl,  .New  KiiLriand,  and  was  the  tir>l  Piesjilcnt  nf  .New  ,leise'>  t'lille-ie,  .New  all;.  II  i 
iiiotiier  was  a  dau'.'liiei  oi'  l>i-.  .lunaihan  l-'.iiwaiMs,  of  I'rinceioa  Cnlli'',!! .  linif  wa-^  liorn  at 
-Newark,  X.  .1.,  Feh.  li.  \1'il').  His  faiher  died  when  ho  was  a  year  old,  and  his  mother  ln-loiv 
tie  was  ihii'e,  h'aviiuc  him  lieir  to  a  line  e.^lale.  lie  marrii'd  .Mis.  I'revost,  the  widow  tn' a 
Hriti.-'h  otiicei'.  in  iT^u",  and  ilieir  old*,  '•hild,  Theodosia,  niarrieil  Air.  Alston,  of  Sotilh  ( 'aii.- 
Iina.  Burr  uas  called  to  the  liar,  at  Alhany.  in  IT'S-.',  was  elected  lo  ihe  slate  leifislalute, 
j)lanned  the  Alanhaiian  Hank  ehartcr.  as  a  jierneiiial  cpiiii.ict,  and  in  ITitO  uas  aitoniey 
j'l'iieral  of  the  Slate,  In  ITIU  he  dcclaied  liimself  in  he  a  warm  admiicr  of  the  lalents,  phii) 
(.I'jjoverninent,  and  disiuieresiidiie-s  of  the  l''reiicii  iN'atioiial  Assenddy.  'I'he  demorraiic 
jiaity  made  him  a  sinalnr  ol  tlie  ['nilcd  Stales  fur  this  stale,  and  a  Judire  of  the  Su:ireiiie 
t'ouil.  In  IKIi,  he  \sas  president  of  ihe  foil  vch!  ion  ol  N.  V.  Stale  In  amend  the  (.'otriitution, 
and  iM^rame  Vi<i'  I'residiml  ol'  the  Lnidn.  with  .Iclji'i'snii.  J  lis  ajip-'aianee  and  manners  .are 
.-.lid  lo  have  resemhied  liinse  of  his  jtiipil,  \'an  Buren. 

Some  (ifSwaiiwoiu's  movements,  as  [\\i-  airenl  and  cciiifcderale  ol'limr,  and  as  the  -(iii,,.,  of 
Texan  land.<,  when  .lack.son'-^  eollecifi,  aiv  juiiiced  in  paires  K!  and  Kl  ni  my  Lives  nl  I  lii\i 
and  Butler.  In  .iiid'^i'  Marshall's  |)relimin.ii\-  ii]iiiiiiin.  when  on  P.nir's  iiial  al  liichmoiid,  lu^ 
«ays; — "  The  eonveisaiions  of  Air.  Blennerhasseti  eviiiee  difpositiuns  iinfrieijitlv  lo  the  I'nioii, 
and  his  wiiliinjs  are  uhvioiisly  inlcmled  in  ilisatti-ci  ilu-  wtsiern  jienple,  :tnd  to  e.xcile  in  their 
V.osoni,"!  strontr  prcjniiices  aarainsl  their  Atlantic  hreihren.  Thai  the  ohjeeiol  ihese  \\riiiiu's 
was  to  prepare  the  western  slates  liir  a  disniemherment,  is  apparent  on  ihe  face  of  ihem,  and 
was  treipiently  avowed  hy  lumself.  In  eonver.sation  with  the  Afessrs.  ]  lejuieison,  lie  laid 
open  a  plan  tiir  dismembeiiiu;  die  Union,  under  the  auspices  of  Air,  P.urr.''  Cieneral  Wilkin- 
son .swore,  that,  on  the  Sih  ol  (Jcloher.  IHiKI,  S.  Swartwoiit  hiid  called  at  his  lieadquarter.s  at 
Natchilix-hes,  Miih  a  packet  from  Bnrr,  .siatinu:  thai  7dOO  men  were  to  be  levied  to  seize  New 
Orleans  and  invade  Atexico,  and  that  '-naval  prolcdion  wcntld  be  bad  from  (ireat  liritain," 
Ihe  power  which  liied,  ei;,dit  years  afterwards,  to  seize  that  city,  but  \reie  luel  by  J;ick-,sou, 
•  'ort'ee.  Adair,  l)ave/ac.  and  Burr's  oilier  old  I'riends,  and  defeated,  ( 'ol.  ('ushiii!/  testiheil 
'.hat  Wilkiiisun  had  shown  him  IJurr's  leittMs  next  nioiniii.f/,  and  they  Mere  produced  m  court. 
<  'ushiiif^  added  thai  Wilkinson  liirlher  said,  "  ^'es,  my  friend,  a  trreat  iiiimhei  of  imlividuals, 
DiiSsessiiiL':  wealth,  popularity,  and  ta'.enls.  are  ai  this  monienl  associated  i'oi-  purposes  inimicil 
,ii  the  govoriimeiit  of  the  I'niled  Slates,  (.IoIoik'I  Bun  is  at  iheir  head,  and  th.'  soun.>.'{,'eiitlen)an 
[cx-colieetor  Swarlwoul]  who  delivered  you  the  lelter  last  evening,',  is  one  of  his  emissaiies. 
The  .story  of  .servintf  as  a  voliuiteer  is  only  a  mask."  (.ieneral  Dayton's  letter  to  Wilkinson 
■raid,  "  Are  you  ready — are  your  numerous  as.sociates  ready  ?  "Wealth  and  Cilory — Louisiaim 
and  Alexico."  Jt  would  njjpear  that  l^avezae.  was  also  Burr's  friend  in  those  times.  Burr,  on 
the  trial  at  Richmond,  asks  Wilkinson,  whetiier  lie  liad  given  order.s  for  Davezac's  arre.st — 
and  Avhal  letters  directed  to  him,  Burr,  he,  W.,  had  taken  from  Pintard  and  Davezac  1  When 
)     ;,  'iimby  what  authority  lie  had  seized  private  papers,  liis  reply  was,  "Am  1  bound  to 

uitbwer  liuesiions  v/inch  may  criminate  myself 'i'    Augujste  JJavezac  is  now  on  a  I'oreigu 


t 


I 


il 


cipitate  an 

of  misery. 

"  We  ar 

encroachm 

mission ;  he 
jackstm  al 
■iiconit  Secret 
General  J> 
American,  " 
<;t'Ueral  eoiis] 
l).iyu)ii  who, 
in  ( 'on^'ivss, 
in  New  Vor 
s<'rainblel'or 
ol  a  pr.'sidei 
butler's  live; 
sion,     VVa-s 
otijcj  of  the  ( 
•Ji;f,)oneofil 
ill  die  roman 
•The  seiili 
Post,)  "  bi'sjii 
(if  iht;  ercai 
sciilers  of  T 
P.'otesiants,  i 
iiiu-*i  have  1 
as  ihai  uiide 
111  Russia,  at 
Lausc  denied 
ventioii  to  Ira 
one  Bns?lisliii 
slave  states, 
you  that  I  e, 
yet  ihe  case." 
Dr.  Chaun 
Texas  was  n 
Aniiu  prisont 
from  lliis  Un 
the  foremost 
ihese  fair  la 
i, .(,  al  the  mi 
five  piini'iph 
as  such  into 
be  subiecl  to 
acts  ot  ihe  j; 
j;rit'f  and  bu 
i.sation,  refu: 
social  evils, 
of  this  count 
tares  for  Ion 
State  Le^^isl 
annulled,  ar 
This  .sealed, 
a  purpose  ii 
closed  af?aii 
known  that 
new  market 
to  tlie  slave! 
are,  they  lo 
republic;,  th 
a  tree  popu 
and  unques 
I  have  n< 
timoit  selei 


VOUT. 

ropean  wars. 

npcessiiy  to 

J  catastrophe 

Of  all  pre- 

i7ninit}<r  il  intA 

fiirnd  ol'  Van 
woiils,  aiul  Ur' 
ii'iil  s(  tinol  in 
r  \\;is  "  one  oi' 
no  mural  scni- 
:ill  |i;iiiic'<. auit 
llaiiiilion's 
111  tliiDiiirh  the 
'  Diliotis  in  Ilic 
Hiiropc.     <',i|. 

S  JIl'OVTli    ll)10ll 

y  a  pan  of  ili.. 

Bull's  |)ii])cis 

iiri'.'i-  and  i;i!- 

.jian.l  and  ih- 
H'  Hiiiish  jiic- 

,  was  horn  m 
^«'\\iiil,-.     Ill 
w;'-   liirin  at 
inothii-  j.('(i)it> 

■  w  idciw  (I!  a 
I  Sdui'i  « "ait.- 
iir  Jt'!.'i--lati(rc, 

u^is  aiidMii-v 
I'  liilci.r'i,  [,1.111 
It'  dfinoi  laiit; 

'  lIlC  NlljHt'lIK' 

'<  "tiJi'iituticii^ 
uianiu'r.'i  aie 

■5  ilif  sciini  m' 
-ivis  vi  i  l<i\t 
Uii'liiiiDi.d,  Jie 
H'  till-  I'nion, 
>><'iii-  ill  ilii'ir 
ln'M-  wriiiiiis 
<'•  iIh'111,  and 
••'*"n,  lie  |i,i(( 
'•ral  Wiikin- 
xlquarters  at 
"  M'i/c  Now 
vai  Jiriiaiii," 

l>y  Jac)c.s<ii), 
I  in?  losii/ied' 
•■I'd  in  court. 

iiidividiialv, 
'•■•'s  inimicil 
I'C'oiitletiian 

■  ''iiiis.s.nif.s. 
'  W'illiiiison 
— Loiii.siann 
'i.  Burr,  on 
ic's  aiTP.st — 
10  'I     When 

I  bound  tu 
•n  a  Ibreigu 


i 


TUB  DAYTONS.   SLDUWICK.   CUA.VNINU.   TUXAN  aVARICI:. 


G3 


I 


5      J 


cipitate  and  criminal  deeds,  those  porpetrated  by  nations  arc  the  niosl  fruitful 
of  misery." 

"  We  are  a  rosllf.s.s  people,  [continue.s  thi.s  eminent  philosopher,]  prone  to 
encroachment,  impatient  of  the  ordinary  law.s  of  proiTc^s,  less  anxious  to  con- 

missUiii;  hf  is  coiim;;i>oiis;  inimlral  to  Kns,'lan,l;  init'  loVan  RiinTi.  ]J><  wa-^  an  aid  to 
Jarkson  at  Ncv  Ork-an^ — Ids  sister  inariii'd  Kdward  l.i\  iii'/~ujii,  oi  LoidMana,  .iafl.-;un' . 
•i/ainil  St'creiaiA  olSiaK'. 

Gt'iieral  Jonailiaii  l>ayioii,  (»(' .N't-w  .Ifrst-y.  wa-.  iiuliciisl  lur  in  ;i  •.•(!,  aud,  sav;  ili;*  Baliiiiior,' 
Aint'rii'aii,  "  Tli'"  Aiionu-y  loi'  the  I'niicd  Sian--.  had  noii.niM  iliai  l^aMon  ua-.  Ii-.tt!ucd  in  U.- 
(^I'Ufriil  <"onspiracy  ;"  l>ui  on  tin*  I  «li  ol  .Si'i.it'iiiliiT.  1^07,  L>a\i(Mi  \\a-  ili-.ciiai'/i  li  (Is  ilii-.  ilu- 
i).iyioii  who,  ill  17h7.  aided  in  iVainiiiL;  ihc  li.  S.  cniistiiuiuni,  and  wa-.  .S|»'aUi-t  .>rTti."  !l  ol  ll. 
ill  Con^'irss,  furl',)!!!'  years  !J  On  llir  Isi  ol'.^^fiiie.iilu'r,  li^.M.  uc  lind  a  Jaii.s.jii  im'-'iiic-  li'id 
in  New  York — t'ol.  Swailwoni,  rhaliinan.  Aamn  ();/,ii'M  Daviou,  -a-ci.  mi',.  \\  h.ihfi  "tin* 
wraiiililf'l'or  plund.'i"  di'S'Milii'.l  by  Swaitwoiu  lo  ilo\i,  icali/ri  ifii'ap(iii-lu'n->ion:-,iir  llaniilior., 
(d  a  pri'sidi'iil  who  would  •■(•in|iloy  tlif  ro;,'iiPs  oi'  all  pariii'>.  ihi'  i>  adi  !■  ot  \  an  liini'ii V  jiiu 
Uutlfi's  livi's  iiinsi  jiidu;i'  lor  liiiiisidt',  Swariwoni,  anil  otli(i>.  ■•'■em  lo  iia/f  had  liiai  a|i|>ithtn- 
^ion.  VVii.s  tliL'  Franli  (.►fjdiii,  wliosn  a()p.<iii!!nt'ni  lo  liic  r>Jil,iKiil  a  3t'<ir,  or  at  l.'.'isi  voiy  [x  ii 
dtiii';  of  the  tJonsulalo  Ui  Livi'rpool,  drovi-  poor  C'liddintrton  lo  liic  vi'iy  vi'i'i.'.'  of  rt'Voii.  (sec  j.Hi."' 
•Ji;{,)ouL'ot'lht'sc  .Nfw-JiU'si'v  ( ►'.,'  Ii'iis,  whose  nam  ■>  wi-ie  a'-soi'iaied  wilh  J-imi's  aiiii  .lui'l.  -"ii  • 
ill  die  roiiianiie  adveiiuires  ol  lHOti-7  : 

•' 'I'lit!  seliieiiieiii  ol  'I'exas,  '  says  Theoilore  Sedi^'uick,  (as  X'eii,  in  dw  .\i\\-'i  mk  lv,i  ain;: 
Post,) ''  lH'<?an  in  land  s|i'cnlaiioii  ;  ii  was  niaikrd  in  in  i  i.ir.si-  |iv  alioininaiMi'  frauds,  an. I  urn' 
ot'  the  'JiffM  causes  ol'  iiisNaiisluciidn  \»'a.s  ih  •  ahsojnu-  prohiidiion  id  ii'i^ro  <l;iM'r\'.     The  tiisi 
s.'tilers  of  Texas,  I'or  llic  in. -re  lo\f  o;  u:ain,  abandiUi'-d  a  tie.-  ri'|)iil)li''  f)r  a  c.;liniai  (ie>iiin. 
PiMtesianls,  they  iranst'encd  ilieni.M  l\i'<  Ui  eaiiiolie  ruf-.     Tlie  'I'ey.-.nv  [I'ro-.n  lie'  I'tiitea  Si:  ;• -J 
niii-^l  have  lieen    insaii".  il.  mi  i  !ii.'j'ini,'  .M.'Aie  i,  ijiev  luil»(ii  for  an  admiiii>tvaii..i'  .  ■;  I'.iiiides'- 
a^  dial  under  wliieh  ihe\  h:ii  li\  ■',     'I'lj,-',  iniyiit  wiiii  eiin.il   n  ;;■•;;   (..■■.■.e  plaui     .ii,i-i  vi . .  ■- 
III  Kussia,  and  then  havi'  uiii'inli'ii  lU'    Ii.'hiiut  ol  inif  peml'Mn-     ne.u  Uu-  ;l;;un'   •■!  i   •■  I       .    in 
i.au>-e  denied  the  iniiiiuniiies  of  their  native  land.'      Tin-  Lmun  i/i'.c.  .in  aeiuimi  of  i.    i  iin 
venlioii  to  liame  a  ('oiisiiiiition  lor  'I'exa-.,  eunsisiiii:'  ol   one  Te.san,  thie.;  .%■    , -'."ujiiaiiuei  , 
one  Kni^lishnian,  tliree  from  Ohio  and  l*eiinsyl'.'aiiia,  am!  all  the  uihi  r- (^tiiu -f.  urj  iroiii  lli' 
slave  stales,     ^'annin  wrote  from  the  Alami',  ju--t  heioie  n    .a|tiui''      !n  iiu  l.i.-i,  I  uiloiiii' d 
you  that  I  could  l:nd   fui  Miine  hall  aiU,/en  eiii/eiis  m  mv  ianl. ■■   .ii.d  1  himiI  Iv     ly  ih:ii  a  i  •. 
yel  the  c;ise.  " 

Dr.  l;tlanllin^^  in  his  hMier  on  Texas,  addievo,.,!^  ju  |,s;>  (,,  H'-niv  «.'la\,  ilv  ninaii.'.  ihi.i 
Texas  was  not  >  "iKnieied  hv  iis  rolunisis -diat  in  ilie  aiinv  >  i  <i!..'ii  i'Uiiii,  whu  took  ^■allUl 
Anna  prisoner,  imt  niiir-'  ilian  titiv  were  eiii/.ens  of  Texa-  ihe  lesi  wee  selli-h  jitUeniiircis 
I'r.tiu  this  Union.  That  land  speiiiiatois,  slavi- lioldi  is,  and  siicii  nun  as  these,  u  ere  r.nioii!' 
the  fore  iiiosi  to  proidaiin  independenee  ;  and  thai  \  anker  speiviUiiiis  in;i.iou(ed  ^lavei\  in 
tlie.se  fair  lands,  from  which  ine  eiiunir\  un  n  i>t' i.'iiiie.-.  and  I'l/ano  had  e.^pi  IK-U  ii.  Aii..\ 
i.o,  at  the  luoiin-nl  of  thruuiii;^  otf  the  Spanish  y.'ke,  ;.;a\e  a  m-oii  le^iinionv  id'  her  loyalu  to 
free  piini'iples,  hv  dei  re.dn:;,  'ihal  tm  p-i>.io  iherealier  .sli..idd  Iv-  ij.irn  a  slave,  i.r  inlr(.diiee<l 
as  siiidi  into  the  Mexican  stales;  ihai  all  slaves  then  held,  shuuln  receive  .-npul.iied  \\a'j:i..^>,  ar.d 
be  suhieoi  to  no  piini>.iiinent  Inn  (>ii  trial  and  judirineni  fv  ihe  ina.'ji-tri'ite.  The  sul).«ei|uent 
ael.s  ot  ihe  government  carried  out  fully  ihe.sp  ('onstiiniional  )irovi>ions.  It  i.s  mailer  (}(' deep 
j(rief  anil  humiliation,  thai  the  emit^ranis  from  this  counuy,  whilst  Ixiasiins^  ol'  superior  civil- 
i.sation,  refitsed  to  second  this  hoiiorahle  jiolicy.  intended  in  set  limits  to  one  of  the  greatest 
social  evils.  Slaves  were  hrouf^hi  into  Texas,  with  liieir  masters,  troin  the  neii^hlHirintj  siali's 
of  thi.s  couulry.  One  nnxle  of  ovadins,'  the  laws  was,  to  ijuroducc  shu-es  under  lonntil  iiulen- 
tures  for  long  periods — in  .some  cases,  it  is  said,  for  ninety-nine  \ ears.  Kv  a  decree  of  tho 
State  Lejjislalure  of  Coahuila  and  Texas,  all  indentures  fur  a  lunL'i'r  perioil  tiian  ten  years  were 
aiuiuileil,  and  jirovisioii  was  made  for  the  freedom  of  childien  horn  (Uiriiii'  tiiis  a])prenticeship. 
This  .sealed,  invincihle  purpose  of  Mexico  to  exelndr  shiMis  liom  lur  liiniis.  cieaied  as  .strong 
a  purpose  to  annihilate  her  .luthorily  in  Teva^.  Hv  tJds  pinlol.aion,  Texas  w;;.s  t-iieciuailv' 
rlosed  against  emigration  Irum  the  souiliernain!  wesiein  noiiioiistit  ihi .  counuy  :  and  ii  i.'^  v\X'il 
known  that  the  eyes  of  the  south  and  west  liad  lor  some  tune  been  tinned  u.i  this  pro',  inc. %  a'J  a 
new  market  for  slaves,  as  a  new  Held  for  slave-laUa',  and  as  a  vast  accession  of  political  junwr 
to  iJie  slaveholding  states.  'I'hat  such  views  were  prevalent,  we  know  ;  for,  neiarious  a.s  ihey 
are,  they  found  their  way  into  the  public  prints.  The  project  of  liismeinhering  a  neighljoritig 
republic,  that  slaveholders  and  slaves  might  overspread  a  region  which  hau  been  consecrated  to 
a  free  population,  was  discussed  in  ne\v.spapers  as  coolly  as  if  it  were  a  matter  of  obvious  riglit. 
and  unquestionable  humanity." 

I  have  never  hesitated  to  lielieve,  that  Van  Burcn,  in  his  Texas  letter,  written  before  the  Bal- 
timoit  selection,  was  as  little  impelled  by  manly  principle  as  1  iiave  shown  jiim  to  have  beeu 


■  i'.: 


i 


t 


f 


a- 


;  "i\ 


I 


1?  .' 


"51  • 
I- 


in' 

ii;- 


I 


64    VAN  BUREN  AND  JACKSON'S  MEXICAN  POLICY.   CALHOUN's  PHILOSOPHY. 

soliilato  and  perfect,  than  to  extend  our  institutionii,  more  ambitious  of  spreading 
ourselves  over  :i  wide  space,  than  of  diH'using  beauty  and  fruittulness  over  a 
narrow  field.  We  boasl  of  our  rapid  growth,  lorgetting  that,  throughout  nature, 
noble  growths  are  slow.     Our  people  throw  themselves  beyond  the  bounds  of 


ill  otiicr  iiiipovrant  acts  of  his  lif.'.  On  ihu  iGth  of  October,  18"29,  when  Secretary  to  Jackson, 
lif>  midrcssed  a  km?  loiter  to  AiithoDy  Bmler,  tlie  United  States  Chargfe  in  Mexico,  containing 
ill"  i'lTsidi'iu  s  inuiu'iiini'-  III  iiim  as  tiie  su('ci'>>ur  ot'Poiii'^eit.  Van  Buren  describes  the  con- 
duct 1)1  Mexico  as  111111  ieiudy  and  uiideserved,  and  hoj)es  she  will  become  sensible  of  the  injus- 
tice sli"  has  <ltiiie  It)  this  cmiiitry.  "  her  earliest  ami  best  liieiid."  lie  says  that  Jackson  thought 
tiiai  ilie  iriic  interests  oltijis  Cniun  Muiild  be  better  jiroinuted  by  Mexican  jjlory  and  prosperity, 
tiinii  by  lier  de[iressi(m  and  disgrace — that  the  In  ariiiLC  of  Jackson's  i^uvernment  had  been  "  lil>e- 
lal  and  inai^iiai.inuni-."  i.jv.aids  the  Mcxicyiis,  ''  while  many  of  their  citizens,  voluntary  exiles 
ill  tlie  i^ius.'  nf  American  libi  rtv,  foii;,'lii  hv  ilie  side  uf  their  Mexican  Iricnds,  TO  EXPKL 
FROM  Tills  Cu.N'lKMlN'i'  THi:  LAS'l'  Hl^lMNANTS  OF  COLONIAL  OPPKES- 
8I(1.\ — that  every  sic|i  tHl%ra  since,  by  the  llnilcd  Stales,  has  been  marked  by  "  benevolence 
and  disintcrestediii-ss'' — but  that  the  Mexican  iroverniiu'iii  had  been  guilty  ot  "political  per- 
\-erseiiess  and  inaltfiiiion,"'  and  ot  "  iicrseverini;  injustice.''  This  benevolence  of  Jackson  and 
Van  IJiiren  had  been  eviiienecd  in  Swartwout,  Houston,  Poinsett,  aiul  others,  stirring  up  strile 
in  iMcxieo;  and  bv  askin;?  Mexico  to  sell  si mie  400,000  scjuaie  miles  of  her  territory  for  the 
u^e  ol"  III''  sla\c-h(iMiTs,  bccansc  she  \va-  ]>tior — and  this,  ido,  for  a  pecuniary  considei ation  i 
Van  Buren  tells  Moxii  o  ihat  slie  is  "shut  oiii  from  almost  all  eoinmiinicaiion  with  the  sea- 
Ixiard,"  and  then  eomplaiiis  uf  ilie  '^  a/'iriirc  rdtimpf^  to  in'i^'dtiate  with"  her — the  main  object  of 
the  iiei^'oiialion  hcinir  lu  diprive  her  of  the  very  ilomain  uhich  communicates  witli  the  sea,  by 
hectoriii'j-,  biiliyiii'/.  and  menacinir  lier.  Dr.  Mayo's  coniinents  on  Van  Buren,  in  his  "Eight 
Years  in  \\  ;isiiin;.'i(in,"  touch  this  Mire  point  sl<iifully.  "The  idea  of  military  invasion  of  the 
Afc.vican  territory  Inu:  nevci  cniered  intii  liic  iniairination  of  ihe  I'nilcd  Slates,  nor,  is  it  believed, 
(if  any  oiieoi'lhcir  ci!i/eii>."  Ibiw  hiii':  atb'r  liiat  was  it  In  the  lime  when  Jackson  and  his  party 
<ii-(lr]'c(|  Cti'ii.  (laincs  111  iiivadr  .Mvxiciij  in  ihe  midst  of  ])cace,  and  ilie  General  addressed  the 
ex-minister,  PoJii-.cii :  "  li  I  am  iiermiiied  tn  make  an  ai  laiiuement  in  accordance  with  the  fore- 
L'.'!!!"  surrtr-'sri'in'-.  I  ferl  cniiiiiieu!  thai  I  can  tliereliv  olilain,  and  call  to  the  trontier,  READY 
FOR  A.N  AC  riVI':  CAMl'AKi.N  TO  Tlli':  (JITV  OF  MKXlCO,  from  lifly  to  one  hundred 
iluui^ai'il  (ir  I  i.iic  nn-i.  fir  uie  ninvt  jiart  inoimted,  IxMiiie  tiie  lirst  day  ol'October  next,  the  time 
they  5:11011  d  inaich  v.i'tvarii  from  the  .^aliiiie  T'  One  would  ihink  that  Van  Buren  believed 
lie  had  in  hniid  a  ^ecl,nll  ediiioii  of  the  Peter  Allen  ca-<e,  of  IHKi,  in  which  his  confede- 
rates in  the  letri-^latiire,  vnieil  in  ihr  a|ipointiiiLr  pi'wer  of  the  siate,  by  a  false  majority  of  one, 
knowing:  il  to  U"  so;  and  ihcn,  \\  the  \  iiliic  of  iheir  oaths,  placed  this  majority  of  one  into  the 
hands  of  iheli'  deiVamied  i.jinonini'..  The  lio--iile  mo\i'mciiis  of  savaue  tribes  was  ^'iven  as  oiie 
reason  f'l'  ihe  "  lieiievt'li  i.i  aiid  disinleresicd'  invasion  by  tiaines.  And  who  set  on  these 
tribes  ?  What  ( iovcri  or  i  fTeniiessce  was  it  thai  Icli  his  wife  and  while  lamily,  to  marry  the 
dancht'  r  ol'aii  iih.Kii  <  'hii  f.  iIim  aid  ihe  rohcs  olCiv  ilivalion,  uirn  savasre,  and  l)e  ready,  when 
the  iev(  It  was  )n;iinid,  III  head  the  adveiiiiniis  shi|i|Kil  fiuin  iSew-Voik  and  New-Orleans, 
and  w  ho  eomiinsed  the  (•''/'»•  ortlic  army  oCTcxas'; 

1  have  been  a  warm  aiiiniit  i  ol  John  ( '.  (.'alhoiiii.  ]  lis  su)ieiior  powers  of  intellect,  great 
experiencp,  and  ical  libeia.litv  in  many  resj.ects,  ^rave  trionnd  lor  I'nod  hope  that,  as  Secretary 
of  Si'jie  to  Jolin  'J'vler,  he  wonid  prove  that  he  had  a  iiohle  soul  by  some  honest  and  able 
stroke  of  strleHnanshi). — and  'I'exas  to  the  Union,  but  Tint  as  a  slave  mart,  nor  liy  insulting 
Alexieo — and  e.vhiliit  a  Icelin'.r  in  favor  of  the  (ij)pre-sed  classes  of  society,  whether  white  or 
black.  Mr.  ('alhonn  had  liiiioneend  and  aim  in  aecepiinif  a  seat  in  the  cabinet — the  defence 
of  the  ne?ro-ciiivi'r's  whij),  and  iiureasin'j:  to  the  L'reatest  jiossible  extent  the  market  for  those 
who  raise  slaves  I'or  i-ale.  as  we  noifherneis  raise  black-  cattle.  ]Nullilication  in  183si  might 
plead  as  a  delenee  an  op))ie.-sive  taxation  or  an  imeijual  taiiti'  but  Ualhoun's  statesman.ship, 
in  IHj 4,  exiiihite'l  a  far  worse  sort  of  nnllilicalion,  the  mi^'ht  of  the  executive  of  the  Union 
stretched  to  its  verv  utnio^t  to  stieiurlhen  anil  cohsolidate  ihi;  combined  slave  owners  of  the 
smith  as  TirR  I  einianeiit  and  omn  poieni  c'einent  ol  strenirlh,  the  great  ruling  jiower  on  this 
continemT  with  the  lnvedln'/,  tranin;.''  and  working  of  human  beini'-s,  as  if  theyM'ere  property, 
ehnttels,  horse-,  as^ps,  mnle-;  or  oven,  beasts  of  buitlien.  When  1  lead  Calhoun's  letter  to 
King  at  Paris,  wheie  he  tells  him  that  the  P.rili^li  jieople  had  paid  a  hundred  millions  of  dol- 
lars to  eompen- ate  sln\e  owneis  in  the  West  Indies  for  ficeing  their  slaves — paid  other  filty 
millions  extra  for  susrar,  tie  pioifuft  ol'  free  labor — jiaid  another  hundred  millions  towards  the 
sujipression  of  the  detesi;U^le  system  of  kiilnapping  and  selling  heathen  Africans  to  Christian 
■irccircrs,  and  that  their  cajiital,  vested  in  tropical  pos.se.ssions,  was  at  the  brink  of  ruin,  through 
these  stupcndons  exeitions  towards  bringing  about  that  millenium  of  justice  and  universal 
kindness  foretold  in  the  Bible — when  J  .^a  w  him  sit  down  to  calculate  the  gains  of  his  system 
of  coercion,  and  try  to  excite  ill  feelings  towards  England  in  the  uiindis  of  tiie  French,  topr<H 


i 


civilisation, 
under  the  imi 
Perhaps  theri 
so  loosely. 

phecy  that  unfo 

hiiiiine-is  and  " 

treated  cruelly, 

t.intly  gave  him 

alre;idv,ciiale-.e( 

was.h'i'lii-tgivi 

iH'.^t,  Uiat  it  wo 

lu  irv  ti)  le.'ovei 

ashiiine.l  ol'  thi 

ill  t'.ie  hands  of 

Jctfer-oii  iiad  !• 

cathiiiie  MMaI 

iiiaii  catliiilie,  i 

ling  10  enoriiioi 

I'lie  Llx-tjovi 

lile  ligiire  in  M 

i:io  declaration 

.ihiinsi  all  froi 

aniiy  that  foic. 

jiiiris  of  the  III 

vide,  men,  arm 

|ioiui  aimed  at 

jiovere iirn  in  or 

piv-islv  said  ill 

AND  bi:lii;\ 
I'NU'r;!)  sr. 

HLYPURSIJJ 
I'llAl'lONS  I 

Wiiat  a  com 
!i,-  Texas, an  1 
iiicai  of  the  eit 
I-  lasidere  I,  for 
■  I'ae  citizens 
linn,  jierhaps,  ( 
li.U  to  aniie.v  i 
the  sinithern  st 
[tlie  U.S.J  us| 
liimian  family 
tiie  t'oriner  des 

I  am  no  aim 
encourage  doii 
iniliei — but  I 
monopoly  iiiai 
'  In  the'Virgi 

SjU'Ci'll  of  I'Ull: 

would  raise  tli 
Gholsin  also 
tweuly-live  pe 
which  wa.s  \)i 
would  rai.se  tl 
Calhoun  is 
one?,  and  niij; 
Texan  diplou 
political,  and 
go  b-jforc  the 
Ush  envoy,  in 

CALL.KD   SL.Wl 
PROSPERITY  O 

that  the  bond 
the  policy,  ih 


m 


PHILOSOPHY. 

>us  of  spreading 
itfulness  over  a 
>ughout  nature, 
ttie  bounds  of 

:retary  to  Jackson, 
lexico,  containing 
describes  the  con- 
isible  ol'tlie  injus- 
u  Jaciison  thought 
ly  and  prosperity, 
It  had  been  "  liljf- 
voluniary  exiles 
lids,  lo  EXPKL 
NiAL  OPPKES- 
by  "  benevolence 
ot  "  political  per- 
e  of  Jackson  anil 
stirring  up  strife 
T  teirituiy  for  the 
ly  consirtei aiion  j 
uion  with  the  sca- 
the main  object  of 
s  witii  the  sea,  by 
en,  in  his  "Eight 
ly  invasion  of  the 
nor,  is  it  believed, 
kson  ami  his  party 
■ral  addressed  the 
nice  with  the  fore- 
frontier,  HEADY 
fly  Ki  one  Jiundied 
>ber  next,  the  time 
II  Hurtn  believed 
liiih  his  confede- 
■  majority  of  one, 
y  iif  one  into  llie 
was  j,'iven  as  one 
i^ho  set  (in  these 
iiily,  t(i  marry  the 
i  be  ready,  when 
lid  jNew-Oi  leans, 

iif  intellect,  great 
hat,  ;is  Secretary 
honest  and  able 
nor  by  insulting 
uhether  white  or 
net— the  defence 
iiinrket  for  those 
n  in  183ii  might 
s  statesmanship, 
ve  ol  the  Union 
.e  owners  of  the 
14,'  power  on  this 
•y  ^^  eie  property, 
Ihoun's  letter  to 
millions  of  dol- 
-paid  other  fifty 
ions  towards  the 
xns  to  Christian 
of  ruin,  through 
e  and  universal 
ns  of  his  system 
French,  to  pro. 


WHEN  SHALL,  THR  FLAG  OP  THE  FREE  WAVE  OVER  TEXAS  ? 


65 


civilisation,  and  expose  themselves  to  relapses  into  a  senni-barbarous  state, 
under  the  impulse  of  wild  ima^rination,  and  for  the  name  of  great  possessions. 
Perhaps  there  is  no  people  on  earth,  on  whom  the  ties  of  local  attachment  sit 
so  loosely.     Even  the  wandering  tribes  of  Scythia  are  bound  to  one  spot,  the 

pliecy  that  unforgiving,'  hate  and  deadly  reven^'e  would  be  the  inevitable  result  of  a  system  of 
hindiiess  and  coiiipassion  towanls  tliose  wlmin,  diirintr  eighteen  eentmies,  wliite  men  have 
tri'ate.l  cruelly,  and  trilk  of  rlieap  staples  :^'aineil  by  Hiii;:,miil,'  work  (••it  of  'ioil's  ereatures,  I  reliic- 
taiuly  s-i^'"'  liiiiiup,  asl  had  L,'iveii  up  Vau  liiiicii.  will:  vvhoiu  he  may  yei  a;;aiu,  as  he  iiasiwiire 
alnM'(ly,i'oale-.ie.  In  his  leiier  lo  WiiMiii  Shaiiiiun,  his  invoy-HX  Tit  AOK  1)1  \AIIV,  as  he  surely 
was,  111'  fir-t  1,'ivesas  a  i'Msdh  loi-  aiiiicxiiiif'l'evas,  that  Mexico  was  not  ti  yiiiij  to  reeover  it — and 
iicxi,  lliat  it  would  lie  alto'.i;eliiei-  nicl  ii/iriip,i'<,  and  (piite  oireii^i\t'  lu  'liis  Union,  wcie  Mc.vii  o 
I'lliv  to  re.'over  'i'evas  while  aniiexaliou  was  pfiidiiiij !  ('allioim  was  the  hist  who  iiiai'.e  me 
asjiaiiu'l  ol  the  part  1  iiad  talceii  in  Canada.  I  had  ciideavoreil,  as  it  seemed,  to  plaec  (Janada 
III  till'  haul--  of  liie  slaveholijer,  in  order  that  no  phu'e  of  ielii'-,'e  miifht  remain  in  ihe  h-tnd  of 
.li  ill-;  -iiii  an. I  l''iaiikliii,  for  an  opjiresse.!  race,  on  this  side  tlie  grave — and  this,  too,  wliilu 
iMiai/iie  .\11!XI('<>  and  prote^lalll  Hiilain — the  mell'.odist,  liapiisi,  episiropaliaii,  ipiaker,  llo- 
iii.iii  i-athoiie,  inile|)eiidenl  and  piesbyieriau  of  England  and  Ireland  were  cheerfully  sulnnii- 
iiu'.,'  lo  eiionnoii-;  laxalion  and  '^ri'ai  piivatimis  t,o  raise  the  AlVieaii  in  the  scale  of  civilisation  ! 
I'iie  lv\'-ljiivenior  of  frc  ( »iiio.  Hi,  |'.\crili'iicy  Wilson  Sliaiiiioii,  lo  wit,  cut  a  most  deplora- 
l)!i'  li^'ine  in  Mexico,  Seiior  llejon,  the  Mexican  niinisier,  told  him,  Oe'.  '.ii,  INIJ,  that  "in 
rm  declaration  and  act  of  in(ie|)endeni'e  uf  Texas,  those  who  liguicd  as  the  Kadcis  were 
almost  all  from  tlie  United  Slates,  as  were  also  the  general  and  others  who  composed  tin; 
ai'iiiy  thai  fought  undec  the  .standard  oi' Tevas  in  the  battle  of  San  Jacinto;  and  in  many 
priris  of  tlie  llniied  States  meeiiii,'s  wei-e  hclil  pulilicly  to  proviile,  and  they  ijiii  tietaally  pro- 
vide, men,  iirms.  ainmuiiilion.  ;ind  oiher  warlike  stores.  It  lias  since  cli'aiiy  appeared  thai  the 
p.iju!  aime.l  at  \^as  ;o  ^cp.iraii' thai  rich  an.l  e\ten.-i\e  leiritoiy  I'lom  the  jx/uer  ol' its  legitimate 
.sii\'ci'ei;rii  in  or.lec  to  annex  it  to  ilie  IJiiiied  Stains;  a  inea^iiic  ol'  pollc\  which,  as  it  is  ex- 
pre.sjvsaid  in  ilie  note  of  his  flxcelhiev  Mr.  Shtiiiiio.i,  '  HAS  i;i:i':.N  LO.N'ti  (M  ll'lltlSliKD, 
AND  Bi:LIKVc:[)  LNDIsi'i;.NSAl'.LK  I'l  >l!,   TIIH  SAril'I'V  AND  NVKLFAIIK  OK  TI  IK 

cxii'r:!)  si'A  ri;s,  a.'vd  which,  I'oit  riii'.sK  ui'.aso.ns,  has  ukkn  i.wauia- 

1{LVPURSII|.;|)  I'.y  AI.M'AI'.'I'JKSol'  I'll  AT  lil'.PUIiLK  ^  AND  HV  ALL  ADMIMS- 
fRATlONS  Foil  I'm:  LASl'  TWE.N  IV  VKAUS.'  ' 

Wiiat  a  conic-sion  !  IK);.n  it  not  show,  aske.l  llcjoii,  '•  that  the  dcdaialion  of  independence 
!i,'  Texas,  an  1  the  deiicmd  of  its  iiiinextilion  to  the  rnited  Stales,  tu'e  llie  work  of  the  govern- 
iiicai  of  the  citi/iMis  ol  the  l;il!ei',  beiie^  iiitciesfd  in  iiiai>iiig  this  accpiisiiiai,  whicli  they  have 
I-  lasi  lere  I,  for  the  last  twenty  \ears,  indispensable  for  Ihe  stil.'tv  and  weliaie  ol'  their  republic  v" 
'  I'lie  citi.iens  ol'  llie  I'niicl  States  who  |iidclaimei|  the  anncxtition  of  'I'exas,  with  the  excep- 
tion, perhaps,  of  the  I'u  -t  colonists,  went  theie,  not  to  remtiin  siiliject  to  the  Mexican  Republic, 
li  U  to  anne.x  it  to  tlcii' conntiy  ;  siienglheniii'.;-,  by  llie-e  means,  the  peculiar  iiisiitntions  of 
the  sotitheiii  stales,  an  I  opening  ;i  in.-w  field  lor  ihe  execralil'-  sy.slein  of  iiei'-,o  slavery."  "  If 
[t!ie  IJ.  S.J  a^;pires  to  find  more  lai^d  to  slain  with  the  sla\ciy(i|'an  imln  kv  liituicli  of  the 
111  I  man  family,  [Mexico]  :.lii\c;,  by  iireserviii'.^  u  hat  is  it.;  uwii,  I'l  diminish  i!ie  aliment  which 
llie  I'orincr  desiie.-,  t'oi  so  detestable  a  liatfic." 

I  am  no  aliolitiuiiisi  — that  is,  (  Would  not  compel,  oi  nllempt  to  c(jerre  states  ot  nations  who 
cii'Muiagi'  domestic  slavery,  to  change  their  polev  -though  I  might  reason  with  tlieia  if  pcr- 
iiiiliei — hut  1  cannot  t'orego  the  pleasure  ol  condemninir  the  avarice  which  seeks 'I'e.xas  ;e;  a 
munopoly  inaikel  for  the  slave;  her  planleis  bn'cd  for  liallic.  Henjainin  i..uiuly  tells  us,  that 
'  III  the  Viiginia  (.-'oiueulion  of  1H-J:t,  .Uulgi*  llpshiii.  of  tin'  Superior  ( 'ourt,  obseived  in  ;i 
spcci'li  of  cun.sidcialile  length,  lh:il  if  'I'evas  should  be  ohiained,  uliicli  In-  strongly  desired,  it 
would  raise  the  price  of  r-lavc;,  and  b  ■  a  great  advantage  to  the  slaveholders  in  that  state.  Ali'. 
(JlKilsin  ulsu  sttiteil,  in  the  Viii^inia  Assembly,  in  Ihe  year  lK\-i,  that  the  priei'  of  slaves  fell 
twenty-live  per  cent,  within  two  hours  alb'r  the  iww-.,  w;is  iec-ci\ei|  of  the  noii-ini]iortalion  ;:ct 
which  was  passed  by  the  |ef;is|alui'e  of  Loui  -iana.  \'el  he  liclievcil  the  ;ic(]iiisitiiin  of  Texas 
Wiiuld  rai.se  their  price  lifiy  per  cent,  a!  least." 

Calhoun  is  fiank — he  has  nothing  tif  the  t'ov  or  weas-1  in  him,  as  he  said  of  Van  l>iircn 
ouc,  and  might  have  aided  of  Hiiiler  also.  I  like  him  fn' that.  Instead  of  ttdving  Murphv,  our 
Te.xau  diplomatist's  hint,  not  lo  '•  oifend  our  I'analiciil  lnethivn  ol  the  noith — talk  about  "civil, 
political,  and  religious  liberty,  say  nothing  about  abolition— this  will  be  fotmd  the  safest  issiiMo 
go  b-jfore  the  wo:ld  with" — in.^teadof  cant  and  hypocrisy  he  plainly  tells  Pakeujiain,  the  llr.g. 
lish  envoy,  in  kis  capacity  of  .seeivtaty  fir  the  repuhlie,  April  IH,  1H44,  that  "that  wincii  is 

CALLI-;D   SLAVliRY    iS    IN    RKAMTV  A   I'Ol.lriCAN    lNSTIT|-no\  KSSKNTIAl,    I'l)    THK  I'K.\(  K,  SAKKTV  AND 

PROSPERITY  or  THOSE  srATEs  IN  wiiicji  IT  EXISTS."  lu  Other  words,  Texas  is  annexed,  in  order 
that  the  bondage  of  the  African  race  may  be  made  perpetual.  Can  this  be  the  language,  this 
the  policy,  this  the  judgment  of  the  first  free  government  in  the  world  1    If  not,  wherein  do 


'■ii ' 


■ "  .< 


■  ii 


■■ifn,  >■. 


C6    I.OVr   ONK  ANOTIir.R.       NOWI.r,   DESTINY   t)F  .SONS  OI    TUP.   HII.t^RIMS. 


ADOPT! 


f 


i     > 


I.' 


graves  ofilifir  laUieis  ;  Imf  tlie  honit's  ami  t;rav«'.s  of  our  lallu'r.s  dftaiii  us  fielily 
'l\u'  known  and  laniiliai'  is  ullcn  abandonrd  lor  tiic  distant  and  unUodden  ;  uiul 
sometimes  the  untrodden  is  not  the  less  eaj^eriy  desired  because  belonging  to 
others.  We  owe  this  s|)irit,  in  a  measure,  to  our  descent  from  men,  who  Itj't 
tile  old  worltl  for  the  lu-w,  tl.e  seals  ul'  ancient  cultivation  fur  a  wilderness,  niv! 
who  advaii'-ed  by  driving  b.'t'ore  them  tiie  old  occupants  of  tl»e  soil.  'I'o  tlii. 
spirit  we  have  saorifictMl  justice  and  humanity,  and  through  its  ascendency,  tlu' 
records  of  this  yoiuii;;  nation  are  staineil  with  atrocities,  at  which  eonuuuniiiis 
jjrown  grey  in  corruption  iMi;.jht  bl'ish/' 


en  .\  I'TE  R    X  VII. 

FarfUt'll  I.I  the  liinii  wIum"-  in  I'liiiillutDii  I  \van>ior(Hl, 
111  v'iiiii  !'•  slie  iiiii.'h!\',  in  vain  i^i  siie  bi:iv'e  ; 
Ciihlcst  i><  the  hliKid  iliat  liir  tyrants  is  M)iiandcri'il, 
Aiul  I'aiiii'  li.':s  iici  u  ii'afli  lor  ih''  lndU  of  the  slii\'i'. 

./f  thorn  ill  the  foot.—  \'\tn  Huien  and  ('raw/nrtl  opposed  to  nntiiialized  citizens. — 
GoL'nnoi  J\Titici/.  -  7'Ai'  BinnhcrK.—W .  ft.  ('raiij'ord.—-Ci>lfiii(Hi. —  Di .  Cuoiitr 
uii  thf  liijustuT  of  tin'  Xuth'L'  L'rinvijik. — I'olk  ~  r.ctiujtrci  (tud  C SuUivan. — 
John  Knox. —  Who  united  Chtiich  and  Stnte? — Jiiifus  Kinij. — On  Indian 
Marriutjcs. — AVl.nup  on  ]'an  tiiiirn. —  Von  Huivn  on  Jnchon. —  Van  Buttn  In 
V.  N.  Senate. 

Col  RTi'.o'u's  reader,  had  yuii  ever  a  thorn  iii  your  for«t '?  A  thorn  in  tic  I'e.i' 
alfords  an  excellent  illustration  of  the  pain  and  trouble  wliich  a  M'ly  small 
I'orei^n  substance  may  j^ive  when  in  a  hostile  position  in  the  human  system,  is 
it  till-  part  of  wisdom  lor  any  jiarty  in  the  I'nion  to  enrol  amoni!;  its  principles 
the  political  [)roscripti(>n  of  forcigm'rs '!     In  a  commi'irial  country  there  alway  , 

i'oli;  aivl  Walli'i-r  dilTn-  lioin  I'ji-hiii  ;;iiil  T".!'.'....!!!!  ?  '•  Thr-c  slui!)  Le  ;i  firm,  iiniololiji'  nii'i 
uui\ir--iil  p. an-.  \m>  \  im  r.  ami  sim  kio;  I'lMiMi-r^Hii'  liitwroii  tlir  I'liiliMl  Stat'"*  ni'  AiiU'iica 
aail  ihi!  t'aiii'il  .\lr\i.Mii  S!ati's.  '  Ponrc.  ti'uili.  iVifiidsliiit  and  sinceriiy  air  ma  iio\v>0AVf!I 
eiidi'r-UMi.l  ai    \\';.>iiiii..,'l(ia  as  ii  i-.  iupi'd  tl..'\  will  li.'  licicalter. 

■■  Wilt'  iMiiiii'i  V.I'  ri--i-  !'p  hoMf  (■o,i':'|i:iiiii>  ol' mii'  di'r-'inv  :'"  a^'>s  ('hamiinc:  iit'Clay. 
'•  Why  do  w'  not  li''d  ili;ii  oik-  v.u.k  ii<  a  iiuiioii  i--.  '.<<  rarrv  rrccdoin.  r 'lii'ioii.  si'lrnn'.  .Tini  a 
nolilcr  I'wrui  o;  hiiinaii  iialm''  o\«'r  tlds  contiiu'iil  :  and  uliy  do  w.'  iioi  irmi'iiilicr,  lh:il  to  diifir  <• 
tiicse  111'-.-' ill  '-■  w  imi-i  lii-l  cliCi'i^.'i  U.i'in  iij  -.mii  u.'.ii  lioidi'rs  ;  aiiii  ilial  u  liali-vcr  deeplv  auH 
(icinianeiilly  >'o.  lupl--  u;  \.  ill  malvi'  .lar  pi.'.'niHi:'  iiillufin-i  a  ciu'c.  no!  ;i  hli'ssin;'.  M  ihi--' lu^w 
\»oild'     Puliiir- Jili-   ;t])p;il-    !.■  lln' iiol.lr -I.  ;i:.  well  as  liii -r-l   priiiripjr    ol'  liuinan  iialiih'.     I' 

111. 1(1.    Lip  r.  i|    jUL-llil  riidlli  ilr;  I'm'ii',  :i  «    U'll;i-    Ihr  lloloi  Irl  \    1 4'  tin'  pa'-villif  liolir.       Hvi'ivili.' 

opp.iitiiiiiiit's  ofai'liiiL'  on  lin-  \a^i  mihI  p.-iiiiaiu-iil  iiiti'iv-!-.  oi'  a  li.ilioii,  it  olli'ii  rical.-;  a  dfin 
M-ii'i' ul  ri'>p.)iisiiillin ,  .iiid  a  ^i'licioii-;  scirulilivion.  I  liavi'  ion  iniii'li  laiUi  in  Innnan  iiaiiii.' 
lo  tli'.tnivi  uu-  in'iliM  nil' of  ;/ii  ill  liiiMi<  innlliiu'li  m(iti\  !'■;  on  any  I'hr  s  o;  nn-ii.  cspi  riallv  o;, 
hit  n  ol  iMhnnandinj  inli  iliLjiai''.  'I'lii'i'i'  i-.  u  ('iiu.;rniality  liriwceiiMe^t  pimcis  ti|'llioii!'l,i 
ami  I'.ii^liilV  ol'  puip.ii'.  Noll'  ail  Nil  iMpalili"  of  .'.n'liliriii;'  lliciii't'h  I's  ;i,;  llio-c  wliu  \fl\r 
UK)'. I  lo  ^.al■.itll•l■.  who  in  oth-i  ill'.-  ilu'iiri'iv-i'  .  mal-.''  tin-  ;;lvall•^I  otli'i  iiiir'-  lo  litnnanitv.  Will' 
this  coiivii-'tioii,  I  am  not  di-riinrai''d  In  iln'  ;in!iripaicd  siiiilr-  and  '•c'tl'^  o!'  ilio-i'.'ulio  m  i  i 
tliiiilc  that  in  in- i-iiiii' oil  ii.iiioiial  |in::iv  a  liii' i  vi'ntial  I'oiiditioii  iirirei'd.)iii  and  i'reniin"'  I 
haw  pivai'l.i'd  lo  i!  ■■  w  iiid  •,  'I'o  \  ..u.  .'•■ii .  uri it udr  i'  n.it  an  emjiiy  nann-,  nor  «  ill  a  infi^uo-. 
li.Uij.;lii  wilh  heiinj' roiiiipfioii  aiui  ■  Ikoih- lo  y  oiii  i'oiinii\ ,  >.i'iiii  lo  \  mi  aii\  lliic"  Iml  ,i  h  ,i, 
Inl  calainilw" 

How  ol'ii'ii  havf  I  I'l'iid  ihi'.  IriiiT,  and  .applii'd  il  to  ('allioim.  In  ihi-  •chsc  ihal  iis  exccllc-ni 
uiitlior  applied  ii  lo  Clay  I  I  am  .'i^lianu'd  to  say  ih.al  I  (ncnaleil.  not  t||i'  rjoann-s  ul  his  iiiul- 
lei'i,  hut  the  -liarai'lci  oi'lds  ;iml)liioii.  Siirely  the  man.  v  iio  would  coiiiidl  ihi-  rcpahlir.  now 
aiid  for  i-vcr.  throiii^di  tiic  voiiv--  of  Alrii'an  iL;noran'"i'.  i<'])ri'si'nt''d  hv  Aii,!?li)-S;i\on  I'lipiditv  on 
.he  Hour  of  Coiif^ress— who  would  place  'he  intellipnt  "  ricemen  oi"  theiinrih  ai'tlie  mercy  nl 
the  SpanituvNcif.Mi'xieo,  ilu'  monL^iels  o!  South  Ameriea,''  (orsoinelliin;-'  wcr'-e.}  by  protfrPS'-ive 
auiie\atii)iis  and  shi\e  laeediny,  will  uut   till  a  pie/e  ot'lusnn y  as  a  wi-e  bliite:  iiatii ' 


will  be  vast 
land  cheap, 
bravest  and  I 
strength  or  fi 
peaceful  and 
as  your  gibe 
torn  in  two, 
secution  wh< 
Lexington  oi 
without;  for 
aid  was  gri 
of  place  and 
Hundreds  of 
anxious  to  fi 
only  the  bon 
ter  cla.ss  to  s 
for  theinselvi 
weak  enougl 
such  infuriat 
Would  the  ' 
could  it  be  e 
or  twenty  m 
In  order  t 
Buren,  Marc 

♦  W.  L.  Mi. 

norih  of  Ireliuu 
iminler,  lo  Hue 
siviikinur  of  the 
man — and  adds 
slmuld  olilileritl 
delivered  to  tin 
■iiut  iiie.xuri'.hle, 
crinffinf^lKKly,! 
iis  heiiisc  weak 
I'liwairliee  nnd  i 
never  liappenei 
ewr  re|)roaeh  \ 
UruMn  more  evi 
weak,  hail  ymi 

Ciovelilor  M 
puhlislied  Itii'  ll 
for  stnte  senat 
!<ainhlinK  seiiat 
tiiuisaetiuns;  a 
llie  tunds  ol  hi^ 
yield  an  unlaw 
i'loin  the  Seiiul 
Ibr  themselves 
ilucf,"  t)ui  relu 
Young  iind  Va 
111  the  Trov  Bi 

[rrom  ih>'  7 
To  have  the  di 
aiui  lay  nohilit 
my  stomach  l)c 
vormiii  lor  sun 

When  the  fw 
from  ruin  in  II 
chief  recomme 


V.  PII.nRIMS. 

s  detain  us  fiflily 
I  imtioililfn  ;  uiul 
uisf  belonging  tn 
)ni  HK-n,  who  life 
ii  wildi-rnt'.ss,  niiil 
the  soil.  To  tills 
s  asctMulency,  the 
lid)  (.'unintuuiiii  ^ 


KilizeJ  cilitens.— 
•ittti, —  Di .  Ciiojiti 
mil  O'' Sullivan. — 
<»(/.  —  On  Indian 
i. —  Van  Burtu  in 

lliorn  in  t!io  r.'.f 
ii  h  a  \t'ry  small 
inian  systt'tn.  is 
nn^  its  i)rinc!))lis 
iliy  tlicri'  alwiiy 

fii'iii,  iiuinlnlili'  .111'! 
(I  Stall'*;  n|'  Ainc!  ic.i 
;nv  11"!  nn\v  <o  vtll 

('liamiiiis:  of  C\:t}\ 
;:ii'ii,  scii'iifc.  niitl  a 
i.ilicr,  iIkiI  til  liiii'ii  I' 
uli.iii'Vi'i-  (i-'i'plv  aiif' 

I)!'''--!!!'',  Ill  ihi'-'  lU".. 

I  liiiiii:iii  naiuri'.  |i 
11^;  Itdiii'.  Hv  fiviii ' 
i.lii'ii  iTi'al.'~;  a  dfin 
iili  ill  liiiiiian  naiii!'- 
iiifii.  c-^iii  I'iallv  I'll 
I  I'.oui'V^  iifllunii'lii 
as  iliii'c  wliii  Ij.iv,' 

li.  I:;iiii!lliitv.     Will' 

'^  (•!'  [Iiosi',  wild  \\  ijl 

■iiii  aiiii  ."■ii'niiit"'-   I 

ii;)r  will  a  ineai-iii'-. 

aii\lhiP!'  lull  a  ti'.i: 

Si'  that  iis  f\('(>lli-iii 
anil"'-  ul'  lii'^  iiiirl 
111  ihi'  ri'|nit)lir.  ii^u' 
;)-Sa\i)n  ciipiiiitv  iin 
Hill  at  tli<'  iiit'fcv  "( 
('i'*-!',)  hv  jirogrPS'-ivH 
lie  luiiii ! 


ADOPTED  CITIZKNS.     MARCY,  POl-K  AND  TMK   BAMBKRJ*.     KR.MBI.r. 


67 


will  be  vast  numbers  of  .ei>^n<'rs,  so  also  in  aroiintry  whfi*'  Lhor  is  lugli  uml 
land  cheap.  It  is  but  us  it  were  yesterday  since  foreigners  were  amonj;  the 
bravest  and  truest  in  two  wars  ;  here  they  are  ;  here  they  will  be  ;  whettier  for 
strength  or  for  weakness  ;  as  a  shield  to  protect  or  as  a  thorn  to  goad  and  inflame  ; 
peaceful  and  contented  as  your  brothers  ;  intelligent,  discontented,  maddened, 
as  your  gibeonites,  helots,  slaves.  I  have  no  desire  to  see  tht;  Flag  of  the  L  nion 
torn  in  two,  with  the  stars  to  natives  born,  and  the  stli;.e^  to  the  victim  of  per- 
secution who  has  tied  to  your  classic  shores,  to  take  iii'iiiie  near  the  Held  of 
Lexington  or  base  of  Hunker  Hill.  Su»'li  a  poliey  would  wiaken  us  within  and 
without;  foreign  nations  would  read  our  declaration  in  'lays  »)f  old  when  their 
aid  was  grateful,  and  despise  the  intolerance  and  hypocrisy,  the  greediness 
of  place  and  power  which  had,  in  three  scon;  years,  falsdied  the  noble  record. 
Hundreds  of  thousands  of  men,  able  to  read,  reason,  and  rellect,  would  not  be 
anxious  to  fight  for  a  land  where  insult  was  their  only  portion,  where  they  had 
only  the  bondsman's  place  to  struggle  for,  and  the  exclusive  privileges  of  a  mas- 
ter cla.ss  to  secure  to  those  who  would  fill  every  olTice,  administer  government 
for  themselves,  and  treat  us  as  Polk  does  his  nei^roes.  Are  these  states  not 
weak  enough  already,  with  three  millions  of  enslaved  men  and  women,  iiavin^ 
.such  infuriated  feelings  as  Calhoun  describes,  the  result  of  ages  of  opjjressiori  '' 
Would  the  wanton  degradation  of  half  a  million  or  a  million  of  men  like  m(^, 
could  it  be  effected,  strengthen  those  defences,  to  secure  which  some  eighteen 
or  twenty  millions  of  dollars  are  yearly  expended  in  time  of  peace  ? 

In  order  that  we  may  the  more  clearly  understand  tin'  cliaraeters  of  Van 
Buren,  Marcy,*  Klagg,  Wright,  JJowne,  Noali,  Coleman,  I'.arll,  K'ty.s,  Butler, 

*  W.  Ij.  Miirey,  in  Felirnary,  IH,'W_  hiindeii  ovit  iI,,'  lirniticiv  H.^inliri-,  Luiihm-.  from  llie 
north  of  Irelaiul,  and  citizons,  niin'  nr  ten  years  rosidfui  hcif.  inr  ii  i,il  on  a  |iulitical  rhar:,'!'  dI 
miufier,  (o  Bin'haiian  the  Knsriish  (.'(insul.  H'liis  \ir  iliii  in  ihc  ii-cili  i.filic  lau.  Jmli'e  Brad\', 
siviikiiiif  oftlii-  Bainlw'fs,  incntiiins  that  they  weri-  l'n'sliyli'iinn>— <ilil  Mi.  15.  a  I'niti-d  iii-li- 
man — anil  adds  :  "  I  waited  on  the  (tDvernoi—  piiMJiii'i'il  papiMs  u  liicli,  il  |in.|M'ily  cuiisitli-iiil, 
shiiuld  iililiterate  every  teatiire  of  the  (irt'cnce  till- wliicli  iIh'V  \vt|i'  (lounn'ii  In  hi- .'-acriliceil,  il' 
ili'liveivd  to  the  ready  execiitioiii'is  <•("  a  cDirupl  (invcriitiiiiit.  J'h''  l'^.\erniivr  |Mai<'vJ,  sti'iii 
ami  iiiexiiiahle,  ri'lused  In  jriant  thi'ir  iVei'dDUi."  Wluii  ilic  Scnato  nf  Haiiilaii'/.  a  en;  i  iipi  and 
rriiiKinfjtKKly.ijave  up  Black  well  ami  Tandy  tut  In-  Hiitisli.they  rvruscd  iliiujv.'his  t.i  .Sii|mlfiiii 
as  l)t'iiis(  weak.  His  reply  was  this— "  ( 'n\ii'a?e  and  \iitue  an'  tlie  jiresfuiis  of  state  - 
I'dWaiTliee  and  eriiiie  are  their  ridn.  ^'mi  ha\i'  viiilatnl  the  law^-  of  Imshii^dii  v  — .<  tliiii;^  \\  ii,ili 
never  happened  aiiiimn  die  iiiusi  Mivai.'e  Iniides  ul' tiie  tlescn.  \inir  lidlnu  I'iii/fii'.  \mII  |..r 
eu'r  repidueh  yiai  \\  ith  il.  'I'lie  twu  iinl'niliili.ili'  iin'ii  die  with  ^'luiy  -Lui  lliiii  lilmii  "u  ill 
tiriiiij  more  evil  ii|V)ii  their  perseeiitnrs  tliaii  il  wmild  In'  in  the  jiuwi'i  i.T  an  anm  in  lU  li 
weak,  had  vmi  not  the  resouii'i'  i>\  weak  Siaie>  '     ( 'i'((/(/  //('(/  iidt  /I'lri-  Irt  liii  III  lyii/i,  ,' 

GoveiMur  Marev  was  rurmerly  editor  and  piuprietnr  uf  tin- Tn'V  iJiids'i-l  It  uas  alteiu  .ud  , 
piihlished  liir  the  partv  hv  .Idhn  W.  Ki'iiilile.  \\  hum  iIh-  Iradei^  at  Alliaii\  uidiiid  in  In-  inn 
tor  state  senator,  and  afterwarils  used  him  as  ilirir  IikiI,  Ki-mlili-  jniiuii  Bi-.|i,,|)  Hiiuilu-r 
s^amhlihif  senator,  and  Kdmunds.  the  Van  Hiiiiii  liadtr  in  the  scnaie.  in  ii'itain  stmkjiililiiiifc 
tiaiisactidns ;  and  Kemhle  and  Hi-hup  iiniled  with  I'lnsidw .  w  Imiik  lasliiii.  in  sci'icth  lliiii.', 
the  funds  of  liis  hank  "to  linen  a  eumhinalion"  hy  whiili  the  sti«  ks  ul  f.iiuin  lailn.ads  uould 
yield  an  unlawful  profit.  'I  heir  ])loi  inix'uri  ieil— ^dimi;  moved  to  ivpi  I  Hi-lnij)  ainl  Ki'inhli' 
fiiiin  the  Si'iuite — Keiuhle  icsimifit  --and  (.'hailev  L.  Li\  iiiL'stun,  wlio-c  i-pi'iles  to  ti.ni  -|„'iiU 
lor  themselves  in  this  volume.  \(ited  thai  Bishop  waN"t'uill\  ormmil  .,iul  otlii  i.d  inis.'on- 
i  duct,"  but  refused  to  send  him  hack  to  his  eoiistitui'iiis  I'oi  then  u])inii,n  on  ili^i  loiidui't. 
Vounic  and  Van  Schaiek  then  very  pioix-rly  u'si^riied,  and  left  the  .Si-naie  lundilc  ■  laiiL'uai^e 
111  the  Troy  Budj^et  of  IHlil,  shows  that  he  held  tlie  same  opinions  a.---  \  an  IJnicn  aiul  M.u.'). 

[hVoiii  till'  'I'lWi  Di  -'ii.\ — "To  be  frank  I  shall  be  heartily  !.'lad  when  the  clcetion  is  lucV. 
To  have  the  dirty  whi  "V-swillinf;:  Irish  thrustint,'  themscUo  c\ciy  hour  iKtwem  the  •  wind 
and  my  nobility,'  slobU-i  iii^  over  me  in  every  corner  of  our  eitv,  is  more  than  I  can  endiiiv,  or 
my  stomach  lM?ar,  without  the  aid  of  disinfectins^  airents.  If  our  case  is  to  rest  upiiii  ilie.se 
vermin  for  success,  niurh    ->  I  desire  if,  1  shall  rejoice  to  witness  its  oxcittiu/w.  ' 

When  the  fwople  threw  Mairy  off,  Polk  and  Van  Buren  tcx)k  him  up.  The  luinier  saved  hiui 
from  ruin  in  1845,  and  the  lntt*r  in  I82l>.     BanerotVs  dislil^ 


chief  recommendations  to  Polk's  Iftvor. 


ike  to  the  t'atholies  was  one  of  his 


...t 

(1 


■■•I 


■1 

1*  J 


I    1, 


i- 


sif'- 


!:• 


r'  • 


68 


CHAWfORD,  VAN  BUREN'S  NATIVE  CANDIDATB  IN  1824. 


Jacob  Barker,  Croswell,  Skinner,  Cambreleng,  and  the  leading  supporters  of 
Crawford  and  the  U .  S.  3ank,  in  1S24,  it  will  be  necessary  to  look  into  the  prin- 
ciples and  general  character  of  Crawford.  The  reader  will  find  that  he  was  ■ 
avowedly  lb  «  champic  n  of  what  is  now  called  the  native  party,  ever  hostile  to 
the  claiins  ci  the  persecuted  from  other  lands  who  seek  equal  rights  and  equal  i 
laws  in  America.  His  hatred  to  persons  of  foreign  birth,  to  whom  Clinton  was 
ever  friendly,  endeared  iiim  to  Croswell,  Van  Buren,  Wright,  Butler  and  Skin- 


•h  that  the  Albany 


^Argus 


*  opposed  Monroe,  and  was  friendly  to 
refused  to  be  a  candidate  in  opposition  to 


Crawford  in   iHUi,  -.^'hile   t'!ii)ton 

iVioiiroc,  in  whose  favor  his  inlluencc  was  exerted. 

Crawford,  in  181t>,  all  but  defeated  Monroe  in  the  congressional  caucus  as  a 
candidate  frr  the  Presidency ;  but  his  nativelsm,  his  hatred  to  foreign-born 
citizens  turni  d  the  scule  in  favor  of  Monroe.  In  Nov.,  1824,  he  came  within 
two  or  three  votes  in  th.e  legislature,  of  getting  the  whole  thirty-five  presiden- 
tial votes  <  f  N.  Y. ;  but  here  again  his  intolerance  turned  the  scale  against  him. 
i^Iad  he  <.;oi  the  vote  of  N.  Y.,  the  name  of  J.  Q.  Adams  could  not  have  been 
sent  to  the  House  of  Representatives,  so  that  he  could  not  have  been  President- 
V  an  Pjuren  was  .served  in  Baltimore,  in  1844,  as  Crawford  had  been  twenty  years 
before  ;  but  in  the  IbJ-t  case,  there  was  a  secret  understanding. 

Among  other  eminent  citizens  who  felt  insulted  by  Crawford's  ill-timed 
sentiments,  the  celeliiated  jurist,  Judge  Cooper,  of  S.  C.  (then  of  Pa.),  addressed 
several  letters  to  Mr.  Madison,  over  the  signature  of  Americus,  through  the 
VdJtocralic  Press,  in  April,  IS  It),  from  wiiich  the  following  are  extracts: 

"Ml'.  <,':auloi(l,  ii  .>-('l!ooliiiii>t<-'r  in  Albeniiuie  county,  Virginia,  conceiving  it  more  for  hi.s 
interest  to  cluiusc  ^unir  new  [):ijt'cs.-;i(jii,  iind  .sunic  new  tlieutrf  ol'  action,  removed  to  one  of  tlie 
iKniriilary  cDinili^.'^;  nlilio  ;-iali'  ul'  Gioigia,  a;;  a  county  court  lawyer.    In  such  asituation,  aman  • 
oitolcrablr  cfUicandii,  iiNuiiicrs  and  conduci,  find.'^  it  no  diflicult  task  to  become  conspicuous 
aniont,'  iVontii'i'  st'lihis.     In  due  time  lie  was  sent  to  Congrcs.s,  and  tiien,  liv  tliat  kind  ofdextu-, 
rous  inana'^enient  wliieh  men  d' moderate  talents  are  not  unlrcqucnlly  well  qualified  to  pursuf, ' 
lie  acciiiired  intUn'iire  enougii  lu  lie  sent  as  ambassador  to  i'liuicc."! 


*  Till!  AlliMi'.y  Arnii>.-,  Stiil.,  1H>_>-1,  ti-lls  us  tlint  William  H.  rrnwfnrd  wfts  born  In  Virglnl.T,  24lh  Feb.  1772- 
tlii!  Mill  <.:!i  i:iM(iifi— nnr,};!-:!!!'!!  ti)  (ieiiicia  al  Hie  ii).'e  of  14— followed  the  plow  till  21 — then  turned  schoohnas- 
l<  r,  anil  iiiKilly  set  ii|i  Im^iiitss  :i  i  l.iwyer.  /\t  a  iiioetin^' oinio  youiiR  uirn  ul' Augusta,  (in.,  July  2,  179iJ,  an 
address  was  voicil  in  I'rcMik'iil  \ciMiiis,  (>\|irp>sin;.:  full  (oiilidcncu  in  Ills  adniiiiistration,  iiud  agreeing  to  mis 
tiiiii  it.  t'riiwiiiiil  wii-:  111!  ilic  (•ciriiiiiur  i?  wlio  rcporlcd  iliis  address,  wliich  he  sancllnned.  In  181" 
lie  Veiled  ii}.iiin>t  iiii're.'^ii';;  iIk'  i:ii\y.  Iiiit  llir  wnr  clmnged  his  views.  He  I'ouuht  Keveral  duels,  In  nin" 
ol'  w  liii  li  he  :  )jni  r<  In  J..  \:iii  y\!iri,  a  imlive  ol  N.  V.,  and  Solliitor  (Irneial  ol'  (!a.,  dead,  and  in  the 
other  «:is  wonnilid  lt\  t;iiiir;il  Cliiikiv  In  .hiii.,  ItfOf,  in  Ihe  I'.  S.  Heiiale,  he  o|)|K)sed  .lellerson'a  embargo 
lull,  hill  ill  't  or  IK  iiioiillis  rli:ii!('eii  his  mind.  II  was  lo  his  credit  that  lie  rose  I'roiii  the  station  of  n  laborer  in 
tliiil  of  iM,ns;resMii;iii — siii  in  ilie  1.  S  Seiiiue  -liieiinie  a  iiiinisier  ol'slnie-  was  sent  out  lo  France  as  ambassa 
dor—  and  was  ihoii  Jii  wnnliy  'I  I"  in  ,'  a  landidale  loi  ilie  chair  of  Washlnfilnii-  -il'his  course  was  manly  niitl 
liom^ralik  .  'I'll  .1  Jl  u.i  iioi  I'u  i>e  iine  lor  ilie  In  ion,  I  he  tiles  ol' Ihe  Aurora,  edited  hy  the  elder  Diiane,  and  Mr 
O.ill  is'  .'.dnii-^ii'ii--  .'iliiiii'l  iiiily  .<liiiw.  'Ilie  evidence:,  orcoi'rii|>tion  and  roueniiess  in  the  liiiancial  departiiienl. 
which  "  a  .N.ilive  ol  Viruiiiia  "  evhiluli  ,1  lo  Ihe  piilMic,  may  lie  liiiiiid  on  the  liles  ol'  the  I'.veniii};  I'ost — yet  we 
liiiil  VVilliiim  (,'olriiiMii.  Ilie  Iriidiii'j  icdnal  editor  in  .\.  Y..  in  his  |i:ip(r  ol'Nov.  2,  IH'J4,  e\claiining,  "  1  give  him 
"i-mliirih  a  driiiinl  |.relereiHe.  lie.ntily,  c.heerlu'iy,  and  with  Ilie  lull  a|i|)rohation  oliiiy  del  ilierate  judgment." 

t'lileiii  P'  liiiil  111  I  II  ilii'  1,1  w  |i.iriiier  <<l  lliirr,  l.iii  ueiii  lounil  lo  llamillou  and  the  iederallsls,  who  establisheil 
him  ill  IHll.  :i  Ilie  lii-l  cihinr  hIiIk.'  i\  ^'.  l'.\eiiiii!.'  I'nsl,  in  which  Mlii.ilion  he  was  coiispiciums  lor  his  abuse 
ol'tJliii'i.n,  I'lliiliiit,  .Ml  .\e\en.  'Olil  Ilie  I'luleillrisli.  In  IMiT  he  thus  speaks:  "  IlitolerHhle  insult !  must  Ihe 
I'.sserlors  or  .AiiLirica'.H  rii'hts  le  conloiiiideil  Willi  Ihe  asviis^ins  ol' VVicklow  iiioiintalus'.'  must  the  American 
revolution  hi"  low  on  e\ery  aiiMirlii^i  and  piililic  ilisliirlier  i alluding  to  Kniiiiel,  MuNeven,  and  their  I'rienilil 
the  ri):lil  lo  i  kuin  .Ann  iici  lor  Ins  leaue  .'iiiil  .Aiiiirii  aiis  tor  his  kindred  !  'J'lie  altem|il  tu  show  a  relation^hi|i 
lielween  Init,:!  Iriylnnfit  and  .Ainiilciiiis  is  as  impudent  and  deleslalile  as  it  is  insidious.  Is  New  York  lobe 
po veined  hy  Me  \\  ill  I  liiilon  lor  il-  luisli.iw,  aided  hy  Thiiiiias  Addis  I'.nimeland  his  janissaries  "!  Is  New  York 
lo  lie  imt  liiio  ilie  liaiiili  ui  I'liilnl  Irislniini  and  KonKioNKns  '  If  it  is  to  lie  rescued  from  this  fate  It  must  N 
bn  tiir  liniKh  itiid  In/ 11^,  /iLiits  !■/  /iiiiir.<i  ■■hill  ridiiii:.  '  When  I  come  lo  slate  t^ruwford's  iiualifications  a  litlle 
ii'ioie  liilly.  no  oiie'will  wiindei'  Unit  \  nil  15iireii,  Coleiaaii,  \Vrif!lil,  Cambreleng,  Noah,  Flagg,  and  Butler 
irampled  I'll  Ilie  peoph^'s  ile.irest  rii'lils  in  Ihe  ho|ie  of  secnrini,'  lo  him  the  presidency. 

i  Jiidue  ('iio|  <r  also  -I;  li;-,  ili.it  ('.r-iw  r.iril  could  mil  speak  a  word  of  French,  hut  stalked  about  the  drnwinj! 
room-  111  I";  ri.s  nnalilo  ii  a-K  a  ipi.  siloii  m'  uive  a  nply.  His  papers  were  liiformol,  und  Talleyrand  did  biisiiiiu 
Willi  1>  I?.  W  .iidi  n,  llie  Ann  riciin  Cuiiiil,  a  leunied  Insliniaii,  [wlio  liilcly  died  in  f  ranee,  a  member  of  the  In 
sli'ui'.jnl  ilii  iiii-lake  wa  nciiiiKlat  Washiniiton.  Crawford  was  piijuid  without  cnuve,  and  turned  Warden 
out  of  (ifticd  wiihniii  niiilimiiy.io  ih-  .■iiiiioyanri'  and  injury  of  the  iiiercliaiit.s  of  I'hiladelphla  and  New  York,  On 
iii<  ((JrnwI'orii's)  r.iiiriito  W  a-liiiiL'toii.  Miinioi 's  eneiiiie!,  and  theeneniii'sof  liberal  foreign  citlzeiib,  flocked  lo  hi! 
Handard,  as  iln-  oppoiieiii  ui  .Ahnrie  lor  iln'  pri:idency.  "'I'll  is  man,"  says  Cooper,  "may  be  secretary  of  war,  bul 
he  win  M£vi:u  In  Ilie  peipie's  pre'ideiit."    lie  wusrigiit.    Aiiieiicu  lias  an  honest  and  true  htart,  and  Crawl'oril  liid 


EQVA 

1     xgappoMfcontii 
f  nhroad,  butwhohii 

■  „«ys  the  General) 
5  I  here  r  '  At  an 
'.  here  deliberately  1 

istiiuHon  and  laws 
nic.    1  have  emba 
my  wife  and  childr 
of  you.  Ihavemiu 
,1  fleeted  and  consult 
!    YOU  here?    Not 
;  yourself  hero,  beca 
helpless,  squallinK 
upon  the  care  of  ol 
you  could  not  hel| 
:  tion.    And  do  you 
'  ledge  the  whole  ol, 

■  liberty  with  so  grt 
'  Lafayette,  Baron  S 
i  Clair,  tieneral  Leo 
;  sylvania  line  were 

foreigners  1    Had 

I  WORLD  1    Does  it 

<  now  under  oonsidf 

i  his  conduct;  docs 

'  down  a  wasp's  nei 

;  srtges  of  the  revolt 

':   in  office,  Mr.  DalU 

me  the  foreigner  v 

ton,  mischievous, 

tions,  their  laws  e 

,   report  1" 

j      I  have  exp 
]  that,  but  for 
*  preachers,*  > 

f - 

showed  his  hand 
I   when  they  follow! 
■'It  is  a  dirty  bii 
i   of  the  U.  8.  consis 
'.    of  the  American 
^   than  half  the  Ame 
!    German,  Swedish, 
I   ley.  Count  Rumfoi 
J    we  five  pi'rsoiis  to 
i   skill  in  the  arts,  « 
more  than  in  Kiigl 
ofikill  tocome  In 
nfticotamen,  Gen 
falo,  Mrs.  IJUle 
frontiers. 

>'  Mr.  Secretary 
of  war  .It  home  ; 
hii  egregious  van! 
son]  and  Mr.  Mor 
iiomliiatioit  of  a 
the  country  in  thi 
that  every  Amerii 
ford  as  ambassad 
and  If  he  dare,  op 
would  not  have  c! 

♦  Though  I 
diced  against  ( 
■work  merited, 
second  Blast,  t 
pendence,  in  1 
his  native  Sco 
by  Clueen  Eli; 
Revolution,  ci 
of  church  and 
Dr.  C.  Pise]  t 
King  head  o 
termed,  of  thi 
Holland,  and 
same  time  the 
the  head  of  g( 
Jews.    Rome 


^824. 


iug  supporters  of 

look  into  the  prin- 

find  that  he  was 

ty,  ever  hostile  to 

1  rights  and  equal 

ivhom  Clinton  was  i 

Butler  and  Skin- 

1   was  friendly  to ' 

t  in  opposition  to 

,_  i 

iional  caucus  as  a 

d  to  foreign-born 

,  he  came  within 

irty-five  presiden- 

scale  against  him. 

lid  not  have  been 

ve  been  President. 

been  twenty  years 

g- 

•awford's  ill-timed 
of  Pa.),  addressed 
ricus,  through  the 
I'e  extracts : 


EQUAL  RIGHTS  AND  LAWS.    CIVIL  AND  REi-iUIOUS  FRKKDOM. 


69 


r 


•  ....f,  it  more  for  hia 
removed  to  one  of  tlie 
uch  a  situation,  a  man  ■ 
'j  become  conspicuous 
by  liiyt  kind  ofdextc-. 
■U  qualified  to  pur.sue, 


Virpinia,  24lhFeb.  1772- 
-then  turned  schoolmas- 
USUI,  (;«.,  Julys,  1798, an 
:ion,  1111(1  agreeing  to  siis 
tic  siinciiiint'il.  In  I8lii 
!ht  !<i>veriil  duels,  In  nni' 
1)1'  tin.,  dead,  and  in  the 
Dseil  .lellvrson's  unibareu 
If  siiiliim  of  a  laborer  lu 
ml  til  France  as  Binbas.ia 
lis  cnnrso  wag  manly  mid 
the  elder  Duane,  and&lr 
the  liiiancial  deimrlineni. 
le  (''.vt'iiliif;  I'ost — yet  He 
,  ••M-l.'iiMilnp,  "1  give  him 
my  (leliherate  judgineni." 
Jerallsts,  who  established 
iDUNpituous  fur  Ills  ahiise 
ilernhle  insult!  must  the 
ins  7  must  the  Americnii 
Meven,  iind  their  Irlenil!] 
pt  to  show  a  relalluushi|i 
ious.  Is  New  York  tn  be 
niilssaries  ?  Is  New  York 
i  from  this  fate  it  must  ht 
rd's  (|unllticatinns  a  little 
Joah,  Fliigg,  and  Butler 

liked  iibout  the  draivliiK' 
I  'ralleyraiid  did  buairiru 
>ticc,  a  member  of  the  In 
iiiS)',  and  turned  Warden 
jihia  and  New  York.  On 
iign  cltlzeno,  flocked  to  bis 
y  bo  secretary  of  war,  but 
ihtait,  and  Crawfonlliiil 


■I 


■1  "fluppoM  [ontlno**  Cooper]  Mr.  Crawford  were  to  say  as  General  Dcariinrii  onro  said  to  a  liiiz.on  born 
abroad,  but  who  has  established  two  of  the  largest  and  most  siiccessl'ul  niniiiir;ii'torii>~:  in  our  roiinlry,  '  Rut,  sir 
(says  the  General),  you  are  not  an  American  born.'  '  Well,  sir  (replied  my  iriend),  iuid  wliat  llinii  f  How  came 
I  hew  V  '  At  au  age  when  1  was  able  to  choose  my  country,  on  mature  coiisi.lii-.niou  iuid  rriloctimi,  1  camo 
here  deliberately  from  choice.  1  became  a  citizen  upon  yuiir  own  terms  and  proposiils— :ircordin^  to  your  con- 
stitutinn  and  laws,  which  gave  me  equal  rights  with  yourself.  1  brnuuht  wuMltli.  knowlncl^'u,  and  indu.siry  with 
nic.  1  have  embarked  all  my  fortune  in  your  country  ;  I  liavo  delil)i;r:ituly  ri<k((l  my  liiiiiiiinoss,  and  thai  of 
tny  wile  and  children,  upon  the  same  chance  with  yourself.  I  hiiverenouncedforincr  connections  to  become  ono 
of  you.  I  have  made  sacrilices  tocnmo  here.  1  am  rooted  and  Anierlcanl/.eil  liore,  ami  '<o  is  my  I'lniily.  We  re- 
flected and  consulted  on  the  subject,  and,  renoun';ing  every  other,  h  ivcclmsim  tlii^  ;u  <u;r  rountry  How  came 
YOU  here?  Not  by  choice,  but  by  chance  ;  without  your  own  knowltdsje,  exertion,  or  consent,  you  found 
yourself  here,  because  your  parents  chose  to  place  you  liere.  Your  iirstapiiearance  in  .Vmoriiii  was  as  a  weak, 
helpless,  squalling,  puling,  dirty,  naked  infant,  requiring  the  assistance  of  others  to  keep  you  alive  ;  dependent 
upon  the  care  of  others  for  twenty  years  of  your  existence.  You  were  born  and  stayin;;  in  America,  because 
yuu  could  not  help  it,  you  have  remained  here  because  you  knew  no  Lcller,  witlinit  di' ire,  notion,  or  reflec- 
tion. And  do  YOU  compare  yourself,  as  an  .Vmerican,  to  me  J'  I  wnulil  no:  like,  as  .m  American,  lo  acknow- 
ledge the  whole  of  this  reasoning,  but  there  is  soniethmg  in  it.  1  woulil  take  the  lilitrty,  sir,  if  I  dHre<l  take  a 
liberty  with  so  great  a  man,  o' askin<;  Mr.  Cniwford,  whether  tjeneral  Moiii;;iirm!ry,  (ieneral  (iaies.  General 
Lafayette,  Baron  Steuben,  Baron  Do  Kalb,  General  Koskiusko,  General  Pulaski,  (iener.ai  Hamilton,  General  St. 
Clair,  General  Leo,  and  General  Stewart  were  not  foreigners  !  W'lietlier  the  olficers  and  soldi,  rs  of  the  I'enn- 
sylvania  line  were  not  foreigners?  Whether  our  financiers,  Uolwrt  Morris  and  Alexander  H anulton,  were  not 
foreigners  1  Had  our  country  any  need  tr)  repent  receiving',  with  open  arms,  ihe.'^e  fuoitivks  ok  tut.  old 
WORLD  1  Does  it  become  a  man  of  yesterday,  a  man  whose  niuit  (Hslin^iiislied  act  lia::  bein  the  famous  report 
now  under  oonsideration,  who  is  hardly  known,  but  by  the  bigotry  of  his  sentiments,  ami  the  imprudence  of 
his  conduct;  does  it  become  such  a  man,  who  amuses  liimsclf  like  an  idiot  boy  in  tlio  woods-,  willi  pulling 
down  a  waspV  nest  about  his  oars;  does  it  become  such  a  iinm  lo  stivnmti/.e,  indirectly,,  tlicse  warriors  aiul 
sHges  of  the  revoltition  1  Is  there  one /fleam  of  cormnnn  sense  in  Mr.  Crawford's  wanton  iiisu/t  of  his  coilcnr'ncs 
IS  office,  Mr.  Dallas  and  Mr.  (lallatin  ;  and  of  you,  sir,  wko  nppoinled  t/icsi'  wcU  ioformal  and  able  mi  ii.  ?  Show 
me  the  foreigner  whoever  camo  to  America,  who  has  been  or  conld  Irtve  lieen  i;iiilty  of  sucli  a  needless,  wan- 
ton, mischievous,  mischief-making  sarca.sm  upon  the  whole  American  people,  tlioir  .mcestors,  their  constitu- 
tions, their  laws  and  usages,  such  as  's  implied  substantially  in  this  bravura  linalu  of  Mr.  Crawford's  Indian 
report  r' 

I  have  experienced  much  kindness  from  the  American  people,  and  am  satisfied 
that,  but  for  the  malevolence  of  .some  of  their  rascally  politicians,  aided  by  lazy 
preachers,*  who  have  less  of  Christianity  in  them  than  of  jealousy  of  other  more 

eliovved  his  hand  too  early  for  a  successful  game.  Van  Buren  and  bis  confederates  showed  very  little  sagacity 
when  they  followed  for  eight  long  years  the  fortunes  of  Jud^e  Crawford. 

"  It  is  a  dirty  bird  that  befouls  its  own  nest,"  says  Cooper.  At  Ibis  time  (ISIij)  a  majority  of  the  wImIo  people 
of  the  U.  S.  consistof  natives  of  Great  Britain  and  Inland,  ortliedesc'nd.iiitsiof  such.  I'ullOlOtlis  of  the  parents 
of  tiie  American  pt^op'e,  in  1816,  were  natives  of  the  British  dominion.s.  Did  not  Crawford  caliinmiate  nn)r.: 
than  half  the  American  iieople  (of  that  day),  and  nujre  than  '.)-10tns  of  ili'ir  immrdiate  ancesiora  !  Add  also  iho 
German,  Swedish,  and  French  pans  of  ilie  jiopulation.  Did  not  Kiiglaiid  uel!  nci.iv;  and  eiK-onrauu  \V(  st,  Cop- 
ley, Count  ftumford,  Count  Bowman,  Dr.  Solandcr,  Mr.  I'lanta.  AI.  do  .Ma.ii(^llnii  and  tli.'  Abln'  Con  a?  Have 
wcfive  persons  to  thi;  sijuare  mile?  Has  not  Ensland  •.'00  ?  D.)  we  not  waul  hoiin'  iiiaiiul'acHi;eK  !  Where  can 
Hkill  in  tlie  arts,  sciences  and  manufactures  and  improvements,  In  every  profe-sioii,  be  lomal  (out  of  Aim  ricn) 
more  than  in  Kngland,  France  and  G^Tmnny  !..  Do  we  not  owe  niiicli  to  our  immiiiraiioii  laws,  cncimr.ijiiiig  unvii 
of  skill  to  come  here  J  (/"rawlord  liiwi  advised  Aiiu'ricans  to  man  v  Indian  s.ivat;i  s  in  prolunncc  to  llie  daunlitir.s 
of  Scotsmen,  Germans,  English  or  Irishmen  He  voiild  have  Y.mkee  girls  called  Mrf.S.diUo'.',  .M:--.  Great  Buf- 
falo, Mrs.  IJHie  Turtle,  iiia.  Mad-dog,  Mrs.  Tecumaetli,  Aic,  by  way  of  increasing  .socuil  hajipinoas  on  our 
frontiers. 

"Mr.  Secretary  CrOtVford'i<  disgraceful  Imbecility  as  ambassadnr  abroad,  appears  to  have  miu\e  him  secretHry 
of  war  .It  home  ;  for  cxceptiUL'  his  gross,  his  niaiiilVsl  want  of  tuLiii  and  aiiiinreiiuiil,  his  iiompous  deporliiK  iit, 
hisegroElous  vonit),  his  despotic  measures  while  inini^ier,  his  secret  bin  not  ineiniii.'iiiinmiiy  luvouiself  [.Mr.  Maui- 
son]  and  Mr.  Monroe,  and  to  the  wishes  of  the  republican  party,  joined  to  Ind  il'mbielaoi  d  conduct  on  iliu  l.ttu 
nomination  of  a  future  priwident  to  succeed  yourself— w/int  (/nalijicUioH  li-is  tliii  man  .'  Is  there  oiie  jjcibon  m 
the  country  in  the  least  conversH'U,  with  the  ctiaracters  and  conduct  of  AimricAn  |io!lticiaiis,  who  does  not  ki.ow 
that  every  American  in  Paris,  was  put  to  the  perpetual  liliish  irom  the  iiiimrance  and  iiisignilicance  oi'  Mr.  Craw- 
ford as  ambassador  there  !  \  >u  could  not  have  kept  him  til.  ii' ;  and  ye:  Ibis  man  comes  lioiii'',  to  undeiiimii-, 
uid  If  he  dare,  opi)ose  the  republican  etindidatc,  [Monroe,]  and  to  be  m;ule  seciel.iry  of  war '.  Thuniui  Jelltrsou 
would  not  have  done  this." 

■►  Though  an  admirer  of  the  bold  and  dauntless  Scottisji  ri'/nnncr,  Knox,  I  am  not  preju- 
diced against  other  sects.  M'Crie  got  more  prai.se  for  hi.s  lile  m' tluit  einiiniit  man  tlian  his 
work  merited.  It  is  a  fact  tiiat  Knox  proposed,  in  Scotland,  iiioie  tliini  ^'jO  ycar.->  ii;2;o,  in  Ins 
second  Blast,  the  maintenance  of  principles  not  a  whit  behind  vv  i^'lorious  devlo-ation  of  inde- 
pendence, in  1776.  IMoreover,  he  was,  like  mc,  many  years  a  banished  mtin,  or  oiif'iiw  fiom 
nis  native  Scotland.  There  I  can  sympathize  with  him.  l-'.veu  Idiy;land  was  shut  ag.iin.sf  him 
by  Clueen  Elizabeth  on  account  of  his  first  Blast.  Dr.  .Tulm-^on,  tiio  roviier  of  the  American 
Revolution,  calls  Knox  "the  ruffian  of  the  Retbrination,"  but  he  never  sanctioned  that  union 
of  church  and  State  which  made  a  king  or  queen  the  s|)iritual  head  of  bulh.  "  We  find  [say.s 
Dr.  C.  Pise]  that  no  Catliolic  government  ever  united  the  Kin;;  and  the  Chinch,  making  the 
King  head  of  both  Church  and  State.  No.  'F'his  was  the  edect  i  I'  the  lii)eity,  as  it  is  .so 
termed,  of  the  Reformation;  for  wo  find  that  after  th;it  event,  Prussia,  Swei'i  !i,  Denmark, 
Holland,  and  England  cstidilished  this  conned imi,  and  made  the  t mpoial  sovcrMgn  at  the 
same  time  their  spiritual  ruler ;  the  King  in  tliese  countries,  or  the  Uu';en  as  it  may  be,  being 
the  head  of  government  both  temporal  and  spiritual.  Rome  has  opened  her  gates  even  to  the 
Jews.    Rome  has  given  protection  to  the  unibrtunate  captives  of  Judea.'    When  Van  Buren 


-■i 


.:lf;i 


i 
t  ii 


i.' 


s 

I}- 


70    VAM  lil'REN  AND  THE  CATHOLICS.    INTOLERANCE.    KING  ON  SLAVERY. 

active  priesthoods,  the  ill-will  expressed  towards  our  brethren  from  Canada, 
Europe,  &c.,  would  be  unknown.  Well  might  Greeley  say,  in  his  whig  almanac 
lor  1845,  "  Native  Americanism  struck  us  a  hard  blow.  *  ♦  •  Mr.  Polk,  on 
this  siuglo  question  gained  more  thjin  enough  votes  in  the  state  of  N.  Y.  to  elect 
him."  Nativeism  killed  oti"  John  Adams's  administration,  and  assisted  in  under- 
mining that  buhl,  intelligent,  and  powerful  party,  the  federalists  ;  it  turned  the 
scale  against  Crawt'ord  in  18 IH  and*  1824;  a  professed  hatred  of  it,  which,  it  is 
rvidcni  he  did  not  feel,  as  1  have  shown  in  another  place,  secured  to  Polk  an 
honor  of  which  1  think  he  has  proved  himself,  thus  far,  not  the  most  worthy. 

MMS  Fivviili.nt,  (111-  Hoiiiiiii  f'alliolic  paptT  ol'  X.  Y.,  The  Tnilh  Teller,  hy  William  Denmun, 
llius  cciisuirl  his  iiildlciiinrc.  -'What  do  wc  inid  during  the  Presidential  contest '!  It  was 
(i<'<Miii.'d  by  Minn-  |)fi>i)ii  ill  oar  of  the  AVestoni  States,  iniportBiii  to  inquire  whether  Mr.  Van. 
Hiii't'ii  was  a  Calliolic  or  not.  iiiui  to  this  iii(]uirv  a  reply  was  ;;,'iven  that  he  ir<n  in  the  holrit. 
<'l  nsiiin^  srrnvl  rhiirr.'i,^.  hiil  thoi  he  HAD  ISEVER'YET  ENTERED  A  CATHOLIC 
'"'HAl'KL.  Th''io  was  sniiKUhin;;:  in  thi-  rej)!}"  well  calfulated  to  deeply  wound  tiie  pride  and 
i"<'linij:s  di' those  wliu  liad  lii't'ii  cducatpd  in  that  faith.  It  seemed  as  it' the  Catholic  Church  had 
hi'i'ii  ;uiii(l(>(l  a>  a  |)fsi)|i'ii(  c  and  a  hi/ar  house.  The  whole  of  the  administration  presses  pub- 
lished the  eoncspdndeiiii-  \\  ith  ('viillatiiiii.  Not  oidy  has  the  adiiiini.stration  avoided  taking  up 
i!i'- il.'fciK'e  (jf  tlioii- ]>ei>fi)ite(l  liiends.  hnl  has  actually  added  insult  to  injury.  It  placed  Mr. 
(!iiii<-ni|>,  the  open  toe  iind  reviler  of  Catholics,  in  olhce,  as  if  to  try  how  far  their  endurance 
Hiiiild  stibinii.  .MiiT  tiov.  .\lai(\  had  committed  a  fatal  error,  in  surrendering  the  Bunibers, 
and  liiiii  \\\wv-  liiiiisi'lt  i>bno.\i(iii>.  In  adopled  i  ili/en. — what  did  the  leaders  of  the  jiarty  ?  Did 
'hev  [T^nce  anoilief  (h'lnociai  in  iinininalion  tor  his  place  !  jNo.  He  w'as  put  fortii  and  was  to 
ii.i- e  been  ciaiiiiiied  i\i\\K\\  the  thioalsof  the  rebellious  Irish.  Their  wishes  or  dislikes  were 
ii'it  t  1  be  considered.' 

Ji  i?';  Irviiii,' (brother  of  VV;is|iinirton  living)  in  his  oration  before  the  Tammany  Society, 
^^•.   i;'.  ISlO,  oiti'red  the  follnuinL'  philosophical  remarks  aL'ainst  intolerance. 

'■  >  (<  eiroi-  has  ben  more  pioducliM'  of  hiiinan  mi.sery,  than  that  which  in  mo-st  countries  lias 
I'lii  I'd  lis  n  !iL;i"ii.s,  niiilci-  the  c(jiilrol  of  iis  civil  institutions.  There  is  no  such  thing  as  bend- 
'iip  i;ons(.'ii'iiic  -11--  leMuiP  is  noi  iiiilleabic— ii  cannot  be  cooled  and  warmed  at  pleasure  to  dif- 
I'l'cnt  (lci:rees  el  leiiipeii'inic.  The  nio.si  valuable  members  of  a  community  are  those  who  are 
!:i  heart  /i'aloii^i\  an.Mheil,  »w\  vi-iipiilously  obedient,  to  their  religious  tenets.  Among  tho.se 
io-e  wc  to  loi'v  lei  jiatiepi  indii^iiv.  >li'ici  frugality,  correctness  of  morals,  and  regularity  of  life. 
)  l»  re  a;-c '.VI' lu  seai>  Ii  lor  that  honesty  ingiallcd  on  religion,  which  teaches  the  fulfilment  of 
tiiclividiial  coiiirai'i.'^,  ihe  pri'>ei\ alioji  of  oiiler,  the  revcieiice  ui'  law,  and  the  sacred  allegiance 

due  to  our  eOUIlU'W  TlIK  \  VTION  I'llAT  \V  \l;s  .\(i.41NST  ANV  MOIIAI,  .SKIT,  WH.VTKVKK  M.VV  UK  ITS 
I   VST,  W.VIIS  .MIAISsT  ir.-i  OWN    I'hMVil'KlilTV,   AM)  S.U'.S    rilK  FOINDATIONS  OK  ITS    STHKNOTH." 

'^  Itiiliis  KiiiL',  lliiiimli  ii  Culcridlst,  ami  im  Itionil  tii  I'rfini'h  iHilillcs  or  the  Irish  revolt,  In  1T'.)8,  was  suppnrtt-il 
li>  Vmi  HiiriT.  ulii'Mi  I  i!i:u\  iiiicc  lir  the  liiulirst  iiiriccs.  Iii'cmu-^c  of  liis  tlisliKt'  to  l(irci);iiers.  Van  Biiren,  llnol, 
.111(1  Yoiim;  well'  Ivinu's  Iridiii!:  Miiiiiurltrs  for  the  <:ltii:<'  of  Senator  to  Ihe  U.  H.  in  IS'iil,  and  lie  was  re  elected 

iiliniKt  >iiiiiniiiioii>l\ ,  <.'!  irlvvon  (;rolni<.   ol   N    V.,  Corri(?liiis    lleney,  of  IJrooklyn,  and  Hunter,  e.xcepted, 

.ildiotiuli  the  sMiiie  |i:iily  ilie  yi'.'ir  l>elore  had  chosen  to  let  Ihe  »liit«  )io  uilhont  a  full  representulioi.  rather 
tlinn  iippoiiil  liini  Ml.  Kiiiu  was  the  iiilcral  sen.Uor  lor  the  .stale  in  I7f-''.t.  In  If  13,  ho  was  eletlcd  L'.  S. 
.-^('ii.iKir,  lis  In  fij  \iiii<  fi  .  (ill).  .1.  W.  Wdkiii,  repulilican.  'I'hi.s  whs!  Van  lliiren's  ncl,  foi'  his  party  hud  the  ma- 
.''  ilty  ill  >eiiiile.  In  !!■  I  >,  Unl'  Kiii^  was  tjie  ledernl  candidiite  for  president.  lie  supported  the  war  etiectu 
ally  towiriK  Us  close,  and  v\  <  a  sliiiily  opponent  of  the  extension  of  slavery  in  Missouri.  Van  Buren,  when 
I  .invassinir  for  Kitii!  in  Isl'.i.  ihiii  wrote  to  ii  trienil  : 

"  I  ^h'>llld  Miiely  iriirei  In  linil  ;iny  llii|:<;iii);  on  the  sul'ject  of  Mr.  King.  VVi;  are  cotniiiilted  to  his  support. 
It  i>  lioih  wise  iiiul  hnncst.  iind  « r  iriiisl  liiivc  no  IliUlirina  in  •an'  course.  Mr,  Kinji's  views  towards  us  aro 
bonoriitili'  iuid  i  urrti  l.  'I'lie  Mis.MHin  i|iii'>tioii  coiicrids,  mi  far  as  he  is  concerni'd,  no  plot,  and  we  shall  give 
It  n  Inic  din 'lion  \''ii  liimw  w  li.it  I  lie  feelings  .iiiil  \  iewu  of  our  friends  were  when  I  siiw  you  ;  and  you 
KiicjU  wliiil  \\i:  ilini  cmn  iinli  d  lo  do.  My  e'onsiderntion.s,'  &.C.,  and  the  aspect  of  the  Alhuny  Arjjus,  will 
'  how  you  ib.ii  «e  hiM'  i  iiured  on  ilie  work  in  eariie.t.  We  cannot,  therefore,  look  liack.  Let  us  not,  there 
lire.  Iii\e  Miij'  lii,iiiii'!.     I  will  put  my  hr.id  on  its  propriety.  " 

III  \tl\.  I!iilii.-<  Kiiia  UhiK  a  truly  rtpiililiCHii  stand  in  ihc  ficnate,  iipainst  Crawford  nnd  the  ccntrHt  caucus  hit 
-\',iii  Huri'ii  :iii'l  III  i  cniilVdi  rMti"*  wcir  ciHended,  and  on  the  7th  of  .Ian..  IH\J,"),  Mr.  Kini(dcclInoil  a  re  election, 
lor  lie  Mif  ^^  lie  I  oiilil  nut  lie  reiiinu  d.    Ills  .Mins  went  with  Ad»uis't<  adiiiinistriilioii,  and  soon  cx|)erienre(l  tho 
iiio.l  hitli. r eiiiiiil!i  Iroiii  Ihe  .Vru'iis. 

I  have  'poliiii  111  "  .\rislldl!^,"  :,  paniplilet  liy  W.  1'.  Vim  .Ness,  Viin  Uiiieir.->  law  teacher,  who  opiioscd  Clin- 
iiii,  iiiid  iiMimreil  liirei:."ii'i-..  "  Cnlif.i  i/inj  { (lie  iniiiii;:ninls  to  Anirricii  from  iilirond,  says  Van  Ness]  arehtid  in 
I'ln/iir  nihuiiliiiiituiii  I'll  'In:  ninrriil  liiii.iltilioii  i\f  .  liniriC(in«,  or  cmilriilltrl  hi  law,  the  people  uj  this  countrti  mviit 
jiriparr  to  .'orrmilir  tlm-  rmhis.  iiiiil  sojjir  lliiir  opitiiniis  to  be  re/fulotnl,  not  by  their  own  I'uod  jir/iiii!.  but  by  a 
ji'K  (/(.'./((•/•(.(f  mill  liii iiiii,i:s  Jon iisncrii."  lie  wanted  Ihe  alien  and  sedition  laws  hack  H(.'iiin,  and.  like  Van  Bu- 
ri  n  anil  \\ii;;lii,  wns  ii  Cinw  f'ird  iiiiiii  in  l.s-.'t,  as  was  his  lirolher  (iriieral  Van  .Ness,  the  lie.nker,  Washlnifton. 

.\iiiii;i"r  1)1'  \',iii  Hiireii's  iiillinv  1-.  «  111!  i\  IS  iiiiiny  yeiMs  in  tli<^  -Cite  senate  throiich  his  influence,  unu  that 
of  his  cniifeder  les  .liinies  I'owers,  ol  (.utikill,  thus  desrrilied  iiirei;in  citizens,  in  a  4th  of  .luly  oration,  doliv- 
eri'd  lit  lluilsim  -  "  W  liiit  is  ilie  I  vil  tliMt  has  reduced  every  republic  to  InslKnificiiMce  iind  Inlniuy,  tncuni- 
pletu  ruin  .'  'liie  intniduciiiin  of  ioreij.'ii  d  siirKaniz.ers ;  they  who  know  no  dltlbrence  lietween  a  King  and  n 
I'resiiieni,  lietuetu  lilierty  nnd  liceiiiloiisncss ;  wlnniie  riiiullliir  with  the  gullloliiie,  and  in'tirrectlons  at  home 
nnd  who  I,iimvv  of  no  odii  i-  feiir  hut  I  lei  I  >vliicli  the  (;.d lows  in^pircn," 


% 


CKAWFOR 

It  is  a  curioiii 

[jespising  foreis 

nunishing  then 

^Mbert  Gallatin 

icket  with  Cra 

ieeined  to  hav 

lefore  the  laee 

in  March,  T 

troni  Lawrt^nce 

ihil)!"  tu  the  ^ 

iVuiii  CoiniiKnlL 

^I'.i'insolves  aim 

tir.t's  .sons,  \\'\ 

^lation  lie  ".va.'-; 

lent  to  his  hati 

lladisoii  nil  Im 

iJiitler,  ("aiiibn 

Oiilv  ileserted  ii 

'•   I'd  Jiiiiies  . 

\\  liie  .sy.stei 
evjuv'ted  from 
^i!ioilnc(^  aiiiui 
(l;iii^s  real  as  w 
tlie  \\  liites  l<e  e 
ihv  race,  wifii  t 
^iieial  happines. 
ait>  III  harmonic 
D.oii'  to  the  nal 
tlic  natives  of  ( 
K!;CKI\'E,  \^ 
fOHLD,  Wli 
illHlRCl.'l.M 


W'c  have   si  I 

men,  Caiiilire 

|:iiii|)led   on   tl 

Jilonrue'.s  seat, 

iii'iiifliced  .icrai 

I'liiir.  of  111"  W:i^ 
111'  Hem  Iiljillll'^ 
Till'  ;|iuiMiiIllienl 
||  •  M>liiiii^Ucd  lliiise 
'.I  M  the  depMrtuieii 
".■  ■!  le  lie  Miipii^ei 
Wlril  Ciiilil  lie  nio 
1  I'lri'iuner  liiul  oiil 
1  Wi.-liii'u'loii.  'tin 
rviv:  piiiii  inr  miiiiv 
I  ''•.'  I<rmiicr:tir  111 
iii'licly  rei'eniiiicnile 
'.v;is  then  nil  iili 
1  .N'inv  York  nnd  wi- 

tfiiliiUlon  (if  live  yea 
II'  itlier  iilleii  f 


)N  SLAVERY. 

n  from  Canada, 
IS  whig  almanac 
'  Mr.  Polk,  on 
f  N.  Y.  to  elect 
isisted  in  under- 
;  it  turned  the 
f  it,  which,  it  is 
red  to  Polk  an 
e  most  worthy. 

SVilliam  Denmun, 
il  contest '?  It  was 
whether  Mr.  Van. 
c  iras  in  the  halrit 
A  CATHOLIC 
MttA  the  pride  and 
itholic  Church  had 
ration  pre.sse.s  pub- 
avoided  taking  up 
ly.  It  phiced  Mr. 
tar  their  endurance 
riiij<  tlie  Bambers, 
if  the  i)arty  ?  Did 
it  I'ortli  and  was  to 
s  or  dislikes  were 

Tauiniany  iSociety, 
•e. 

I  most  countries  has 

uch  thing  as  bend- 

1  at  pleasure  to  dil- 

arc  those  who  an^ 

Is.     Among  tho.sc 

1  regularity  ol'lilc. 

i  the  tnUilnieni  ol 

sacred  allegiance 

rK.VKIt    M.\Y    UK    ITS 
ntF-NfiTlI." 

n  171)8,  was  suppnrtt'il 
rs.  Villi  Biiren,  Hool, 
and  li<>  WHS  re  eloctf'ii 
Hunter,  cxce|it«(l, 
rt!|)ro»viilulioi.  rHther 
10  was  fleeted  L'.  S. 
liis  party  hud  the  ma. 
iried  the  war  etTectu- 
Vail  Bureii,  when 

titled  t(i  his  aiiiiport. 
lews  towards  iia  arf. 
)t,  and  wo  shall  i;ive 
1  saw  yiiu  ;  and  ycm 
V  Albany  Arjiius,  will 
k.     Let  ui>  nut,  theru 

he  teiilral  caucus  hit. 
ecllnod  ii  re  election, 
soon  exiterlenreit  th» 

whii  opiiosod  Cliii- 
Van  Ness]  nrehtldin 
t  iiflhi.i  r.ounlrij  mv.^t 
n  irutid  senile,  but  by  a 
ill,  anil,  like  Van  Bu- 
ir.iikor,  Washlnifloii. 
s  intliience,  and  that 
r.liily  oratlun,  deliv- 

luid  Inlainy,  tocuiii- 
tween  a  King  and  n 
n«urreciions  at  home 


CRAWFORD  S  ADVICE.    MARRY  SAVAGES  RAXHER  THA-V  IRISH  GIRLS,     /i 

JJt  la  d  curious  coiiicidiMice,  tliiit  while  Crawfuivl  \\ds  thus  undervaluing  and 
jlespising  i'orei<in  inochanics,  the  I'liiglish  ('(uirls  of  law  wt-ic  bu,sily  employed, 
•iiiiinishin;^  them  by  fiiu'  and  imprisonment  lor  »!ndeavorini;  to  emigrate  to  the  U.  S. 
^Mhert  Gallatin,  alway.s  the  advocate  of  a  .National  l^>aiik,  wa.s  placed  on  the 
ticket,  with  Cravvfoid,  as  the  candidale  for  Vice;  I're.sident,  but  his  foreign  birth 
f.f'ined  to  have  marred  bis  fortune,  iiisomueh  that  he  liad  to  leave  the  course 
jirfoie  the  race  was  over.* 

Ill  March,  iS^Jti,  at  the  close  of  that  war,  in  whieli  foreign  born  citizen.s — 
fiom  Lawrence,  who  closed  his  eyes  in  death,  exclaiming  "  Don't  give  up  the 
slii|>!"  to  the  gallant  Capt.  IJiakely  of  the  Wasp — and  the  .sons  of  foreigners, 
fiiiiii  Commodore  Charles  .Stewart  to  Commodore  McDonough — distinguished 
tlu'iiKselves  among  the  bravest  of  the  brave,  and  the  truest  of  the  true  of  Ame- 
rua's  sons,  William  II.  Crawtord,  being  at  that  time  Secretary  at  War,  to  which 
giiition  he  was  called,  after  bis  i'-uropcan  tour  as  Ambassador  to  Napoleon,  gave 
Viiit  to  his  hatred  of  the  men  of  Kuropi;  in  the  following  report  to  President 
iMiidisuii  on  Indian  afliiirs.  J''rom  that  day  forward,  Noah,  Van  Hur(!ii,  Wright, 
liiiller,  Cambieleiig,  Barker,  and  the  iNATivt;  faction  became  his  friemis,  and 
Oiilv  , Inserted  bim  v.  hen  hope  was  lost. 

'•  To  ./(lines  .\hiilisiiii,  rnsiili  III  of  Ifir   f'nili  I  Sfiitrs  ;  *  *  * 

it'  the  system  abcady  devised  has  not  produced  all  the  ellects  which  were 
e-pci'tcd  from  it.  ii' w  ex|ierimeiits  ought  to  ie  made;  when  every  ellbrt  to 
(itroduce  among  them,  {the  Indian  savag<;s,]  ideas  of  exclusive  property  in 
liiin^s  veal  as  well  as  personal  hhall  fail,  let  iiileriiiarriages  between  them  and 
tlif  whites  be  cncourai^ed  liy  the  (Joveinment.  This  cannot  fail  to  preserve 
il'.c  wifv.,  with  the  modificalion.s  necessary  to  the  cnjoyn.ent  of  civil  liberty  and 
SI",  lal  happiness.  It  i.s  believetl,  that  the  |)riiiciple.s  of  luimanity  in  this  instance, 
»n'  111  harmonious  concert  witii  the  Inu^  interests  of  the  nation.  It  will  redound 
Daiii  to  tiic  national  honor  to  incorporate,  by  a  iiumaiie  and  benevolent  jjolicy, 
tliu  natives  of  our  forests  in  th(>  great  American  family  oi'  tVeedom,  THAiN  TO 
JKCKIVE,  WITH  Ol'K.N  AH.MS,  'rilj-:  FCtilTIX'KS  OF  TlllO  OLD 
|\ORLD,  WliKTilKRTilHllv  KLIOIIT  HAS  HKHA  THK  KFFKCT  OF 
'  'lli:iR  Ch'  l.MFS  OK.  Til  FdR  VIK'IT.  KS.     1  have  the  honor  to  be,  ^c, 

WIMd  A.M  IICRAWFOHD." 

We  have  shown  tlie  imparli;i!  reader,  on  the  clearest  evidence,  that  Van 
mi  II,  Caml)releng,  iNoah,  Butler,  Croswell,  Wright  and  their  conf(;derates, 
iaiii|)led  on  the  constitution,  and  \iolated  the  right  of  instruction,  to  place  in 
Jlloiiroe's  seat,  in  IS;' J,  a  man  of  a  mnrow,  eonlracted  mind,  because  he  was 
ftirjudiced  against   ibi!   (  ;|ual    ri>;bt>  ed  our   <  iii/,i_>ns   of  ftHeign  birth,  and  the 

I  '  Miiir,  III'  ll|i"  \V;i~!iitv'l'io  lanlw.  rn|iiri|  Itii'  (' lUiiwIiii!  l'en^lll■'•  iif  U.iiiii'i  WVl.sirr,  wlini  lio  ^^■ll^  iiccrelHry  of 
I  it.    Ill 'III  nniiii|\  Kvrnini'  I'o't  •  [(lii«  ,<h-ir|i  iln'V  IooK  iil'ti-r  ii~  l',iiL'li.-li,  Iri-'h,  lliiirh  nml  Scutch  'J 
Till'  .'I'liiiiniiiirnl  ot  it  lirin  iimihi'iI  I{i>\  imlil ..  «»  n/i-ii.  h^Mr.  WcIkIit,  Ion  iiliici'  in  llii'  i|p|inrliiii'nt  ol'slntr. 

:  |i  ■  .l^ll'lll<ll(•(l  iJHisi'  wliii  liiH  u  li.iii   ill  this  cil\.     *    ■'    *      V7(c  •nihil  m-ti  iif  thi'  iiitiiiiiiilmnil  »;'  tin  iilint.  In  n 

;  I"!  II  llir  ili'inrtnii'iil  \vlii'-li  liiiv  ilii'  rlriri'c  nl'inir  ioii':i:ii  ri'lMtioii*  u  ill  siirjirisi'  ihose  who  liiive  not  like  ii,-, 
I   ■ .  .1  I,'  lie  .iiriir.'i'il  iil  .iin  I'liti:;  iloiir  liy  .Mr.  \\'i-\,  \  r." 

Wtnl  I'Milil  III'  iiiori'  ciriMii!;  limn  to  scr  itie-e  pri'lcnilnl  iVii'iiiN  I'lllie  slriiiiscr.  nlniixt  in  hystorics  ImcM'-e 
HI  liireiui'cr  li.'iil  oliliincil  ii  in'Slv  cl'  I'Usliiii  lo  copy  p-ijiers  !     l.'iM'.'trri'  miiiI  O'Siilliviin  wrie  |j;ir!iu'Vs  in  triolo 

;  1  \\':ii-!ili"itoii.    'riit'V  >ui'|ili('i!  Crncres*  wilti  11  VMsi  Miiioiinl  ol'  siniiotu'ry,  cliiuvliii;  ili  iilile  wli.it  tlii-y  llii'iii 
;:\-c:i  ii'ii.l  liir  iiiiiiiy  iirlicl'";.  Mnil  rpniizin"  t'lioriin  ns  I'liliis.     I  run  prove  ii.     They  wore,  iiinri'oMT.  pr"|Tirlors 
I  ''■'•  I'i'mncr-xtk  Hrrinr,  whirli   Ainlrew  .liirkson.  M.  Vnii  Ihircii.  the  taolio,  unit   tlie  Allnuiy  Ai-iiii.  hiiil 

■  li;li(ly  ri  I  rimiKMiili'il,  in-'  .'in  or;'aii  nnil  ixpfnu'iit  ol'  tlir  )iriiicipli's  of  the  (uirty.  .Ml  pirties  Kiieiv  ttiiil  Lunj;. 
I  ■  wiis  then  nil  nlicn.  W'lu'ii  llio  Review  I'liileil  in  VVni-iriiii'tiin,  iind  l/Miutrro  liiiil  reiireit  from  il,  ho  came 
1  Xciv  York  nml  wii«  ntiliinii/eil  nt  tlu-  ninrine  court  shortly  liefore  hi  ■  ileiilh.  when  he  hail  completed  his 
fi'liiuion  (f  five  years,  l.iuiulree  liiiil  evcellini  ninriiies  of  iienil  luiil  heart ;  Imi  why  praise  hilti  itnd  abuse 
111'  i-ilier  iillen  .' 


il 


!H' 


72 


VAN  BUREN  IN  THE  SENATE.    HE  PLAYS  PARASITE   TO  THE  IRISH. 


ll 


clianipicn  of  the  U.  S.  Bank.  While  Rufus  King,  in  die  Convenuon  of  1821 
was  voti  )g  for  universal  sullrago,  without  regard  to  r  .  .nerty,  sue?  v/as  Van 
Burcn'b  iMtred  of  the  Iri^-hjund  old  country  people  genei. !  ;,  i.hat  i.-  tiiwr.vuM 
King  and  "cuing — went  for  restriction,  and  declared  "  that  the  -"hiuacter  of  the 
iiHMvased  n  J.nber  of  votes  (iu  N.  Y.  city)  would  l)e  sai;h  as  uou.i  i^nd'^i  tlir 
elections  rather  a  curse  than  a  blessing  ;  which  v,ou!d  drive  i.uin  li;,;  polls  all 
.sober-niiiuled  people."  Chnton  was  kind  to  ihc"  Irish,  and  unwearied  in  his 
eHbrts  to  educate  all  classes.  What  has  \'au  Uuren  done  for  education ! 
Louis  i\I'Lanc,now  U.  S.  niiiiisler  at  London,  told  a  friend  one  day,  that  duriri" 
all  ihe  time  he  sat  with  \'au  Jiuren  in  Jackson's  cabinet,  he  never  knew  him  to 
j)ropose  or  take  much  interest  in  any  great  measure  for  the  public  good,  but 
where  anything  was  lo  be  done  by  intrigue  or  party  management,  he  (V.  li.)  ' 
was  alvvays  the  most  active.*  On  referring  to  Van  Buren's  letter  io  Hoyt 
Albany,  January,  4,  IS2l>,  it  will  be  seen  that  lie  would  have  avoided  the 
appointment  of  Judge  Swaiiton,  one  of  the  United  Irishmen  of  '98,  but  as  the 
city  liked  the  Judge  "he  did  not  see  how  he  could  a\oid  the  appointment. "| 


C II  A  P  T  I-:  R    X  \'  I  H  . 

Two  Pictures  of  a  Polilirian. —  Van  h'ltreii,  Fhii/fi,  /Jailer  aiul  Muri:;/,  friendiij 
In  the  iJ.  S.  Bank. — Tliry  prove  its  Charter  Ccnstitnlional. — Crawford  nwl 
Galldtiu^s  Cri>wnin(j  Merit. — MonrtH,,  Crawford.,  Madison.,  and  Marshall  nn 
the  Bank. — The  Albani/  Argus.—  Thomas  Ritrhic  and  J\I.  M.  Noah  on  .hick- 
son. —  Van  Ihirrn  on  a  National  Jninh. — The  Alhanij  I'etition  to  Biddle  fm 
a  Bank.,  and  Who   '"Signed  it. 

In  the  New  York  Anicriean,  of  A|)ril,  1810,  conducted  by  Charles  King,  the 
son  of  that  same  Rufus   King,  whom  Van  Ruren  had  aided  in  1813  and  sup- 

*  Van  Biimi  \v:i-j  apfmiiilcd,  by  tli''  IciiislntMrf,  a  Pciiiitornf  ilio  IJniled  I^Mf.'s  f(ir  \.  V.,  in  IVbriinry,  1821,  nn! 
look  li:.s  31'at  in  tlu  L'.  S.  Scnnt'',  lii'sidp  Kiiliis  !\in<.',  Iiis  i'olli'n>;ui-.  iil  ilic  ijiriiijii;  i,\  the  I7iii  roniiri'ss,  on  iht 
Mil  iif  Dtc.Tiiiln'r  tliat  yi'iir.  Hi:  nniaiin'd  in  iMi'  S'  iinti'  liU  rlicli'il  trovciiior  nf  ,\,  Y,  in  Iv.'H  mikI  allci  wnnLsiif- 
Hiiieil  I'mir  ytnis  in  it  Irdiii  March,  l>'3y,  iimii  .1,-iirli,  l,-:!7.  .is  Vice  I'li'Miiri.i  nf  tin;  li>  I'lililic.  In  Ir2i.  Iwm: 
III  n  ■-'■<  \c;irs  I'ld,  n  ri-idi  nt  in  Alliriny,  and  a  Scniimr  rji  ct  nt  \Vii«liini'tnn,  lie  ivas  cliiis'.ii  hy  Ols''(;(>  cimrily  :i 
di'I'patc  to  the  Siatf  Convpntion  to  anicnd  ilir  Conrtniilion. 

la  til"'  t'.  S,  S'liati'.  Iir  .-iiii|i>n!i'il  li.  M.  .lnlin'^iin's  vi  ly  |io|>nl;ir  and  hiun.'U.i'  iiroposilion,  t(.  alidisli  ini|iii.-"r 
nil  Mt  lor  doht,  a'ld  u.iimd  imlilii'  ajUirolialKin  by  mi  dnins  — .Noiili  t.nd  nllicr  ciiilors  rnp\  m;;  In-  sjifcrlics,  on  l.i,- 
and  III.- I'lt'i-lMr.il  law,  iiHiri;  i  >;|iri,illy  tlii' Intitr.  Iiy  n  lursl  iIhoukIi  Jcs.-e  ll.ivt.  or  somi.'  oilier  t.illii'vcr.  ll- 
\viis  fir  :-oiiii!  linn!  clniiiinnn  id'  liir  Jiid;(iar>'  rKimiiU'i"-  tint  liis  |iro;io^iiiiins  Im  impimi  jni'in.  like  ilir  :ip|i.iir- 
nil  nt  oCr.'inoy  nml  otliiT".  (lid  lit'li- Hood.     ilc'.  ■   liavi.'  Ini'ii  lor   kirimn;  tlif    ini'Milnr.s  ol'  llir  Sn|iri'iin 

Ciiiirl  on  the  Ciiriiil!!,  U'liili'  in  lliis  stale  tin  r.nd  in-  |' n.j  .si.'paraied  111"  nppellaie  jiiri.Mlielioii  aliojii'lliiT  iVoni  ll,. 
(.iroiiit  and  jury  liusini'SP.  lie  .ery  justly  lerro- d  tlie  i>.  wer  ol'  imppMrhiin  in.  tit  Wa.^liinuloii,  "tin:  .-vhi-i  rri/i- 
ol'  ill.'  coiifiitMlion."  In  IS;;:;,  V.ir,  Hiirun  I'Pl —  n  '.  '  .iiis's  adiiiini^lralnin  w  In  n  it  proposi  d  tnseinl  r(iiiiiiii..'.<inn 
er."  or  .-i.e  nts  to  the  nmL'rorsat  I'annina.  Ki.i  :in.oinieiits.  and  llio«(!  oi'  l'ie-.idin'  PnIK  mo  mil  niiiiJi  in  iircordairf 
\\'ilti  llic  » ii'U -^  ol'ilie  laller  us  111  nniMiitf-rlerenie  in  oin  (lay.  C'linloii  wa^  a  griMt  Irieiid  lo  iniirnnl  inipinv. 
III!  lis,  liy  llie  ^'i-mral  ^''ivirniiieiii  ('lav,  .Adnnis,  i  iillunin.  \'an  Rnrcn,  .Mdnillir,  aiirl  oilnr  men  ol'  Hie  deirr; 
eraiir  p.vtv,  had  Ill-en  so— lint  oti  the  I'.itli  of  I)i  leinlier.  I,-','.'),  V.ni  linieii  nlli-Mil  res.i|iiiiiii,<,  drr'arins  '  li,,: 
<'iint'rc.-s  docs  not  possiss  llie  power  to  make  mads  ;iiiil  innnls  vvilhin  tlie  n  speriive  stales."  lie  li.nl  jiist  ni  : 
tin;  (lisrovcry.  it  iieliis,  lhiiii:;li  liis  new  li;.dit  did  mil  i  .vlrnd  to  Imhid  r.ii;i.'ri-i«  rroiri  xo.ini;  any  niiinlier  ol'  Ihnu 
f-andn  i.fd  ili;irs  In  iiinkf-  a  liarlior  .Tt  Os«r;;ii,  where  lit  li.'is  a  valnalile  proiiniy  ihai  i  .itiie  i  a>y  to  liirii,  II'  \',r 
Unren  was  ^me  tli.il  ilie  l.'niied  Stales  conld  not  lawl'iillj  vialic  ilie  toad-^,  imw  i-,  ii  ili.ii  I  liiid  l.ini  voMng  m  i.l- 
hi  nate  t'l  o.micI  loll ;  on  the  (.'iiniliprlnnd  roail  !  Stmnce,  indii'  d,  tha'  ii  is  iiinawriil  lo  make  ilic  mnd  iImII'.  ,i;  ; 
yei  lawful  lo  estalih-li  toll  hnrs  on  it,  and  e,\ait  perpetual  i;iialioii,  ailer  yon  li-'ivc  made  it  in  dctinia-c  of  all  lii« 
i'ri-sident  Mnnroe  kept  him  ii;:lil  in  prartioo.  lor  ho  voioed  Ins  lirnpike  toll  aet. 

♦  I  iiiiglii  nil  a  vuliiiiK!  with  evidence  of  the  lii  artf'ilt  lios:iliiy  lo  im  n  of  Ion  ^n  hirih,  u  I  Mi  Van  Bnr'ii  and  hi- 
eonl'edernii  s  have  trn  d  to  eomcal  since  ilie  :idv(-iil  ol  J.ickson  and  demise  ol'  (.'jinion,  'J'lie  followiiij;  i  xn.ir 
from  Van  Bnren's  leitcr  lo  {Jiinsevoort  Melville,  of  llitli  Mnrcli  lf<l-1,  sounds  oiidly,  wlieii  redd  wilh  some  oilia 
jmssatres  in  Ihis  wnrk  ; 

"  Diivcn  I  mill  ill  fated  Ireiand  and  ilsoppri»tii'ns,  111?  family  of  Gen,  Jackson  sought  lefiice  in  lliis  nnw  hap; 
eonntry.  where,  alter  a  biief  senson  llley  were  unhappily  a(!»'n  .'ubjetted  ti  ilie  same  » \ils  I'loni  wliicli  they  In: 
in  vain  liopc<l  to  cscuik!.  Ii  was  Honn  alier  llicir  arrnni  and  Mime  years  before  tlie  commencement  of  the  w. 
wliieii  grew  out  of  Ihe  oppressive  i-ondinl  nf  the  motlior  connliy,  ili.'it  the  liiiuro  hero  and  stntesmnn  win  her: 
A  w.'nesh  of  the  stliriiid  scenes  of  thai  sanguinary  coiilesi,  and  to  snine  exieni  a  pRriicipalorln  its  slruiigles,  hi  ■'■ 
iha.  ei-.tly  aite,  like  his  illustrious  co-worker  In  tho  great  cause  of  huiiiui  rigliu,  '  aworc  ctuiial  enmity  tu  cvmy 
kind  of  tyranny  over  ilie  mind  of  man.' '' 

1b  not  tills  Ihe  very  es.-'en'-e  of  hy|X)crisy  ? 


ported  1  '3l 
.wick,  nu'  ':.ii 
■follow!''-',  i^rli 

replicu  oy  a  I 
■1  laid  aside  it 
;  contained,  by 

[ 

•Mr.  Van  Hi 

liiiii.  personal  si 
'ihiseliappeii  to 
jr,:licr  Ikand,  thei 
iassuredly  be  pusi 
,i:;  nothing  ill  hh 

trill  be  actuatfd 
'•  We  infer  ll.i 
'v\  peace  or  war 
jM-hicli  Mi'.  Vat 
■\tillniiit  till'  aid 
"WI-IARE.^ 
;,\  TuI'AL  AW. 
\k>  iiueiUly  belli. 
ii's  losses,  siiii'c;  i 

livpoihesis.  HI 
?SLLF-SACIUI'' 

KIGHT  AS  8 

jAXDbCUKMi 

\     "  It  I.S,  therelb 

Uritaiii  shall   Ik 

luay  be  pruvokev 

Southwick' 

.intimacy,  [p.i 

ahe  followiii. 

:  ^'ev»  York  1 

■'  Mr.  Van  V, 

wxi  no  iirtiliei; 
■  code  id"p.)li!ii 
politieal  aefiim- 
tbroc  of  iiiaiiii; 
(iDNblRAL  I'J 
t'Ht:  MASS!-, 
RIPPER  li^lCl 
iioinena  neve, 
piihlie  opiiiiiiti; 
i'e|iieneiuatives 
iii'iaiii  easy  nil 
He  b'-loii'ifs  wl 
OR  BUSlNKSi 

ITS  s  rRicrt: 

BLNATION. 
in  peraon." 

The  liistor 

other  iu::titut 

mint],  that  hi' 

the  captain  o 

S  democracy, 

3  impoverish,  i 

If  the  nat 


f-llRJ 


THE  TRIHH. 

iivonijon  of  1821, 
(,v   s'lc'  vas  Van 

<liat  ii :•  tliwovtud 
'  '"h.-iactcr  of  the 

\voii..J  i^jji'ei  the 
uOi>i  Ihi!  polls  all 

iinwearioil  in  his 
ic  for  education ! 
le  day,  tliat  duriri" 
ever  knew  him  to 

public  good,  but 
Pinont,  he  (V.  B.) 
s  letter  io  Hoyt, 
lave  avoid  :;d  the 
of  '08,  bui  as  the 
appointment."! 


ul  Miircij,  fiiendiii 
il. — Ciawjord  and 
(tnd  ^Marshall  on 
,M.  Nixih  on  Jack- 
Hon  to  Jiiddle  jot 

Charles  Kinsj,  the 
d  in  1813  and  sup- 

.  v.,  in  I'Vhrimrv,  IH'il,  mv 
i  llip  17ili  coimri'ss,  on  ili' 
lv.>H'   1111(1  nl'lfi  Avnril.s|i: 
ll.lMililli-.     Ill    1,-21,  lie  1 1:; 
:li(i.s'.M  liy  0;si't;(i  coiiniy  i 

silioM.  (f.  iihilisli  iiii|Hi.-or 

|iyii!R  111,  sjiiM'rIiPM,  on  iti„ 

SulMC    lllllcr     t.llUl'.VIT.       II' 

iiiM  jiic'iii,  like  till'  MpjiMir' 
llll'llllll'l.-.  Ill'  lllr  Slipri'Mii 
ilicliiiii  ;iliO!;rllii-i  rniiii  il,. 
sl:iliUtiili,  "  llii:  fiirr  tTuc 
Oposi  ll  tnKl'lill  rdiimii^.-'inn 
no  mil  Mini  II  in  iirciirilauft 
rii;iiil  Ul  inn  iinl  iiiiiunvn 
I  otlhT  turn  III'  Hli'  ili'iiin 
I'-jilmliiMS  di'ilariiij.'  '  llni 
iiies."  Ill-  li"il  jiitl  ni  "It 
iini;  liny  niiinlifr  ol'  Ihnii 
:imr  1  ii-y  M  liim.  If  Vnii 
i.ii  I  lihil  I. nil  voiing  in  ih' 
p  iiiiiki'  llif:  Mind  lUi  11'.  aiJ 
Jc  It  111  dchniicc  111' all  law 

,  \\\  il  II  Van  FJiirin  ami  Iw 
II.  The  followiiiR  i  jtimf 
liiiii  nnd  will!  MDiiie  iilliif 

t  irfuRn  in  lliio  now  ha|i|" 
I  Ails  t'loni  ulilcli  lliey  li«l 
iiriniinri^ment  of  (lie  wv 
o  fliid  euileiiiiinii  win  licr 
ipator  \n  its  slrutigles,  he  :'> 
)rc  clcfiiai  enmity  to  e»«ry 


CHARACTERS  OF  VAN  BUREN  BV  HIS  OLD  FRIENDS. 


73 


po'tpd  '  J3l9,  as  U.  S.  Senator  fi.  ^'<  •  York,  and  who,  like  Solomon  South- 
wick,  na;'  '  -f^  *■■  *  lient  means  of  ascertaining  Van  Buren's  true  character,  the 

'following  article.  The  Albany  Ari/ns  copied  it  on  the  7th  of  that  month,  and 
replied  by  a  torrent  of  abuse  against  King,  for  which  Croswell  was  prosecutoU. 
I  laid  aside  that  number  of  the  Argus,  ,r.id  resolved  to  judge  ot  the  chai-jjeii  it 

Icontained,  by  reference  to  facts  only. 

[From  iho  \.  y.  .\iiiciican— cniiied  into  ilir  Albimy  Argus,  April  7th,  1840.]  , ." 

;  "Mr.  Vau  15nren  i.s  a  party  p)litiri;ui  nvrpl'.-.  He  has  never  been  an^thiuj^  else;  and  to 
ijiiin.  pewon'i'  sue(•e.-!^;.  an.l  the  success  nf  liiri  j)arty,  are  the  lirut  consiileration  always.  K 
Itjicje  napppii  to  coincide  with  the  publii;  wcl/.an^,  the  l\v>  will  h?  proiiiofi'il  together:  if,  on  the 
'(;:licr  hand,  they  should  eonlliet,  as  ino  inuch  tlicy  have  dune,  the  public  welfare  \/ould  mont 
'a-isuredlv  bu  po.sipone.l  or  disvoi^'ai-  le;!.  Sich  has  bocn  .\Ir.  Van  Htiren's  past  career,  and  there 
i:;  nothing  in  his  chacacler  or  [)r/]itiL'al  morality,  to  authorize  an  expectation  that  the  future 
uill  be  actuated  by  any  liiirher  motivcH. 

'•  AVe  inter  ILerefoie,  au.l  we  ,•'  ;;c  the  atteatinn  ot'lhe  public  to  this  position,  that  the  question 
(if  peace  or  war  withUreat  Jirilaiii  iii.iy.  at  ihi-;  ni  nni'ni.  iiiainly  turn  upon  the  calculations 
M  hi(.h  Mr.  Van  '('.iin^u  nii  i  his  iViends  may  luaivi",  a.-;  I.)  ihe  ciiances  of  his  re-election  with  or 
Milliniii  the  aid  of  a  war. 

"  W!':  AWE  AWAliK  Til  A'i'  TI  ri.>  H  VP(  Ti'divSIS  IMPUTES  TO  MR.  VAN  BUREN 

,\  I'olWL  Ar.Si';X('!':  Ol'  .M(>itAl..PlLl.\C.'il'Ll':,  and  pjcsenls  him  in  the  light  of  a  man 

;(.,j  im.enily  l)eui.  upon  his  own  siu/ce-s,  as  lo  p'.ay  I'oi'  it  flu.'  despciato  hazard  of  war,  with  all 

j'^  losse-^sulic.  iiigs,  and  riime;  h\\'.  we  ii'pi'af,  the  past  liislnrv  of  this  gentleman  justifies  the 

hvpoihcsi.s.     ilK  HAS  Xi )  ( (K.Ni'U<")rS  A.VlBlTlON—.NO'.VOBLIi,  DISINTERESTED,  . 

sSLLF-SACRll'ICiNG     PATillU  I'lSM— NO    i^NTlUJ.SIAS.M    l-'OR    TRUTH     AND 

RIGHT  AS  srinsTANTlVi;    VillTLiES.     HE  IS   A   PULITIC^AL  CALCUioATOR 

,|A.N'D  SCHEMER.  A.\D  NOTHING  MORE. 

I  •'  It  IS,  therefore,  not  unjiis!  tu  him,  as  we  view  Ids  eliaraeier,to  insist,  that  if  war  with  Great 
jUritain  shall  hold  uut  a  probability  of  sustaining  tlie  pirsfnt  administration  in  power,  war 
liiiay  be  provoked." 

*  Southwick's  opinion  of  Van  Duron,  after  many  years  of  personal  and  political 
intimacy,  [p. 263,)  is  essentially  the  same;  and  Mr.  Bryant,  in  1841,  placed 
the  following  description  of  an  ex-president  under  the   editorial  head  of  the 

irs'ew  York  Evcninij  Pimt^  as  a  conmiuuicaiiou  : 

.  'Mr.  Van  lUiren  FIAS  LirrLi:  .MOltAL  I'Ai  TH  Oh'  ANY  KIND:  barely  enongh  to 
iv.io  I  no  arlitieial  t'\idiatio!i  i>f  binly  or  uuiid.  Tliis  I'n'iii  jirvy  di'ves  him  into  an  artincial 
rude  uf  p. jlitieal  praeiii'e,  ie.  wliieh  he  \vX"\-:i  all  -  leial  aeiimis  In  individual  intcrcsis,  and  all 
political  actions' to  comliinatinns  of  those  inie'csis.  HE  MI^LiJ'; VEli  EIRMLVIN  THE 
t'oirc  of  management,  or  tin;  UOOL,  t'(  ).\,S1I>!:!!  A'' E,  AlM'i-^l'L  APPEK.'ATION  OF 
(iDNERAL  PROl'OSirioNS  I'O  THi:  EXh-'T'lNc;  'I'KMPEl^  A.ND  OPINIONS  OF 
'I'HE  MASSES.  ;is  fir  :,s  duse  em  be  ase-it.iin- '.  and  WITHOITT  ANY  F-EADING 
REFERENCE  TO  THEIR  PltOPRIETV  or  durabilitv.  His  -cnerali/ation  ..i"  soeipl  phe- 
irimena  nevur  reaches  so  far  as  to  A  MORAL  POWER,  Olt  NECESbARV  TRUTH  in 
public  opinion;  but  he  simply  ii<*als  with  ilie  eulh'ud^i'  opinions  of  meii,  as  manifeijted  bv  the 
i'e|)rese)itaiivos,  or  utlier'.visc  c  iii^ji'-uoiis  iii.lividii.'ds  iVoai.  or  among  the  pcojih",  liy  meann  of 
ei'i'taiii  c.isy  I'lilcN  anali'gnus  fii  ,i,d  lit' m,  si|b!i'ae!iiin,  tiHilliuiieiiiinn  and  division  in  arithntetie. 
HebeliiugswhoUvl.ithe  pre.sMiiiime  A.ND  ^\^\  RE  S.VID TO  RI'.PRESENT  TRADING 
OR  BUSINESS  POEI  TK.'S,  HE  (S  THE  V  I.RV  IMPERSONATION  OP  V  \RTY  IN 
ITS  STRIO'lTvST  I'lIA  TURES  OF  KOHMAE  I)l?,riPLINE  ANDEXCLISI  .  E  COM- 
BINATION. Ho  i-'  i.eretyiiiii'.ius,  pulile,  ri-^ei'.i;  1  in  mannei-,  very  small,  and  extremely  neat 
in  pci'son." 

The  history  of  \ aw  Bureirs  connection  with  the  Ignited  States  Bank,  and 
other  in:;tilutions  dealing  in  money,  will,  1  think,  satisfy  every  candid,  inquiring 
mind,  that  he  is  the  artful,  unprincipled,  political  calculator,  abo.e  described — 
the  captain  or  chief  of  a  band  of  hypocritical  knaves,  who  assume  the  garb  of 
democracy,  and  the  name  of  j)a!.riniti,  ti;e  better  and  more  eHeclually  to  deceive, 

I  impoverish,  and  injure  the  public. 

I     If  the  nader  will  turn  to  page  190.  he  will  find  by  Van  Buren's  letter,  of 


t,'f 


"■::^''^m 


•f.'. 


i 


',*■.• 


A 


hil 


74 


VAN  BVRBN  AND  CO.  AS  CHAMPIONS  OP  THE  U.  S.  BANK. 


it 


January  31,  1823,  that  the  Albany  Argus,  which  had  been  in  the  hands  of  his 
brother'in-law,  Cantine,  was  considered  by  him  as  the  stronghold  ot  his  party, 
and  that  he  had  in  it  a  pecuniary  as  well  as  a  political  interest.     "  Without  a 

PAPER   THUS    EDITED    IN    ALBANY,    WE  MAY    HANG    OUR    HARPS  ON  THE   WILLOWS, 

With  it,  the  party  can  survive  a  thousand  such  convulsions,"  says  Van 
Buren  to  his  confederate,  Jesse  Hoyt  ;*  whom  he  instructed  at  the  same  time, 
with  reference  to  the  qualifications  of  the  new  editor  to  be  sought  after.  Leake, 
Cantine's  partner,  was,  as  Hammond  tells  us,  "  in  feeble  health,  and  of  an  ex- 
tremely nervous  temperament ;  so  much  so  as  quite  unfitted  him  for  the  politi- 
cal arena  of  Albany  ;" — but  B.  F.  Butler,  Jesse  Hoyt,  John  Duer,  and  others, 
persuaded  Edwin  Croswell,  an  editor  at  Catskill,  to  allow  himself  to  be  nomi- 
nated in  the  legislature  as  state  printer;  and  a  law  passed  the  senate  and 
assembly,  March  31,  1823,  appointing  Croswell  and  Leake  to  that  lucrative 
office,  which  Croswell  has  held  from  that  day  to  this,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  brief  months  of  the  term  when  the  whigs  were  in  the  majority  ;  and  this 
is  a  proof  that  Van  Buren's  war-cry  of  rotation  in  office,  is,  like  his  other 
political  machinery,  false  and  hypocritical,  in  mockery  and  derision  of  the  un- 
derstanding of  his  countrymen. 

Hammond  truly  describes  Croswell  as  "  cool,  cautious,  and  calculating." 
Peruse  his  instructions  to  Noah,  sent  through  Hoyt,  No.  129,  page  195,  how 
to  help  forward  Crawford,  the  native  candidate,  the  minority  congressional 
caucus  candidate,  the  United  States  Bank  candidate  of  1824.  What  could  be 
more  artful  and  deceptive  1  B.  F.  Butler's  epistle,  perhaps  ;  written  two  days 
before  Croswell's,  to  the  same  person,  and  for  the  same  purpose.  [No.  51,  p. 
168.] 

We  have  seen  that  Butler  and  his  partner,  Van  Buren,  with  Campbell,  Cros- 
well, Wright,  Hoyt,  Noah,  Livingston,  Barker,  Lot  Clark,  Flagg,  Marcy,  Skin- 
ner, Knower,  Eaton,  Van  Ness,  Ritchie,  Forsyth,  Barbour,  Holmes  of  Maine, 
and  Cann.hreleng,  were,  in  1824,  in  the  front  rank  of  the  supporters  of  W.  H. 
Crawford  for  President,  in  opposition  to  Jackson.  In  the  fall  of  that  year,  just 
before  the  general  election,  a  series  o^"  sketches,  laudatory  of  Crawford,  and 
advocating  his  superior  claims  to  the  presidency,  over  Clay,  because,  in  1811, 
and  at  all  other  times,  he  had  defended  the  principle  of  a  national  bank,  on  the 
ground  that  it  was  both  useful  and  constitutional,  appeared  in  the  Albany  Argus. 

It  matters  little  who  wrote  the  sketches,  signed  Americanos,  and  probably 
penned  by  B.  F.  Butler,  w)io  helped  Croswell  in  the  editorial  way,  in  these  times, 
as  Flagg  and  Dix  have  done  in  more  recent  contests ;  their  importance  arises 
from  the  facts,  ti  at  they  iipjx'ared  in  the  paper  of  Van  Buren,  his  mouth-piece 
and  property,  and  were  delibtuately  endorsed  by  his  editor,  as  being  the  senti- 
ments of  Van  Buren  democracy  in  1824.  Here  is  the  endorsement  by  the 
Argus  ;  and  the  editors  of  tlw  National  intelligencer  (always  for  the  bank) 
copied  it,  OcJ.  26  ;  gave  it  their  "  full  concurrence,"  and  in  those  days  announ- 
ced, that  ,??artin  Van  Buren  was  a  "  veteran  republican." 

frroiii  the  Albany  Arjius,  October  lHJ-1  I 
"Wea.^kihc  alttMtion  of  Republieaiis  tu  llic  sixth  nuinbt-r  of  the  Sketches,  myt  because 

■  "  One  of  the  cnriinn'  ''iiliircg  nf  ri  Dotnucriiry  is  rutation  in  office,  nnd  whrrc  n  man  like  tlv;  Editor  of  the 
Ari{ii»,  hsB  for  cinf  ;('i<ii  y.-ri-.,  we  br'lii've,  sipaneil  th<'  cnciriimiis  ilircct  iin'ome  of  that  nppniiitiiivtit,  wllliout 
r'"fi!r<'lici:  to  the  iMf1ire''t  :i'U  uitmrcs  of  his  pnliticiil  |io>iiion.  hf  must  I)h  the  br.nii  ideal  of  iiu'iiniies.<i  pud  avarlci", 
ill  att?tripihi|;  i  siiowilia;  'le  is  (nosfriliiil  in  IiIm  reninvsl.  If  he  hns  not  fed  limp  eiinuKli  at  fh'!  public  crib, 
th'-n  the  iloctriii''  of  m'ntiun  iii  i.(fi(  "  Is  iiiitc  ilicepiloii.  liisiil^  s,  the  dflire  wiis  'iriRlniilly  iihiiini  d  for  him  by 
inei»nni-r.<  nnil  trvkiTy.  i  was  n'riiiimteil  hv  ii  Di'iiuo'rniii'  l.eirislature  an  Slate  Priiitrr,  hut  Van  Riiren  npprc- 
hendi'ie  that  1  would  not  answer  his  ohjerts  iind  iiiientic.ns,  wi  Jes«i"  Hoyt  and  other  tools  at  work  and  dcfeatnd 
me,  ' ml  hroilEht  II  Croswell,  ilien  •■aiilnc  a  paper  at  Catskill,  and  he  was  ilecti'd  with  no  other  claims  than 
nu',.!  subserviency  ;.■  the  views  oiln^-  lendir.  Croswell's  nanir  was  afterwards  incorporated  In  the  Revinod  L«wi 
■■SH  StMe  Printer,  inf  ndlag  to  confer  I'l'  nlhce  nn  Mini  f>r  life."— .V.  .If.  .V(xi*-.V,  Y.  F.vrning  .SMr,  IfflS. 


i 


It  is  the  last,  bi 
affairs,  a  pecu] 
assure  hini,  thi 
c(  reason  and 
HONEST  OJ 
"lis  way  is  his.' 

I  will  no^^ 
uf  American^ 
Seaton  copii 
Van  Buren's 
HONEST  c 

[i 
"  It  is  undaw 
for  various  i»ja 
probable  thrat  tl 
cf  a  majority  o 
politioal,  and  i 
mere  party  gic 
quciices.  All 
ile«iands.     On 

I^JiCLUSIVELY  P 
taFLES,  OR  ANY 

nectcd  with  ina 
AS  THE  Wl 
PROBABLY ] 
.VEW  BANK' 

*  In  February,  1 

H.  was  unconsutui 

Mr.  Monrou,  in 

tbat  "  until  the  ui 

Rank,  otlicnvise  t 

induced  inu  to  ron 

the  war  in  Itil."). 

'ir>t  instance.  I  w: 

it'ict  one.     In  the 

In  December,  l^ 

.1  Ingersol.  in  the 

iiisinber  of  the  Sc 

witliout  any  prci  u 

1811.    Since  tliHt 

was  Seen  tary  ol  i 

utility  of  a  Hank  u 

man,  whatever  hit 

impressed  witli  th 

Mr.  .Allen,  of  Oh 

I  recollect  llial  thi 

iiiiiipil  d  National 

,  ihe  first  Bank ;  wl 

i  on  constitiitn'nal  p 

\  Cnurt.  with  .Inhn  : 

'lian  all  uilh  some 

Ceiiiocraiir,  w.u  [ 

parly  triumph,  1  c< 

In  Ifiti,  in  a  letti 

Rank  charter,  iii  \f 

'  The  Ktt,  origin 

eral  branches  of  th 

:uiaual  legiKlutive 

"ilh  the  entire  aci 

milled  a  decreasing 

Miiuiion.     A  veto 

almost  necetslty  ol 

precedent)!  ainoiinl 

In  1HI9,  (he  qiu" 


■NK. 

le  hands  of  his 
d  of  his  party, 
"  Without  a 
the  willows, 
Ns,"  says  Van 
the  same  time, 
t  after.    Leake, 
,  and  of  an  ex- 
n  for  the  politi- 
ler,  and  others, 
elf  to  be  nomi- 
the  senate  and 
,o  that  lucrative 
exception  of  a 
ority ;  and  this 
,  like  his  other 
ision  of  the  un- 

id  calculating." 
,  page  195,  how 
,y  congressional 
What  could  be 
^vritten  two  days 
[)se.  [ISo.  51,  p. 

Campbell,  Cros- 
;g,  Marcy,  Skin- 
ohnes  of  Maine, 
orters  of  W.  H. 
)f  that  year,  just 

Crawford,  and 
(ecause,  in  1811, 
nal  bank,  on  the 

Albany  Argus. 
as,  and  probably 
y,  in  these  times, 
mportance  arises 

his  mouth-piece 
j  being  the  senti- 
[>rs«ment  by  the 
for  the  bank) 
ixse  days  announ- 


Jketchcs,  iu)l  because 

like  ilv!  Editor  of  the 
t  nppoiiitiiitiil,  without 
f  iiit'iinness  riitl  avarlci", 
iin\i|ili  at  th'!  public  crib, 
illy  iilriiinxl  for  him  by 
r,  hut  Van  Rurcn  npprf- 
)ls  at  work  and  dcfeain'l 
h  no  other  clninis  than 
itrd  In  the  Revised  L»wi 
irninjr  .Sfnr,  1839. 


REOENCV  BANK  POLITIC*  IM  1824. 


76. 


|tlsthclast,but  because  it  has  intrinsic  worth,  and,  In  the  present  posture  of  our  V^'^  j^csl 
affairs  a  peculiar  interest.  In  parting  with  the  author,  and  with  his  productions,  we  ''^  o^iy 
assurc'hini,  that  IF  UNDENIABLE  AND  COGENT  TRUTHS,  conveyed  in  th'^  languags 
of  reason  and  candor,  ably  and  cleaily  a^  it  ha.s  been  in  this  instajice,  CAN  CONFIRM 
HONEST  OPINIONS,  or  remove  honest  prejudices,  the  satisfaction  of  havii ^  ^r^,^  ^^^  i„ 
•his  way  iskii." 

I  will  now  give  the  reader  a  specimen  of  the  "  undeniabP^  ^nd  cogent  truths  " 
of  Americanus  in  the  Albany  Argus  of  Oct.,  1824,  wl-^,ch  Messrs.  Gales  and 
Seaton  copied  on  the  11th  of  that  m'^nth  ;  and  wb-^h  are  calculated,  as  Mr. 
Van  Buren's  cautious,  cool,  and  calculating  moutV,»piece  tells  us,  to  "  confirm 
HONEST  opinions,  or  remove  HQtfifEST  pre^'ddices :" 

[Froui  the  Albany  Argui,  co'/ed  Into  the  N»*j6iial  Int«lU|«ucer,  Oct.  U,  liU] 
"  It  is  undowbtedly  true  that  a  m?,jority  of  the  republican  party  in  the  Union  were  [in  1811], 
for  various  I'jasons,  opposed  to  a,  renewal  of  the  [United  States  Bank]  Charter ;  and  it  is  also 
probable  tl»at  the  opinions  of  tiiose  who  voted  in  its  favor  were  at  variance  with  the  sentimenta 
cf  a  majority  of  the  nation.  Furfhennorc_,  the  oppoaition  to  the  bank  was,  in  a  great  degree, 
pt'liticial,  and  many  linii  members  of  the  dcmocira'dc  party  deprecated  its  renewal,  either  on 
mere  party  grounds,  or  because  they  viewed  it  as  a  measure  fraught  vnth  pernicious  conse- 
quc»ces.  All  this  I  cheerfully  admit,  and  surely  it  is  all  that  the  most  stubborn  impaitiality 
(le»ands.     On  the  other  hand,  i  r  i.s  not  true  that  the  opposition  to  the  bank  bill  v<'as 

EOkCLUSIVELY    POM  rii.AL,  OR  THAT  ITS  SCPPORT  INVOLVED  ANY  DERELICTION  OP  REPUBLICAN  PRIN- 

CIPLK8,  OK  ANY  ADANDdNMENT  OP  TUB  ADMINISTRATION.  On  the  contrarv,  the  subject  was  con- 
nected with  many  grave  questions  of  constitutional  law  and  political  economy,  AND,  SO  FAR 
AS  THE  WISIU^S  OF  MR.  IVLVDISON  WERE  CONCERNED,  THEY  WOULD 
PROBABLY  HAVE  BEEN  BEST  ANSWERED  BY  THE  INCORPORATION  OF  A 
NEW  BANK*  on  a  judicious  bat-is.     And  if  any  further  evidence  Ls  required  ot  the  views  of 

*  In  February,  IT'Jl,  Mi .  Jril(.T!»<jii  delivered  ;iii  elaborate  oplniou  »liow  ing  that  an  incorpnraiftl  Bank  of  the  U. 
H.  was  uncont^ututionnl. 

Mr.  Monrou,  in  u  IctH'r  to  Silas  U.  Burrows,  datwl  3m-  W,  J831,  stntis,  that  he  hiul  touml,  hiring  the  last  war. 
ibat  "until  the  union  is  thr(,'iuene»l  with  ruin,  no  lo«ns  can  be  obtained  in  enienrcMicic.  without  a  National 
Rtink,  otiierwisr  than  at  i'  i-reat  sficrificu.  Those  considerations  (said  lie;  led  to  a  thanee  in  my  opinion,  and 
iniluccd  me  to  c  onrur  vvilU  the  l»r<'sident  in  the  f>ropriety  of  instituting  such  a  baiiK,  niter  the  conclusion  of 
the  war  in  Ittlii.  As  to  the  lunsiitutional  objeot'.on,  it  formed  no  serious  obstacle.  Iii  voting  against  it  In  thn 
'ir^l  instance,  1  was  cciverni.l  <'S>eMlially  by  pc'iicy.  'J"he  construction  I  gave  tu  the  constitution  I  considered  a 
it'ictone.     In  the  latter  inslance  it  whs  more  lilHinil,  but,  accurdinsj  to  my  judgment,  justiiieil  liy  its  jwwers." 

In  December,  1^:11,  \\  ici  II.  Crnwtbrd.  Oambrelenp,  Wright  and  Van  Buren's  iHvorite  in  lf^2i.  wrote  to  Chas. 
,1.  Ingcrsol,  in  these  words  :--"  The  ojjinion  which  I  ibrnied  nf  the  Bank  of  the  Uiiii<il  (iuites  when  I  was  a 
iiieuiber  of  the  [Senate,  was  th.»  result  of  a  carcl'ul  exaininKlion  of  the  Conslitutiou  ol'  the  I'nitcd  Slates,  made 
without  any  precumeived  opiaioiis.  That  opinion  is  recorded  in  two  speeches  which  I  maile  in  the  Senate  in 
IHII.  Since  that  time  I  hftvo  ha*!  no  occa.si()n  of  reviewin  '  the  ((uestion.  .My  opimuti  rr^ninins  unaltered.  I 
w;is  Secntary  of  the  Treasury  f-ioro  than  eight  years,  and  during  that  tune  1  had  ample  evidence  of  the  great 
iiiility  of  a  Bank  of  the  Initi-d  States,  in  managing  the  fiscal  concerns  of  the  Union.  I  am  persuaded  that  no 
man,  whatever  his  pre-con'^eived  opinion  may  be.  can  preside  over  the  treasury  a  ye.'ir.  vvirlumt  being  deeply 
iiauiessed  with  the  evpediein.y  of  the  I'nited  States  Bank  ui  conducting  the  tinances  of  the  Union." 

Mr.  .Allen,  of  Ohio,  mi  iIw  II.  ot  R.,  Washliiglon,  June,  1840,  in  a  discussion  on  thesubtreasury,  said:  "  When 
I  recollect  that  thiily-l^^o  «f  the  tliirty-nine  franiers  of  the  Constitution,  at  one  time  or  another,  ofticially  su»- 
laiiied  J.  National  Bank,  aod  ihii  almost  one-half  of  the  thirty  nine  uetc  In  the  Congreis  of  '91  that  chartered 

•  ho  tirst  Bank  ;  when  1  rutoUccl  that  Washington,  and  JelTerson,  and  Madison,  and  Monrce  ;  and  last,  and  least 
til  constituUi'nal  jioin's,  Andrew  Jackson  himselt,  have  supported  such  an  Institution,  and  that  the  Supreme 

•  riurt,  with  .lohn  .Marbbull  nt  its  head,  alhrmed  it.>  constitutionality  ,  and,  too,  wha",  may  have  nioro  intiuenc* 
'\\An  all  with  some  geiiUciiitii  al«)ut  me,  when  I  recollect  th  \t  the  charier  of  the  late  Bank  was  passed  as  a 
Heiiiocradc,  w.ii  iiartv  measure,  against  the  votes  of  the  Federal  party,  and  that  Its  passage  was  esteemed  a 
party  irmniph,  I  could  notdunbt,  il  so  disposed,  that  we  have  nplitlully  the  power  to  make  ii  third  bank." 

In  IKtl,  in  a  letter  to  ('has.  J.  Inger.sol,  of  Pa.,  President  Madison  thus  states  his  n-aaons  lor  signing  the  U.  8. 
Punk  charter,  ui  181i>. 

'  The  act,  originally  establishing  the  Bank,  had  niMlergone  ample  discussions  In  its  passage  through  the  scv- 
ernl  branches  of  the  Cioveriiment.  It  had  licen  carriou  into  execution  ihroughont  a  period  of  twenty  years,  with 
niinual  legislative  recognitions  ;  In  one  insinnce,  indeed,  with  a  iiositive  raniilicatloii  ol  it  into  a  new  State,  and 
\\ith  the  entire  actiulescenc*  of  uU  the  local  authorities,  as  well  as  the  nation  at  large  ;  t>i  ail  of  which  may  be 
milled  a  decreasing  ^irospecl  of  any  change  in  the  public  opinion  adverse  to  the  c/insiitutlonallty  of  such  aii  In- 
Miiuoon.  A  veto  from  the  Executive,  under  these  rlrcuinstances,  with  an  ftdinlssion  ol  the  e.ipediency  and 
almost  necessity  of  the  moa.sure,  would  have  he«n  a  defiance  of  all  the  obllgntions  derived  lYom  a  course  of 
prccedenlH  amounting  to  the  requisite  evidence  of  the  national  judgment  and  Intention." 

in  ltil9,  the  question  of  th<>  constitutionality  of  the  Bank  of  the  United  Stntes  came  up  for  adjudication  la 


•••:■ 


W(. 


'■'  *', 


M\ 


.  ft' 

!i  I 


Q  i 


•|»-. 


';    .   1 


•^  :Sl 


76 


DEMOCRACY  TWENTY  YKAR8  SINCE- 


-'  THE  BANK  FOR  EVEr!* 


'i 


Jie  aaministration,  it  will  be  found  in  the  fact  that  ilie  Gecretary  of  tie  Treasury  [Albert  Galla- 
dn],  when  applied  tu  by  the  cummittce  of  the  Senate  for  his  opinion,  expressly  stated,  that  Ac 
deemed  a  rcnciral  <>J  Ike  Ikljik  us  csxnlndii/  neaaartj  to  the  t-'pcralions  oj  govcrnmci't, 

"  The  oppjsitiun  to  tlie  renewal  of  the  bank  grew  out  of  \-arious  considerations.  Many  were 
opp{ :  ?ci  to  the  Ujll  [of  Idl  IJ,  bccaiud  lucij  lync  of  ojpuilon  that  Congress  did  not  possess  the  consti- 
tnUional  pmver  t.o  pass  it ;  Ouiers,  because  tliey  thou;rht  it,  for  political  or  other  reas<-,'ns,  inexpe- 
dient and  dangerous-,  and  Oiher-j,  again,  on  both  grounus.  Mnni/  rcpjdiUcnns  supported  it  [I.] 
because  liLcy  dctmcci.  sioch  an  iiistitiUion  essential  t)  the  ir.icnsts  of  the  countrii,  and  (Jie  coiiveniinre 
of  the  guvcinmnut ;  an-.l  [2.)  hicavsc  t/iaj  iutd  /R'  dmiils  as  to  the  caiittilntiiwaiili/  of  the  measure. 
Mr.  Crawford  was  oueof  U;e  nunibor,  perhaps  the  most  proiniiient  of  the  class.  EXPERIENCE 
HAS  PROVED  THE  CORRECTNESS  OF  THE  FIRST  POSITION;  AND  THE 
PEOPLE,  tiirou?(i  tlieir  repiesentavives,  HAVE  REf^i'ONDED  IN  FAVOR  OF  THE 
OTHER. 

"  In  addition  to  these  general  views,  there  were  otlier?  ci'  a  special  character,  which  had  a 
bearing  on  the  questicn.  Jr.  various  parts  of  the  Union,  public  senlinifiit  wa.s  decidedly  in 
favor  of  the  renewal  of  the  charter ;  this  was  especially  ilic  case  in  the  smaller  Slates,  \vho.se 
interests  were  supposed,  by  the  advocates  of  tlie  bank,  to  be  somewhat  comcrncd  in  the  ques- 
tion. Her  ce,  both  the  republican  Senators  from  Georgia,  and  many  of  the  republicau  repre- 
sentatives from  other  small  St<itcs,  in  both  Houses,  volcd  for  the  bill.  And  il  has  never  been 
doubted  vhai  tlie  vote  of  Mr.  Crav.-ford  was  in  iLiici  ai;cordance  with  the  opinions  and  wWies 
of  his  constituents. 

"  It  is  well  knomi  t^uii  the  experience  (f  the  cainttry,  duriiii^'  the  late  lear  vilh  Urrat  lin/ain, 
wrought  a  change  iy.  the  feelings  of  tAc  naJiuv,  on  several  important  questions  of  public  iwlioy. 
THE  EXPEDIE.\CY  OF  A  NATIONAL  n.ANK  IS  AMONG  THE  NUMBER;  and, 
whatever  opinions  may  have  prevailed  in  1811,  i;  will  not  derotratc  at  this  time  trom  the 
character  of  Mr.  Crawford  as  :i  statesman,  to  have  FORESEEN  THE  NECESSITY  OF 
PRESERVING  THAT  ORGAN  (tP  TIIK  GOVERNMENT,  AND  TO  HAVE  ANTI- 
CIPATED, IN  THIS  RESPECT,  THE  JUDGMENT  OF  THE  NATION." 

To  ihi.s  clefoiice  u'  Cra'A  ford  anil  tho  Bank,  lliore  is  a  note  added,  to  say  that 
"  Mr.  Adams  was  not  a  nifinber  of  congits.s  at  the  determination  of  this  que.s- 
tion  [Ibll  |.  Ilud  hn  been  tliere  is  the  highest  reason  to  believe  that  he  would 
have  voted  for  tht;  renewal  of  the  [U.  S.  JJank]  cliarter. " 

As  the  Albamj  Arrjv.s  for  l!>:24  is  not  in  the  slate  library,  it  is  probable  that 
in  i,l'  the  discussions  of  the  bank  question  since  1S2S,  the  above  strong  declara- 
tion of  Van  iiuren  lor  the  U.  S.  Biiuk,  has  not  before  been  quoted.  The  Argus 
atfirms,  tlial  ''  ex|)erience  has  [)roved  "  that  a  national  bank  is  "  essential  to  the 
interests  of  the  countty  and  the  convenience  of  the  governmeht  ;"  tliat  the 
people  have  responded  that  the  bank  is  constiUitioiuil — tlial  the  experience  of 
the  nation  during  the  lat»  war,  (through  bank  suspensions  and  bank  losses,)  had 
changed  the  national  feeling  in  favor  of  the  expediency  of  a  national  bank — and 
that  Crawford's  w  sdom  had  enabled  him  to  foresee,  what  Clay  had  aot  then 
seen,  "  the  necessity  of  preserving  that  organ  of  the  governinent,"  in  which  he 

llie  Supreme  Court  nf  the  I'^-ited  States,  in  Wxf  cii.<e  of  McruUocli  vs.  i)io  State  ot"  Maryland.  The  cHUse  \\n% 
elaliorntely  arpued.  wnd  in  iIik  Suprciiie  Court  of  the  U.  S.  thiuf  Justice  Marshall  delivered  the  Judtmienl  of 
Ihe  court,  as  tnllouv  [■!  U'h.'atnn,  SIG.] 

"  Alter  the  iiidsi  niiiinre  driiuer;itinii,  it  Is  the  unanirnntu  iind  decided  (i]iinion  of  thlt  court  lliat  the  ncl  to 
InrorporRte  n  Brink  ni  iLi'  C'.ited  SiaU's  is  ;i  Lhw  imide  In  pursuance  of  tha  provisions  of  the  C'oustiUillon,  and 
Is  a  part  of  the  stiprenii'  I.hw  ■)[  the  Liuid." 

It  is  siiid  by  some  ihi.l  the  ,iiiil;;e  m  Ircislntor.  liein?  sworn  t )  sui)iH)ri  the  constitution,  must  support  it,  ac- 
cordins;  to  the  nieiuiint;  he  iiiiiy  suppo-e  it  to  )iHve.  without  rcKfinl  to  other  ineu's  opinions  or  Ihe  decisions  of 
cunri!'.  "  Has  the  wisest  iiiiil  most  con^^cieiitiuu-!  judji'-  (■'Hys  Mr.  Midisun)  ever  KCriipled  to  iicfjuiosco  In  deci- 
sions in  which  he  has  1  een  (>virrn!cd  hy  the  iiiiviured  o|iiuicinJ  of  the  majority  of  hi><  collunEues ;  nnd  siil)9e- 
qiiently  to  contiirin  hiio'^i'lf  thereto,  lis  to  iiuihoritiitive  e.xposiiions  of  the  l.iw  1"  Mr.  Taney  set  up  his  opioioa 
apninst  the  law  of  Coniiress,  successive  presidents,  and  tlie  unanimous  decision  of  the  supreme  court  o/  the 
L'niitd  Suucs.    i  or  ^u  duini,'  ho  wui  iQ.ilu  ihu  chief  justice  ul  ilwt  court  I 


had  "  antic! 

Crawford  in 

U.  S.  Bank  i 

on  the  30th 

that  he  desii 

— that  he  hs 

venue — tha 

weekly  in  tl 

the  hands  o 

state  (^depo 

down,  but  V 

the  U.  S.  B 

proved,  and 

troyed,  and 

stock  of  thi 

the  new  cl 

such  other 

the  bank  ar 

the  bank  fo 

United  8ta1 

as  seven  m 

(whose  cas 

had  thirtet 

better  cum 

Bank  by  Hi 

Ail  this 

for  Preside 

and  down 

without  e\ 


*  Van  liiiror 
IJ.  S.,  fJeneral 
ford's  bill  to  re 
(p.  B5).    •■  Mr. 

It  is  very  pn 
fnl  and  aspirin 
the  U.  S.  Hani 
randidalo  for  t 
a  sironc  nniip! 
vide  anioiiL'  lli 

In  his  inos<n 

"  If  a  .N.itioi 
Tt  TIO.N  as  il 
It  h'ls  Iwen  rec 
amendiiieni  ot 
nil  (ioverniuei 
step  in  tho  nia 
lilllB  value  as 
InlerpreLitioii 
iibly  the  (Vise, 
uim  to  Hiich  .1 

In  hit  letter 

"The  const 
point  of  Mr.  .f 
lion  which  im 
fact,  that  the 
upon  any  pre 
tfnited  Suites 
proofs  by  ovoi 
hostility  e.\ist 
hensions,  Iha 
mittht,  In  n  cr 

The  deniiKi 

pounded,  amc 

Van  Buren  re 

"  Th«  qw«» 


•n 


t EVER. 

3ury  [Albert  Oalla. 
;;st.ly  staled,  that,  kn 
imcnl. 

ions.  Many  were 
i<t  posse.v.  the  cmsti- 
cr  reasons,  inexpe- 
ins  supported  it  [1.] 
and  llir  coiivenivnfe 
"ity  of  thf.  measure. 
EXPERIENCE 
ON;  AND  THE 
AVOR  OP  THE 

acter,  which  had  a 
It  was  decidedly  in 
nailer  .'Slale>,  whoM: 
'•erned  in  the  queii- 
j  repiihticau  repre- 
(i  ii  has  nc\'er  been 
ipiiiiDiis  anil  wishes 

vil.k  iirrat  Vntain, 

ns  of  public,  jK)licy. 

:  .NUMBER;  and, 

thus  t)ine  fruin  the 

NECESSITY  OF 

TO  HAVE  ANTl- 

'lON." 

dded,  to  say  that 
ion  of  this  ques- 
ve  that  he  would 

.  is  probable  that 
e  strong  declara- 
ted.  The  Argus 
"  essential  to  the 
melit ;"  that  the 
Iho  experience  ot' 
baiik  losses,)  had 
tiunal  bank— and 
ay  had  cot  then 
'lit,"  in  which  he 

■yliind.  The  cHUNe  wm 
vercil  the  Juil).'uicnt  of 

111  court  tliiit  ilie  net  to 
o(  the  C'oustitiulon,  anil 

m,  must  support  it,  ac- 
iliinii  or  the  decision*  of 
ed  I.)  acquiesce  in  deci- 
(•oliuaEUP^  ;  nnd  siibse- 
iiiicy  set  up  his  opinion 
I  auprcuie  court  0/  tha 


VAX  BUREN,  CRAWFORD,  GALLATIN,  AND  THE  BANK. 


77 


had  "  anticipated  the  judsjitiont  of  the  niition."     The  Argus  ii(.t  only  endorsed 
Crawford  in  the  fall  of  isi  1,  but  also  the  U.  S.  Ban'.v  charterof  ISltJ,  and  the  old 
U.  S.  Bank  and  its  renewal  in  1811 — and  Albert  Gallatin  was  oloiitit-d  for  having, 
on  the  30th  of  January  that  year,  resi)oiuled  to  W.  H.  Crawford's  note  of  the  2yth, 
that  he  desired  to  see  the  bank  renewed — that  the  banking  sysli'in  was  lirnily  fixed 
— that  he  had  found  banks  necessary  to  the  collection  and  safe-keeping  of  the  re- 
venue— that  it  was  self-evident  that  ihf  public  moneys  were  safer  wh<»n  deposited 
weekly  in  the  banks,  than  when  allowed  (sublreasuiy  fasiiiou)  to  accumulate  in 
the  bands  of  collectors  (as  Ifoyt  and  Swarlwout  have  since  dHmonslrated) — that 
state  (deposit  or  pet)  banks  would  have  to  be  used,  if  the  L.  S.  Bunk  was  put 
down,  but  would  be  less  safe  and  convenient — that  the  government  could  control 
the  U.  S.  Bank,  but  not  the  state  banks — and  thai  a  system  w  Inch  had  been  tried, 
proved,  and  found  to  work  well  and  safely  for  the  puolic,  shoald  not  be  des- 
troyed, and  an  experiment  evidently  less  advantageous,  substituted — that  as  the 
stock  of  the  bank  was  partly  owned  by  fureigners,  provisions  \mr:hi  be  made  ia 
the  new  charter,  giving  that  portion  of  the  capital  to  new  stockbolders,  and 
such  other  modifications  as  Congi-ess  might  desire  to  make — that  he  believed 
the  bank  and  its  bi-ancbes  to  be  constitutional — and  that  as  the  merchants  owed 
the  bank  fourteen  millions,  and  ten  or  twelve  more  on  bonds  for  duties  to  the 
United  States,  as  trade  had  been  unfavorable,  and  many  losses  met  with  abroad, 
as  seven  millions  would  be  payable  to  loreign  stockholders,  if  the  bank  stopped 
(whose  cash  would  not  lie  idle  whether  it  were  peace  or  war),  and  as  the  bank 
had  thirteen  millions  of  its  paper  afloat,  which   would  t  ot  be  succeeded  by  a 
better  currency  in  the  notes  of  the  stati-  banks,  he  [Gallatin]  thousjht  the  U.  S. 
Bank  by  li\r  the  best  of  the  only  alternatives  lu;  knew  or  had  heard  of. 


for 
and 


All  this  Van  Buren  and  his  confederates  believed  in,  in  )S24  ;  and  Crawford 
:  President,  Gallatin  for  \'ice  President,  and  a  national  bank  and  branches, 
d  dow^n  with  Jackson  I  was  the  party  cry.     How  changed  in  1328-9  !  and 


without  even  a  shadow  of  reason  I  !* 


*  Van  Uiiron'H  olficinl  hioKrar'-T,  Uollam),  (ells  us  that  on  tho  2<)ih  of  FpU.,  ISll,  '.he  Vice  President  of  tlie 
I'.  S.,  General  Gt'orije  (linton,  s  iled  tho  fnte  of  the  oh!  V.  S.  lliink  liy  ffivina  his  cMstintr  vo;o  apiiinsl  Craw- 
ford's bill  to  reii';\v  ii>  churter —  d  iliiit  this  vole  "  WHS  warmly  ilcleiiik'd  mid  juatiliod  iiy  Jlr.  Van  Buraa." 
(p.  85).    "  Mr.  Van  lUiriMi  ardi'iitiy  and  vicMrnu^ty  sustiined  tliis  Imld  a(  t  (if  putri.itism." 

It  is  very  prnlnld''  th'ii  Van  Bnrcn  \;  as  oppusrd  tn  tlio  P.  S.  Riiv.k  in  IHll.  tor  lie  w.is  nt  that  time  a  respect- 
I'nl  nnd  Rspiriiiu'  fullnwer  or  supporter  <>rtlm  <Miril>i!i  I'lmily  IIp  rvis  jii-l  i-.  strong  and  vlsoroiis  on  behalf  of 
tlie  U.  S.  Hanit  in  Iriii'.,  wiieii  .Madison  .•<j)!nnd  the  'Jd  rliarler — and  in  1S24,  when  Crriwlrrd  \\:\»  his  favorita 
randldato  lor  the  presidi  nry,  liecaii^o  tie  liad  lierii  a  roiiiistent  Irii-nd  of  a  nalliir.ul  hmk.  In  It'iO  he  professed 
a  sironB  anlipithy  to  (A/-  llaiik— lint  It  w.is  mily  witli  ilio  \'w\\  ih;;t  his  coiifederatcj  and  partisdn*  might  di- 
vide anioni:  tiiiMii  iii.'rc  vrc'irrly,  many  iiiiliiiins  fif  pnlilir  plundor. 

In  his  niossaeo  nl  l)i>r  ,"1.  IS.II).  Vmm  Ituri'ii  riri'^oiis  i!!ms  : 

••  Ifa  .N.itional  Hank  was,  AS  IS  UNDIC.MAISI.K.  i'lilHATCn  BV  THE  ITvA.MSRS  OF  THE  CONSTI. 
TITION  as  ini'oiii|>Hiil>lc  wiili  Uii-  richts  oi  die  St'ii..  .  ml  tin;  llbortios  of  the  people  :  ii".  from  tha  beginning, 
it  h'l?  Iiecn  rre.irdcd  Ijy  larw  portion';  of  niir  rlti^ons  as  comiiip  in  direct  cnUi/ion '.vith  th<'.  ere  it  and  vital 
aniendmenl  of  thi;  coiistiliilion.  which  dccl  ires  that  all  powers  not  cnnforri'd  liy  that  instrument  on  the  Gene- 
ral (iovernment  ,ire  ro.scrvcil  to  the  State?  and  to  the  people ;  if  it  lias  been  viewed  by  ihciii  as  the  first  jireat 
sit'p  in  tlie  march  of  l.ititndiiion-  ri.nsliiKtiini.  wliii  ;i,  inulu'iked.  would  render  thai  racicd  instriiinent  of  as 
lillie  value  as  an  uiiurUtra  coii>,itution.  (I('prndei;l.  as  it  vvi.uld  alone  bo,  ior  Us  raeanin;:,  on  the  interested 
inlerprei;itioii  of  a  dominant  party,  ani  :ilf  irditiu'  no  security  to  the  rights  of  tho  miuorltv  ;— if  ar.ch  is  undeni- 
ably the  case,  wlin!  rational  Br.ninds  could  liivo  liein  conceived  for  anticipating  aught  tat  determined  opposi- 
tion to  sucli  ,in  iiistlliuioii  ai  tlio  pre.itntday  !  " 

In  his  ietler  to  Slicrrml  Williain-,  An:;  i'','l>3ti,  )w  sa\  ■:  . 

"The  constitution  doc  not  pive  ('om;rcs :  power  lo  erect  corpor'xt'.oni  within  tho  states.  This  was  the  nisLa 
IKiint  of  Mr.  Jctlerson's  celebruu-d  opinion  asalnst  the  establishment  of  the  first  National  B;.r.k.  [t  is  an  olijcc 
lion  which  iioiliiiii;  short  of  an  ameiidmeiil  to  the  constinr.ion  can  remove.  Wo  l<now  it  to  be  an  historlcni 
tact  that  the  convention  reluscd  to  confer  tliat  power  on  Congress,  and  I  am  oppoiod  to  its  assumpilnn  by  it 
noon  any  pretence  wliatevcr.  I  hold  it  t.i  be  sufliriently  cert  lin  that  avast  majiirity  of  the  people  of  th« 
iJnlted  States  were  opixised  to  the  late  Bank,  and  are  equally  opposed  to  a  new  one.  They  have  had  fetirftU 
proofs  by  overt  acts  of  the  correctness  of  AIr..letrerson's  opinion,  that '  tliis  institution  is  one'  of  tlie  most  deadly 
liostility  e.xislinp  against  the  principles  and  I'c.rm  of  oiir  consiiiiitioii ;'  and  of  the  reasoiiablcMess  of  his  appre- 
hensions, that  •pon"tritin<;  liy  its  branches  every  pii;  of  the  Union,  acting  by  comi:::'.ii'l,  and  in  phalanx,  It 
minht.  In  a.  critical  moment,  upset  the  govirnment.'  " 

The  dennxralic  party  held  a  state  convention  in  Indiana,  some  lime  during  the  winter  of  1842-3,  and  pro- 
pounded, among  other  questions,  to  presidential  cRndidates,  the  query.  Are  you  for  or  against  a  national  bank! 
Van  Buren  replied  from  KInderhoott,  Feb.  IS,  1843,  in  this  way : 

"  Th«  qiMitloD  ot  a  National  Bank  is  itlU  before  the  people,  and  will  continue  to  be  so,  so  long  as  avarice  and 


■■■r 


i 


§ 


■>'-  K  V 

'■■'•■^-'ii 


•■'  :*. 


i 


J 


■m 


i 


t 


*:i 


)5( 
v., 

i 


V 


I 

•^ 


i 

It 


78     VAN  BUREN  AND  CO.  JUMP  JIM  CROW.   *  DOWN  WITH  THE  MONSTER  !* 

In  1824,  Crawford  and  a  national  bank  were  Thomas  Ritchie's  watchwords  ; 
but  the  moment  that  he  and  Van  Buren,  and  Flagg,  and  Noah,  and  Croswell, 
and  Marcy,  pious  Ben.  Butler,  Knower,  and  Wright,  and  their  Swiss  comrades, 
found  that  Jacltson  had  the  most  votes,  they  prepared  to  worship  the  rising  sun 
— and  the  mercenary  presses  which,  in  1S24,  had  assured  us  that  Crawfora,  the 
champion  of  national  banks,  was  the  wisest  man  in  the  Union,  turned  round  in 
1828  to  glonify  Gen.  Jackson,  whose  great  achievement,  if  elected,  would  be 
to  slay  '  THE  MONSTER,'  hand  over  the  treasury  to  the  Washington  and  Warren 
Safety  Fund  Bankers,  and  give  us  a  bank  bankruptcy,  a  specie  circular,  the 
public  lands  gutted  by  Van  Buren,  Wright,  Butler  &  Co.,  as  a  land  company, 
with  a  sub-treas».r},  and  Isaac  Hill,  Stephen  Allen,  Jesse  Hoyt  &  Co.,  for  our 
sub-treasurers  !** 


ambition  see  In  it  the  means  of  (trntlfyine  the  love  of  money  and  the  love  of  power.  FT  IS  ONE  OP  THE 
GREAT  LEADI.NG  MliAsURES  OF  A  PARTY  WHICH  WILL  NEVER  BE  EXTINCT  IN  THIS  COUN- 
TRY. It  is  eBsenlliil  to  tho  acquisition,  as  well  as  to  the  preservation  of  its  power,  and  will  never  lie  relln- 
rjuished  while  there  exists  :i  hope  of  its  nttainment.  I  am  opposed  to  the  establishment  of  a  National  Bank 
in  any  form,  or  under  nny  di!<eiii;e.  both  on  constitutional  grounds  iind  grounds  ot'exiicdiency.  THE  POWER 
TO  CREATE  SUCH  AN  INSTITUTION  HAS  NOT  BEKN  GIVEN  TO  CONGRi:S.S  BY  THE  CONSTITU 
TION.  NEITHER  IS  IT  NECESSARY  TO  THE  EXERCISE  OF  ANY  OF  THE  POWERS  WHICH 
\RE  GR.\NTED ;  and  if  exerci:ied,  would  he,  as  it  always  has  been,  highly  injurious  to  the  public  welfare. 
1  am  not  one  of  those  who  believe  thiit  the  long  cherished  project  of  rc-estublishlng  a  National  Bank  is,  or  ever 
will  Ix) ahandiined  by thit  piirty  which  always  has  t>een.  still  is,  and  ever  will  be  the  advocate  and  support  ol' 
such  an  institution.  It  umy  lie  dormant  for  a  season,  from  a  conviction  of  its  being  inex)iedient  to  revive  It : 
but  lie  must  be  blind  to  all  indications  of  the  future,  who,  seeing  that  oven  at  the  very  pericxl  whtn  iJte  olibank 
teas  ii\fecUng  the  very  air  jce  breathed  vcith  its  corruptions,  and  when  public  indiguailuu  was  most  livaviiy 
weighing  oil  its  lona  merles  of  dflir.quencie.'' — at  that  very  moment,  a  successful  iffort  was  made  t?i  botK  houset 
of  Congress  to  ere.nie  a  aimilar  iiistitution.  should  nevertheless  lull  his  caution  to  sleep  with  the  delusive  idea 
that  the  project  will  rvtr  I'e  abiinjone*!.  Most  assuredly  nothing  but  the  stern  vigilance  of  the  democracy  will 
guard  it  against  an  Insiitiuion  which  may  thus  be  prostituted  to  the  ruin  of  Individuala,  the  disgrace  of  the 
country,  and  which,  whdc  ho  limi'ed  in  its  power  to  do  good,  is  so  potent  for  the  perpetration  of  evil." 

In  the  above  declared  opinions.  Van  Buren  tells  the  public,  that  it  "  is  undeniable  "  that  a  national  bank 
was  '•  repudiated  by  the  I'laniers  of  the  constitution" — that  "  the  constitution  docs  not  give  congress  the  power 
to  erect  corporations  within  the  states  ....  the  convention  refused  to  confer  that  power  on  congress"— that 
Ois  Jefl^rson  said), ''  thi.i  Institution  is  one  of  the  most  deadly  hostility  existing  against  the  principles  and  form 
of  our  constitution"— and  "  that  the  old  iMink  was  infecting  the  very  air  we  breathed  with  Its  corruptions," 
la  1834  he  sent,  as  a  toast,  to  a  4th  of  July  celebration  at  Fredericksburgh,  "  Unqualified  and  uncoiiniromlilng 
opposition  to  the  Bank  of  the  United  States— the  interest  and  honor  of  the  people  demand  It." 

*  I  am  !io  champion  of  national  banks,  composed  of  private  stockholders.  If  we  must  have 
T.-'per,  let  it  be  the  i  lomises  to  pay  of  the  nation,  and  let  the  nation  liave  the  profit  of  the 
i*sues;  and  if  thTe  is  not  national  uprightness  enough  to  manage  an  uniform  rurrencvof  na- 
tional paper,  let  us  have  specie.  Clay  and  Webster  asked  Forsvth,  Cainhielfnp,  Wright, 
Van  Buren,  and  their  wortnless  allies,  m  1834,  to  say  what  better  system  they  were  to  build 
up,  if  tliey  pulled  down  tlie  national  bank  and  removed  the  deposits.  The  party  answer,  in 
Congress,  in  the  Globe,  in  die  Argus,  everjrwhere,  was — "  We  go  for  the  pets,  butuo  sub-trea- 
sury." Thus  far,  Clay  and  Webster  were  right— the  change  was  ruinous  to  commerce,  to  the 
public  morals,  to  we-stcm  settlers,  to  the  -widow  and  the  orphan.  Clay  proposed  the  extraordi- 
nary, and,  as  I  think,  too  sweeping  measure  of  the  Bankrupt  Law  of  1841 ;  but  it  was  the 
unprincipled  profligacy  of  Van  Buren,  Wright,  Butler,  and  their  comrades,  between  1828 
.-ind  1840,  that  secured  the  pa.ssage  and  sponging  operation  of  that  law.  Hisriry  tells  us  that 
originally  the  republicms  stoutly  resi.sted  the  introduction  of  paper  money  by  the  federalists; 
but,  under  Van  l}uren  and  his  Swiss  allies,  the  democrats  have  far  outstripped  their  old  oppo- 
neiu.s  in  t;pre;iding  corporations  over  the  land — corporations  evidently  too  potent  for  evil,wnat- 
over  of  good  may  proceed  from  them. 

Hearken  to  Van  Buren,  Flagg,  Wright,  and  Croswell.  This  is  their  language  to  the  de- 
mocrats of  182-1 : 

[From  the  National  Advocate,  of  May  15, 1824.] 

"The  General  fjackson]  preferring  Monroe  to  Madison,  because  the  <brmer  could  stand 
blood  and  carnage  tetter ;  his  recommendation  of  military  men  generally  to  office ;  his  avowal 
liiat  he  would  have  l>ent  the  laws  to  suit  his  purposes,  and  hanged  Cabot,  Otis,  and  Lyman,  of 
the  Haj-iford  Convention,  probably  including  their  respectable  secretar}' ;  all  exhibits  a  FE- 
ROCIOUS (llsposUioii,  trammelled  by  no  constitutional  or  legal  barriKTS;  checked  by  no  humane 
or  just  considerations.  It  is  out  of  the  question,  out  of  all  reason,  to  think  of  him  even  for  a 
moment  for  president." — M.  M.  Noah. 

The  editor  of  the  Albany  Argus,  May  25th,  1824,  thus  spoke  of  General  Jackson  and  his 
opinions: — "  This  most  artful  scheme  for  the  destruction  of  the  republican  party  [by  the  elec- 
non  of  Jackson]— as  secretly  as  it  has  been  permitted  to  operate — as  smoothly  as  it  has  beer 
^ilas&sd  over— and  in  as  fine  phraees  as  it  is  now  given  to  the  world~-is  fully  understood.    Re- 


I 


VAN 

It  is  a  wel 
Butler,  and 
polite  and  r 
utterly  unpr 
might  be  loc 
warmly  rec« 
bank  paper, 
tionality  of 
asked  that  a 
impossible  n 
tempt  for  th( 
a  pretended 
plained,  and 

publicans  in  ll 
<iiscover  the  fu 
lendetl  to  accoi 
first  to  condem 
Holland's  I 
rredited  fur  tr 
ren  plainly  fo 
struggled  from 
-litutions  of  hi 
have  playeil  a 

"  The  coursi 
party  men.  \ 
will  everywlit 
TKiNKs  wliich 


"  They  [Jm 
known  to  fiuve 
and  yet,  in  T 
the  people,  an 
diityol  every 
prot'cssion ;  Ji 
THIi  PROS' 
(sts  of  the  pcoi 
aiipointed,  un 

•Thefollowi 
directors,  for  :i  ? 

"  To  the  Dire 
selves  and  theii 
and  Western  C 
prndnre  brough 
to  this  IS  added 
|)arts  of  Ponnsy 
of  business  whi 
tenance  and  su 
lions,  is  entirel 
would  warrant 
the  extension  o 
us,  from  a  knov 
it  for  the  proses 
active,  inU'iiigc 
in  the  lieni-fits  c 
of  this  State.  ' 
with  t»ntali7.ei 
for  the  want  of 
purchased  hert 
foreign  market 
interior  of  the  t 
the  importing  i 
the  eitabliahmi 
ia  hoped  this  n| 
of  Albany  tab 


;  monster!* 


watchwords ; 

and  Croswell, 
wiss  comrades, 
>  the  rising  sun 
t  Crawford,  the 
urned  round  in 
cted,  would  be 
)n  and  Warren 
e  circular,  the 
land  company, 
&  Co.,  for  our 


T  IS  ONE  OP  THE 
r  IN  THIS  COUN. 

will  never  be  wlln- 
of  n  National  Bunk 
hey.  THE  POVVER 
VTHE  CONSTITr 

POWERS  WHICH 
u  the  pulillc  welfare, 
ional  Bank  is,  or  ever 
.ociite  nnd  support  of 
IH-'iiient  to  revive  it ; 
icxl  whtn  the  oli  bank 
)ti  was  most  lii;avily 
t  madf  in  both  houaff 
Itli  tlie  ileliisive  idea 
f  the  democracy  will 
I,  the  disgrace  of  the 
ition  of  evil." 
;hut  a  national  bank 
'e  congress  the  power 
r  on  rongrens"— that 
e  principles  and  form 
with  its  lorrupiions." 
and  uncoiii',iroinlstiur 
it." 

If  we  must  have 
e  die  profit  of  the 
TO  currencv  of  na- 
nhrelenfr.  Wright, 
hey  were  to  build 
3  party  answer,  in 
s,  but  no  sub-u-ea- 
a  commerce,  to  the 
)sed  the  extraordi- 
[ ;  but  it  was  the 
les,  between  1838 
istiry  tells  us  thai 
by  the  federalists ; 
ed  their  old  oppo- 
tent  for  evil.what- 

nguage  to  the  de- 


rmer  could  stand 
)ftice ;  his  avowal 
is,  and  Lyman,  of 
II  exhibits  a  FE- 
ked  by  no  humane 
f  him  even  for  a 

Jackson  and  bis 
jarty  [by  Uie  elec- 
ly  as  it  has  beer 
understood.    Be- 


VAN  BUREN,  MARCY  AND  BUTLER  BESRECITING  NIC.  BIDDLE. 


79 


It  is  a  well  known  fact,  that  in  182G,  M.  Van  Buren,  W.  L.  Marcy,  B.  P 
Butler,  and  Charles  E.  Dudley,  all  of  them  residing  in  Albany,  signed  a  very 
polite  and  respectful  memorial,  (which  has  been  often  published  to  show  how 
utterly  unprincipled  they  are,)  asking  that  a  branch  bank  of  the  U.  S.  Bank, 
might  be  located  in  Albany  ;  Van  Buren  addressed  a  letter  to  Nicholas  Biddle, 
warmly  recommending  the  measure  ;  and  the  Albany  Argus,  then  a  national 
bank  paper,  urged  the  claims  of  the  memorialists,  and  conceded  the  constitu- 
tionality of  branch  banks.  General  Juckson,  with  almost  equal  consistency, 
asked  that  a  branch  might  be  located  in  Florida,  when  governor  there.  It  is 
impossible  not  to  see  that  Van  Buren  and  his  cabal  must  feel  the  utmost  con- 
tempt  for  the  intelligence  of  their  countrymen,  when  they  thus  mock  them  with 
a  pretended  affection  for  a  constitution  which  means  anything,  as  by  them  ex- 
plained, and  can  be  applied  to  any  and  every  purpose,  however  contradictory.* 

puMirans  in  this  slate,  wliPthcr  tlip  friends  of  Mr.  Adams,  of  Mr.  Clay,  or  of  Mr.  Crawford, 
discover  the  full  extent  of  it — tlie  hcjpcs  it  in  intemled  to  encourage,  and  the  de.sign-s  it  is  in- 
tended to  accomplish.  T/inj  will  Iw  the  last  to  find  an  apology  for  it,  as  they  have  been  the 
first  to  condemn  it." 

Hollaiul's  Life,  whii'h  I  puichasfd  in  Steele's  store,  Albany,  ten  years  ago,  and  foolishly 
credited  for  truth,  tells  iis,  p;i;r<-  ;{i'.*,  thai,  "  in  the  election  of  General  Jackson,  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
ren plainly  foresaw  that  he  siioiild  \^itness  the  triiiniph  of  those  principles  for  which  he  had 
struggled  frcvn  his  earliesl  ypars.''  What  a  mocker  and  .sroffer  at  honesty,  liberty,  and  the  in- 
.sliiutions  of  his  native  land,  this  Van  Hiircn  imisi  be!  Had  he  choseii  the  stage,  he  could 
have  playetl  any  part  well,  but  that  <it'  an  lionest  man. 

iFrom  the  Albany  Argus,  May  f,  Ifi'il.) 
"  The  fintrse  adiiplxl  Inj  Mr.  J{1'-/.siih.  /.<  Foon  A\n  raimkvt  to  tiif,  PKprnAr.isTs  and  (he  no- 
jmrly  men.    It  is  pleasant  to  all  who  strive  for  the  destruction  of  tlie  democratic  party.     Theij 
will  everywhere  applaud  it,  as  they  have  preached  it;  and  will  mui^nify  the  author  of  DOo 
TRiNKs  wliich  are  so  well  intended  for  t/wir  .service.'' 

[From  the  Alhnny  ArijiiiJ,  3lst  Aii(!ii?t,  18-24.1 
"  They  [Jackson's  sunporters]  profes.s  to  be  rcpuhliidns,  and  vet  they  support  a  man  who  is 
known  to  have  l»ni  ALWAYS  A  FKDKRA  LIST— they  profess'  to  be  the  friends  of  the  people, 
and  yet,  in  Tennessm-,  as  in  New  York,  they  haw;  always  resisted  the  equal  and  just  rights  ol 
the  people,  and  the  extension  of  those  privilesfs  which  are  most  V!i'"able  to  them.  It  is  the 
duty  ol  every  republican  to  expose  these  contradictions  and  incon  -^lencies  of  conduct  and 
profession  ;  and,  as  far  aspussible,  counteract  the  piirposcsihov  are  intended  to  answer,  namely, 
THK  PROSTUATIO.N  OK  'I'EIH  \\VAnmUV.\'S  \'k{n'\ ,tli,'  s^iifneni.m  of  therealinter- 
tsts  ojth-  pcopU,  AND  THE  IILEVATION  UF  'VHE  OLI>  AlUSTOCRACY,  and  the  du- 
appointed,  uneasy  men  nj  nil  pu/tits.' 

*The  fcillowin)!  is  a  trin'  tc)py  nf  the  petitidrt  i.f  M  V.  Buren  and  .ithcrs  to  .N'irholas  Biddle  and  his  brother 
ilirerlors,  fur  u  slice  from  the  uncnnstilulioniil  Imif. 

"To  the  liiri'ciciis  of  the  Bunk  iif  the  Tnitcd  Htutes  •  The  ineniorinl  of  the  subscrlhers,  in  behalf  of  tham- 
selves  and  their  fellow  citizens  of  Alliuny,  respectlully  showeih— That,  since  the  completion  of  the  Nortliern 
and  Western  CannU  of  this  State,  such  facilities  are  iiiveri  to  transportation,  that  the  quantities  of  country 
produce  brought  to  this  market  from  the  interior  of  tills  State  are  Increased  to  an  immense  amount,  and  wheu 
to  this  IK  added  the  produce  which  will  Ih>  lirought  to  this  market  from  the  fertile  regions  of  the  northweitern 
imrts  of  Pennsylvania,  the  State  of  Dhio,  and  the  Territory  of  .Michigan,  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  amount 
of  business  which  might  lie  done  in  this  i)lH(e.  was  there  u  sufficient  monied  capital  located  here,  to  give  coun- 
tenance and  support  to  commercial  enterprise.  The  capital  of  the  iianks  located  here,  under  stale  Incorpora- 
tions, is  entirely  insuflicient  to  atliird  those  lacililies  to  commercial  enterprise  which  the  business  of  the  place 
would  warrant,  and  which  the  most  cautious  pruilenco  would  justify.  The  limited  capital  of  our  banks  forbids 
the  e.xtension  of  our  trade.  Merchiints  tjf  moderate  fortune  arr  discouraged  from  taking  up  their  abode  amongst 
us,  from  a  knowledge  that  the  hanking  capital  of  the  nliire  is  inadeiiaate  to  the  demands  which  are  made  upon 
it  for  the  prosecuting  of  !i  sufficiently  extensive  business  to  render  it  profitable  ;  and  instances  are  not  vvantingof 
active,  intelligent  anil  enterprising  merchants  removing  from  this  pluce  to  the  city  of  New  York,  to  participate 
In  the  lienefits  of  an  increased  banking  capital,  tho'  their  business  has  principally  been  continued  with  the  interior 
ofthls  JL-tftte.  The  western  world  is  (Hiuring  its  treiisures  into  the  market  of  .\lbaiiy,  hut  its  citizens  are  doomed, 
with  tantalized  feelings,  to  behold  a  rich  and  prolii.ihle  trade  float  yuxsl  them  to  the  city  of  New  York,  solely 
for  the  want  of  a  sufficient  barking  capital  loc.ited  amongst  them,  t'ould  the  produce  brought  to  this  place  be 
purctiased  Iiere,  such  portion  im  U  not  wanted  for  home  consumption  might  be  exported  directly  from  here  to  a 
foreign  market,  (ax  far  as  the  navigation  of  the  Hudson  would  iiermlt,)  and  return  cargoes,  calculated  for  the 
Interior  of  the  country,  might  t,e  lm)Mirte<l,  without  the  exiiense  of  trnnH-shipment  at  New  York,  or  the  proflu  uf 
the  importing  merchoni  there.  These  considerations  have  induced  the  citizens  of  Albany  once  more  to  ask  for 
the  establishment  of  D  Branch  or  office  of  discount  and  de|ioslt  of  the  Bunk  of  the  United  States  in  this  cUy.  It 
is  hoped  tills  application  will  be  favorably  received,  aa  the  same  causes  which  render  it  desirable  to  the  dtizeaa 
of  Albany  to  have  a  Branch  ef  the  United  States  Bank  establisbed  here,  coDclutlveiy  show  tliat  it  weuUl  b«  K 


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80 


RIOHARD  D.  DAVIS  ON  MARTIN  VAN  BUREN. 


So  late  as  January  3,  1828,  tho  Regency  liaJ  not  matured  their  grand  safety. 
fund  humbug.  The  Albany  Argus  of  that  date  "  commends  to  the  perusal  of 
all  candid  men,"  a  Utter  to  Mr.  Walsh  of  the  National  Gazette,  of  Dec.  27, 
1827,  disapproving  of  "  the  singular  and  impolitic  proposition  of  Mr.  Barboui 

to  sell  the  shares  owned  by  government  in  the  U.  S.  Bank You  will 

rejoice  at  the  final  vote  on  the  motion  of  Mr.  Barbour  :  .  .  .  there  was  no  ap- 
prehension here,  at  any  momint,  that  the  resolution  would  be  adopted ;  but 
there  was  an  apprehension  tliat  the  mere  proposition  would  have  an  injurious 
effect  upon  the  public  pecuniary  concerns  of  the  nation  ;  and  there  was,  there- 
fore,  a  determination  to  put  the  rjueslion  at  rest  as  soon  as  possible." 


CHAPTER    XIX 


Richard  D,  Dans  on  Van  Burev\^  PoUc.ij. —  Il'is  lugratUude  towards  General 
Pitcher. — Southicirk  v.p  for  Governor. —  Van  liuren  entraps  Kochestery  and 
the  Argus  goes  for  Clay  and  Adams. —  Van  liuren,  King,  and  the  Albany  Post 
Office. —  Kendall  looking  ahead. —  The  .Tar.'^.'ion  Campaign. — Isaac  Hill  on 
J.  Q.  Mams. 

RlCHAKD  D.  Davis,  of  Poughkeopsie,  an  anti-whig  member  of  the  last  Con- 
gress for  Dutchess  county,  was  an  early  supporter  of  Jackson  and  op)X)nent  of 
Crawford,  Butler  and  \'an  Biiren.  lie  was  next  a  warm  admirer  of  Calhoun, 
and  upheld  the  Telegraph.  Callioun's  course  on  nullification  displeased  him,  and 
drove  him  round  to  Van  Buren's  camp.  In  1810  and  1844,  he  gave  Van  Buren  a 
powerful  support,  for  he  is  energetic  and  eloquent.  I  think  he  is  not  at  present 
very  partial,  either  to  Polk,  Texas,  or  the  extension  of  the  area  of  slavery. 

In  Van  Buren's  letters  to  Hoyt,  JNos.  16:3  and  165,  page  207,  he  tells 
him  that  a  certain  zealous  Jackson  man  could  not  then  be  removed  without 
danger,  and  that  Westervelt  had  sav(;d  the  Albany  Regency  at  the  nominating 
convention  of  1S2S,  by  throwing  Governor  Pitcher  overboard,  and  setting  up 
Throop.  A  letter  of  R.  I).  Davis,  addressed  to  General  Jackson,  from  Pough- 
keepsie,  April  15th,  18.31,  throws  a  very  clear  light  on  Van  Buren's  policy.  It 
was  first  published  in  the  Washington  Telegraph.  After  telling  General  Jackson 
that  Mr.  Van  Kleeck,  P.  !M.  at  Poughkeepsie,  was  one  of  tho.se  "  rascally  po.st- 
masters"  who  were  for  him  and  Clinton,  when  Van  Buren  was  the  enemy  of 
both,  he  adds  that  his  removal  was  threatened  l)ecaus(>  he  had  not  been  a  Buck- 
tail.     He  then  describes  Van  Buren's  policy,  in  the.se  words: 

"That  policy  .nnd  that  ilistiiK'iioii,  w.'is  in  niiilcc  a  (linoreinc  lunwcen  those  of  your  friends 
who  had  been  Glintoni.-tns  and  those  who  hud  been  ihe  tools  ami  nilhcroiitsot'Mr.  Van  Buren— 
to  persecute,  oppress,  uiiJ  insult  the  lui  iiiri',  atid  to  a>;>,'rnn(iizi.',  proinote,  ami  favor  the  latter, 
Ah  a  memorable  example  of  this.  I  need  imt  iiicniidn  thf  ;«!usciii)iion  ol'Cieiieral  Pitcher.  The 
Herkimer  Convention,  which  nominated  Mr.  V^un  FinriTi  for  (iovciiior,  and  of  which  I  was  a 
memlier  as  one  of  tiie  Di'!.'i,'iiti's  iVoin  ihi^  couniv,  hin  in^;-,  IJ^'  (iRKAT  PREVIOUS 
MANAGKMEN']',  heen  uiiute  to  einhraci'  u  biin-  iiiujoriiv  of  those  under  (he  influence  of,  oi 
who  were  the  personal  adherents  of  Mr.  Van  Kuivn,  in  iJie  lultilhnent  and  furtherance  of  ihut 


Sdurce  of  profit  to  th"  pnrPiit  iiislimli>n.  Imliivl,  it  \.*  l)i'Iii  vod  Mint  n  luamli  li"ic  would  lir  mnr(>  prnfilal)lc  in 
rclVrpiicn  to  III!'  t'.\lf>Mt  ()i  hiisiiii'SK  doiif,  lliiin  si'vciiil  ofllh'  liraiichr:*  Incatoil  in  !-;a  |>oit  towiiF.  Tin?  locAl  slluii 
tion  111"  Alliniiy  renders  it  nil  entri  jm  lieluei  n  the  lOasicni  Snit'  s  nud  llie  We-lcni  ('niiiiiie.-'  ;  In  twecn  the  Soulli 
and  the  Nortli,  and  e(ii\.xi'i|ui  nily  a  veiy  hm  nslve  einniicy  would  lie  jiiveii  Id  Id"  lilils  issued  froai  u  brunch 
hpffi,  nnrt  tlie  nature  of  tlie  unde  wliiili  wmild  he  iiiufjiruted  here,  w  'uld  in  n  cnnl  nii'iisiire  render  the  bill!'  of  n 
Brniich  (!.'<tablli>hcd  in  llila  pince  the  rirnilalinc  iiu  dunii  of  tlic  evu'nsivi:  re|;iiiii!i  \v)io-e  iiroduco  would  bo  brought 
|i>  market.  IiiiibiikicIi,  llieirlbre,  ns  the  estaldislmiMit  ol'n  llrniicli  lieie  would  not  only  he  lili:hly  odvantiseoiiK 
to  thin  city,  but  a  snurce  ot  profit  to  the  parent  Initiltiiiicni,  wc  liope  timt  thu  director!)  of  the  Uniied  Statei  Bank 
will  t^tablitih  an  office  of  dii^count  and  dtpoeit  ui  this  pUit^ 

tSigned)  AI.  V  BL'UE.N,  B.  F,  BUTLER,  W.  L.  MARCY,  aud  oiheM. 

Albany.JulylO,  1890." 


VAI 

policy  refuse 

expected  and 

had  never  bee 

Clinton,  the  g 

aa  eqaal  and 

honorable  op 

Pitcher  was  j 

Burea  and  hi 

in  the  event  t 

the  cabinet,  G 

pies.    His  gr 

and  tlie  certai 

caased  the  fac 

body  of  the  R 

protection  ag 

merit,  and  th( 

such  signal  a 

justice  to  Get 

the  State  that 

and  adhered  t 

your  own  pe 

"from  an  entir 

driven  by  the 

fied  with  that 

literally  over 

mere  majorit 

advantage  wl 

now  to  renev 

avoid  being  ( 

reaping  the  r 

eleventh  hou 

thase  who  be 

lence  and  o] 

obtained."    . 

from  the  ren 

Government, 

of  Mr.  Van 

but  they  shal 

I  have  1 
a  candidat 
secure  his 
in  another 
made  by  h 
tion  is  snei 
receive  tb 
are  perfor 
friends  of 
chance  to 
page  205, 
will  be  lar 
sidered  it 
when  Sou 

♦  Solomo 
Printer,  ant 
— acquired 
although  he 
appointed  P 
to  tell,  in  Jc" 
State  inaolv 
same  office, 
—he  waa  tt 


■"4 


I. 

thoir  grand  safety- 
s  to  the  perusal  of 
zette,  of  Dec.  27, 
on  of  Mr.  Barbour 
....  You  will 
there  was  no  ap- 
d  be  adopted  ;  but 
have  an  injurious 
there  was,  there- 
ssible." 


e  towards  General 
ps  Rochester,  and 
nd  the  Albany  Post 
n. — Isaac  Itill  on 


f^r  of  the  last  Con- 
\  and  opi>onent  of 
mirer  of  Calhoun, 
lispleased  him,  and 
>  gave  Van  Buren  a 
le  is  not  at  present 
lea  of  slavery. 
)age  207,  he  tells 
■  removed  without 
'  at  the  nominating 
rd,  and  setting  up 
kson,  from  Pough- 
iuren's  policy.  It 
ig  General  Jackson 
osc  "  rascally  po.st- 
rt  as  the  enemy  of 
1  not  boon  a  Buck- 


thoso  of  your  friends 
i  of  Mr.  Van  Buren— 
■,  atiil  favor  the  latter, 
I't'iieral  Pitcher.  The 
niid  of  wliirh  I  was  a 

i{i;at  previous 

r  the  influt'iice  of,  oi 
d  lurthorance  of  that 

Mild  he  ninrc!  profitable  in 
towiiF.  Th('  local  giiua 
Hies  ;  iMlwocn  the  Soul li 
ills  isstii'il  from  u  brunch 
►lire  rtndrr  tlie  blllfsnf  n 
roiliicc  would  bo  brou(;lit 
liu  lili:hly  odvantageouN 
'  (lie  Unliad  Staiei  Bunk 

MARCy,  aud  oiheM. 


VAN  BUREN  SAVED  BY  WESTERVELT.   GENERAL  N.  PITCHER. 


81 


policy  refused  to  nominate  General  Pitcher  for  llie  office  of  Lieut.  Governor,  when  it  was 
expected  and  wished  by  nine-tenths  of  your  friends  that  he  should  liave  been.  Gen.  Pitcher 
had  never  been  a  Clintonian,  but  had  been  a  uniform  Bucktail ;  and  when,  by  the  demise  of  Mr. 
Clinton,  the  government  of  the  state  devolved  upon  him,  his  administration  was  conducted  in 
an  equal  and  impartial  manner  towards  all  your  friends,  end  distingui'>heil  by  a  firm  and 
honorable  opposition  to  the  policy  which  it  was  Mr.  Van  Buren's  inieutioa  to  enforce.  Gen. 
Pitcher  was  proscribed  and  prostrated  by  the  agency,  management,  and  influence  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren  and  his  personal  adherents,  for  the  above  reasons,  aiidtjecause  it  u  as  well  known  that, 
in  the  event  then  contemplated,  and  now  consummated,  of  Mr.  Van  Buren's  being  called  into 
the  cabinet.  Gen.  Pitcher  would  have  continued  to  act  on  the  same  liberal  and  honest  princi- 
ples. His  great  zeal  and  valued  .services  in  your  .support,  his  popularity  throughout  the  State, 
and  tlie  certain  injury  to  your  cause  by  the  absence  of  his  name  from  our  ticlcet,  had  indeed 
caased  the  faction  of  which  I  am  complaining,  to  conceal  their  dark  design;;  from  the  great 
body  of  the  Republican  party  until  the  moment  of  their  execution;  but  they  afforded  him  no 
protection  aganist  the  vengeance  of  those  who  hold  subservienev  to  tlieir  views  as  the  only 
merit,  and  the  refusal  of  it  as  the  only  and  the  inexpiable  offence.  iNo  other  single  act  was  of 
such  signal  and  lamentable  injury  to  our  cause  throughout  the  State  as  this  ingratitude  and  in- 
justice to  Gen.  Pitcher.  In  all  the  ensuing  measures  of  that  election,  and  in  every  county  of 
the  State  that  I  have  heard  of,  the  personal  partisans  of  Mr.  Van  Buren  pursued  the  same  policy, 
and  adhered  to  it  with  a  pertinacity  so  preposterous,  insolent,  aud  oppres^:ive,  tliat  nothing  but 
your  own  personal  popularity  and  t!ie  magnanimous  devotion  of  your  real  friends  saved  \x% 
"from  an  entire  and  universal  overthrow.  In  many  districts  your  earliest  and  constant  friends, 
driven  by  their  just  indignation  at  such  abuse,  forsook  your  cause,  because  it  had  become  identi- 
fied with  that  of  tlieir  inexorable  and  mercile.ss  persecutors.  The  result  was,  tiiat  from  a  party 
literally  overwhelming  at  and  immediately  ailcr  Mr.  Clinton's  death,  y\'c  were  reduced  to  a 
mere  majority,  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  himself  only  escaped  defeat  by  the  accidental  and  collateral 
advantage  which  accrued  to  him  from  the  anti-masonic  e.xcitement  at  the  West;  nor,  was  he 
now  to  renew  the  contest  unaided  by  the  implication  of  your  interests  in  his  election,  could  he 
avoid  being  defeated  by  a  large  majority."  ..."  Van  Buren  and  his  adherents  are  now 
reaping  the  reward  of  all  that  Clinton  did  in  your  behalf;  and  he  and  they,  who  came  in  at  the 
eleventh  hour,  and  when  no  man  else  would  employ  them,  arc  now  lording  it  in  this  State  over 
thase  who  bore  the  heat  and  burden  of  the  day — and  lording  it  with  such  an  extremity  of  inso- 
lence and  oppression,  as  is  only  commensurate  with  the  power  they  have  thus  fortuitously 
obtained."  .  .  .  "If  the  memory  of  Clinton  and  Avhat  he  did,  cannot  preserve  hi.:- friends 
from  the  remorseless  and  eternal  hostility  of  M".  Van  Buren  ;  if  the  patronage  of  the  Gc;K"aI 
Government,  which  we  support,  is  to  he  used  for  our  destruction  and  to  fulfil  the  base  purposes 
of  Mr.  Van  Bm-en's  personal  and  viperous  malignity;  if  these  things  are  to  be,  they  must  be 
but  they  shall  not  be  in  this  county,  without  at  least  one  man's  iiumble  efforts  to  prevent  them.'' 

I  have  long  been  of  opinion  fat  Solomon  SouthwicU  was  set  up  in  1828,  as 
a  candidate  for  governor,  to  uiai^e  up  for  Van  Buren's  want  of  popularity  and 
secure  his  election.  The  Albany  Argus  of  March  8, 1828,  says  :  "  We  publish, 
in  another  column,  Mr.  Southwick's  acceptance  of  a  nomination  for  governor, 
made  by  his  friends,  on  the  26th  ult.  at  Batavia.  Notwithstanding  this  nomina- 
tion is  sneered  at  by  the  Daily  Advertiser,  and  soine  who  are  very  willing  to 
receive  the  aid  of  Mr.  Southwick's  exertions  in  their  behalf,  so  long  as  they 
are  performed  in  another  capacity ;  yet  we  know  of  nothing  that  debars  the 
friends  of  any  individual  from  avowing  their  preference,  even  if  such  avowal 
chance  to  cross  other  and  conflicting  views."  In  Van  Buren's  letter  to  Hoyt, 
page  205,  he  rests  partly  for  success  on  the  faith  he  has  that  "  Southwick's  vote 
will  be  large."  When  Southwick  had  the  Albany  post-office,  Van  Buren  con- 
sidered it  sft/fi,  but  he  raised  an  awful  tempest  at  Albany  and  Washington, 
when  Southwick's  insolvency  led  to  the  nomination  of  Van  Rensselaer.* 

*  Solomon  Southwick  wa-s  successively  in  office  as  Clerk  of  tlie  Legislature  and  State 
Printer,  and  wjis  very  popular,  lie  got  the  Mechanics  and  l-'armers'  Bank  under  his  control 
— acquired  great  wealtii — took  the  federal  and  oominercial  side  in  the  wiir,  in  1812 — and 
although  he  had  abused  Colonel  Monroe  and  his  friends  unmercifully  tlnough  his  pre.s.9,  was 
appointed  Postina.ster  at  Albany,  in  which  capacity  1  first  .saw  him  in  February,  1821.  Strang' 
to  tell,  in  January,  1822,  he  was  a  defaulter  and  a  bankrupt,  advertising  for  the  benefit  r.f  the 
State  insolvent  act,  as  was,  about  the  same  time,  another  who  has  much  more  recently  held  the 
same  office.  Southwick,  in  those  days,  was  complained  of  by  Gov.  Clinton  and  Judge  Spencer 
•—he  was  the  confederate  of  Van  Buren,  whoae  *'  sufferings  was  not  intolerable"  till  he  Jieard 


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Van  Bureu,  Knower,  and  Marcy  nominated  Rochester  and  Pitcher,  for 
Governor  and  Lieut.  Gov.,  at  Herkimer,  Oct.  1826 — both  against  Clinton. 
Noah,  as  advised  from  Albany,  came  out  for  Clinton  and  Pitcher,  and  aided 
materially  to  defeat  Rochester,  as  Van  Buren  wished  he  should.  [See  note  to 
page  201.]  "  Mr.  Van  Buren  defeated  the  election  of  Mr.  Rochester,"  says 
the  N.  Y.  American  of  Sept.  17,   1827 ;  while  appearing  to  support  it,  he 

that  President  Monroe  was  about  to  appoint  General  Solomon  Van  Rensselaer,  who  bad  been 
wounded  with  six  balls,  one  of  which  is  still  in  his  body,  and  suffered  very  severely  at  tb«i 
battle  of  Q,ueenston,  where  Greneral  Brock,  President  of  Upper  Canada,  was  killed.  Van 
Buren  got  Rufus  King  to  assist  him  in  a  protest  against  Van  Rensselaer,  and  a  recommends 
don  of  Ex-Chancellor  Lansing  for  the  vacant  office.  A  meeting  was  called,  Charles  £.  Dudley, 
Mayor,  in  the  chair,  Benjamin  Knower,  Secretary,  with  Chief  Justice  Savage,  John  O'Cole, 
Roger  Skinner,  and  Moses  I.  Cantine,  taking  part  in  it,  which  resolved,  that  the  conduct  of 
the  Postmaster  General,  Return  J.  Meigs  (who  had  forfeited  their  respect),  was  "  unjust  and 
arbitrary,  disrespectful"  to  Daniel  D.  Tompkins  and  M,  Van  Buren,  "  ana  not  less  insulting 
than  oppressive  to  the  community" — that  Van  Rensselaer  was  "  a  zealous  and  unrelenting 
«nemy  of  the  republican  party" — and  the  office  given  him  "  one  of  the  most  important  in  the 
gift  of  the  administration." 

To  explain  these  resolves,  I  may  here  mention  that  although  Jefferson  had  laid  it  down  as 
the  rule,  that  the  only  questions  to  be  solved  in  such  a  case,  are.  Is  he  capable  1  Is  he  honest  *{ 
Is  he  faithful  to  the  Constitution  1 — although  Southwick  was  hopelessly  insolvent,  and  yet  col- 
lecting the  revenue — and  although  twenty-two  out  of  ilie  twenty-six  Congressmen  for  this  State 
had  recommended  to  the  government  to  give  Van  Rensselaer  the  office.  Van  Buren  wrote  the 
President  und  the  Postmaster  General,  asking  that  his  (V.  R.'s)  appointment  should  be  delayed 
a  fortnigh  ,  to  give  time  to  organize  an  opposition  to  it.  Col.  Monroe  would  in  no  way  inter- 
fere— Mr  Meifis  would  give  no  delay — Van  Buren  and  Tompkins  then  wrote  to  the  postmas- 
ter generl  ,  to  Siis  effect — "  that  his  (Van  Rensselaer's)  conduct  has  been  that  of  a  gallant  man 
we  cheei)  ily  admit,"  but  "  that  the  United  States  have  granted  him  a  liberal  pension  for  life, 
which  wi  ;  allowed  to  co'jimence  many  years  back ;  independent  of  which  he  has  for  a  long 
time  held  a  lucrative  office  in  the  Slate  [from  which,  by  the  way,  Van  Buren  and  his  friends 
had  ejected  him  the  moment  they  had  the  power] — that  Lansing  was  a  firm  and  inflexible 
republican,"  but  Van  Rensselaer  "  a  warm,  active,  and  indefatigable  opponent  of  the  partv." 
They  asked  whether  the  place  ought  not  to  be  given  to  Lansing  "  because  he  belongs  to  the 
republican  party ;"  or  if  not  to  him  they  Avould  name  others  of  the  party — and  they  assured 
the  postmaster  and  the  president  that  the  party  in  N,  Y.  "  will  regard  it  as  a  matter  of  great 
importance,  that  the  postoffice  at  the  seat  of  government  should  be  in  the  hands  of  a  gentleman 
of  the  same  political  character  with  themselves" — and  that  the  general  government  was  con« 
ferring  an  office  which  would  give  Van  Rensselaer  "  much  more  political  influence  and  con- 
sideration among  them,  than  the  one  of  which  they  (the  party)  have  deemed  fit  to  deprive  him. ' 
Mr.  Meigs,  postmaster  general,  replied  briefly,  thas :  "  I  regret  that,  on  a  view  of  the  whole 
subject,  I  have  not  been  able  to  accord  with  your  views  and  opinions."  A  Kendall  or  a  Niles 
would  have  been  more  pliable  and  ductile  in  such  hands.  The  prin<:iple  on  which  Van  Rens- 
selaer'a  appointment  was  made,  was  bad.  He  was  ilien  a  member  of  congress  from  Albany — 
and  to  take  a  trusted  representative  of  the  people  from  his  post  as  a  public  sentinel,  and  reward 
him  with  the  post  of  a  deputy-postmaster,  is  at  variance  with  the  spirit  of  our  institutions. 
TViat,  however,  teas  not  one  of  Van  Durcn's  objections. 

Another  Albany  meeting  was  held  on  tlie  25th  of  January,  at  which  Lieut.  Governor  Tayler 
presided.  Philip  S.  Parker  remarked :  "  That  Mr.  King,  a  high  toned  federalist,  and  cidevant 
leader  of  the  party,  should  object  to  the  appointment  of  Gen.  Van  Rensselaer,  as  a  deputy  post- 
master, becaiLse  he  was  a  federalist,  is  truly  remarkable.  It  is  a  fact  notorious  in  this  city  and 
in  this  state,  that  the  vice  president  and  Mr.  Van  Buren  were  zealous  and  active  supporter,-, 
and  contributed  much  to  the  election  of  Mr.  King  to  the  senate  of  the  United  States,  notwith- 
standing he  was  afcflcralist;  and  tliat  very  many  of  that  party,  who  during  the  late  war,  used 
every  exertion  to  thwart  the  views  and  operations  of  the  general  as  well  as  the  government  of 
this  state,  while  General  Van  Rensselaer  was  fighting  the  battles  of  his  country,  and  spilling 
his  blood  in  its  defence,  have  been  taken  by  Mr.  Van  Buren  into  full  confidence,  and  tlirough 
his  '!ontroliing  influence  over  the  Council  of  Appointment  of  this  state,  have  been  appointed  to 
hon  )rable  and  lucrative  offices.  That  the  inconsistency  of  the  vice  president  was  .still  more 
glaring." 

Col.  R.  M.  Johnson  and  General  Andrew  Jackson  were  very  friendly  to  the  appointment  of 
Van  Rensselaer,  nor  would  Jackson  remove  him,  although  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Poet  declared 
the  office  to  be  a  very  lucrative  sinecure.  At  length  V^^  Btuen  turned  ]^  out  to  make  way 
for  Flagg,  and  during  (be  tisw  ha  held  the  office^  *>i  IT,  Y,  Fosl^  M  i«ip».  .  that  lineeare^  wa4 
SJ^veiyMcnt. 


•'  took  care 
whom   he  c( 
Chenango, a 
Buren  feartM 
Adams,  and 
defeat.     " 'II 
of  Feb.  23, 
office  of  gov 
yet  scarcely 
the  Correspo 
on  hand. 

That  Van 
which,  on  tl 
repeat  what 
prominent  ca 
publicans  anc 

Adams  wa 
Buren's  seco 
about  the  tir 
its  readers  : 

"We  hav 
probable  forr 
bpyond  a  dot 
and  it  is  the 
Gali.ati.v  hii 
Cass  of  the  I 
of  such  matei 
of  the  Treas 
FAIL  TO  A 

*  At  tliB  very  n 
Clay,  Clay's  fuht 
ant.    On  the  2(Uli 

"  Dear  f»lr :  Hin 
«l«rti(in.  It  preiit 
of  our  rppreseiitiu 
join  thcin.  I  thir 
ispniileni,  it  will 
nr  will  accept  the 
otfered.  It  sppiiis 
hII  thp  cirriiinst,'u 
yearn  1  Will  not 
tlie  Presidency ;  i 
wfety,  retain  t'ra 
Ing  at  a  distance  i 

FVom  a  nource 
tual  nnderstandii 
Aidants  to  nttarlc 
Gen.  Green's  Tel 
whence  their  eqii 
here  it  is  frniii  th< 

"  Our  friend  Vi 
Oen.  Andrew  Ja( 
VIOLABliY  TO 
C.  Calhnun  has  t 
llnqulsh  his  clali 
the  Vice  Presidei 
four  years  to  be  i 
sue  TUB  BOUT 
not  much  misin 
Influence." 

Clinton  died— 
excepttous,  Ritct 
over  petty  schen 
for  thus  did  Clin 

Van  Buren'n  fi 


A  falsi:  t'KILNU.    VAN  BURliN  FOR  ADAMb.    RITCllIi!:. 


88 


iFFIOE. 

md  Pitcher,  for 
against  Clinton, 
tcher,  and  aided 
1.  [See  note  to 
[Rochester,"  says 
>  support  it,  he 

laer,  "nrho  had  been 
very  severely  at  tb« 
,  was  killed.  Van 
ind  a  recommendar 
Charles  E.  Dudley, 
irage,  John  O'Cole, 
that  the  conduct  of 
),  was  "  unjust  and 
id  not  less  insulting 
lus  and  luirelenting 
ist  important  in  the 

had  laid  it  down  as 
)le  "i  Is  he  honest  1 
olvent,  and  yet  col- 
issmen  for  this  State 
m  Buren  wrote  the 
it  should  be  delayed 
d  in  no  way  inter- 
rote  to  the  postmas- 
latofa  gallant  man 
al  pension  for  life, 
ti  he  has  for  a  long 
ren  and  his  friends 
firm  and  inflexible 

lent  of  THE  PARTY." 

he  belongs  to  the 
— and  they  assured 
s  a  matter  of  great 
nds  of  a  gentleman 
vernment  was  con. 
influence  and  con- 
fit  to  deprive  him. ' 
view  of  the  whole 
Kendall  or  a  Nilea 
I  M'liich  Van  Rens- 
ess  from  Albany — 
sntinel,  and  reward 
of  our  institutions. 

.  Governor  Tayler 
ralist,  and  cidevant 
r,  as  a  deputy  post- 
is  in  this  city  and 
'  active  supporter.-, 
led  States,  notwith- 
the  late  war,  used 
tlie  government  of 
intry,  and  spilling 
lence,  and  tlirough 
'.  been  appointed  to 
entwas  still  more 

he  appointment  of 
ing  jPoet  declared 
n  out  to  maJke  way 
Uwtsiaeenn^wa* 


« took  care  to  palsy,  as  iUr  as  his  secret  inlluetice  went,  the  support  of  others 
whom  he  could  control — and  the  result  in  this  city  [N.  Y.J,  in  Jefferson,  in 
Chenango,  and  elsewhere,  manifest  how  well  his  measures  were  taken."  Van 
Buren  feared  that  Rochester's  success  would  secure  the  vote  of  the  state  for 
Adams,  and  hence  even  party  ties  appear  to  have  been  severed  to  effect  his 
defeat.  "  The  New  York  Enquirer,  always  on  the  alert,  (says  the  Nat.  Intell. 
of  Feb.  23,  1S28,)  has  already  nominated  the  Hon.  M.  V.  Buren,  for  the  vacant 
office  of  governor."  Noah  was  ready  to  do  this  while  Clinton's  remains  were 
yet  .scarcely  cold  in  his  grave — and  if  the  evidence  of  his  subservience,  given  in 
the  Correspondence,  is  not  strong  enough  to  convince  everybody,  more  is  yet 
on  hand. 

That  Van  Buren  was  for  Adams  in  182.")  is  clear,  even  from  the  Albany  Argm^ 
which,  on  the  l.")th  of  Feb.  said ;  "In  relation  to  the  choice  we  have  only  to 
repeat  what  we  have  declared  on  former  occasions — that  between  the  two 
prominent  candidates,  Messrs.  .Iackson  and  Adam.s,  a  large  majority  of  the  re- 
publicans and  of  the  electors  of  this  state,  gave  Mr.  Adams  the  preference." 

Adams  was  elected  in  Feb.  1825 — he  was,  as  Noah  has  always  stated,  Van 
Buren's  second  choice.  While  Jackson's  talents  were  contemned,  the  Arous, 
about  the  time  when  Adams  formed  his  cabinet  (same  month),  thus  addressed 
it.s  readers : 

"  We  have  heard  within  the  few  last  days  various  speculations  as  to  the 
probable  formation  of  the  cabinet  of  the  President  elect.  It  seems  to  be  placed 
bpyond  a  doubt  that  Mr.  Clay  has  been  offered  the  office  of  Secretary  of  State, 
ami  it  is  the  general  inipre.ssion  that  he  will  accept  it.  Messrs,  Seroeant  and 
Uali.atin  have  been  named  as  Secretaries  of  the  Treasury  ;  and  Gov.  JjEWLs 
Cass  of  the  Michigan  Territory,  as  Secretary  at  War.  With  a  Cabinet /ori»«rf 
of  such  materials f  whichever  of  the  gentlemen  should  be  selected  as  the  head 
of  the  Treasury  Department,  THE  ABMINISTRATION  CAN  SCARCELY 
KAIL  TO  ATTRACT  THE  CONFIDENCE  OF  THE  COUNTRY."* 


*  At  tliR  vpry  mnmpnt  Ih.^t  Vnn  Biirpn  nni!  his  rri<!iiils  worp  t)iu<i  ileclarini;  thpir  rnnfidence  In  Adams  and 
Clay,  Clay'ji  faint  I'rifiiil,  KciuIhII,  was  l)p>:innlne  tii  (lerccivft  tint  Jackson's  .star  wotilil  .soon  lie  in  the  ascend- 
ant.   On  the'2(Uh  ol"  Peli.,  IS.'.'i,  hn  thus  mlilrpssed  Mr.  Clay  :it  Washington,  from  Krankfort,  Ky. : 

"  Dear  Sir :  Bincp  the  enclospd  was  writtpn,  we  h.ive  i-erplved  the  news  of  the  result  of  the  Presidential 
flertion.  It  creates  very  little  sensation  here.  In  Frankfort,  probably  half,  or  nearly  so,  approve  the  conrse 
ol'our  representation.  Jackson's  original  fripnils  arc  loud  in  their  complaints,  and  several  who  were  for  ]roa 
Join  them.  I  think  in  some  sections  of  the  country,  there  will  lie  a  considerable  stir ;  lint  If  the  ndinlnistmtlon 
imprudent,  It  will  die  away.  I  spi>ak  of  Kentucky  only.  There  is  ninch  imiiiiry  whether  you  will  be  ntfered 
nr  wili  accept  the  Secretaryship  of  State,  and  much  diversity  of  opinion  as  to  what  you  ou^ht  to  do  if  it  Is 
nlfered.  It  sppuis  tn  me  that  no  ninn  here  can  tell  what  you  oucht  to  do,  lipcaiise  it  is  iniposslhle  for  tit  to  know 
all  the  circumstances.  Is  there  not  a  probability  tt'  't  .Inckson  may  be  elected  liy  the  people  at  the  end  of  four 
years  7  Will  not  Clinton  unite  his  Interests  with  oackson's,  with  the  expectation  that  he  will  succeed  him  in 
tlie  Presidency ;  and  will  not  such  a  combination  bo  tcxi  powerful  to  withsbind  1  Will  not  Adams,  for  his  own 
safety,  retain  Crawlbrd,  and  tliereliy  conciliate  his  interest  f  I  know  nothing  of  these  matters  ;  lint  on  viaw- 
Ini  at  a  distance  the  poBtiiro  of  men  and  imrties,  indicated  by         these  queries  have  flitted  thronch  my  mind. 

Vnur  friend,  tec.,  A.MOS  KENDALL," 

From  a  snnrce  I  cannot  as  yet  mention,  I  learn  that  Van  Buren's  bargain  with  Jackson's  friends— their  mn- 
tual  tinderstundlng,  I  may  as  well  call  it,  liears  datp  in  Dec,  IKHt.  In  that  month  he  expected  the  friend*  of 
Adams  to  attack  him,  and  soon  afterwards  [Feb.,  IH-^TJ  he  and  Cambrelenir  are  seer,  directing  Hoyt  to  elrculat* 
Gen.  Green's  Teleftrnph.  In  April  they  are  otf  to  Siuith  Carolina  [Sec  Nos.  41,  43,  41),  45,  46,  and  47],  fh>m 
whence  their eqiially  flexible  associate,  Ritchie,  receives  n  letter,  dated  "Charleston,  S.  C,  May  7,  1827,"  and 
here  it  is  from  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  ei,!hteen  months  liefore  Jackson's  election  : 

"Our  friend  Van  Buren  has  at  length  reconciled  nearly  all  the  most  im|iortant  jarrlne  claims  and  Interests. 
Oen.  Andrew  Jackson  consents  to  accept  of  the  t'reslilpncy  of  the  United  States,  PLKDGING  HIMSELF  IN- 
VlOLABi>V  TO  SUBSKRVF.  TIIK  PEOPI.K  OF  THE  SOUTH,  and  to  resign  at  the  end  of  four  years.  John 
R.  Calhoun  has  been  prevailed  upon.  In  conformity  tu  the  wishes  of  some  of  our  most  influential  friends,to  re- 
linquish his  claims  upon  the  Vice  Presidency.  Every  eflort  Is  to  be  made  to  induce  De  Witt  Clinton  to  accept 
the  Vice  Presidency.  Martin  Van  Buren  to  serve  as  Secretary  of  State  tinder  Gen.  Jackson,  and  at  the  end  of 
four  years  to  be  nominated  and  supported  fur  the  FresUlpncy  ;  with  a  perfect  understanding  that  he  will  pur- 
sue "rllB  SOUTHERN  POLICY,  in  relation  to  domestic  manufactures  and  Internal  lmprovemt>nti.  If  I  am 
not  much  misinformed,  a  cabinet  is  so  arranged  as  to  command  the  greatest  possible  extent  .>f  political 
Influence." 

Clinton  died— the  rival  candidates  pnt  Calhoun  on  their  tickets— Jackson  served  eight  years.  Wth  theea 
exceptions,  Ritchie  showed  what  has  since  come  to  pass,  in  May,  1837— and  "  a  political  Grimalkin— purring 
over  petty  schemes— mousing  over  sinister  strataffems- without  elevation  of  mind  or  dlitnity  of  chancier"— 
for  thus  did  Clinton  portray  V^an  Buren— ruled  the  Union,  to  its  deep  and  lasting  injury,  for  twelve  yoan ! 

Van  Buren's  0ub-Tieasurei  General  for  New  England,  Governor  Isaac  Uill,  of  N.  H.,  wa*  ft  hot  Adams bmi 


;!?^ 

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84 


THE  AliUANV  REGENCY  O.N  tHE  SAFETY  FUND  LAW. 


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Hi  '  '- 


CHAPTER    XX. 

CroaweU  on  the  Safety  hund  Lcnr. — Bank-crnjl  Described  by  those  who  under- 
stood it. — Desperate  Bank  Failures. — Who  Suffered  bij  them. —  Van  Buren'i 
Proscription  in  1S29. — Jlis  Effi^rls  to  obtdln  Charters  in  182S. —  The  Argus 
and  Butler  Murmur. — Mechanics  and  Fitn.icr.^''  Bank,  Albany. — The  Tieo- 
Third  Bide  at  Fault. — Clinlon^i  M^arnings.,  ISKi  and  ISIS. — Hammond  on 
JV.    Y.  Banking. — Flagg,   Wrifjht  and  FnrU  mining  Charters. 

Mr.  Edwin  Croswei.l  ol"  th?  Ali)any  Arguij,  sfiit  nip,  in  18;>4,  a  pamphlet 
entitled  "Origin,  provisions  ami  otli'ot  oftli^  Saiety  Fund  Law,"  with  a  request 
that  I  would  notice  it.  For  the  fn.sl  tini;^,  J  have  now  given  it  a  careful  perusal 
It  professes  to  be  a  reply  to  Mr.  VVaLsh's  Quarterly  Review,  the  Report  of  the 
Union  Committee,  and  the  strictures  in  Congress  on  what  is  termed  a  dangerous 
political  deception  by  Van  Burcn,  under  whose  short  goverimient  of  IS'evv  York 
the  fund  "  d  its  commissioners  were  recommended.  The  pamphlet  may  bn 
fairly  assumed  to  be  Vivn  Buren's  defence.  It  appeared,  with  high  commenda- 
tions in  his  press,  the  Argus,  and  was  approvingly  referred  to  by  the  presses 
controlled  by  bank  democrats  throughout  the  state.* 

in  IH*).  Thiit  yenr,  Aug.  H,  lie  sniil  in  his  ruiiinr. ''  Nn  nuni  iiniii'';  nn.ii'  nf  ihe  finnlitirs  of  llie  Iiniipsf,  uji 
right,  «nilMlile  stiiicsiniii.  limn  .IdIih  Ciiiinry  Afl:iiii<.  Mr.  Ail  ini>'  i  'If nt-  rin"  riui'.l  M.li-ly  u)  rule  in  ;i  rt  ,iiiii 
lie,  hecnii^e  republicnn  (ruveriiiniMii  ciii  only  !»■  Mi-t.iincil  liv  inifiirily  nul  phiin  ilr.ilin'i."  in  IfH,  ilill  w,n, 
Hir  Crawt'oril,  his  naiivi.-ni,  itnd  tlip  mim-riiy  rrcjrii — Imt,  \.\.\\  In',  .\l.iy.  I'i-i.  ■  .■^hoiild  he  [Crnvlord]  not  In 
elprted,  we  van  trnst  our  Hxprutivu  ileparuniMit  in  llic  li;inils  .iC  AUi'ins  or  liny.  1  wish  I  could  say  the  shuic 
(vf  GencriilJiirkson.  *  *  t  >■  *  »  W'r  (!■!  nm  like  to  lie  h.injuid  witliiiiit  rliynii- or  rcuson."  By  it*.';  i,t 
'28,  IsHiic  h(\<l  vt'crnil  round  to  JiioKson,  find  in  diU'  tinu;  .liirlcsun  wii*  "  iho  diinucnicy,"  and  ciay  nnci  Adiijiii 
about  Rs  bnd  men  iis  I.snnr  kniw  of  nny where.    Oli.  whiii  liit  conlruiis  |>in;ii;  ^oi  wlicn  liP  lurncd  ! 

♦  Trir  DK.FKNTt:  nv  thk  Su-fitv  Finp  Law,  so  called,  to  wiiifh  Air.  Ooswcll  liad  tliii< 
reqnesKHl  my  alientiuii,  nifntions,  that  )tri!;)r  i,:  X'aii  iMircn's  shoi-f  ai'iiiiuistiaiimi,  in  lHv!(),  liiciv 
hail  been  cle.spprate  bank  luiliurs — thai  tin-  hanks  IkhI  |iaiii  in  oiV\  |;aii  oi' their  i'a()ital  at  .si.tii- 
ing,  and  that  the  direcloj-s  ^nve  '•  little  or  no  t'lU'ihci-  tfuaraniy  lii;'  iho  i'ai:iii'iii  execution  of  their 
tru.«'.  than  t*l)e  oblijjation  to  pay  their  debts  in  sjiecii''' — that  in  i^oine  f  ;im'>;  pa\tiient.s  on  shans 


h-'d  been  made  in  specie,  the  money  withdraw  u  aijain,  and  nutes  of  hand  sulvslitutod,  with  ii. 
other. security  than  tlie  unpaid  shares  held  by  ih(!  parly — die  IVauduJeiU  banks  had  thus  euw 
i.ito  operation,  an  1  when  failure  followed,  the  cupilal  was  toiind  lo  con^i^t  of  the  worthlfvv 
note.s  of  wortldess  imlividrials — thai  the  iv.hi^h-c  legislative  iiower  to  act  as  bankers,  i.isii,- 
j>aper  a.s  money,  iV-c.,  conferred  by  law  on  •ueh  l^anks,  had  induced  honest  people  to  take  iheii 
note.s  for  property  and  lalwr,  and  deposit  mone;,  with  their  rascally  ma nasj-ers.  who  f^eneralh 
placed  their  plunder,  thus  acquired,  beyond  the  leach  oft!ie  creditors  of  the  institutions. 

If  reference  be  made  to  my  account  of  tlio  Hudson  Banic,  the  old  IJulfalo  Bank,  the  Wash- 
ington and  Warren  Bank,  the  Bank  at  Platl.'iburf,'h,  and  similar  institutions,  in  this  volume; 
and  to  Pro.sper  M.  Wetmore  and  P.  W.  Spicer'.s  United  Stntes  Lombard  Co.,  the  Morris  Canai 
Bank,  Traaesmen's  Bank,  Fulton  Bank,  the  Life  and  Fire  Co.,  Chemical  Bank,  and  other 
kindred  concerns,  noticed  in  my  Lives  of  Iloyt  and  Butler ;  a.s  also  to  the  reported  bank  fraini 
trials  of  182G,  of  which  Noah  "and  Webb  apjK-ar  to  retain  a  recollection,  when  speaking  of 
President  Polk's  Navy  Agent,  Prosper  M.  Weimore  [pag«s  2*2 1  and  225],  the  reader  will  .see 
that  the  public  had  been  so  cheated  by  Van  Buren  and  his  adherent.s,  their  exclusive  legisla- 
tion, rotten  charters,  and  dishonest,  banlc  airents,  that  the  cry  was  loud  and  univer.sal  for  aa 
efficient  check  upon  such  accumuiaied  wronc^s. 

So  far  were  Van  Buren,  Wright,  Butler,  I-^lacrs',  Croswell,  and  the  party  in  power,  from 
desiring  to  check  charter  granting  (a  disgrace  and  a  scandal  as  t he v  ever  have  been  to  the 
honored  cau.se  of  popular  government),  that  they  did  iheir  \  ery  best  in  the  session  of  1828  (only  9 
months  before),  to  pa.s.s  through  the  legislann-i?  of  the  state,  without  any  new  check  or  reform 
whatever,  a  variety  of  renewals  of  ba  nk  charters— a  nd  wlien  I'.utler  was  rlefeated  by  the  reluctance 
of  two-third.s  of  the  memtwrs  any  longer  to  countenance  the  odious  system,  Van  Buren  came 
out  through  his  Anaus,  and  viliticd  the  two-thirds  clause  in  the  oonstitiition  of  1821.  When  it 
became  apparent  that  some  concession  must  be  made  to  public  sentiment,  the  mock-guarantv  of 
the  Safety  Fund  Bubble  was  introduced  by  Van  Burcn,  as  a  scheme  invented  by  Joshua 
Forman,  an  old  federalist  of  Onondaga.  It  pretended  to  make  the  banks  enter  into  a  sort  of 
mutual  assurance— the  conunissioncr  clause  enabled  the  executive  to  piy  int«»  tlie  concerns  of 


When  \n 

leri  Wrigh 
compare  it 
to  1841j  at 
and  infamo 
the  chief  a 
degree  of  ( 
anything  tc 
Law  to  th( 
Butler. 

The  pan 
state,  that 
tity  of  sha 
"  hypothec 
like  himse 
as  would  s 
then  push 
get  as  man 
a  distant  ti 

any  bank — i 
lical  stage  m 
charter  couU 
sleek  {Virty  I 

In  ih;u,  V 

tended  as  a 
iMartin  Van 
"  We  had 
ing  charters 
derations  of 
with  due  lim 
busines.s  trai 
recharter  old 
tions  advantc 
or  to  break  u 
NEW  BA^ 
their  st)lvenc 
and  the  only 
the  time,  win 
cessary  hnstt 
»♦♦'♦♦  S 
lie  interests 
thr.  chnrlcrs  <i 
luul  e.rjnred. 
intere.sts  of  tl 
beyond  what 

The  Med 
letters  and  tl 
old  U.  S.  Ba 
dividends  w( 
This  bank  v 
president  am 
was  the  first 
(page  !(»!>),  i 
cashier  of  a 
father-in-lav 
Van  Buren' 
always  iden 
attorney  for 

InJusem 
bill  to  renew 
des'xed  to  ac 


LAW, 


I'lIK  SAFETY   FUND  A  THICK    TO  OBTAIN   MUllL;   BAMCS. 


85 


'11  those  who  under- 

tern. —  Van  Buren's 

82S.— 7%e  Argm 

Ihmiy.—The  Two, 

^^- — Uammmd  on 
urters. 

\S'M,  a  pamphlet 

^■,"  vith  a  request 

a  careful  perusal 

tlie  Report  of  the  I 

irmed  a  dangerous 

uent  of  JVevv  York 

paniphlet  may  be 

h  high  commenrla- 

J  to  by  the  presses 


Mlitii's  (if  (lip  hntipst,  iiji 
'l»'ly  lo  mil-  iii  ;i  rt-.ni'i 
iri'j."  In  if<..»4,  ||i||  „,.„. 
mill  hf  [Criwiord]  ti.ii  |„. 
I'ish  I  coiilil  say  the  khiiic 
i.'.ir  reiison."  By  IW  i,r 
•y,"  and  Clay  an(l  Adam, 
••n  Ik-  lurned  ! 

.Ir.  C'roswt'll   Iijid  111,,,  I 
i-i!alioii.in  1H-J9,  tluTi' 
'i' their  I'iipital  at  Mm;, 
tiil'iil  cxec-ul  ion  of  their 
:■-■<  jia\incnt.s  on  sham 
111  sulvstitutOil,  with  11,1 
I'anks  Jiad  thus  gont- 
:5ii-i.-l  of  tlie  wortlilf'M 
•  ac|  as  bankers,  i.s.sii,> 
c-st  jieopln  to  take  tlieir 
nat.Tis.  who  iienoralK 
he  institutions, 
iaio  Bank,  the  Wash- 
itions,  in  this  volume; 
r^o.,  tiie  Morris  Cana! 
iical  Bank,  and  otlior 
e  reported  bank  fraud 
n,  when  speaking  of 
>J,  the  reader  will  see 
it'ir  exclusive  legisla-  L 
in  J  universal  for  an 

'arty  in  power,  from 
er  have  been  to  thi' 
cssionofl8*28(only.9 
new  eheck  or  reform 
■atedbythoreluctanri' 
in,  Van  Buren  came 
»  of]  821.  Whenii 
:he  mock-giiarantv  of 
invented  by  Joshua 
'enter  into  a  sort  of  [ 
intb  Uie  concerns  of  I 


When  we  look  back  upon  the  dishonest  bank  legislation  of  Van  Buren,  But- 
ler; Wright,  Barker,  Throop,  Marcy,  and  their  friends,  previous  to  \S2'^^  and 
compare  it  with  this  party  account;  and  then  look  forwiud  to  1n37,  and  .so  up 
to  lS41j  at  Van  Buren,  Cambreleng,  Bowne,  Butler  iv  Co.,  dpiiouncing  as  vile 
and  infamous  the  fabric  artfully  reared  in  1829,  we  are  couipeiled  to  aainit  that 
the  chief  actors  in  the  continued  knavery  of  the  last  twenty  yinirs,  must  leel  a 
degree  of  contempt  for  the  people  they  have  so  suc-cessi'uily  decfivcd,  beyond 
anything  to  be  met  with  on  the  records  of  monarchy,  from  the  days  of  John 
Law  to  those  of  Cornelius  W,  Lawrence,  C.  V.  C:uniu\.dtMt'4,  mv\  iiinjamiii  V. 
Butler. 

The  pamphlet, or  rather  Van  Buren,  Wright,  Cro.svvcil,  kc,  went  oii  trulv  to 
state,  that  when  a  stockjobber  (like  Hoyt  or  Cambrelfn:.!;)  had  <^(>i  iiulU  of  a  quan- 
tity of  shares  of  one  of  these  moonshine  banks,  and  aided  in  ridiii.^  it,  ho  could 
"  hypothecate  "  his  shares,  raise  cash  on  them,  join  a  company  ot  adventurers 
like  himself,  purchase  as  many  of  the  shares  of  a  .sound,  well  nianaLji-d  bank 
as  would  secure  the  control  of  it,  by  the  election  oi  Uulleriziiii^  dit\'ctur:;,  uml 
then  push  as  many  of  the  notes  of  the  bank  out  aint)ng  the  peopli'  as  pos.sible, 
get  as  many  deposits  as  they  could,  issue  the  post  notes,  or  promi.sci  to  pay  at 
a  distant  time,  of  the  bank,  for  money  or  property,  sell  out  their  shares  ai  an 

any  bank — and  it  lulled  the  people  into  a  false  security,  out  of  which  the  ■^tui-'kiohber  and  poli- 
tical stage  manager  reaped  an  abundant  harvest  oi  iii-i(o«en  we.iiili.  h  v.-as  h.'.-'nuse  nut  oiie 
charter  could  be  got  in  IH-2t»,  18i7.  and  182H,  in  ronseciuence  of  t.he  twd-thi:;!  nde,  tluu  ti.e 
sleek  jxirty  leader  t)|)eni!,l  bis  bulge;  in  IH'Jit.  wilb  ilie  paiiaeea  of  ;i  scii-'iv  liuKl. 

lit  1H:U,  Vtan  Buren  and  his  fdioweis  ])ivtende<l  ibai  lin-  Sat'ei,  l-'iui  i  j..i  .v  uf  \,>l'\  wn,  ;.■,- 
tended  as  a  protection  lo  the  people.  Before  bcliming  iliai  tale,  be  i)lr;ivvd  io  lisk-n  lo  •,),. 
Martin  Van  Buren,  on  t'other  .side  of  ihe  que.s(ii,n.  1  (piote  ilie  Alhaiiy  Aiirie.  of  Ajail  h,  1.'  .,S. 
'•We  had  suj)j)osed  that  the  question  as  to  the  e.vpedieiiey  of  a  reneujil  uf  ihi.-  solvent  e.\!-i 
ing  charters  was  conceded.  Whether  this  Ite  .so  or  iiui,  it  npixar^  to  be  un;ed  bv  siro.'iLr  consi- 
derations of  ju.stice  to  the  institutions  and  security  to  the  pubiii'.  Ills  i.mre'.led  that"  llaiiivs, 
with  due  limitations  as  to  their  number,  have  become  .so  ideutilied  wit!i  our  eurrcivy,  ai)l  uiu 
busine.ss  transactions,  as  to  Ik*  indispensable.  And  the  quesiiou  now  is,  wh-lher  it"  is  s;iler  to 
recharter  old  and  solvent  Banks,  which  have  passed  through  the  lirst  ixTiod  of  tlieir  incorpora- 
tions advantageously  to  themselves  and  to  the  ])ublie,  and  which  are  Kui.uu  and  eonti'led  in, 
or  to  break  up  the  old  foundations,  «/(//  o\  tukiii  ni  in.s  bui.mi  in  A  8<."()HK  ( >ll  'i'\V'(.)  (if 
NEW  BANKS,  untried,  unknown,  possibly  in  irresponsible  hainis,  ;^n(i  "|ui-iiiiiialile  as  lo 
their  solvency  or  the  character  they  may  su.stain  \  To  this  (nie.siion  ilieie  is  ;in  eas;,  aiiswc.  : 
and  the  only  dirt'erence  of  opinion  probably  is  as  to  the  time  and  luaiuier  ol'the  renewal.  As  i,. 
the  time,  what  periiKl  more  lavorable  than  the  present  (  It  will  not  betray  a  luizardus  or  uiiiu-. 
censary  \iafi{e,ii:hild  if  v'iUaviiii/ lA:  crils  (ifd  luar  'ippiint'k  to  lite  '..lyiivtidii  of  lite  ehaiicrs. 
♦  ♦♦"♦♦  So  fully  Citnvinced  was  tb.e  legislature  of  Massachuseiis  ol  ihe  imjiu;  t:iiiee  to  the  pub- 
lic interests  and  the  stability  of  the  institutions,  that  //  voi.rsrKKiu.K  -jo  riK\i;\\ ,  und  did  rr,it.ii< 
tkn  charters  ofUic  Biinkx  intlial  sUilc,  SIX  OR  SEVEN  VEAUS  /jijorc  tlic  lir,iil  of  incorporation 
IukI  expired."^  Delay,  indeed,  may  serve  the  intere.sts  of  the  lobby,  but  can  scarcely  promote  Uie 
interests  of  the  community.  ♦  *  *  ♦  *  We  have  no  intere.si  in  the  renewal  of  any  charter, 
beyond  what  every  citizen  has,"  &c. 

The  Mechanics  and  Farmers'  Bank  at  Albany,  to  whose  manager,  T.  W.  Olcott,  Butler's 
letters  and  the  Safety  Fund  give  additional  notoriety,  was  incorporated  in  1811,  the  moment  tlie 
old  U.  S.  Bank  charter  was  vetoed  by  the  casting  vote  of  Gov.  Clinton.  At  these  times,  bank" 
dividends  were  often  9  to  18  per  cent.,  and  the  premiums  on  prirHcs:ed  stoclc  20  to  33  jtor  cent. 
This  bank  was  obtained  on  the  plausible  pretext  of  lienefiting  farmers  and  nieelianies,  and  the 
president  and  a  majorit/  of  the  directors  were  I'equired  to  be  ineehanies.  Solomon  iSuuihwiiJc 
was  the  lirst  president,  ind  Gorham  A.  Worth,  the  cashier.  Worth's  jioetry  is  noticed  by  Builer 
(page  10r>^,  and  Jacob  iiarker  speaks  of  him  as  a  I'riend  (page  lif2).  He  is  now,  I  believe,  tiie 
cashier  ol  a  bank  in  this  city.  In  due  time  the  M.  and  F.  fell  into  Kegency  hands,  and  Alare\  s 
father-in-law,  Benj.  Knowcr,  became  its  president.  When  Knower  stopped  jiayineiit,  in  IK'U, 
Van  Buren's  successor  in  the  U.  S.  Senate,  C  E.  Diulley.  succeeded  him.  Tliis  Bank  ha.s  lieen 
always  identified  with  Van  Buren's  interests,  and  his  son  Jolm  was  a  din'ctor  and  the  banJc 
attorney  for  it  in  183()  or  1837. 

In  Assembly,  March  It),  1828  (says  the  Argus),  Mr.  Butler  called  for  the  third  reading  of  the 
bill  to  renew  the  Mechanics  and  Farmers'  Bank  in  the  city  of  Albany.  Mr.  A.  Mann,  Jr., 
des'xed  to  add  a  clause  atfecting  the  liability  of  stockholders,  but  was  not  pennitted.    To  pa*j 


''a 

•  ^, 

I 

'■'i'' 

■  '* 

•- 

(\ 

I 

1 

H:- 

£  ■ 

"  s 

■X . 

)> 

-N' 

..4;/ 

■.  ■   . 

'•     A 

'"■,.:'< 

'}'■ 

f-/. 

fV:': 

■■i  ■ 

'     ■' 

'i  ■ 

1 ', 

ill-   ■• 

U'- 


1  '■,• 


86 


ANOXIILR  VIEW  Ol    NtW  YORK  CIIARl'tH  UUANTINO. 


t^^' 


■I  'i 


advance,  perhaps,  on  their  original  purciiase-iaouey,  and  having  exchanged  the 
credit  of  the  bank  for  substantial  wealth  in  every  shape,  borrowed  out  its  capi< 
tal,  and  ail  the  wealth  that  could  be  raised  on  its  credit,  retire  from  the  wreck, 
and  allow  it  to  blow  up  and  engulph  the  worthy  and  the  good,  the  unsuspecting 
and  unwary.  Reports  to  the  legislature  were  found  to  be  deceptive,  millions 
were  plundered  from  the  community,  and  in  some  cases  the  plan  was  to  divide 
the  funds  of  the  bank  among  the  (few)  stockholders,  as  pretended  profits,  when 
in  fact  there  were  none  to  divide.  I'his  enabled  them  to  sell  their  worthless 
shares  for  a  goodly  sum,  as  of  a  nourishing  concern,  well  conducted.  All  was  fraud ; 
but  so  linked  in  with  the  system  was  the  administration  of  Justice — (there 
were  Marcys,  John  ^'an  Burens,  Hoyts,  W.  W.  Van  Nesses,  &c.,  in  those  days) 
— that  if  any  rascal  was  prosecuted,  he  could  atibrd,  from  his  plunder,  thou- 
sands of  dollars  for  defence  ;  and  what  with  getting  clear  through  flaws,  through 
new  trials,  through  appeals,  through  a  brother  knave  on  the  jury,  whose  con- 
science could  not  convict,  the  law  was  inoperative,  as  respects  99  in  100.  Cases, 
says  the  ofhcial  pamphlet,  "of  each  of  the  classes  above  mentioned,  had  actu- 
ally occurred,  exhibiting  scenes  of  fraud  and  corruption,  the  details  of  which 
Were  spread  before  the  community  through  tne  reports  of  our  criminal  courts, 
WHICH  FOR  A  LOiSfi  TIME  WERE  CROWDED  WITH  CAUSES  OF 


the  bill,  CI  membeis  votod,  Butler,  Cargill  of  N.  Y.,  Michael  Hoffman,  Savage,  Verplanck,  &c. ; 
against  it  there  were  37  votes,  General  Porter,  Siiencer,  Fillmore,  &c.    Not  two-tlurds — lost. 

On  the  8th  ol  April,  the  Assembly  was  in  committee  on  renewing  old  bank  charters  and 
granting  new  ones.  It  was  prujiosed  to  make  the  stockholders  ol'  banks  individually  responsible 
to  double  the  amoiint  of  their  shares,  but  Butler,  Cargill,  Dayton,  Faulkner,  and  Hoffman, 
iipjxised  the  clause.  Huller  said  he  would  take  the  new  charters  thus  burthened,  as  a  les.ser  evil 
than  no  renewals,  i)wl  would  voii-  down  individual  responsibility  if  he  could.  On  the  10th,  it 
was  voted  down,  by  Butler,  Cargill,  Dayton,  Faulkner,  Hoftinan,  Ate. 

Mes,sr.s.  Butler  and  Holiniau  voted  for  sjH-cial  charters  to  some  banks  with,  and  to  others  with- 
out the  responsibility  clauses.  Any  way  to  get  them.  On  the  Ifith,  the  Assembly  in  commit- 
tee of  the  whole,  pas-sed  bills  to  renew  tiie  Franklin  Bank  and  the  Tradesmen's  Bank,  N.  Y., 
and  the  Catskill  Bank  ;  also  ten  new  baidv  charters  to  be  located  at  Kinderhook,  Whitehall, 
&c.  1  believe  the  whole  batch  got  swamped,  and  that  charters  were  laid  over  till  the  new  era 
of  Van  Buren  and  Reform  (!)  iu  18-JO. 

The  foUowini^  extract  tells  the  leelings  of  the  bank  Democrats,  in  April,  1828  : 

ll'rnin  tht>  Alhiiny  Argus,  April  14, 1838.] 

"  The  Bank  Charters. — The  linal  question  was  taken  in  the  Assembly,  on  Saturday,  on  the 
"  bills  for  the  renewal  of  the  charters  of  the  CJeneva  and  Ontario  Banks,  and  the  Bank  of  New 
"  York,  and  they  were  severally  lost ;  the  formt-r  being  deficient  by  three,  and  the  latter  by  four 
'•  votes,  of  a  constitutional  majority  [8(ij.  It  .seems  to  l)e  an  unequal  constitutional  rule,  which 
"  declares  a  vote  to  be  in  the  negative,  notwithstanding  more  than  three  to  one  of  the  viembers 
"  PRESENT  are  in  the  atiirmative ;  and  it  is  fartintlarlv  vvfortunatc  to  coine  .so  near  and  yet  to 
"  fail." 

Van  Buren,  Young,  ^N'rijjht,  and  their  friends,  had  had  very  early  l&ssons  ot  the  dangers 
to  liberty,  attending  the  vicious  system  of  banking,  which  <ibtained  in  this  .state.  In  a  l»  "ter 
to  the  lepublicaiis  of  the  state,  dated  Albany,  April  W,  IH(M),  and  signed  by  De  Witt  Climun, 
Nathaniel  Pitcher,  John  CJramer,  tJaleb  Toinpkins,  Clark.son  L'rolius,  R.  Riker,  John  M'Lean, 
,Toh.n  Herkimer,  John  Taylor,  Ale.v.  Sheldon,  Benjamin  Ferris,  and  other  members  ot  the 
x^egislature,  t!.ey  icll  the  people — '  Yoti  turned  with  disgust  from  the  scene  of  bribery  and 
"  corruption  by  which  the  Merchants'  Bank  in  the  city  of  N.  Y.,  secured  its  charter.  If  the 
"  representatives  of  the  jieople  can,  with  impunity,  receive  or  oHer  bribes,  the  virtue  of  our 
"  ggvernment  is  blasted.  If  we  permit  its  purity  to  be  stained,  we  pave  the  way  to  destroy  its 
"  re.spect  in  the  eyes  ot  all  good  men.  We  shake  the  basis  of  our  republican  establishments, 
"  and  lay  the  foundation  whereon  is  built  the  corrupt  governments  of  the  ancient  world.' 

In  Jan.,  1818,  Governor  Clinton  solemnly  warned  the  people  of  the  dangers  they  were 
bringing  or  the  country,  through  the  vicious  mode  of  transacting  banking  business,  which 
Van  Burc'i  and  his  pupils  had  continually  fostered.  The  Assembly  appointed  an  honest, 
faithful  committee,  to  whose  able  and  useful  report  1  would  be  glad  to  give  a  place  here. 
Their  eh  airman,  Isaac  Pierson,  was  also  directecl  to  propose  a  resolution  for  a  joint  committee 
of  the  1<  pslature  to  inquire  into  the  management  of  the  affairs  of  the  banks,  whether  their 
funds  had  been  improperly  applied,  or  their  agents  or  directors  been  guilty  of  improper  or 


FLAGti,  WI 

THAT  cm 
ZENS  WE 
they  found 
management  i 
merited  puni 
nationSf  and 
TORS,  that 
of  things,  w« 
chief,  to  pres 

usurioufpracti 
money  accou'li 
Governor's  rec( 

"  The  comm 
of  those  banks 
individual  stoc 
private  fortune 
the  stock  of  thi 
species  of  dictal 
legislative  wise 
counties,  nay  tl 
indebted  U)  bank 
be.  prostrated  in 
rious  poison  ha 
ihe  utmost  ene 

General  Roo 
liut  Mr.  Oakle; 
iiiey  ivere  care 
I'lattsburgh,  ar 
quirv,  effectual 
till  their  insolv 
For  proof  take 
jwndence  of  Vj 

"During  tlu 
for  chartering  [ 
investigation  w 
papers.  The  t 
depravity  of  tli 
liuman  nature 
li)  any  one  part 
teresl  of  memb' 
action  of  some 
a  Crawford  m 
morrow.'  In  : 
tiiacted  in  18*2 

The  old  bat] 
Feb.  16,  1824, 
canal  commis 
man.  In  the  j 
.ilso  voted  for 
Wright,  Jaspe 
charter  is  bef 
votes  of  Silas  "^ 
Stranahan.  I 
till  the  voting 
Did  you  eve 
who  has  lent 
with  fresh  met 

as  half  the  val 

is  the  banker's 


ITING. 

ng  exchanged  the 
owed  out  its  capi. 
e  from  the  wreck, 
,  the  unsuspecting 
eceptive,  millions 
plan  was  to  divide 
ided  profits,  when 
11  their  worthless 
ed.  All  was  fraud; 
jf  justice — (there 
i.c.,  in  those  days) 
is  plunder,  thou< 
gh  flaws,  through 
jury,  whose  con- 
^9  in  100.  Cases, 
itioned,  had  actu- 
details  of  which 
'  criminal  courts, 
H  CAUSES  OF 

ige,  Verplanck,  &c.; 
t  two-thirds— lost. 
i  bank  charters  and 
ividually  responsible 
cner,  and  Hoftrnan, 
;ned,  as  a  lesser  evil 
Jid.    On  the  10th,  it 

I,  and  to  others  with- 
ssembly  in  commit- 
men's  Bank,  N.  Y., 
lerhook,  Whitehall, 
ver  till  the  new  era 

,  1838: 


)n  Saturday,  on  the 
id  the  Bank  of  New 
id  the  latter  by  four 
tutional  rule,  which 
one  of  the  members 
*  so  near  and  yet  to 

sons  ot  the  dangers 
8  state.  In  a  1*  •ter 
y  De  Win  Clijuon, 
iker,  John  M'Lean, 
Bf  members  ot  the 
sne  of  bribery  and 
its  charter.  If  the 
s*,  the  virtue  of  our 
e  way  to  destroy  its 
[»n  establishments, 
icient  world.' 
langers  they  were 
ng  business,  which 
pointed  an  honest, 
jive  a  place  here, 
r  a  joint  committee 
nks,  whether  their 
ilty  of  improper  or 


FLAGU,  WRIGHT,  UARLL,  AND  OO.  CHARTER  GRANTING.   TUKIR  VICTIMS.  87 

THAT  CHARACTER.  HUNDREDS  OF  OUR  UNSUSPECTING  CITI- 
ZENS WERE  THE  VICTIMS  OF  SUCH  CONSPIRACIES ;  and  wAen 
they  found  their  fortunes  had  been  ruined  by  the  frauds  of  these  villains  in  the 
management  of  corporate  institutionSy  and  appealed  to  the  law  to  bring  them  to 
merited  punishmenty  such  turned  out  to  be  the  extent  and  intricacy  of  their  combi' 
natumsy  and  such  the  influence  of  the  accusedy  AND  THEIR  SECRET  ABET- 
TORS,  that  pubKc  justice  herself  seemed  to  be  almost  set  at  defiance."  This  state 
of  things,  we  are  told,  induced  Governor  Van  Buren,  when  state  physician  in 
chief,  to  prescribe  his  grand  nostrum  of  the  Safety  Fund  Law. 

usuriou*  practices  for  covenous  or  oppressive  purposes,  and  whether  they  had  paid  their  bills  in 
money  accoi  •'  Ing  to  their  charters,  or  evaded  doing  so.  The  report  of  the  committee,  and  the 
Governor's  recommendation,  well  warranted  the  proposition. 

"  The  committee  believe,  the  present  circulation  in  the  state  principally  consists  of  the  note.9 
of  those  banks  whose  nominal  capitals  are  small,  and  composed  principally  of  the  notes  of  the 
individual  stockholders,  called  stock-notes  :  so  that  the  security  of  the  public  consists  of  the 
private  fortunes  of  individual  stockholders,  and  those  fortunes,  in  a  great  measure,  consist  of 
the  stock  of  the  bank.  T/ieir  influence  too  frequently,  nay  often  already  begins  to  assvme  a 
species  of  dielation  (dlogclher  alarming,  and  unless  some  judicious  remedy  is  provided  by  the 
legislative  wisdom,*we  shall  soon  witness  attempts  to  control  all  selections  to  office  in  our 
counties,  nay  the  elections  to  this  very  legislature.  Senators  and  members  of  assembly  will  be 
indebted  Ui  banks  fur  the\- seats  in  this  capitvl,  and  thus  the  wise  ends  of  our  civil  inttUutians  vriU 
be.  prostrated  in  the  dust,  bij  rnrporations  of  o^ir  oum  creation.  It  is  therefore  evident,  the  delete- 
I  ious  poison  has  already  taken  deep  root,  and  requires  immediate  legislative  interference  with 
ihe  utmost  energy." 

General  Root  and  Messrs.  Meigs,  Edwards,  and  Sharpe,  made  able  speeches  for  inquiry, 
tint  Mr.  Oakley  opposod  il.  The  resolve  was  adopted,  70  to  30,  and  sent  to  the  Senate,  where 
iliey  ivere  carefully  proirciinnr  the  knavery  of  Washington  and  Warren,  Buffalo,  Hudson, 
Plattsburgii,  and  other  rotten  banks  of  the  Van  Buren  family.  Van  Buren  denounced  in- 
quiry, efTectiially  crushed  the  Assembly's  resolve  and  protected  the  banks  in  their  villany, 
till  their  insolvency,  and  the  breaking  uown  of  many  others  of  like  character,  closed  the  scene. 
For  proof  take  the  printed  journals  of  the  Senate  of  j^f.  Y.  Look  also  into  the  secret  corres- 
jwndence  of  Van  Buren,  Butler,  Hoyt,  Barker,  ikc. 

"  During  the  November  session  [18"24],  a  complaint  was  made  that  the  passage  of  the  bill 
for  chartering  [the  Chemical  bank  of  New  York],  had  been  procured  by  corrupt  means.  An 
investigation  was  ordered,  and  a  committee  appointed  with  power  to  send  for  persons  and 
papers.  The  evidence  given  before  the  committee  atforded  a  most  disgusting  picture  of  the 
depravity  of  the  meml>ers  of  the  legislature,  and  indeed,  I  might  say,  of  the  degradation  of 
Iminan  nature  itself.  The  attempt  to  corrupt,  and  in  fact,  corruption  itself,  was  not  confined 
II)  any  one  party.  It  extended  to  individuals  of  all  parties,  and  it  is  not  improbable  thai  the  in- 
terest of  members  in  these  applications  for  moneyed  incorporations  had  an  effect  on  the  political 
action  of  some  of  them.  Mr.  Caldwell,  a  witness,  testified  that  he  heard  a  senator  say, '  I  am 
a  Crawford  man  to-day,  but  unless  the  Chemical  Bank  pa.s,ses,  I  shall  be  a  people's  man  to- 
morrow.' In  short,  it  was  evident  that  the  foul  and  sickening  scenes  of  1813,  had  been  re-. 
enacted  in  1824." — Hammond.,  vol.  i.,  p.  178. 

The  old  bank  of  Rochester,  chartered  182-t,  was  a  regency  favorite.  It  pas.sed  the  Senate, 
Feb.  16,  1824,  and  among  the  yeas  were  our  present  Governor,  Silas  Wright,  Jonas  Earll, 
canal  commissioner,  John  Cramer,  Charles  E.  Dudley,  Heman  J.  Redfield,  and  John  Bow- 
man .  In  the  Assembly,  30th  Jan . ,  it  was  voted  for  by  A.  C .  Flagg,  our  comptroller.  Mr.  Flagg 
.also  voted  for  the  Pulton  Bank,  N.  Y.,  that  y»ar ;  as  in  the  Senate,  April  1,  1824,  did  Silas 
Wright,  Jasper  Ward,  Jonas  Earll,  Jr.,  John  Lcfferts,  and  Perley  Keyes.  This  history  of  that 
charter  is  before  the  world.  On  same  day,  in  Senate,  the  Long  Island  Bank  passed,  by  the 
votes  of  Silas  Wright,  Jasper  Ward,  C.  E.  Dudley,  Jonas  Earll,  Jr.,  Perley  Keyes,  and  Farrand 
Stranahan.  In  the  As.sembly,  A.  C.  Flagg,  not  having  made  up  his  mind,  absented  himself 
till  the  voting  was  over. 

Did  you  ever  see  a  cat  watch  a  mouse,  reader  1  Just  so  will  the  little  country  bank  director, 
who  has  lent  cash  to  a  farmer  on  the  mortgage  of  his  place,  watch  him.  Sixty  day  renewals, 
with  fresh  meals  of  interest,  are  an  eating  moth.  The  speculation  fiuls — the  note  is  now  as  big 
as  half  the  value  of  the  farm— the  Daniel  S.  Dickenson  of  the  law  tightens  the  screws— the  iaiin 
is  the  banker's,  and  its  owner  on  his  way  to  Iowa. 


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VAN  UUlUiN  OOVERNOB.   WHAT  THKN  HAPPENED. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

Governor  Van  Burenfor  more  Bnnh,  and  acjahist  them. — Judge  FormaiCs  report. 
— Dividing  the  spoils. — Jilair  goes  for  more  Banks. — Webster  on  the  Pets.— 
Throop  surreedH  \'an  Buren. — tlubhcWsProphecica. — Chandler  Starr  on  their 
FitlfiUmeut.  —  The  ISnJ'tljf  Fund  Scheme  n  Fraud  on  the  Country. — Generul 
(leorrjv  P.  liarke-r.—Marrij  on  the  Buffalo  Bank. — Bunk  officers  tried  for 
Felony.  —  How  Acquitted.  • 

At  the  opening  ol'  the  legislature  ol'  1S29,  [Jan.  7]  Governor  Van  Buren 
said  a  great  deal  about  banks,*  but  very  little  about  education.  One  paragraph 
of  his  message  was  in  these  words  : 

i^  "  To  dispense  with  Banks  altogether  is  an  idea  which  seems  to  have  ^ 
^(^no  advocate;  and  to  make  ourselves  v.lioUy  dependent  on  those <4)i) 
{ji^  established  by  federal  authority  deserves  none.  If  these  are  correct  «Ci} 
3^  views,  the  only  alternative  would  seem  to  be,  between  a  renewal  of  the  ■^ 
f^  charters  of  the  sound  part  of  the  existing  Banks,  or  to  anticipate  the  ^ 
yr^»  windimr  u[)  of  tiiese  concerns  by  the  incorporation  of  new  institutions."  "^ 

When  ii  few  steps  higher  up  preforincnt's  ladder,  he  wrote  Sherrod  Williams 
<n  lt^3G,  "  i  have  always  btien  opposed  to  the  increase  of  Banks. '"f 

'  Uii  the  IStli  of  Jaiuiary,  18-iO,  Van  Biirrii  wrote  Jiid(jo  Forinnn,  at  New  York,  for  a  popular  version  of  Ills 
pl.'iu,  aiMil  Ills  requi'st  tliniii!-!!  Jesse  lloyt  tsiv  No.  102,]  niid  on  llic  !J7tli  laid  It  by  iiiesHage  before  tlic  legislaliin-. 
.Next  diiy  il  apppared  in  lln"  Ar;;iH,  anil  the  iin|irrssion  is  irresistible,  that  the  scheme  for  passing  a  batch  of  new 
and  old  hank:,  to  snit  lavorite  Interest-,  wa'i,  like  'I'liroop's  suecrssion.  and  Westcrvelt's  "prcat  salvation,"  h 
matter  of  tiariiain  and  uooil  iindei-staiidirv!  between  V'an  Buren,  Olcott.  Throep,  Marey,  Fla^R,  and  r.ertnju  (if  tlli; 
)iariy  lenders,  ai  Herkimer,  in  September,  \'i-it<.  Form  in  puis  forward  his  pi.in  as  of  "a  Community  something 
lifter  the  niimnei-  of  our  federal  iinicni  —with  a  siipiTvision  over  the  whole,  tis  perfect  and  more  beiielir.ial  for  \\v 
pnbliCTiiANTiiM  OF  A  (iKMMUi.  iiANK  ovKR  ITS  BRANrnica."  Ilow  Van  Buren'ssclienieoperated — how  the  char- 
ter,* were  pot— the  sto<'iv  distributed — who  llie  men  were  who  were  most  active  in  prociirini;  charters — who  aii>l 
what  the  conimissloners  were — what  pro|H)rtions  of  stoek  went  to  leglslaitrs  and  prominent  patriots,  like  Olcot , 
Marcv,  Fluui;,  Vaiiderpool,  I)U,  Wri|jlit,  liawr(^uce,  Butler,  (JroswcU,  I'ortcr,  Corninj,',  Beekman,  Gould,  Voiini.', 
and  I^auIkniT,  or  to  men  of  straw  for  them— and  wheiher  those  who  profited  by  these  safety  fund  speculationi 
were  not  lenpied  toaelher  as  Ueji^ney  supporters,  both  l)el'ore  and  after  18-29 — these  are  quest  ions  Ui'it  could  best  he 
answered  by  a  spwial  work  on  N.  Y.  Ilankiiiir,  whieJi  would  show  in  detail  how  the  charters  were  log-rolle:l, 
and  for  and  by  whom.  Huch  a  work  would  be  the  Black  Book  of  the  Empire  .St.ite  In  rijjht  eariie.sl.  Dr.  .Max- 
well, a  legislator,  addressed  /eno  Allen  the  postmaster  of  Sackett's  Harbor,  by  letter,  dated  Albany,  Jan.  7,  lH3i>, 
tlius  "Dear  Judge — Yours  just  received.  There  are  more  applications  for  banks  this  year  than  ever  before. 
Yoti  must  make  out  n  complete  list  of  directors,  oDlcers,  &c.,  and  if  oliialned  you  must  know  now.  It  must  be  a 
Jackson  Bank  ;  and  the  Bank  junto  in  this  plaee,  must  be  allowed  a  tin{;er  in  the  pie. 

Yours,  truly,  Ph.  Maxwell.'' 

Large  fortunes  have  been  mode  by  apportioning  the  stock  of  new  banks  to  favorites  i  nd  followers  of  the  gov- 
ernment. Viui  Buret)  wished  (hat  corrupt  power  to  be  retained.  In  Ills  January  Mcsbjge,  he  said,  "  Who  are 
thfc  particular  recipients  of  your  favor  is  a  matter  of  minor  impoitanre.  The  number  of  the  stockholders,  in  com- 
pntMon  with  the  ercat  body  of  the  people,  is  so  very  small,  an.!  the  stock  is  so  constantly  changing  hands,  tlint 
THEEaUlTY  OF  rrs  ORIGINAL  UISTKIBUTION  bceomet  a  comparatively  unimportant  matter"  Thut 
is  to  say,  leave  the  party  to  select  the  commissioners  to  distribute  the  slock,  and  leave  the  dis'ribiMlon  to  ths 
eommtsslonvrs.  Perhaps  the  premiuvis  paid  from  1829  to  1^39,  on  bank  stock,  sold  by  the  origi'ial  favorites  of 
the  party,  yielded  theni  from  two  to  three  tnlliions  of  doliurs.  All  this,  says  Viin  Buren,  u.  comparatively 
iinlinnortant. 

t  This  volume  atfonU  abundant  evidence  that  Blair  was  Van  Burcn's  confederate,  and  the  Globe  hU  mouth- 
piece—Blair  and  Van  Uuren  admit  that.  Turn  to  the  Globe  of  Dec.  21,  1833,  and  you  wil!  find  the  following 
liaraimiph,  pnuiiisini,'  a  larpe  crop  of  banks  without  any  safety  fund  to  protect  their  customers  : 

"This  new  coalition,  however,  have  lalxired  In  vain.  I'he  intelligent  people  of  the  West  knew  how  to 
maintain  their  rlizhts  and  mdeiiendonce,  nnd  to  repel  oppression.  Although  foiled  In  the  beginning,  every 
Western  State  1^  about  to  establish  u  ii^tatu  banking  Institution.  They  are  resolved  to  avail  themselves  of  their 
own  State  credit  as  well  as  of  the  national  credit  to  maintain  a  currency  Independent  of  foreign  control.  Mr. 
Clay's  presses  In  Kentucky  be^in  now  to  feel  how  vain  are  all  their  offurts  to  resist  this  determination  of  the 
peoi)le  in  the  West.  The  Louisville  (Kentucky)  Herald  says ; '  Fwm  the  indications  of  public  opinion,  as  con- 
tained In  the  pn|)ers  from  tlie  States  around  us,  there  is  every  probability  that  banks  will  be  cliartered  in  ths 
States  of  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Missouri,  and  that  clTorts  will  be  iniulo  to  charter  in  this  State  (Kentucky)  not  only 
a  fltate  bank,  with  four  or  live  branches,  but  several  independent  banks.'  " 

Higlily  approving  of  this  promised  crop  of  state  banks,  the  Globe  concludes  by  saying—"  So  Ohio,  Indiana, 
T'V"  ■  •  AtisHourl.  and  Kentucky,  are  resolved  to  take  care  of  themselves,  and  iio  longer  depend  on  the  kind 
t-  < •- >  >  of  Biddle,  Cluy,  andCo."    And  OIUo  did  take  care  of  bertjelf  by  chartering  nt  that  same  session 


VA 

Whenl 
Republic, 
New  Yor 
ceived,  an 

"  But  this 
New  York. 
The  same  1: 
banking  sy» 
Great  Britai 
was  foUowL'i 
that  power ; 
tionofour  1) 
fluence  they 
two  coiintrie 
don,  and  Ls  : 
our  banks,  a 
lant  of  our 
power  in  En 
Iv  affects  ou 
Jluence." 

On  the  1 
T.  Throop 
had  voted  I 
where.  '* 
criminating 
lican  prinCi 
the  ijovernn 
be  fully  ind 
that  he  aroi 
was  for  ban 
....  havt 
anticipated, 

On  the  1 
bank  bill  of 


of  her  Legislati 
bank  party  havi 

Webster,  in  n 
thus  e.Ypiiscd  th 
turers  of  New 

"Take  all  th( 
llshed,  and  can 
nf  political  frien 
New  York,  wltl 
stance,  in  whici 
tieman  say,  thai 
nhlHln  a  charier 
altogether  inlsin 
no  niono|)oly.  i 
nnd  the  sanu;  fa 
nnd  show  a  orol 
or  what  party  tl 
c(<niinodaliou,  a 
tiling  anywhere 

♦  The  Saf. 
Jan.  :W,  ltH3, 
ttire  of  their  t 
roguery  of  ca 
iinpo.s,fible,  b; 
hopelessly  inJ 
powers  of  in 
management 
secured  and  v 
gers  evidentl) 


<<UD. 


fe  Formaii's  report, 
ster  on  the  Pel8.~~ 

idler  Starr  on  their 
Country. — General 

t  officers  tried  for 

• 

'ernor  Van  Buren 
1.     One  paragraph 

seems  to  have  ^ 
ent  on  those  «^ 
se  are  correct  ^ 
renewal  of  the  ^^ 
anticipate  the  <=^ 
institutions."  «^ 

Sliprrod  Williams 
iks.'^t 

n  popular  version  «ir  Uh 

age  bi.'fort'  llie  li^giHlaliinv 

r  p:us.-iiiic!  •>  batch  ur  iii'w 

It's  "preat  salvation,"  h 

FliigK<  iixl  certnlu  iif  the 

a  ciiinniuiiity  sometlilu; 

(1  n:iori'  beiielir.ial  for  th>' 

ope  ruled — how  Hip  chiir- 

ill!,'  charters— whci  an  I 

iiu'iii  patriots,  lilte  Olcot , 

"  okiniiii,  Gould,  Voiiiii;, 

al(!ty  fund  speculations 

siloiisth'it  could  befit  In* 

harters  were  log-roll*;!, 

ristlit  carmwt.    Dr.  M.ix- 

ted  Albany,  Jan.  7,  1H32, 

lis  year  thon  ever  before. 

now  now.    Ii  mugi  br:  u 

Ph.  Maxwell. ■' 

d  followers  nfthc  gov- 
jge,  ho  said,  "  Who  are 
the  stockliDlders,  in  com- 
tly  changing  hands,  that 
iportant  matter  "  Xhut 
ve  the  dis'ribi'Mon  to  thi; 
the  ori^i'jal  favorites  of 
Buren,  u.  comparatively 

nd  the  Globe  his  mouth- 
will,  find  the  following 
itoniers : 

the  West  knew  how  in 
in  the  beginning,  every 
ivnll  themiielves  of  thrir 
of  foreign  control.  Mr. 
lis  determination  of  the 
f  public  opinion,  as  con- 
will  be  cliarterod  in  tlia 
uto  (Kentucky)  not  only 

ng— "  So  Ohio,  Indiana, 
get  depend  on  the  kinil 
ing  at  thRt  same  session 


VAN  BVRBN,  THROOP  AND  WFBSTER,  ON  THE  N.  Y.  BANKS. 


89 


When  he  had  workod  hi.s  w.iy  to  tlie  Cap  j1,  and  become  President  of  the 
Republic,  he  attempted  to  show  that  inland  banks  were  dependent  on  those  of 
New  York,  where  the  produce  is  sent  and  from  whence  the  merchandize  is  re- 
ceived, and  discoursed  in  one  of  his  messages  to  Congress  alter  this  fashion  ; 

"  But  this  chain  of  dependence  does  not  .stop  here.  It  does  not  tenniiiaie  at  Philadelphia  or 
New  York.  It  reaches  across  the  ocean,  and  ends  in  London  the  centre  of  the  credit  .system. 
The  same  laws  of  trade  which  gave  to  the  banks  in  our  piincip.il  cirie-,  power  over  the  whole 
banking  system  of  the  United  States,  subjcft  the  ronuor  in  'heir  tinii.  to  the  mnney  power  of 
Great  Britain.  It  is  not  denied  that  Ihe  huspension  of  the -New  ^  or;:  brtnl^s  in  lr<;j7,  whi^.vi 
was  followed  in  quick  succession  througlioul  the  Union,  \V;is  proiJuced  by  ;'.n  iippliration  yl 
that  power;  and  it  is  now  alle;;ed  in  extenuation  of  the  present  ctindilinn  of  so  iai;,'e  a  ]xir- 
tion  of  our  banks,  that  their  embarrassments  have  ari-^en  Im^n  ilic  same  cause.  From  tliis  in- 
fluence they  cannot  now  entirely  escape,  for  it  has  its  orljjiii  in  th>.'  crciit  ciirreneies  of  the 
two  countries ;  it  is  .strenj^thened  by  the  cm  rent  of  trade  an<l  exchange,  wliirn  centres  in  Lon- 
don, and  Is  rendered  almost  irrp.sistii)le  by  the  large  debts  contiacted  there  by  our  meichants, 
our  banks,  and  our  States.  It  is  thus  that  an  introduction  of  a  iipw  banl:  iiito  the  most  dis- 
tant of  our  villages,  place.s  the  business  of  that  village  within  the  influence  of  the  money 
power  in  England.  It  is  thus  that  every  new  debt  whirli  we  contract  in  timi  country,  serious- 
ly affects  our  own  currency,  and  extends  over  the  pursuits  of  our  citizens  it.-;  powerful  in- 
fluence." 

On  the  12th  of  March,  Van  Buren  abdicated  in  favor  of  hi.s  lieiitpnant,  Knos 
T.  Throop,  one  of  the  most  thoroughgoing  U.  S.  Bank  men  in  tlie  stale.  He 
had  voted  for  the  bank  in  Congress  in  1816,  and  resolutely  deiViKled  it  every- 
where. "7/"  ample  talents,^^  said  Van  Buren,  about  Throop,  "  and  u  sound  dis- 
criminating judgment — if  iiitegriti/  and  singleness  of  purpose,  and  tnih/  repub- 
lican principles  furnish  any  just  ground  for  expecting  a  safe  .  dministrntion  of 
the  government,,  that  expectation^  I  am  persuaded,  mat/,  m  t/ic  present  instance, 
be  fully  indulged^  Throop  had  to  reply,  of  course  ;  and  tlis'  jcui  nal  tells  us, 
that  he  arose  in  his  place  in  the  Senate,  and,  among  other  things,  declared  he 
was  for  banks,  and  plenty  of  them.  "  Their  influence  upon  i)i'oduclive  industry 
....  have  been  more  beneficial  than  tlie  most  sanguine  projector  could  have 
anticipated,"  said  Thioop. 

On  the  19th  of  March,  Mr.  Hubbell,  in  the  a.ssembly,  rose  to  oppose  the 
bank  bill  of  the  Van  Buren  party.*     His  speech  I  find  in  the  New  Vork  Hven- 

"f  her  Legislature,  I  bi'liuve,  el(!von  new  banks,  with  an  assreeate  capitiil  of  aUoiu  tniir  iiii!li():is — the  \\>l 
bank  party  having  a  majority  in  both  branches. 

Webster,  In  reply  to  u  defence  of  the  I'ets  and  .Safety  Fund,  by  GovernDr  Wriirht,  in  S.MiiitP,  .M.irch  20,  1S:M, 
thns  expiMed  the  artful  net  Into  which  pretended  palriots  had,  .spitier-likn,  enlicod  tho  fiiriiiors  iiiui  iii.iniir.tc 
liirern  of  New  Vork : 

"Take  all  the  banks  in  the  country  which  have  been  inrorpnrated  since  tlie  S^u'i'ty  riiuil  systtini  was  isIhIp 
liahed.  and  can  the  gentleman  mention  one  which  has  not  been  stiuiioiisly  ami  dt>M|;iii'<lly  |i|.ir,<il  In  the  ii'in.S 
nf  political  friends  ?     Is  there,  now-ailays,  any  such  thine  as  obtainiiiR  a  l>iiik  clmrliM-  iVnin  ihi-  I,('(;islai'ire  m' 
New  York,  without  comiuissinners,  nameil  in  the  act  it>elf,  to  dlstriliuie   the  stoi'k  :  an^l  is  then-  any  nne  in 
Klance,  in  wlilch  n  majority  of  shares  is  not  allotted  to  men  of  ono  p.irticalar  poliliial  piiiy  !     Will  ilio  '.-en- 
tleinan  say,  that  a  hundred  of  the  first  merchants  of  New  Vork,  or  AllKiny,  or  t'tiia,  or  liiiittlu,  loiilil  iliisitav 
nhtaln  a  charter,  for  themselves,  and  their  as.souiates  ;  the  stix-k  to  lie  dividcil  :is  tliry  ini'^lit   rhoose  >     lam 
altogether  inlsinfoniied  if  any  such  thing  could  l)f'  expi'Cled.     With  us,  and  I   suppo-to  elscu  iieic,  linakliiL'  it 
no  niuno|V)ly.    ('ertuin  general  laws  reKulate  the  whole  business,  anil  one  riass  ot  persons  lim  the  same  ri^li!, 
nnd  the  same  facility,  in  applyini;  for  and  receiving  cliartcrs  as  others.  If  ilioy  coaloriii  i<i  the  (ii'iicral  iau, 
nnd  show  a  ;)rol)abi«  necessity  for  tlie  institution  which  they  ask  lor.     .\oiiii('.''tion  is  uskeil  i-  to  uii.ii  s(  ho..! 
or  what  party  the  applicants  lielong  ;  and  this  is  as  it  siioulil  I"'.     To  place  all  hank  cirrulalion,  and  li'tak  ac 
commndation,  anil  bank  Inrtuf  .«ce,  into  party  hands,  to  lie  used  lor  party  piirpu.scs,  wniild  lie.  ami  i<,  if  s,irh  a 
thing  anywhere  exists,  an  enormity,  worthy  ot^Jy  of  the  worst  tovernments." 

♦  The  Safety  Fund  CJommissioners,  Chandler  Starr,  TrnmLull  Cary,  i.K:j.,  in  their  report  of 
Jan.  30,  18^13,  s'how  how  correct  Mr.  Hubbell's  views  were  in  l.Si>'.).  'I  hov  assure  the  IcL'i.la- 
ture  of  their  utter  inability  to  prevent  the  plunder  of  banks  l>y  tiie  negligcme  i;f  liiivctors  raid 
roguery  of  ca.shiers,  or  the  villainy  of  tiolh  combined.  1.  Becan.sf  it  is  diliieuh,  aiul  oftfii 
impivssihie,  by  the  exercise  of  the  greatest  vigilance,  to  compel  a  bank  to  suspend  till  it  is 
hopelessly  in.solvent.  2.  Until  a  bank  has  violated  a  positive  law,  it  is  usiinl'.v  l)oy.)nd  their 
powers  of  interference,  through  an  application  for  a  chancery  injunction,  .'t.  Tliough  the 
management  is  very  improvident,  the  loans  made  in  large  snnis  to  a  iew  favorites,  or  badly 
wcured  and  very  doubtful — though  the  ofTicera  may  he  the  principal  borrowers,  and  the  mana- 
gers evidently  hazai-ding  the  capital  of  a  bank,  yet  the  commissioners  dare  not  interfere,    4. 


'.    \     .]' 


'1'  ■>  ' 


I*' 
I*!.*- 
■<■/' 


f 


'la    . 


'W 


!     ;■•• 


!*r 


ri 


„rt"^'»f'* 


90 


WHIG  COMMISSIONERS  AND  VAN  BUREn's  SANDY  ITILL  FUND. 


^M 


ing  Post,  reported  from  the  Albany  Argus.  He  was  convinced  that  the  bank 
fund  would  prove  only  a  splendid  premium  offered  to  dishonesty  and  fraud— 
that  many  expedients  would  be  resorted  to  by  the  managers  of  a  corrupt  insti* 
tution,  in  failing  circumstances,  to  push  as  many  of  their  bills  into  circulation 
as  possible,  the  whole  banking  capital  of  the  state  being  pledged  for  the  redemp- 
tion. He  wanted  to  guard  the  honest  stockholder,  infants,  widows,  aged  per- 
sons retired  from  business  who  had  their  funds  in  the  banks,  but  this  scheme 

"  It  is  true  that  an  iiijuuciion  will  be  granted  when  the  ruin  of  the  bank  has  been  cunsumiHated 
by  actual  insolvency,  or  in  ea-^es  where  half  the  eapital  stock  has  been  lost."  5.  But  these 
facts  must  te  swuin  lu,  as  fuels  iiciually  known  to  tlic  cominissloncrs,  or  proved  on  oath  by 
others.  «;.  Even  if  a  well  founded  belief  of  insolvency  is  ihe  result  of  an  investigation  by  the 
eommissionei  s,  tJliaiici  Ilor  WaUvortii  I'arries  the  matter  to  a  future  day,  and  thi.s  affords  time 
to  tiie  bank  oliieers  lo  give  pietlTeneesi  lo  those  they  may  desire  to  favor,  and  to  substitute 
worthless  paper,  or  paper  at  long  dates,  for  notes  at  short  dates  and  well  secured.  The  bank 
capital  is  often  placed  '■  in  the  liaiids  of  reckless  and  unprincipled  managers,  and  unrestrained 
by  either  ni'-ral  or  legal  obligation."  7.  Examinations  of  banks  take  place  but  once  in  four 
months — till-  commissioner  has  ollen  little  knowlerjge  of  the  debtors  or  of  the  real  value  of  the 
other  funds — ■•  he  is  precluded  from  disclosing  the  names  of  the  debtors,"  and  has  to  believe 
whatever  the  managers  may  tell  him.  Even  if  the  iidbrmatiim  is  sw<jrn  to,  it  is  not  worth 
mucii.  H.  "  'I'lic  si'lt'ciion  of  I'resident  and  capable  Directors  must,  of  neces.sity,  constitute 
the  great  saf  •i,'u;iul  of  haiilc  stockholders  "—HUT  THESE  fX)NSlDERATIONS  SELDOM 
INFLUEA'OE  THE  STOCKllOLUEHS  IN  'I'HEIH  CHOltTC.    S).  OHicers  and  managers 

fmt  in,  are  tbrlilicd  by  j)ro\ies,  which  keep  them  in.  They  have  lost  much  of  late  by  specu- 
ating  unwisely. 

What  a  commentary  on  that  grand  humbug,  the  Safety  Fund  Law,  by  which  false  swearing 
is  declared  to  be  perjury,  and  the  exhibition  of  false  books,  or  entries,  to  the  commissioners,  a 
felony  ! !  Justice  lo  the  guilty  is  a  mockery,  and  even  Benjamin  Butler  sneers  at  the  idea  of 
calling  the  knaves  to  account.  Is  this,  can  it  be,  fir-e,  enlightened,  democratic  America  *?  The 
America  of  my  early  dreams  it  surely  is  not. 

In  18Ut!,  George  V.  Barker  was  elected  to  tlie  Assembly  from  Erie  County,  to  electioneer  fur 
the  charter  of  ihe  City  Hank  of  Buil'alo.  He  did  .so,  and  obtained  it,  through  Ihe  votes  of 
Senators  J.  and  L.  Heardsley,  Armstrong,  Gansevoort,  Coe  S.  Downing,  Grillin,  Hubbard,  J. 
Hunter,  Geo.  Huntington,  H.  F.  and  J.  P.  Jones,  Lacy,  Lawyer,  Livingstoji,  Lounsberry,  E. 
C.  Mack,  Ihe  party  printer,  Maison,  Seger,  the  ex-clerk  of  assembly,  Van  Schaick,  D.  Wager, 
Sterling  and  Spraker.  Samuel  Young,  with  Loomis,  James  Powers  (see  page  70),  and  one 
or  two  more,  formed  Ihe  opposition.  Prosper  M.  Wetmore  was  its  supporter  in  the  Assembly, 
and  also  the  supporter  of  almost  every  other  bank  asked  for.  Polk  sticks  to  liim  as  Navy 
Agent  here,  like  a  brother.  Van  Buren's  followers  had  their  share  of  the  plunder,  by  agree- 
ment. One  prominent  operator  (Corning,  I  lliink),  had  $^0,000  of  the  stock,  and  when 
the  bank  failed,  the  Argus  had  the  assiu'ance  to  call  the  concern  a  "whig  bank  party" 
**  machine." 

From  first  to  la.sl.  General  George  P.  Barker,  alxalitlonist,  Canadian  Patriot,  stockjobber, 
and  Van  Buren's  .steady  tool,  was  a  director  of  the  City  Bank— he  was  also  its  atlornev, 
transacting  its;  law  business.  John  B.  Maey,  another  ex- Van  Buren  man,  was  the  first  presi- 
dent, and  he  and  his  partner,  Isaac  S.  Smith,  the  loco-foco  candidate  for  Governor,  abstracted 
and  lent  themselves  nearly  S1:''0,000  of  Ihe  funds  of  the  bank;  their  securities  were  sold  at 
Bufialo  last  Nov.  for  less  than  $;9,000— ^2,000  of  discounted  bills  brought  $1,200— judgments 
in  favor  of  the  bank  for  $2Sb,000,  were  sold  for  821,500.  Until  Nov.  1839,  the  Safety  Fund 
Commissioners  reported  the  bank  to  be  sound  and  healthy,  though  it  was  even  then  ntterly 
worthless — so  loo,  the  state  authorities  had  lent  it  more  than  $100,000  of  jhe  public  funds— 
a  dead  loss.  The  bank  had  not  only  issued  the  extra  allowance  of  its  notes  mentioned  in  the 
statutes,  but  also  many  thousands  of  dollars  beyond  Ihe  legal  limit — and  when  Marcy  was 
named  as  its  receiver,  he  swore  that  not  only  would  over  S300,000  of  its  notes  be  redeemable 
out  of  the  stale  treasury,  but  that  "  it  is  supposed  that  a  siill  larger  amount  of  the  fraudulent 
issues  of  that  hank  than  is  already  redeemed  is  lurkjpg  yet  in  recesses  only  known  to  its  cor- 
rupt managers." 

Isaac  S.  Smith,  in  an  official  letter  to  Fitzwilliam  Byrdsall,  and  others,  dated  Buffalo,  Septem- 
ber 29ch,  1836,  a  month  or  two  after  the  City  Bank  was  set  afloat  there,  thus  proclaimed  the  faith 
that  was  in  him  : 

"  None  of  our  institutions,"  said  Isaac,  "  have  so  strong  a  tendency  to  create  and  perpetuate 
"the  odious  distinctions  between  tlie  rich  and  the  poor,  as  the  paper  money  banks. 
"  Those  incorporations,  and  others  not  more  meritorious,  and  yet  equally  monopolizing,  have 
"  been  the  greatest  cause  of  truckling  and  corruption  in  legislation.  The  worst  feature  in  the 
"proceedings  of  past  legislators,  has  been  the  wasteful  appropriation  of  large  sums,  ostensibly 


left  the  conf 
had  no  faith 
by  bank  offii 
sioners  wou 
connecting  1 
tions  they  r 
monopoly,  n 
I  am  very 
without  ditfii 

"for public  ini 

"  banlcs,  with  v 

"  silver  and  go 

Jenkinson,  in 

abstract  $150,01 

The  hank,  thro 

Bank  in  lieu  of 

Lewis  Eaton  ( \ 

director,  L.  F.  . 

lominitlee  "  to  1 

Allen,  and  Jed. 

(It' the  bank,  ewi 

1  need  not  tell  y 

ihnso  who  had  s 

vii'tions  either  a 

$13,000  with  Vi 

on  Ohio  city,  &< 

and  buried  this  i 

.\1.  Hoffman,  "V 

State,  wliile  the 

put  Attorney  Ba 

The  Bank  of 

.lohn  R.  Lee  cas 

uf  premature  di* 

many  thoustmds 

Allen  and  Lee,  .s 

jury,  on  what  w 

penury — they  wi 

.and  brought  ba- 

intorest,  with  an 

ifoidd,  th.it  the  pi 

banks,  and  that 

broker  can — aw. 

'may  not  be  so — 

c:i.se,  and  says  th 

;the  trial  or  any  p 

Hntcrest  to  the  wf 

i'  zie,  Sir:  Genei 

"ca.shier,  for  pe 

.'developments  i 

:'■  to-morrow.    T 

"will  send  toyoi 

;again — "  Ev^ry  ] 

^"was  perjury  or 

j"  which  often  co 

I"  important  one, ' 

f  13  in  all,  was  ho' 

|in  Ohio,  New  Y< 

jand  by  similar  c 

(the  attorney  gene 

lardent  to  search  f( 

'either  would  Lei 

some  atonement 

tin  thisi  state  whic 


r 

j 


LL  FUND. 

ced  that  the  bank 
nesty  and  fraud — 
of  a  corrupt  instU 
Is  into  circulation 
L'd  for  the  redernp- 
A'iduws,  aged  per- 
3,  but  this  scheme 

as  been  cunsumraated 

I  luftt."  5.  But  these 
jr  proved  on  oath  by 

II  investigation  by  the 
,  and  this  affords  time 
vor,  and  to  substitute 
1  secured.  The  bank 
i?ers,  and  unrestrained 
ilare  but  once  in  four 
f  tJie  real  value  of  the 
s,"  and  has  to  believe 
urn  to,  it  is  not  worth 
)f  necessity,  constitute 
lATIONS  SKLDOM 
Dtiicers  and  managers 
uich  of  late  hy  specu- 

wliich  false  swearing 
,)  the  commissioners,  a 
T  sneers  at  the  idea  of 
cratic  America  ?   The 

unty,  to  electioneer  for 
t,  through  the  votes  of 
f,',  Griflin,  Hubbard,  J, 
igston,  Lounsberry,  E. 
in  Schaick,  D.  Wager, 
see  page  70),  and  one 
iorter  in  the  Assembly, 
sticks  to  him  as  Navy 
the  phmder,  by  agree 
the  stock,  and  when 
"whig  bank  party 

Patriot,  stockjobber, 
as  also  its  attorney, 
an,  was  the  first  pres'i- 
•  Governor,  abstracted 
ecurities  were  sold  at 
,ht  $1, '200— judgments 
1839,  the  Safety  Fund 
was  even  then  utterly 
of  the  public  funds- 
lotes  mentioned  in  the 
md  when  Marcy  was 
ts  notes  be  redeemable 
lount  of  the  fraudulent 
only  known  to  its  cor- 

dated  Buffalo,  Septem- 
us  proclaimed  the  faith 

i  create  and  perpetuate 
paper  money  banks 
ly  monopolizing,  have 
he  worst  feature  in  the 
large  sums,  ostensibly 


BARKER,  LEE,  EATON,  AND  THE  BUFFALO  BANKS. 


91 


left  the  confiding  stockholder  without  remedy,  when  a  failure  took  place.  He 
had  no  faith  in  tne  commissioners,  who  would  rely  on  the  statements  to  be  given 
by  bank  officers,  and  prove  no  check  at  all  to  mismanagement.  The  commih- 
sioners  would  have  an  unbounded  aud  very  dangerous  influence,  and  form  a 
connecting  link  between  all  the  institutions,  foi  political  or  any  other  combina- 
tions they  might  think  necessary  ;  and  the  whole  machinery  prove  an  unsafe 
monopoly,  nothing  short  of  despotism. 

I  am  very  well  satisfied,  that  an  honest,  efficient  system  could  be  devised 
without  difficulty,  by  which  this  country  would  have  a  sound  currency,  portable, 

"  for  public  improvements,  but  in  reality  for  party  purposes,  and  the  granting  of  charters  for 
"  banks,  with  which  to  strengthen  the  hands  of  party  leaders.  I  would  sanction  nothing  but 
"silver  and  gold  as  a  circulating  medium."  This  fellow  puts  me  in  mind  of  the  sharper 
Jenkinson,  in  the  Vioar  of  Wakefield.  He  had  silver  on  his  tongue,  but  did  not  forget  to 
abstract  $150,000  of  the  bank  funds,  with  the  aid  of  his  more  tolerant  partner  in  leather,  Macy. 
The  hank,  through  a  committee,  gave  up  good  securities  to  debtors,  and  took  the  Tonawanda 
Bank  in  lieu  of  them,  capital  Sl^O.OOO,  Imt  not  worth  one  cent.  In  Nov.  1839,  the  bank,  by 
Lf-wis  Eaton  (Van  Burcn's  ex-safety  fund  com'r)  its  president.  General  Barker,  attorney  and 
director,  L.  P.  Allen,  no  whig  of  "lii,  and  the  other  directors,  appointed  three  of  themselves  a 
I  ominittce  "  to  take  collateral  securities,  or  extinguish  doubtful  debts."  Stephen  White,  L.  P. 
Allen,  and  Jed.  H.  Lathrop  were  chosen,  and  wont  to  work  and  made  a  settlement  of  the  afiairs 
ot'the  bank,  concerning  which  Marcy  swears  "  that  the  same  was  made  with  intent  to  defraud." 
I  need  not  tell  you  that  as  their  hii>th('r  in  the  att'air.  Barker,  was  elected  Attorney  General  by 
thosa  who  had  got  rich  by  such  knavery,  and  their  ab<'ttors  and  supporters,  there  were  no  c.on- 
vii'tinns  cither !«  statute  or  common  law.  George  P.  Barker  appears  to  have  borrowed  largely, 
$13,000  with  Vandervoort,  ;$  1 0,000  on  his  stock,  known  to  him  to  be  utterly  •»  ^rthless,  $3,000 
tin  Ohio  city,  &c.  Let  honest  republicans  keep  in  mind,  that  afler  Barker  had  brought  forth 
and  buried  this  infamous  hank,  Flagg,  Marcy,  O'SuUivan,  Dix,  Corning,  Paulkner,  Davezac, 
M.  Hotfrnan,  Van  Buren,  and  the  party  leaders  selected  him  for  Attorney  General  of  the 
State,  while  tlic  Syracuse  (Jonvention  that  naine(i  Van  Buren  tor  president  on  a  second  term, 
put  Attorney  Barker  and  Col.  Young  on  their  ticket  as  state  electors. 

The  Bank  of  Buffalo,  another  safety  fund  concern,  of  which  Hiram  Pratt  was  President  and 
John  R.  Lee  cashier,  chose  Orlando  Allen  as  its  President  on  the  death  of  Prat'.,  whom  a  fear 
tif  premature  discoveries  of  villainy  hastened  to  his  grave.  It  failed  in  1840,  and  had  issued 
many  thousands  of  dollars  of  its  paper,  as  money,  beyond  the  limit  allowed  by  law,  i*s  officers, 
.Mien  and  Lee,  solemnly  swearing  to  the  contrary  before  the  commissioners.  A  Buffalo  grand 
jury,  on  what  was  believed  to  be  unquestionable  testimony,  indicted  Lee  and  Allen  for  the 
P-TJury — they  were  arrested  and  held  to  bail,  Allen,  if  memory  serves  ine,  being  out  of  the  way 
and  brought  back.  It  is  reported  that  the  banks  lent  their  notes  to  the  brokers  at  regular 
interest,  with  an  understanding,  &c..  that  the  brokers  shaved  (exacted  usury)  as  close  as  ihey 
irould,  tlirit  the  profits  wcrt;  divided  between  the  brokers  and  the  president  and  directors  of  the 
banks,  and  that  when  discounts  were  applied  for,  they  woulti  say  "we  can't  do  it — Lee,  the 
broker  can — away  to  Lee."  Two  per  cent,  a  month,  &c.,  followed,  of  course.  This  may  or 
may  not  be  so — but  as  Lee  is  a  fair  spoken,  plausible  person,  ;.nd  as  Allen  quotes  Barker's 
citse,  and  says  they  all  do  it,  I  wrote  a  friend  in  Buffalo  to  send  me  all  the  papers  containing 
■the  trial  or  any  part  of  the  proceedings,  as  Barker  was  the  prosecutor,  and  the  case  of  unusual 
interest  to  the  whole  country.  Here  is  the  result.  "  Buffalo,  Nov.  30,  1843.  W.  L.  Macken- 
'  zie.  Sir:  General  Barker  has  just  concluded  his  speech  in  the  trial  of  John  R.  Lee,  the 
"ca.shier,  for  perjury  in  swearing  to  false  returns.  The  evidence  contains  some  strange 
i' developments  in  banking.  The  judge  proceeds  with  his  charge — the  verdict  you  will  get 
■'■  to-morrow.  The  trial  excites  much  interest,  and  the  newspapers  containing  the  best  report  I 
"  will  send  to  you."  Soon  afler,  the  N.  Y.  papers  said  he  was  acquitted,  ana  my  friend  wrote 
^a.5ain — "  Ev^ry  Buffalo  paper  is  silent  on  the  details  of  Lee's  trial — he  was  acquitted,  but  tliere 
"was  perjury  or  its  equivalent  somewhere,  and  enough  of  it  too.  Why  the  public  journals, 
]"  which  often  copy  very  unimportant  issues  in  the  courts,  should  have  all  omitted  this  very 
)"  important  one,  you  can  guess  as  near  the  truth  as,  yours  truly."  The  end  of  the  Buffalo  banks, 
1 13  in  all,  was  hopeless  insolvency,  fraud  in  not  a  few,  and  the  honest  part  of  the  community 
tin  Ohio,  New  York,  Canada,  Indiana,  &c.,  were  cheated,  as  before  by  Van  Buren's  first  bank, 
land  by  similar  characters,  too.  Had  the  evidence  in  Lee's  case  justified  the  verdict,  or  had 
iihe  attorney  general  been  any  other  than  a  character  steeped  in  bank  corruption ;  had  he  been 
jardent  to  search  for,  produce,  and  duly  examine  the  witnesses  that  might  have  been  fbrthcomicg. 
jeither  would  Lee's  exculpatory  testimony  been  heralded  to  his  credit,  or  the  verdict  provca 
•  some  atonement  to  a  pillaged  people.  All  may  have  been  right — but  I  have  witnessed  triida 
tin  thib  state  which  were  so  managed  as  to  make  me  more  than  suspicious. 


■•.!,» 


>■ 


ft, 


92 


WEBSTER,  JACKSON,  LIVINGSTON;    THE  N.  Y.  CITY  BANKS. 


.Vy>'  ■■■;■: 


w^<- 


.>:  f. 


1   I 


suitable  for  coinmercp,  and  yet  not  be  exclusively  metallic ;  but  it  does  not 
appepr  probable  that  Van  Bureii  had  any  wish  for  such  a  currency  at  this  time, 
Goni  al  Jackson  said  he  knew  "  a  very  good  plan  of  a  bank,"  but  when  I  wrote 
some  of  bis  cabinet  advisers,  they  had  never  seen  it.  Webster's  language,  in 
January,  1S34,  was  very  judicious.  While  he  denounced  the  pets,  he  said  to 
governtneiit,  t-ll  us  of  a  better  plan  than  the  U.  S.  Bank,  and  we  will  adopt  it, 
"  For  the  convenience  of  the  government  and  of  the  country,"  said  he,  "  there 
must  be  some  bank,  and  he  should  w  ish  to  hear  the  views  of  the  administration. 
He  was  not  so  wedded  to  this  bank,  as  not  to  be  willing  to  hear  any  other  plan 
which  human  ingenuity  might  devise,  if  any  other  feasible  scheme  could  be 
devised." 

The  following  extract  fiom  Jackson's  Farewell  Address  of  JMarch,  1837, 
appears  to  me  to  exhibit  other  feelings  and  principles  than  those  of  1829  and 
18M.  \Vhy  did  he  fo.ster  the  state  banks  for  eight  years,  and  then  condemn 
them  ? 

The  planter,  the  farmer,  the  mechanic,  and  tlic  laborer,  all  know  that  their  siicces.':  depeiK'v 
upnn  their  own  industry  and  economy,  and  that  ihcy  must  not  e.xpect  to  becume  .suddenly  rirL 
h\  the  fruits  of  their  toil.  Yet  these  classes  of  .society  form  the  great  body  of  the  people  of  ih? 
('.  y.,  they  are  the  bone  and  sinew  of  the  coinitry ;  men  ulio  love  liberty  and  desire  nothiiii; 
but  equal  I'ii^hts  and  equal  laws,  and  Mho  moreover  hold  the  great  mass  of  our  nation;.. 
'A'ealth,  although  it  is  ai.'-tributcd  in  moilerate  arnoimts  among  the  millions  of  freemen  uliu 
pcs.ses.s  it.  But,  with  overwhelming  numbers  and  wealth  on  their  side,  ihey  are  in  consim,; 
danger  of  losing  tiieir  fair  influence  in  the  government,  and  with  difliculty  maintain  their  jii> 
rights  against  the  incessant  etturts  daily  made  to  encroach  uiion  then.  'I'he  mischief  spring 
I'rom  the  [lower  wliich  the  moneyed  interests  derive  f). mi  a  paper  curiency,  which  tiicy  arc 
able  to  control ;  trom  the  imdtitudi'  of  corjiorations  with  exclusive  privileges,  which  ihey  ha\- 
succecde(l  in  obtaining  in  the  diil'ereni  st.'ilcs,  and  which  are  employed  altogether  for  llieii 
benelii  ;  and  tmlr.ss  yiui  become  more  wat(;hfiil  in  your  states,  and  check  this  snirii  of  uioin- 
l>oly  and  thiisl  tin-  e.'cclu.-ive  privileges,  you  will  in  the  end  find  tluit  the  most  important  powns 
of  government  have  been  given  or  bartered  away  and  that  the  control  over  your  uearesl  iutenH> 
}ias  pa.ssed  into  the  hands  of  tliesc  corjKU-ations!" 


CHAPTER    XXI. 


his  measures 
made  then. 
.■.iiicly  was,  1 
tbrm— he  de 
roguery  of  bi 
Roman  despi 
system  had  ac 
nursed,  and 
warnings.  \ 
was  now  pre] 
make  money 
of  plenty  of 
.scarcity,)  or  I 
was  the  closi 
questions  afFe 
lore  them,  an 
^ikill,  science 
printed.  Acl 
evidence  forr 
promote  the  i 
inquiries,  like 
would  be  too 
Such  is  th 
which,  Silas 
Feb.  26,  183 
lie,  it  has,  in 


»/Z/'ift/iy  .Bunk  and  State  Union. — Enrflish  mode  of  Bank  Imnnnen. —  Silm 
l\'n(/ht. — -Vru-  York  Banks  prntcnt  arjainst  Van  Bvrm\s  Mulnal  Inwraiicf 
Compuntj.- — iV,  N.  Banto/i,  ashadij  Bank  Man. — Correspondence  on  Banks  — 
Opinions  of  Old  Safeti/  Funders. — Charles  Stelibins. —  'J'/ic  Dry  J)oek  Bank  — 
(renrrji  fi.  Davis. — Pe/rr  Jiohinson. — '^/'/le  JJIcrtiirnee.rintj  Commission. —  Tk 
Broken  Banks.,  their  I'illaini/  and  Botlenness. —  The  IVatcrrliel  .Bank. — T. 
il'.  Cicult\s  Bond. — Bank  of  Lyons. — Dishonest  llercivers. — Egbert  Olcott. 

Van  Bi  rkn'.s  Sal'ety  Fund  Act  of  1829,  is  a  regular  union  of  bank  and  stale, 
till'  sliite  was  to  protect  the  banks  and  lo  control  them.*    lie  found  that  to  cam 


■ 'J'hi'  Hunks  ill  New  Vnrii— Uio  Mi^rrliatits',  City.  MecliMiiics',  I'lopiiiv,  Uniim,  'PnidrcnienV,  Biid  Bunk 
Aiiiciitii-  »M-|iiil  ii'iufW.ii-i,  lull  lliiy  iil)jffli(l  111  ilii'liill,  ill  Siiiiilo,  Maicli  ao.  lliiil  i(  Wiin  wroni;  lo  innkilU 
wlicpic  I  iiiii:  liiuiK-*  i('>iiiii.>^ibl<  lor  i-;irli  oilirr'H  ciiiiiliici  luiil  iiiiinMi;tiiii  111— tlinl  in  -ifl  yms  "iily  fivi'  rharlin 
1 1  y  liiiiik:'  liml  tiiili'i!-  Il;:it  wiilh.iit  il  |i;iiil  up  r;i[iii!il  iii.il  liiili.l'iil  .•iiiV.  caiiiiblc  UiriTtii f,  Viin  Biiicn's  plan  vim. 
lie  n>  r'Miit'ily  .-ii  nil,  tiiiil  w  Mil  llifst-,  li  wiis  tiul  U'(|iiiri'il— lliiil  llin  lliri'i'  coiniiilssiiini  rn  wuiild  lie  ii  doliini'iii  • 
lli<:  imlilic.  Jiiiil  !i  I'alsr.  il!-'.jiiiiiiiili'<l  .>-c<,iirity.  hocaine  no  lljrto  men  cciiilil  niiik"- tlu' <i>iii|ili'l<' liiBprciHiiiH.  li 
quirii'''  ami  I'.MUiiiiiatiDiis  iici-rssaiy  iii  riilljl  llic  iiilciilioii  iil  llio  piiilioscd  law.  and  sii|)(rfii'ial  liiqiiiiies  wmi: 
tlrreivt:  lln'  Milvi'iit,  wi'll  niaiiai;!  il  liiiiiki..  incoiiraiji;  I'liiinl,  and  dcrply  liijuri'  itn'  rniintry  In  Itic  Iniig  run— iK 
itii'  (lowtT  qh.-M  to  the  Sicniary  of  tlic  Trra.'-iiry  tu  liiHi'iM't  ili^  roiidnct  nl'  the  I',  S.  Bank  had  provi'd  dpliitlv 
till'  vast  iiiii'iiliit  (irilr;iil(  i.iiirn  iia\iny  iniirly  ruined  il  hcl'nrt;  tin  kin-w  thai  niiylliinu  wa.'-  wromi— ihal  iiii  jiriivi 
KJim  tiad  b'di  inadi'  that  n  rual  and  coniiiotent  nipitnl  Klimild  lie  ri'ijulied  wfieii  m w  rliiwiciH  wiit  granliil,  no 
Ibiit  the  Kinck  sliuiild  no  int  i  tli  -  liniid.i  u{  real  lioiiii  fide  stocklioldiTB,  mid  not  Intn  tlic  kei'pinp  nf  spifulaion 
V.  Bun  n  <t  Co.  wimid  liavn  lost,  and  Uie  people  saved  inlllion.'"  liy  such  an  honest  provHiO  i  mb  ihis. 

On  till'  4iti  iif  Apiil,  Mr.  V.  b.  Riiillh  asked  leave  to  withdraw  tlie  inemnrlHls  I'roiii  the  N.  V.  city  boiiku;  ut 
Mr.  C,  L.  MviiifMliiii,  wluiee  tree  biiak  letters  uppear  in  ihiH  volume,  liuly  remarked,  lliut  ihoir  iiianutters  It* 


:  siw  tliat  "  the  trr. 
wiialil  be"  very  a 
UM  11"  U  till-  Siiii' 
iiiived  fnini  nttii'e 
In  l-ii,  «n  V.ii 
ill  mi-1  ill  \Ki 
cijiilal  was  $:ii,.)(, 
liiiiil  iirciiui'.t  i!ivei< 
Jnariialof  IH-.>*>,  sh 
l)iniri''t  Attonii'y 
li'idnr-,  lint  went  ■ 
.■iiiil  Hai;er.  tniii.ili 
lirmulit  .ibmit  and 
liiidi  Allen  niDVeil 
111  biailc  tihall  pure 
jiv  any  bank  lor  ii 
'"I  prnpoiillliiM  a 
ll.iiiu'liliin,  voted  it 
III  RiiHalo, 

■Oiir  Secrcliiry 

ili'iSnatesliow  tJ 

liliL-alnorili,  Slltll 

:iviiwfd  frankly  w 

•i»  In  iiieaiw.  pnivli 

,  iiy  tbi-  pi'iiple  to  111) 

■  liaviT.vf hilled  him 

I  iHIMiilailelphiii  am 

•  icaili'r  8llrpri^lt■d  til 

Id  lie  ilieaied,  ami 

While  Van  Bun 

vision,  that  each  h 

Hint  nn  dividend  li' 

tliefiiiidnol'thi'  III' 

Ciincy  ilock'*  In  gei 

Purler,  Itiihbnrd,  I 

tliii  bill  itsi'ir,  ofci 

irs',  Ijoekpnrt.  Uhn 

('fiarles  Siebbiii! 

ill  the  senate  for  tl 

proyi'menta  for  itif 

I  tit)  Regency  and  t 


TY  BANKS. 


WRIGHT,  SMITH,  EATCN,  BENTON,  ALLEN,  STEBBINS 


93 


•v;':i 


llio  ;  but  it  does  not 
irrenoy  at  this  time. 
,"  but  when  I  wrote 
?bster's  language,  in 
the  pets,  he  said  to 
md  we  will  adopt  it. 
ry,"  said  he,  "  there 
f  the  administration, 
hear  any  other  plan 
lie  scheme  could  be 

ss  of  March,  1837, 
n  those  of  1829  ami 
,  and  then  condeinn 


lat  their  siicres.';  (iepend' 
o  l)ecuir.f'  .suddenly  rirl, 
lody  of  the  people  of  ilie 
.I'rtV  and  desire  nolhinc 
t  nias.s  of  our  nation;,, 
lillioiis  of  freemen  \vliu 
de,  lliey  are  in  constai;, 
ully  maintain  their  ju>' 
The  mischief  spring- 
uieiiey,  which  tiiey  arf 
•ilef,'e.s,  which  ihey  hia? 
ived  altoijetlicr  fur  iheii 
•civ  tliis  .'^Dirii  i)f  inoiiif 
;■  most  iniporlant  powtis 
:er  vour  uearesl  inlcrok 


ik  J7i(jiniips. —  Siks 
s  Miiliial  l7}suranc.i 
ondvnce.  on  Bunks  — 
(  Dry  Ihnk  Bank  — 
I  (Jomniission. —  Th 
atcrvliet  Bank.—'!, 
■i.— Egbert  Olcott. 

n  of  bank  and  state 
e  found  that  to  cam 


'I'laclrvniciiV,  Riiil  Bank 

it  wiiM  wrmm  lo  niiikiiln 

■in  yciirs  niily  tivi"  rliarlitic 

OH, 'Villi  Biiicn'*  plan  wnti 

II  I'll  wmilil  lit'  a  driiislnii  i 

till'  COIllllll'lf  iimlH'I'tMlllMl 

I  sn|itrtiri.il  liiquiiit'!'  Willi! 
iiiitry  III  Ihc  Iniig  riiii-lli 
.  Bnnic  Imil  provrd  ^lelll^lv' 
t  wiis  \\  rona — llliit  no  prill 
cliiirifrM  \M ii-  (jriinliil,  m' 
til"'  kei'pinir  of  sptHnilnloii 
rovt>:o  I  iiR  'h\it, 
I  thp  N.  V.  i-lty  bankn;  in 
d.  tliut  iliuir  iiianiiK«rs  tn 


his  measures,  the  temper  of  the  times  required  such  a  proposition  to  be  artfully 
made  then.  In  1837,  in  special  session,  when  the  villainy,  wholesale  as  it 
.Mirely  was,  had  been  fully  accomplished,  and  the  people  duly  plundered  in  that 
(•„j.,ii — he  ilenounced  his  old  scheme,  pretended  to  he  horror-struck  at  the 
roi^uery  of  bank  and  slate  unions,  ami  advised  their  repeal.  Young  said  that 
Roman  despotism  could  not  have  done  a  lithe  of  tlu'  injury  which  the  monopoly 
system  had  accomplished  ;  but  he  forgot,  like  Van  iJuren,  lo  tell  thai  he  had  uphLld, 
nursed,  and  gained  gold  by  it,  in  the  teeth  of  Tompkins  and  Clinton's  solemn 
waniin"'^-  Van  Buren  had  plundered  one  class  by  liis  sham  safety  iund  ;  he 
was  now  prepared  to  plunder  another  by  his  subtreasury.  I'hat  scheme  would 
make  money  scarce,  and  oblige  the  man  who  had  mortgaged  his  estate  in  tinxes 
of  plenty  of  paper,  (lor  paper  promises,  to  pay  in  L>;old  and  silver  in  times  of 
scarcity,)  or  forfeit  the  inheritance  of  his  fatlu'r.s.  TtK;  l)ankrupt  law  of  16-1'J. 
was  the  closing  scene.  In  ISIG,  182o,  and  1832,  the  British  Parliament  had 
questions  affecting  the  currency  before  them,  and  special  committees  called  be- 
fore them,  and  carefully  examined  bankers,  nrei-chants,  manufacturers,  men  of 
:>kill,  science,  and  experience :  the  whole  was  taken  down  in  shorthand  and 
printed.  Action  followed  at  a  future  session.  One  of  these  reports  and  the 
evidence  forms  a  large;  folio.  Mere  the  grand  i[ue;jti()n  is — What  coarse  will 
promote  the  interest  of  the  leaders  of  the  party  f  Tedious,  thou^rh  invaluable 
inquiries,  like  those  made  in  London,  might  .save  millions  to  the  people,  but  the}' 
would  be  too  tnonarchical  I 

iSuch  is  the  operation  of  V^an  Buren's  deceptive  Safety  Fund,  concerning 
which,  Silas  Wright,  in  reply  to  Henry  Clay,  in  the  U.  S.  Senate,  Wednesilay 
Feb.  26,  1831,  said,  "  1  verily  believe,  that  n\  consulting  the  safety  of  the  pub- 
lic, it  has,  IN  TiiK  DEST  MANNER,  consulted  the  greatest  safety  of  the  banks."* 

!ii\v  Hint  "till'  trr.iii  ol'  ili-;i  tir  i\ml  ernlinrriissinoiit  tliul  wniild  lollow  Itc  fiilnplioii  of  llie  p.'w  iViiijiliiI  sysaiu 
wu'.ilil  be"  very  L'riat— 'iiil  -m  it  |irovi;il  In  ilii!  loiiji  run  I  (in^-uiin)  lliat  Siiiilli's  i)()])n-<iuon  whs  not  t'orsoifi  n — 
iii:\t  li"  is  llii'  Smith  of  wlium  CoiUliiiL'ton  iVIt  iilriiiil,  (pas^L-s  -203  uiul  :iiJD,;  n.iiJ  ilm  Siiiilli  wlinm  l'>ilk  lias  rt- 
iiiiveil  frmii  olVn'i'  to  inike  way  lor  (Jillotl. 

In  l^ii,  on  V.<!i  Biiri.'n':j  pniioiplt,'  oi'  Sutily  (!)  'J;>  lianks  wore  cliarlorrd— in  1S30,  only  8—18  in  IS'U— Ci 
ill  IS3i-7  ill  If!!-'!,  anil  '-il  in  Irillt  ami  l-<:ii  In  all  riicii'ty.  On  lliu  lii-t  ol'  January.  \Ki'.  tli'lr  nominal 
iiipiul  was  $;).',.>01.-«)<)— llieir  c.i-ii  sj,.')iiJ,;! !",  rinil  llii'lr  imlos  In  rirriila'iiin  as  in m-'V  .*iy'.',i)i>.'j,l •■.'■!.  An  nl- 
liiiiil  nocour.t  nives  llirir  [irolit  i  iit  iiiiiro  lliiii  livi-  iiiilil'iiis  ot  clillii-i.  In  May  t'lrv  s^opi  payin-iit.  Tin;  S'lmic 
Jn;irii:il  of  IH-JD,  shows  tli>'  woikini;  oitlif  niifliiiwry  ili'it  yi'ar.  N.  S.  li^'nton,  oll.ii.li;  F.ilis.  ri-coicly  llio  [J.  S. 
Disirii't  Attorni'y  for  Nurtln'm  N.  V..  ami  now  Soi'ri't  iry  of  Siht,  w.is  uicii  a  S  natiir.  lli'  v;it<il  with  tins 
Icirlcrs.  lint  wcni  ■jiainstf'  cliartpis,  all  oi  vvliii-li  wern  rrjeotml.  ImmiIoh,  .S.  Alli':),  ({oiiinlns  'Pliriioii,  S.eliliiiis, 
.■mil  Haiifr.  toiiiali;i\\  Ui'il  the  llutrhor.-i  ami  Diovers'  llink,  Im"  a  li-'ii;:- uiu!in>lan'iin»  « illi  llin  rrsjiiii'y  w.is 
lirimi>lit  .ihoiit  and  iirxt  vi^ar  tlir  hill  passi'il.  Ni'arly  ih''  saiiii>  p;ir.li's  nnilril  aj;  iin-n  i.ivoral  nilior  liank!-.  Sii:- 
lilipii  Allen  niDVPil  an  exrelli'nt  ilaiiso  in  Ihi'  Safrty  Kniiil  l.tiw,  iliat  no  iliicctor,  oliicrr  or  a);iMi!  of  any  cli.irt.'r- 
111  blink  shall  purchaso  or  bn  intProst«il  in  the  pnrcliaso  by  iitlni!*,  ol  any  hank  noli'.  Iimul,  or  oblin.uinn  i.siu'il 
liv  nny  bank  for  a  li^ss  snni  than  llit?  men  of  saiil  n.iir.  Imnil,  iVc,  nmlir  i  ponaliy.  \  .S.  Bmiton  i/aVL'  this  imn- 
1  «t  propoallinn  u  ilpi'iilril  noiiativo,  ami  Willi  IjOwIs  lOatoii,  tiayili  a.  lla;;t'r,  Sii'lihins,  Wlii'i'lir,  Wafi'inria,  and 
llaiiulitim,  voti'il  it  down  I  No  wonder  they  niado  Hji  lu  n  hank  coinmissi  mer,  aii.l  prisidcnt  of  tlio  Ciiy  li.mk 
111  RiiHalo. 

•(liir  t'l'crclary  of  Statf,  N.  S  Bpnton,  U  a  vrry  snituli!'  iii'Miniliont  for  iIio'p  who  fleeted  him.  Hi-i  votrs  in 
lliiS'iiHli!  show  ttiat  lin  is  rutfiMi  to  tin  ■  very  roi>'.  His  iiiIii-(M<  th'  iiTonipiiisi'  of  fait' Inn  i  srrvitiiili'.  I  In  is  a  dn- 
|illciil"nri)t.  SnthiMla  d  of  Philadnlphia,  wliosi' U'tli'i- liTius  \o.  'J'j,  paj;o  l.-J  ol'  I'nn-osiiiindnnre.  The  laitrr 
aviiwpil  frankly  what  nil  trailin;;  poUti'  iaiis  think.  Tli;'y  rially  hold  ihi?  masses  in  iMiitfinpi,  .ml  hcvit  hositati: 
.i»  In  II1BRHS,  providod  llit-y  mny  f;ain  Itioir  snitish  ninls.  VtH  rliosc  nun  aio  siicce.isfnl  while  liitli'  roL'nrd  is  iwnl 
iiyth'^pi'iiple  ni  hoiU'St,  capahli",  imohtrnsivi'  persons.  Ur.  :Sn;h:;ilatnr.«  avowals,  oin:  wonlil  have  thoiii:iii,  uomd 
li.ivi'cxclniled  him  theroafliM-  i,nm  polilical  favor  ;  ;  i'.ilyi;t  In-  has  sc.ari'i'ly  hoi'ii  ouiofortic-  ever  fini'o  I  the  pi'0|  le 
nrPblliilelphia  and  Ihr-  H.  S,  i.;overnnient  LTaii'li:.;  nlin  i-i  all  his  ipipmsts,  boili  I'.ir  lilnis>'lf  ami  fninily  I  Is  tlie 
icaili.'r  surprised  'hat  Swiss  iniilliply  !  Dot's  It  ii  it  s  oin  lliiit.  as  the  IJIhlc  tells  us  of  old  times,  the  people,  lovn 
111  lie  iheaied,  and  heap  honor..i  on  tlieir  dereivrrs  with  their  ivit  open  ! 

While  Van  Bnren's  L-enoral  moasiire  was  lief  ire  the  Seivite.  Sli  phen  Allen  pinpn'ed  to  improve  it  liy  a  |ir' 
vision,  that  each  bank  certify  on  oath  that  its  iiipUal  was  piiiil  up  and  entlro  hel'ore  lis  eli  irler  riiuld  be  reiewid, 
ilml  no  dividend  be  made  ontot  r  al  prolits,  thai  none  of  the  capit  i|  h.'  divided  except  by  virtue  of  law,  ami  ilnit 
thefiniilsof  the  liHiik  ehnnld  not  lie  used  by  the  nian.i!i[>'r.-  in  speculating  in  the  Htoeks  of  other  conipa'iles,  iiml 
fincy  stocks  in  general.  S  eretary  Bentnu  was  aliiiost  elonn.'iit  in  Ins  oppmiilion  to  this  prop'siil,  ami,  with 
Porlfr,  llubbnrd,  Itayden,  StehhhH.  and  On  I!.  'I'liro  ip.  the  Aiilmiii  ha'iker.  vntnl  nitainst  it — but  he  viifd  tor 
the  hill  itself,  of  ronr.-e,  and  nUo  for  the  ehariers  ol  tli.'  Mohawk  B  ink,  Btnk  of  .M.uiroe,  I'arin'  r.s  and  Mcchiiu- 
irs',  I,oekport,  Ithncn,  Vaii";C'>.,  tlllen,  I'uliiain  L'n.,  &••. 

Charlen  Riebbins,  loo.  wa-i  ii  Hteinly,  un|n'iniipl"d  instriinieiil  of  Van  Buren.  m  these  times.  lie  lno!<  li'w  i^eat 
ill  the  senate  for  the  .Ith  district.  In  .Tnnnnry,  If  J'i— vofd  .steadily  for  ilie  party  cimriers  In  18*),  and  against  iiii- 
prnyi'ments  for  the  pm'ertinn  of  the  InneHt  storkholder  and  bill  holder — proved  hims'ilf  (It  to  he  a  go-between  for 
■ifw  Regency  and  the  Bantts— sat  as  president  of  Hit;  senate,  when  Tliroup  took  Van  nurens  place— unrt  wlicn  hii 


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94     A  VIEW  OF  WRIGHT,  BUTLER,  AND  VAN  BUREN's  SANDY  HILL  SAFES. 

Twelve  years  after,  at  Albany,  as  Governor,  (Jan.  '46,)  Mr.  Wright  changed 
his  tone,  and  said  that  **  That  legislation  which  equalizes  the  benefits  and  bur- 
dens of  government,  and  attempts  to  secure  no  special  advantages  to  any,  will 
diffuse  prosperity  throughout  a  community  ....  attempts  to  confer  favors  by 
law  upon  classes  or  localities,  produce  a  competition  de:>tructive  to  profitable 

industry  ;  a  strife,  not  to  earn  but  to  gain  the  earnings  of  others The 

tendency  of  this  false  system  is  to  separate  capital  from  productive  labor,  and, 
carried  out  to  its  full  extent,  will  produce  the  singular  result,  that  he  who  labois 
least  may  accumulate  the  most,  and  he  who  works  the  hardest  may  know  the 
most  want."    These  latter  views  are  borrowed  from  Burke — are  correct — and 


at  variance 
years  of  his 
To  that  vs 


reason^ 


term  was  nut,  Throop  and  the  Senate  made  him  the  bank  commiHsloner  of  the  state,  much  to  the  delight  of  the 
banki,  who  wanted  a  bank-Jobber  and  not  astern,  upriijlit  agent,  to  exercise  tlie  inquisitorial  powers,  nHmed  in 
the  bill  to  make  it  palatable  to  the  million,  but  never  meant  to  be  used  tot  their  benefit.  On  the  6tli  of  May, 
1837,  wlirn  the  D17  Dock  Bank,  N.  Y.,  shut  itii  doors  on  the  public,  owing  itij  stockiiolderit  $43O,U0O — to  country 
bank*  9260,000— to  other  city  banks  $316,500— to  depotjitorM  $I64,H0O— to  the  U.  !j.  $^,000,  as  a  |)et—  to  the  N. 
Y.  State  treasury,  as  a  pet  at  Albany  aleo— nnd  to  its  bill-liulders  $'-"00,000  nearly— one  of  the  SAFETY  Fund  Com- 
miRiioners  stood  on  the  steps  of  the  Bank  and  assured  the  citizens  that  Iir  liad  examined  it,  and  nil  was  safe! '.  It 
had  just  $15,705  in  tipecic — $400,000  of  its  funds  had  been  lent  to  three  Wall  street  leeclies,  to  s^Miculate  on,  and 
the  directors  pretended  that  they  did  not  know  it ! !  Who  siitt'ered  for  the  false  books,  false  entries,  false  inspec- 
tions, and  false  directors  in  this  easel  No  unc.  The  Argus  and  tliu  Atlas  babble  about  cqutil  rights,  and  mock 
the  victims  of  party  crime,  always  with  impunity. 

Cieorge  R.  Davis,  of  Troy,  was  little  troubled  with  principle,  not  without  ability,  and  paid  his  court  nssiduouily 
to  T.  W.  Oicott.  In  the  Asseniltly,  in  tlie  winter  of  1830,  he  was  fishing  for  the  office  of  bank  runmilssioner 
and  declared  in  debate  that  he  was  the  uncompromi^iin^  enemy  of  the  ITnited  States  Bank,  and  would  never  cease 
his  liostility  till  it  ceased  to  exist.  Olcoit  was  delighted,  and  in  30  days  Davis  was  a  liuiik  commissioner,  through 
Olcott's  influence,  for  the  N.  Y.  banks  had  then  no  vote.  In  1831,  we  liinl  tiie  bunks  sending  their  conmiissioner, 
to  the  legislature,  as  iu  Speaker,  91  to  30,  while  Peter  Robinson,  of  Broome,  the  Speaker  of  1829,  who  had  voted 
against  the  whole  scheme  as  injurious  to  his  country,  was  ostr.iciued. 

Major  Reese,  the  Commissioner  iippointed  by  the  western  banks,  was  not,  like  Stebbins  tind  Davi?,  a  follower 
of  Van  Buren,  but  tlic  party  located  new  banks  west,  changed  the  vote  next  time,  displaced  Reefi;,  elected  Lewi:, 
Eaton,  a  friend  of  Silas  Wright,  and  the  tliree  bank  conmiissioncrs  then  formed  au  available  travellini;,  election- 
eering committee,  to  advance  Van  Buren,  Marcy,  Flagg,  Hoyt,  Butler  and  Wright's  fortunes,  duly  salaried 
and  paid  by  a  generous  public.  Bills  were  passed  from  time  ti-  time  for  lending  out  tlie  Htutc  funds  to  this  pet 
bank,  or  that,  at  a  low  rale  of  interest,  (m  which  large  prolitji  were  made  by  the  borrowers,  witli  a  secret  un 
derstaiiding  that  certain  men  should  have  certain  sums  lent  them.  Tlie  machinery  was  made  to  suit  till 
IStn,  and  then  a  new  leaf  was  turned  over  to  get  more  gain  to  the  few  by  deceiving  tlii.'ir  brother  men. 

When  the  banks  refused  to  redeem  their  issues,  or  repay  tlie  funds  deposited  in  their  vaults,  in  May,  1837,  tlin 
people  found  no  safety  in  the  safety  fund.  Those  who  required  specie  liad  to  sell  bank  notes  for  what  tln'y 
would  fetch  to  obtain  it.  To  meet  absolute  insolvencies  nearly  two  millions  of  dollars  have  been  paid  since 
1829,  part  by  the  banks  and  part  by  the  state. 

Erastus  Corninsr,  Albert  Lester,  and  K.  B.  Tnlcott,  the  Senate's  Committee,  .Innimry,  1845,  state  that  the  di- 
rectors and  managers  of  the  following  broken  hanks,  viz  :  \\\p  City  Bank,  Bullalo,  f  Attorney  General  BarkerV,| 
tlie  Bank  of  Buffalo,  the  Commercial  Bank  of  Buffalo,  the  Wayne  Co.  Bank,  the  Banl*  of  Lyon.",  the  Uiinmer- 
eial  Bank  of  Oswego,  and  tlie  Clinton  Co.  Bank,  eacli  of  tliem  insolvent  .safety  I'nnil  concerns,  took  care  to  re- 
quire neither  bond  nor  security,  either  from  their  cashiers,  tellers,  clerks,  or  other  nllicers,  to  ensure  thr>ir  faithful 
conduct,  and  protect  the  stockholders  and  the  public  against  embezzlements.  Van  Biiren's  regency  coinini»sion- 
ers  winked  at  all  this,  and  tlieir  wliig  sncce--.sorB  were  not  one  whit  more  clear-siclited.  The  VVatervliet  Bank 
tO')k  an  excellent  security  m  tlio  prudent  and  pious  T.  W.  Oicott,  but  the  undergtnnilinv  between  ilii;  chancellor 
and  his  receiver  seems  to  be  that  tlie  creditors  of  the  bank  do  not  need  that  money.  I  lind  none  of  tlie  reports  of 
the  Receivers  on  the  H.Miate's  journal,  but  enoniih  of  matter  in  which  society  have  a  much  ainallcr  interest. 
Tlierewere$I,2'21,843duetolheBank(if  Buffalo,  when  It  failed,  Nov.  1841  ;  Walwortli  appointed  S.  Y.  Austin, 
Receiver,  in  1812,  and  up  to  Jan.  1615,  he  hud  collected  only  $82,839.  Out  of  $543,4'.<0  of  notes  and  obligations  iliiu 
by  llie  public  to  the  Clinton  Bank,  wiiich  failed,  April,  1842,  tlie  receiver  had  colh'cti'd  liut  $7t),01!l  In  several 
years— and  the  Lyons  Bank  (wors-i  still)  had  yielded  to  T.  R.  Strong  of  Palinyru,  the  Receiver.oniy  $37,145,  out  of 
S.I8.>,e08  of  debts.  The  Senate's  Committee  tell,  that  of  tlio  good  notes,  well  secured,  or  giMid  lioiids,  belonginj; 
to  the  Commercial  Bank  of  Butl'alo,  the  Bank  of  Buffalo,  and  the  Clinton  Co,  Bunk,  and  whii'li  euiild  have  been 
collected  in  full,  the  (democratic)  Receivers  had,  in  certain  cast's,  sold  the  notes  to  the  deiitDrs  or  their  friends,  or 
compromised  the  debts,  FOR  NOMINAL  e^UMS,  thus  defrauding  tlie  |ieople  of  ili<'  state,  putting  its  justice  to 
shnuic,  and  causing  the  enemies  of  American  freedom  to  n  jolce  at  these  new  evidences  of  iis  feeblenei<s.  As  il' 
in  mockery  of  the  injured,  Messrs.  Corning,  Lester,  and  Talcott  gravely  recommend  that  all  further  mvestigalions 
needful  Co  protect  the  people,  may  l«c  referred  to  Attorney  General  John  Van  Buren  :     fee  t?enate  Uoc.  18,  1845, 

I  tiiid,  by  reference  to  Senate  IJot.  No.  118,  of  lust  year,  that  the  Receiver  of  the  VVatervliet  Bank,  in  which 
Colonel  Young  was  a  large  stockholder,  had  informed  the  Senate's  Committee  tliat  the  cashier  'f  tliat  bank  had 
tied  the  country,  and  that  he  "is  supposed  to  iinve  been  guilty  of  official  miscondiiclof  the  grossest  ciinractcr,  ami 
to  have  embezzled  in  various  ways  n  large  amount  of  tliij  funds  of  the  Bank.''  Tlic  affairs  of  this  Bank  have 
been  H  long  time  ill  the  hands  of  this  Receiver,  (appointed  by  Chancellor  Walwortli,  whose  duty  it  is  to  make 
hull  (blhll  his  obligations,)  but  although  a  liond  signed  by  Thomas  W.  Olrott,  and  Tlieoilore  Oicoit,  his  brollier, 
ill  the  penally  of  $20,000,  is  in  his  hands,  as  u  security  tliat  Egbert  Oicott,  (the  runaway  delinqiient  cashier,) 
would  do  his  duty,  and  act  honestly  to  the  Bank  ;  and  nitliongh  the  Olc<itt«  are  wcuitliy  and  the  Banii  insolvent 
through  the  mis(»iidiict  of  their  relative,  the  Receiver's  last  re|iort  is,  that  "  no  part  of  sniil  bond  has  been  col 
leeted,  nor  any  suit  brought  thereon."  The  Wiitervliet  Bank  failed  In  March,  18|2  ;  iis  asset.s  amounted  tn 
$21)3,379— and  the  Receiver  (Who  is  hel)  had  up  to  January,  1845,  collecied  only  $19,459  of  the  money,  i.'. 
Mnrdock,  who  succeeded  K.  Olooit,  as  cashier,  wrote  Comptroller  Flagg,  April  27,  1842,  that  the  Farmers  and 
Mechanics'  Bank  then  held  $50,062  of  the  paper  of  the  Watervllet,  on  wlilcli  it  had  agreed  to  pay  Interest.  'The 
assets  of  the  Wayne  Co.  Bank,  consisting  of  judgments,  mortgagi's,  bonds,  notes,  stocks,  and  real  estate,  amount- 
ing to  $235,000,  wore  sold  by  auction  at  Rochester,  for  $13,000,  in  July,  1845.  This  shows  what  safety  fuiiil!!, 
eommisaloners,  receivers,  and  chancery  injunctions  are  worth  to  the  public  as  a  protection  from  fraud. 


and 


of  Marcy, 
When  the  pi 
hacks  of  pat 
about  for  p< 
with  a  circu 
sylvania,  ant 
North  Amer 
loped.  Mai 
Buren  at  tht 
and  look  for 
log-rolling  a 
moral  and  c 
would  borro 
step-ladder, 
allow  the  a> 
would  comp 
legislation  ii 
"  drippings  t 
at  usurious  i 
could  be  got 
the  mercnan 
to  speculate 
street  (p.  17! 


Jackson  Elec 
itrni's  Gent 
King  Geo 
IVheeliny, 
and  Wrigh 
dell.—Ril 
ktr.—Rik 
blea.—  W> 
Muhlenhm 

After  th< 
and  when   < 


)Y  HILL  SAFES. 

.  Wright  changed 
3  benefits  and  bur- 
iitages  to  any,  will 
o  confer  favors  by 
;live  to  profitable 

lers The 

luctive  labor,  and, 
^hat  he  who  labois 
;st  may  know  the 
-are  correct — and 


luch  to  the  delight  of  the 
iitorial  powers,  nHmed  lii 
Btit.  On  the  6th  of  May, 
ICM  $430,000— to  couiilry 
10,000,  au  a  iM!t-  to  the  N. 
the  SAFETY  Fund  Com- 
it,  and  all  was  safe  I !  It 
:lieei,  to  speculate  on,  and 
false  entries,  false  iospec- 
II  equal  rightH,  and  mock 

)aid  hiH  court  assiduously 
e  of  hank  ronimlssioner 
ik,  and  would  never  cease 
Ilk  commissioner,  through 
nding  their  commissioner, 
er  of  mi29,  who  had  voted 

liiis  and  Davi?,  »  follower 
reed  Rcefe,  elected  Lewis 
ilahle  travelliii)!,  election- 
's fortuni^s,  duly  salaried 
c  State  funds  to  this  pet 
owers,  with  a  secret  un 
Ty  was  made  to  suit  till 
ng  tlieir  hrother  men. 
vaults,  in  May,  ie37,  the 
bank  notes  for  what  llicy 
ars  have  been  paid  since 

y,  1845,  state  that  the  di- 

oriiey  GencrnI  Barker^,] 

k  of  Lyons,  the  (^mmtr- 

jnceriis,  took  care  to  re- 

to  ensure  tliPir  faithful 

's  resency  commission- 

The  Watervliet  Bank 

hetweeii  ilii!  chancellor 

none  of  the  reports  of 

iiiiich  8:iiallcr  interem. 

iippointod  S.  Y.  Austin, 

)tesan(l  obligations  line 

Inn  $7t),OI!t  ill  several 

iver.only  $37,145,  out  of 

ir  ^'iHid  lionds,  belonging 

wliich  cuiild  have  been 

■litDrs  or  their  friends,  or 

',  piilljiig  its  justice  to 

if  lis  feebleuctis.    As  if 

all  further  investigations 

!0  t^enate  Doc.  18,  1845. 

utervliet  Bunk,  in  which 

asliier  'f  that  bank  had 


Id 


le  grossest  clinractcr.  ami 
'airs  of  this  Bunk  have 
Inise  duty  it  i.i  to  make 
iliire  Uluolt,  his  brother, 
vay  delinqiieni  cashier,) 
iind  the  Bank  insolvent 
nici  bond  has  been  I'.ol 
iis  assets  aiuounled  In 
,45'J  of  the  money,  (.;. 
!,  that  the  Farmers  and 
lid  to  pay  Interest.  Tlie 
uid  real  estate,  amount- 
>W8  what  safety  fund^i 
from  IVaud. 


FLAGG,  HOYT,  MARCY,  AND  THE  FREE  BANKS. 


95 


at  variance  with  the  governor's  conduct  as  a  politician,  for  the  last  twenty-two 
years  of  his  life. 

To  that  valuable  class  of  citizens  who  have  the  time  and  opportunity  to  read, 
reason,  and  reflect,  the  letters  of  Flagg,  Livingston  and  Cutting,  and  the  remarks 
of  Marcy,  in  pages  174  to  1S2  of  this  volume,  must  prove  very  interesting. 
When  the  privileged  system  had  been  pushed  to  its  umost  limit  by  the  jaded 
hacks  of  party,  and  no  more  money  could  be  made  on  that  tack,  they  wheel 
about  for  pelf  and  popularity,  abuse  their  own  handywork,  and  go  for  banks, 
with  a  circulation  founded  on  Arkansas,  Illinois,  Mississippi,  Michigan,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  other  state  debts,  and  with  privileges,  the  character  of  which  the 
North  American  Trust  Co.,  and  kindred  coalitions  of  knavery,  too  soon  deve- 
loped. Marcy,  page  174,  boldly  denounces  the  system  that  had  placed  Van 
Buren  at  the  head  of  the  nation,  Flagg  would  blow  "  the  lobby  "  sky  high, 
and  look  forward  from  Plattsburgh  banks  and  regency  banking,  with  "  scenes  of 
log-rolling  and  corruption,"  to  times  to  come,  in  w  hich  a  "  decent  regard  to 
moral  and  official  purity "  would  be  preserved  by  the  party  :  Many  (p.  17o) 
would  borrow  Hoyt's  experience  to  enable  him  to  throw  down  Van  Buren's 
step-ladder,  now  no  longer  needed  :  Flagg  would  deiuolisli  the  usury  laws,  and 
allow  the  avaricious  to  exact  cent  per  cent,  if  the  necessities  of  their  debtors 
would  compel  such  conditions  (p.  176)  i  Livingston  would  put  a  stop  to  all 
legislation  in  favor  of  "  chartered  nuisances  :"  Voung  was  ready  to  draw  his 
"  drippings  of  unclean  legislation  "  from  the  banks,  and  lend  cash  on  mortgage 
at  usurious  rates,  denounced  from  Genesis  to  Revelations,  if  the  usury  law 
could  he  got  rid  of  (p.  177,  &c.) :  and  Hoyt  and  Butler  would  .squeeze  from 
the  merchants  their  last  dollar,  through  the  Custom  Hou.se  and  Betts's  Courts, 
to  speculate  with  it,  through  the  free  bank  of  Beers,  Stilwell  &  Co.  in  Wall 
street  (p.  179). 


CHAPTER    XXI  :  1. 

"  Vice  is  undone  if  she  tbrfrets  her  biitli, 
And  stoops  IVoiu  Angels  tt)  llie  dregs  of  earth ; 
But  'tis  tlie  I'all  flegrades  Iter  lo  a  whore ; 
Let  greatness  own  her,  andslie'.s  mean  no  more. 
Her  birth,  lier  lieanty,  eourts  and  erowds  eont'ess ; 
('liasle  Matrons  praise  her,  and  grave  Bihiitips  bles.';. 
Hear  iier  black  tnun^iet  through  the  land  proelaiin 
Tl'.at  Jj-  Not  to  bk  Count  i'tkd  !  .^  i.s  the  sham*". 
In  soldier,  ehurehiiiaii,  patriot,  iiinn  of  power, 
Tis  avarice  all,  ainbilion  is  no  more.' 

Jackson  Elect  i.oneerimj. — Jacksonin  fhc  Suddlr. — Jurjt  Cotu/rcss  purr, —  Sleven- 
smih  Genuine  Golden  Bait.  —  Wickliffe\s  J'J.rperkiir''. — Diianc\s  Thoughts. — 
King  George''s  Slave  Market. —  IVho^s  the  >S7«? ;/  Teller.  —  Sfcreiisoii  fond  of 
Wheeliny.  —Blair  and  Ritchie,  ur  a  Peep  behind  the  Screen. — Cluff''s  Puzzle, 
and  Wright^s  and  Benton''s  Votes. — Stevenson  yets  to  London. — Polk  and  Slid- 
dell. — Ritrhie''s  Hypocrisy. — He  sivalloics  the  Gilded  Bait. — A  Fcep  at  Wal- 
ker.— Ritchie  40  years  ago. —  The  Washington  Slave  J\lart. — Congress  Sham- 
bles.—  Wilkins,  Buchanan,  Barbour,  Old  Gurrow,  Cumbreleng,  Ellis,  McLaue, 
Muhlenhurg,  ^'c. 

After  the  election  of  John  Quincy  Adams  by  the  House  of  Representatives, 
and  when   General  Jackson  had  been  again  announced  as  a  candidate  for  the 


f^.: 


■i- 


.*'..' 


:L 


;k'.      ■  •" 


,*l 


t.     I 


■•'•'■'!,  ri 


J.  r^ 


I    ■ 

:  I' 


^    'I  ■ 

i; ."  M' 

wt 

96     JACKSON  ELECTIONEERING.       CONGRESSMEN  MUST  NOT  BE  BiilBED. 

office  of  PresiJent,  he  resigned  his  seat  in  the  senate,  and  left  the  people  to  infer 
what  he  would  do  if  elected,  by  placing  on  record  certain  principles  in  his  letter 


of  resigniitioii. 


The  following  is  an  extract 


5j-  ■•  Willi  a  vii.'u-  It)  snMiiiii  nicne  cft'LViually,  in  i>i-actico,  llie  axiom  which  divides  the  three 
rj-  j,'rt.ni  ('lii>sfs  (ilpduir  inio  iiKii'jx'ndcnt.  fjniiMilutiinial  cli<rl\s,  I  would  impose  a  jirovi.sion 
^."'_r  if.'iKkTin;^  any  \r  •miIht  ol  (•oiiga>>s  ini'lijiibU'luotlicc' under  the  general  governujent,  during 
KJ'  'li<-'  it'iin  ici-  wiili.li  hi.'  was  clci-a'd,  atnl  lor  t\uj  years  thercalter.  The  etliict  of  such  a  con- 
'^j'siiluliiHial  pnivi>ioii  i>  iili\  knis.  By  it  Congress,  in  a  consiiierable  degree,  would  be  tree 
■C^r  ihnii  ilie  c'diint'ciiur,  uiili  ilie  E.veeiiiive  Dejiartnicnt,  which  at  present  gives  strong  grounds 
-r^f  (>rapprelR'iisi(iii  aiiM  ieal(iu>y  on  ilie  part  of  tin;  people.  But  if  this  change  in  the  constitu- 
O"'lion  shiinlii  nui  lie  oi'iaiiied,  and  important  appointments  continue  to  devolve  on  the  Repre- 
j&  seniaiives  in  Congress,  it  rc(juiies  no  depth  of  thought  to  he  convinced  that  corruption  will 
3Zf  be  the  order  ol  tlie  <lay.''* 

Mr.  Adams  had  appointed  Henry  Clay,  a  Senator,  his  Secretary  of  State. 
The  above  was  inoaiit  as  a  rebuke  to  Adams,  and  no  doubt  written  with  the 
view  of  injuring  the  popularity  of  Adams  and  Clay,  and  with  reference  to  the 
next  election.  Like  Polk's  pledge  to  stand  by  the  Baltimore  resolutions  on  the 
.'  Itii  degrro  and  naturalization,  it  was  perfectly  fair  if  it  had  been  done  in  sin- 
cerity and  good  faitli. 

1  have  shown  tiiat  .Jackson  was  so  forgetful  of  principle  as  to  attempt  to 
.seduce  Duanu  to  abandon  his  principles  or  resign,  by  ottering  him  the  rich  bait 
of  the  Russian  embassy.     What  course  did  he  pursue  with  Andrew  Stevenson  1| 

*  ('imiiiliiint  '('(.'Ills  lis  iMLivailiiia  lierc  as  it  was  Ipplii'vcd  to  lie  in  Knqinnd  lliiriy  yrars  ago.  In  a  letter  to  the 
iiliior  111'  ;lii'  K; .  oliserMr.  ilati'd  April  ^,  If'ST,  R.  Wiclilillc  larikly  luliiiiis,  that  "t'.vtravafjance  lias  iiicrcaiivd 
111  till!  |iiililic  ii\|ii>iii!itiii'i's  iinill  tiny  .iiMoiint  in  nearly  I'lirly  inillioiia  annually  ;  mkmueks  op  conorkkb  arc 
Ar.iKi;  iiiii'rjHT  .%M)  MHii  IN  tiih;  Kvf.ci.'tivk  mahkk.t  hoi'sk,  this  wikh.k  rkvenuk  and  resourcks  ok  the 

<  itlJNTllV  lIAVK  liKKN  DI.VnTETI  TO  ■rilli  (.(IKRl)  I' THIN  AND  I'OLLUTION  ">K  THE  KLEUTIVK  FHANCHINE.  in  Kulwldizillg 

til'.'  |iri  ss  anil  hi  ilir  om:iiii/'..'i:i<>n  (irciii|is  oriiilicc  liiinlcis  and  ntlicc  lioldcrs,  with  means  to  carry  our  cleciioim 
ly  liiiiii'ry  nnd  I'iil-rliimil."  It  is  tin' sanii' nciw,  and  worsi- than  it  was  when  WicklltTe  peniK'd  hia"sc«tiiing 
•  jiisiir."  Kvt'M  in  ISl-',  in  NoviiiiliiT,  i'ol.  Dnanr  had  tn  admit  in  tin."  Jinrura.  \\v'  priss  of  Frunklin,  that  "  tlii' 
i;\  il-  ol'dur  pre  iji:  rmiii  MrLMvcniiniMil,  iili\  i.iiisly  arise  fiom  this  dill'errnct'  nl' characters,  hetwecn  the  represent- 
Hiirv!  (i»iii»i,'  (■':'■  i'l-'i/i/r.  ;inil  the  niirtisuntiilirrt!  a.isrmhlrd  tngelhrr  !  Thi"  sympnthics  ofamhition,  »eiriiitere!<t, 
^  r'liity,  prill'',  hiilil  Mil  the  inriiilicis  iif '.'overnnirnt  toaclInT  :  tiii'y  havo  a  cumiium  intcrtut  to  keep  Taithful  to  one 
iiiKitliir — 111  cl.'ai  ilii'  pci'ple-  tn  oppros  ih.'iii,  and  strip  them  of  all  power  and  privil(';;i'i<,  that  can  any  way  in- 
irn'i  \i'  Willi  H'l'  '^'irdiiic^i'iuri  ni'  :li'  ir  passinns.  I, ike  the  iiiiiiiks  in  their  clnistrr,  coiisi  cratid  in  the  naimt  ul'  Und, 
t.'iiy  liBi:ii|i|i'  llir  i.istiuniiiits  III  llie  ilcvil.  Colli  clid  ti>  pnilcct  hlicriy,  tliry  liecoiiii'  in  I'actar/flH  nflijrunta.  In 
till'  ra-i'  ol  III  ■  /,.i;i,'.  .':11st' ni  we  mii^ht  iiliiiosi  siiy,  11  hand  nfrnblirm.  ,\ll  poveriinients  are  naturally  jealous  ol 
till'  pnwer  (.ItlK'  |i  dpi''.  :iiiil  mir-  is  nut  :i  whit  less  sn  tliiiii  tin'  most  despotic  in  Europt-  or  .\sial" 

\Vr  111  list  ni'o'ir  poliiii  al  piiriiy,  as  coinpaied  to  Knrojie.  Have  we  cause  fur  so  (loiiif; .'  It  is  triH!  we  are  nut 
ipilie  so  liuil  i:i  sniiii'  r.'-:;i.i'is  a<  Hie  hisli  '.'ovcriiinent.  We  do  not  firt  our  <'xi'cuiives  to  lend  nipnih<?r.s  of  con- 
yii  ss  iiiniii  V  witlio  It  iiili  rest,  as  I'ilt  did,  hut  the  money  is  placed  where  ahle  and  plausihie  lools  in  Congress  will 
liiii  liiiil  II  iii.-.i  cr-sliji'  -ill  t  e:i~iiry  hanks,  (h  iiry  GraUan,  M.  1*.,  not  many  years  njto,  piihllshed  the  idl'i:  of  liis 
cci'liratrd  liitiier.  II  iiry  Cima.i  :  and  IVoin  Hint  work  I  S' h  ct  the  following  pa8.sage,  in  order  that  Aiinricans 
lii.'iy  compel'  till'  old  iiiiiili'  III'  liiiyiiii;  knaves  wiih  the  new  1 

"  'I'lii'  letleis  <>(  l.iTil  iJin'niiiL'haiii  (1.111(1  Lieutenant  of  Ireland],  shrtw  liy  what  means  the  cause  of  the  penplr 
WHS  di  ftaied,  (Kill  wliiit  till'  Viiiroy  ciinsidered  to  liu  RUNnKKtNo  a  Hi:HVtCK  to  hi«  sovkrkion.  t'oriupint' 
h'llli  llmis'  s  ol'  I'arlianun!,  in  order  to  keep  the  people  111  slavery  ;  dijiradini:  the  Peers  tn  purchase  tlK't.'oiumons; 
pristitotinu'  tlir  )ii'n-ioii  lisi — 'hat  L'lilf  in  \\  hi  li  he  pro])OSed  that  his  majesty  should  hiy  the  liirlHilent  phunloni 
o!  piililic  spiii  ill  Iri  l.iiid  :  these  wrre  ihe  fitilii!.' occupations  of  the  Viceroy  ;  this  WHu'what  he  calls  '  bmi'Loy- 
iNo  His  1  iMK  III  TiiK  iiLsT  OK  IMS  MA.iKSTv's  fiKiivtcK.'  'I'lie  Declaration  of  Kights  proposed  hy  Mr.  lirattan,  he 
e  illid  an  '  iiiiinoper  iinfi'^ine  ;'  lint  the  piiitliase  of  the  House  of  Commons,  and  the  huyiiij!  i's  niemliers,  he  ton- 
siilireil  RO'iil  fur  the  Kins  s  sirv  ii't^ ;  and  so  intent  on  his  ohject  did  he  seem  to  he,  that  he  declared  '  no  diflitully 
s'l'iiild  remain  witii  liiin.  wlii'ii  his  coinliiit  was  inarkeil  out,  be  it  what  it  mkiiit.'  lie  had  not  only  entainiltil 
hiiii>''ll',  lint  '  iiihairas>eil  llii.  Kiiic  ;  liiiv  in;;,  as  he  slid,  '  t  oNiRACTlili  AB<oLrTk;  enoaukments  to  vkcure  a 
.va.ioritv  is  I  ]]K  i»(>i  sK.  o»  I  oMMONS  '  He  had  thus  involved  his  royal  limsler  in  tliii«  direct  briberM  lor  it  np- 
pi  ars  that  tiie  N'iirrny  umilil  not  lia\e  .cied  in  the  trade  of  corruption  witho'it  podltlve  orders;  and  lio  nccoril 
h'ily  stated  that  '  In  h  id  rereived  the  Kino's  DinKciioNs  to  oppose  the  mensiires  of  tlio patriots  to  the  utmost 
Of  ms  row  UK. '  Tiie  Kind's  I  iinmands  were  not  to  iraasmii  tlfj  bills  ;  uiid  lor  such  services  men  were  lu  be  re 
wuid  d  :" 

'♦■  AvriiiKw  SrKvvAsoN-  is  now  an  old  man — he  i.s  a  native  of  Virginia,  where  he  was  long  a 
p^'aclisin,?  lawyer,  his  piactice  being  his  sole  ilependenee.  He  wa.s  long  in  Congretss,  and 
w,';s  clecteil  Speaker  of  the  Hon.se  of  Representatives,  in  Deceinher,  1H27,  over  J.  W.  Taylor, 
ofN.  Y.,  liie  Adams  cnndidato.  He  had  the  support  of  the  Albany  Regency,  or  Van  Biiren 
men.  Itliinlv  he  took  his  seat  in  Con^^ross  si.x  years  before,  in  DcceinlK?r,  1821,  for  his  native 
st.'if.  In  lw'3!.  he  was  volieinoiil  in  his  opposition  h)  .tacksun,  and  Crawford  was  his  favorite 
— he  votoil  lor  him  in  the  Hoi.e,  F<M)i'iiai'y,  lH2.'j.  in  a  letter,  in  the  National  Intelligencer, 
Oct.  M,  1R'2H.  by  John  Sloane,  M.  C,  of  Ohio,  [from  Richmond  Enquirer,]  Sloane  slates,  that 
at  the  beginning  of  the  session  of  1825-4],  just  as  the  House  was  about  to  ballot  for  Speaker, 


TA.MI'KRl 

()!i  llie  i-M 
ihen  presidhuj 
Idon,  doubtless 
moved  an  imp 
land  $9,000  oi 
ji  holy  horror 
liy  holdino  ou 
Avould  be  pliai 

■g'c'.'cnson,  who 
Jspcalicr,  !in(l  by 
;clecieil,  and  he  i 
ijiij  had  so  said ; 
)i,iil  c.Kpi'cs.scd  gi 
'V'liwii  proved  si 
i^peakei's  chair. 
'sevi'ie  and  con 
mission  to  Lon(l( 

.liicksoii  set  a 
liiiliiing  turn,  s- 
ilicnei'al  Jacksoi 
^iiiiii.sicr  to  the  C 
Avould  take  to  kil 
tniiilor  compels  i 
Jill'.  Stevenson's 

Wlien  the  di.> 
viiiiid  b'i  admilK 
five  one  party  o 
(I'/oV,  gave  the 
tenieiiees  which 

Ij-siioiigly  awa 
p-  llie  ?Iouse  ol 
|;;r  rcliiriis  allot 
rj  cnoiigli  to  in 
:|jThe  comma 
|j»C'iimmiuee  o 
p=iind  the  sanu 
P=  uoiinterleilin 

Polk's  editor,  1 
111' e.\'cla  lined — •' 
(iisei'/e  ihe  rcins- 
OUT  THE  W 
fiCNEFlT  OP ' 

"The  coininai 
,t>iinmiUecs  ''  wil 
IvindLM'hook-  tliat 
ji'^n^^e  of  Speake 
jjiiniis  lo  suit  "  th 
|iun  (if  justice  i^ 
Appropriations  of 
iiation.  The  maj 
•ppoiiit  commilt': 
ft'iil  be  deaf  to 
^Vetinore,  Stcvei 
iregnable  under 
fcr2cn  for  iniqu 
^I'bate,  June  Ki, 
ili.'i;ree,  the  judgt 
pointed  to  meet 
fcenpfal  Dromgo 
csmmittee  had  re 
opening  or  lookii 


'  BE  BHIBED. 

he.  people  to  infer 
ciples  in  his  letter 


tiich  divides  the  three 
Id  itnpo^ie  a  provision 
1  govern  iiient,  during 
!  etitict  ol'  such  a  con- 
tlegree,  would  bo  tree 
gives  strong  grounds 
liange  in  the  constiiu- 
ievolve  on  the  Repre- 
l  that  corruption  will 


'cretary  of  State, 
written  with  the 
h  reference  to  the 
resolutions  on  the 
been  done  in  sin- 
as  to  attempt  to 
;  hitn  the  rich  bait 
drew  Stevenson  If 

rs  Bgo.  In  ;i  letter  to  the 
riivaKunce  liaH  increased 

UEKS  OF  CONORKKa  ARC 
AND  RRSOUHC'ES  OK  THE 

KKANCiiiHK.  in  sulwidiziiig 
118  to  carry  our  cleciioim 
Pu  periiii'd  ills  "  scqtliing 
i  n(  Pruiiklii),  tlmt  "the 
s,  between  the  represent- 
or  nniliilion,  ^el^■llltereiit, 
St  to  keep  railhl'ul  to  otic 
I'H,  tlmt  ciui  any  way  in- 
nil  il  ill  the  niiiiii:  of  (lod. 
\\Kl  arinn  of  tyrants.  In 
:  lire  niitiinilly  jealous  ol 
or  Asia  I" 

!  It  IS  I  me  We  are  nut 
i  lend  iiieiiitxTs  of  coi.- 
iltle  tools  ill  Coniiiress  will 
piililixlii'd  tlie  l.il'i^  <>!'  Ills 
n  order  llint  Aiiirriciins 

B  tlie  raiise  of  the  people 
SOVKRKION.  Coriu(illic 
I  purchase  the  Coiiiiiion.^ ; 
.'  the  (iirhiiU'iit  phuiitiiin 
Wllllt    he    Cllllii  '  KMI'LOY- 

ptm'd  hy  Mr.  Ci rattan,  he 
yiii)!  it!<  nieiiiherH,  he  cnn- 
le  declari  il  '  no  ditticulty 
I.'  had  not  only  ciiliiniilt'il 

(IKMKMTS    TO    HKCL'RE   A 

j  direct  bribers  lor  it  ap- 
c  orderi* ;  and  lie  acconl 

patriots  TO  TIIK  UTMOBT 

vices  men  were  to  be  re 

where  he  was  long  a 
jng  in  Congress,  and 
r,  over  J.  W.  Taylor, 

ncy,  or  Van  Buren 
r,  i8'2l,  lor  his  native 
'lord  was  his  favorite 
[itional  Intelligencer, 
r,l  Sloane  slates,  that 

ballot  for  Speaker, 


TAMrKHING   WITH  CONGRESS — HOW  THKY  DO  IT.       A.  STEVENSOX.      97 

O'.i  tlie  ih\.  of  AFay,  IS!  1,  Prcsidi'iit  .Jackson  nominated  Atidren'  Steven>on, 
•iheii  presidiny  in  the  H.  of  U.,  to  be  Envoy  Extraordinary  to  the  court  of  Lon- 
don, doubtless  as  the  reward  of  his  subservience  to  the  Executive.  Mr.  Clay 
nioved  an  inquiry  as  to  when  Stevenson  was  first  promised  tills  $!.>,000  a  year 
and  $9,000  outfit,  Ity  a  president  who,  when  he  wanted  the  people's  votes,  had 
5B  holy  horror  at  influencin<;  the  free  deliberations  of  the  people's  representatives 
liy  holdin'j,  out  expectations  of  wealth  and  power  to  leading  congressmen  who 
vould  be  pliant  and  servile.     The  documents  were  produced  by  the  President. 

{i!L-vensoii,  who  with  Taylor  and  Cainpltell  were  candidates  for  the  chair,  said,  '•  Elect  me 
JjiiealiiM',  and  hy  God  I'll  siisiain  the  adininistr.Tion '' — (Adams  and  Cla\'.)  lie  was  not 
ficcie'i,  and  he  iuiiicd  lu  JacNsoii  and  against  the  men  ilmn  in  powiM'.  Stevenson  denied  that 
iJiL'had  so  said;  hut  Governor  Hrauch,  when  the  unit  cai)inet  biolce  up,  stated  that  Jackson 
'ji.nl  e.\pres.sed  great  contempt  for  Slevenson.  if  so,  he  took  a  sober  second  thought,  ami  Ste- 
v'ii«on  proved  such  a  strict  and  steady  partisan  that  the  party  kept  him  seven  years  in  the 
fpeakei'N  chair.  He  resigned  on  June  iJd,  1834,  his  ollice  and  seat,  under  the  pressure  of  a 
'  sevi'ie  ami  conliiuied  indisposilion,"  which  Jackson  apjjoais  to  have  eiired  by  the  oder  of  a 
iiiisMon  to  London. 

.liiukson  set  a  less  value  on  Stevenson  than  Van  Biiri:'n  tliil.  Sti?vens:(in's  cunning,  in- 
liiiliiiiig  turn,  suited  Van  Huron.  Governor  Branch  says:  •' When,  sir,  1  separated  from 
tL'iieral  Jackson,  but  a  short  time  previous  to  liis  deteimination  to  appoint  Air.  Stevenson 
juiiii.sicr  to  the  Court  ol' St.  James,  he  did  not  regard  him  as  'worth  the  powder  and  ball  it 
ivoitid  take  to  kill  him.'  This  very  expression  I  have  heard  used  or  assented  to  by  him,  and 
iniulor  compels  me  to  admit  that  1  heartily  concurred  with  General  Jackson  in  Iiis  estimate  of 
l\li'.  Stevenson's  worth.'' 

When  the  dispute  arose  in  Congress  about  which  set  of  New  Jersey  members  were,  or 
viiiild  be  admitted  to  be,  ■ritt;  silliii:;  nicm/jcrs,  and  it  became  apparent  that  the  decision  would 
five  one  party  or  the  other  the  selection  of  a  Speaker,  Van  Buren's  editor,  Blair,  through  the 
(.V/c,  gave  the  ttniniiiated  a  hint  of  the  uses  to  which  Speakers  arc  put,  in  the  words  and 
liiiiicnces  which  Ibllow : 

jj"'^  (ir<j:aii.iz(ition.  of  the  House  nf  Rem-cscnlaliiTf. — We  perceive  that  the  public  mind  is 
Ij'siiongly  awalc'iied  in  regard  to  the  preparations  of  the  Federtil  party  to  get  conimaiKl  of 
'  f  liie  flouse  of  llepreseiilitiives  1)\-  theii-  i^^-aud  in  the  election  of  members  and  falsification  of 

prciurns  atlerwards.  If  they  can  foist  on  the  Representative  body  spurious  members 
tj  cnoiigii  to  malce  a  majority  in  the  opening,  there  is  no  doul)t  they  will  hold  it  to  the  end. 
{jTiie  command  of  the  Spealcership  will  give  them  the  cominittees--among  them  the 

j=  Committee  of  Elections,     Their  report  will  conform  to  the  interest  of  theappt)inting  party, 

J"  and  the  same  dishonest  majority  which  wotilil  conspire  to  get  a  control  of  the  House  by 

j°eounterl'eiiing  members,  would  vote  to  maintain  it." 

Pitlk's  editor,  llitehie.  then  of  the  llichmoml  Emiuirer,  was  eiiually  oft' his  gtiard.  In  terror 
,)i'n'.\'claimed — '•  Vlave  the  whig  parly  beeome  desperate  ?  Are  thev  determinetl  at  all  events 
i.seize  the  reins— TO  CAEIIIV  A  St^EAKER  for  the  ncKt  con-ress— AND  HE  TO  SHAPE 
OUT  THE  WHOLE  STANDING  COMMITTEES  OF  THE  HOUSE  FOR  THE 
feliNEFlT  OP  THE  WHIGS  ["—Ew/nircr,  yor.  t),  1838. 

"The  cominanil  of  the  Spetdvcrship  will  give  them  the  committees,"  and  the  report  of  the 
fiiniiiiltees  ''will  conform  to  the  interest  of  t!ie  appointing  party."  Van  Buren  writes  from 
Kinilerhook  that  Blair  is  the  very  best  of  authority — and  hence  it  is  evident  that  it  was  the 
lipase  of  Speaker  Stevenson's  committees,  and,  of  course.  Spenker  Folk's,  to  iiiake  their  re- 
Jliriii'i  to  suit  "  the  inten-st  of  the  appoiiiiiiig  pttrty  !"  Here  is  the  reason  why  the  a(lmini,stt'a- 
liuii  of  justice  is  too  often  a  reproach  and  a  by-word,  and  the  profligate  expenditures  and 
kppriipriations  ol' the  party  always  sustained,  and  imiuiry  stilled  in  the  grand  inquest  of  the 
Jialion.  The  majority,  who  cleei  the  President,  send  congressmen,  who  elect  a  Speaker  who  will 
Ippoint  committees  to  suit  the  .Inekstin,  Folic  or  Van  Buren  of  the  day — ami  these  eommittees 
will  be  deaf  to  the  dishonesty  of  the  worst  men  their  letifler  may  appoini.  A  Butler.  Hoyt, 
IVeiinore,  Stevenson,  Lawrence,  Edmonds,  WotKlbury,  Mc.N'ulty,  or  J.  Van  Buren,  is  iin- 
fcregnable  ttnder  such  a  system,  bv  which  the  popular  part  of  oiiv  free  consiitufion  becomes  a 
porjon  lor  iniquity  and  crime.  ''Sir,"  said  J.  Q,.  Adams,  to  the  Speaker,  duringthe  Te.xas 
Phiile,  June  IM,  1838,  "  the  Standing  Committees  are  the  cve«,  the  cars,  and  in  a  very  great 
^^.'^'ree,  the  judgment  of  this  House.  They  are  instituted  for  that  very  etid.  They  "are  ap- 
bdintetl  to  meet  the  subjects  sent  to  us,  to  consider  them,  and  mature  them  for  our  action." 
trcneral  Dromj^oole  admitted  the  correctness  of  the  Globe's  statement,  when  he  owied  that  his 
committee  had\eported  on  many  resolutions  of  legislatures  and  petitions  from  citizens,  without 
opening  or  looking  at  or  into  one  of  them  I  -    ■ 


ii^;: 


y. 


1 

I' 


r.''f4' 


:.>•  p'    '    '. 


(,!;i 


t:i 


J.;  II    '*. 


!>  ,.• 


6,. 


98  LIVINOPTO.V,  WRIGHT,  feENTON,  CLAY,  WF.BPTER,  AND  WaLkHR. 

One  of  them  was  a  letter  from  E.  Livingston,  sec.  of  state,  to  Speaker  Steven- 
son, dated  l")lh  of  March,  1833,  (fifteen  mo.ntiis  defoke  his  nomination!!!] 
in  these  words — ''  »N/V  :  /  am  directed  bij  the  PresideiU  to  inform  you,  CONFJ. 
DENTIALL  F,  that  as  soon  as  adriccs  shall  be  recehed  that  the  British  govern- 
meut  consent  to  open  neijotiutions  with  this,  u-hich  arc  dailj  expected,  it  is  his  in- 
tention to  offer  i/i)U  the  place  o/AIinis'erto  the  Court  of  St.  James,  and  he  rerpmh 
that,  should  this  ajipoiulmeiit  be  uijreeable  to  you,  you  would  hold  yoursrlj  in 
readiness  to  embarlc  in  the  course  of  the  summer.''^  Anothtr  letter  was  from  T, 
Ritchie  to  W.  B.  Lewis,  objecting  to  filling  up  of  Van  liiiren's  London  berll, 
with  a  congressman,  without  letting  the  senate  know  about  it.  The  President 
declared  that  he  never  knew  that  Stevenson  had  answered  the  letter  of  Livins;. 
ston.  On  June  24th,  the  senate,  23  to  22,  negatived  Stevenson's  appointmeiii. 
made  under  such  suspicious  circumstances.  Ikit  among  the  Senators  who  ap- 
proved of  Jackson's  plan  of  otiering  an  American  Speaker  a  high  ollice,  "  con- 
iidenlially,"  15  inoiitlis  liefort^  he  left  the  chair  to  accept  it,  and  thus  keepin- 
the  golden  bait  always  before  his  eyes,  although  he  and  his  i'ellow  menibtrv 
might  be  called  to  take  a  bold  stand  against  executive  encroachments,  were 
(^  Silas  Wright,  (a:^  '1'-  IL  Benton,  ^k^  King  of  Ala.  (now  minister  to 
France,)  jj^  Wilkiiis,  ge?-  I'olk's  teacher,  Orwndy,  {jt^--  Isaac  Hill.  {^  Tall- 
madge,  \fy^  Van  Buren's  Sec,  Forsyth,  {^  and  John  Tyler  !  Among  the  navs 
were  Clay,  Calhoun,  I'Aving,  Clayton,  Webster,  and  Poindexter.  But  the 
Senate  was  defeated  in  the  long  run.  in  May,  ISHo,  Andrew  Stevenson  niju-hi 
have  been  seen  presiding  in  that  mockery  of  a  people's  convention  for  the  nation 
which  nominated  i\Iartin  Van  Buren  for  the  next  presidency — and  in  due  tiin.' 
Jackson's  pledge  to  his  unworthy  confederate  was  redeemed,  and  Stevenson 
sent  ambassador  to  London.     It  was  Stevenson  tliat  put  Polk  *  at  the  head  ui 

*  Since  1S2.'»,  Prcsiilent  Polk's  moutor  and  advix-aie,  Ilitciiie,  lias  so  veered  alio'.t  from  Jacks(in> 
principles  to  Jafkson's  jiraftieo  as  to  consent  that  contjrcssmen  ami  edildis  may  Ix;  rewarded  Iv 
the  e.xeciiiivc,  ;is  anibas--a(l()rs-,  judjjcs,  and  caliinct  iniiiisiLTs  (see  (.'oiU'siHiaileiice,  p.  *2jl  i 
'JI6] — )u!  lias  even  aiiniilu'd  lliat  on  a  rare  or'casiun,  oin'  iif  tlioni.  at  least,  may  iii'teit  >f  lO.ditii 
a  year  (^hiinself,  fur  iiisimice),  as  piiiiier  to  senate,  house  ofreju'escntaiives,  jiiid  )jresideiit.  1; 
arcordanee  with  this  new  I'l'tinitiuii  of  a  lioiindary  oj'  leiiee  aijaiii>t  i-i(,rii|iti(iii,  Picsidcm  Pi.|„ 
jjjave  James  Buehanaii  the  vast  power  and  patronaf^e  uf  the  NeeiiMary  of  Mate's  tPilice  ;  and  j)i'. 
lutfxs  thai  was  settled,  like  the  ))ii'>ideiilial  eaudidate  (jiieslidi).  r^^/c^  /.'n  t  / /ii  <■  u{' thi'  la^t  Haitinii''_ 
Convention.  Tliar  Buchanan  knew  the  use  of  that  power  mny  he  inteii-ed  lium  his  speerh  i 
senate,  1R3H,  where  he  said  that  ••  When  a  man  is  onee  appointed  tu  otijcp,  all  the  seitish  ii;:^. 
sions  of  his  nature  are  enlisted  tiir  the  purpose  nf  retaininir  il.  I'he  fitliee-holders  ;i)f  ii,, 
enlisted  soldiers  of  that  administration  by  Avhieh  they  are  sustained.  Their  eonif.atahle  exis'- 
cnce  oiten  depends  upon  the  re-eleeti.on  of  their  patron."  The  Serrttaryship  of  the  Treasim 
with  its  ten  to  twelve  iiiillions  of  patrona^'e,  he  jjave  to  Hebeit  J.  Walker.  Thus  did  he  mi,- 
two  very  eoirNpieuous  inemhers  dt'eoiiicress,  ami  hy  so  doiu'^-  i^'ave  ■■  .stidiiic  jjoiuiidsuiapiJiehci 
sion  and  jealou.-y  on  the  part  of  the  people,"  "  thai  eorniption  will  he  ihc  order  of  the  day'  wv 
hiin,  however  re<,nilar  he  may  have  iiecn  at  college  jirayers  iu  Xcirth  Carolina,  or  his  iv.i: 
Butler  at  '•  stated  preaejiiiiiirs''  at  Sandy  }Jill. 

iSeeretary  Walker  is  a  native  of  Noithuinberlaiid,  F'a..  in  which  ^lalc  his  f;;ther,  Jonaihai; 
Walker,  was  a  county  judi,'e,  and  1  believe  a  teacher  oi'  uunh.  The  JSecrelaiy  is  a  lawvu 
itefiim  his  political  career  in  Ills  native  .slate  ;  and,  on  hisciiii^rn.tion  to  Mississippi,  entered  ir.i 
many  speeulations.  partly  in  lands  and  contracts.  He  is  said  to  hiive  owned  lif  10,000  worth.: 
lands  in  Texas,  and  he  crlainly  irave  its  amie.xation  to  the  ir.  s,,  as  a  new  field  for  theciiltiv;. 
tion  of  slavery,  all  the  support  that  Polk  or  Johnson  ct)uld  have  desired.  In  the  Senate,  he  \vi;> 
triendly  to  the  principle  of  the  last  bankrupt  law — perhaps,  lor  a  like  reason  wilhfctilwcll.i:.' 
U.  S.  Marslial  hen — tor  Horace  Greeley,  in  the  Tribune  ol  Dee.  8th.  savs  he  "  has  been  ilcii 
enough  in  credit,  specnilation,  and  papt'ir  nione>*— is  now  a  liankrupt— and  in  18;M  w  i-dIi!  v, 
favor  of  a  national  bank,  and  the  restoration  of  the  deposits''  thereto.  'J'lje  Tribune  publi>li'» 
a  letter  of  .his,  dated  Natchez,  March  1,  IKii,  as  Iblkiws ; 

"  Dear  Sir:  As  I  promised  at  our  jMriiii^'  to  q:ive  you  my  views  on  anv  subject  wliich  mijjlii 
be  interestiiifi;  to  our  common  constituents,  1  hasten  to"  say  that  Alississipp'i  will  with  meat  una- 
nimity sustain  you  on  the  Deposit  (iuestion.  In  liict.,  the  ])ublie  voice  demands  a  restoralicm  i) 
the  Deposits,  and  the  creating  a  Bank  to  supply  a  ircneral  curivncv.     A  Slate  Bank  can  no 


POLK 

the  Ways  an 
elected  to  Ci 
out  to  Mexic 
fits,  and  Mej 
C's  inclusive 

:   more  .supply  an 

itie  aflkirs  of  thi 

I   from  the  friuhtf 

,,  Walker's  ap] 
',  In  general,  they 
i  inti'igue  and  cor 
invokes  provide 
then  pitches  up 
seci'ctary  the  pi 
could  not  pay  V 

•  in  the  Natchez  < 
r  dollars,  which  tl 
;':  nothinij  of  t/u;  In 
'■■  rican  bosoms,  I 
L  lience  of  the  free 

In  John  C.  S 

,.  Jj-otism  in  the 

jj'never  anion 

Q^he,  servility 

,  iJ-iinpossiblc  f( 

;■;  iiei's  of  Aineric 

•  tT"  Interferenc 
'^flatter,  shouk 

jjTtive  principl 
:  O^fiin-'ral  govo 
■tpinptations  to  tl 
;  In  a  letter  t 
':Riteliie,  dated  Ji 
i  Ivjth  nieinhers  o: 
•the  Presictent),  i 
;l('5:islative  chara 
;  President  Mai 
'  ment  to  the  cons 
j taken  his  seat,  s 
.Ijwintment  nnde 
iMich  appointinei 
^ shall  have  been 
'  The  editor  of 
jsliion  writers,  b 
:biaving  the  dan; 
|— promulgated  t 
i  "Sir,  if  ever  t; 
'legislature,  it  wi 
lis  in  Great  Brita 
k'ress,  as  they  do 
|thosc  who  sit  on 
I  " '\\ill  you  m; 
ftative,  wh"o  wisln 
this  measures  or ' 
Iniveat  it]  Will 
jevil  designs  to  a( 
jis  struck"  betwcei 
were  to  barter  a 
of  Congress  by  s 
m  catch  the  cont; 
pe  the  ruin  of  pu 
Kvithin  the  Exccii 
Avithin  his  gift  at 


N'D  WaLKF.R. 

Speaker  Steven. 

IS    NOMINATION  !  !  I) 

aim  you,  CONFJ. 

the  Jhifish  (jovern- 
•petted,  it  is  his  in- 
lien,  and  he  rtqimh 
Id  hold  yoiirsclj  ;„ 
letter  was  fioiii  T. 
en's  London  berth 
it.  The  President 
le  letter  of  Livins;- 
son's  appointment, 
e  Senators  who  ap- 
i  high  olhce,  "  con- 
,  and  thus  keeping 
lis  fellow  members 
icroachments,  were 

(now  minister  to 
lac  Hill,  ^  Tall- 
!  AmoH"!  the  navs 
indexter.  But  thn 
w  Stevenson  miglii 
Mition  for  the  nation 
V — and  in  due  tiin. 
lied,  and  Stevensuii 
ilk  *  at  the  head  oi 

eJ  aliD'.l  rniin  Jarksdn* 

ii's  may  U'  rcwarilcd  1\ 

n's|:(ii"iileni-t',  ]i.  :21 1 1, 

I.  may  aiTi'i.t  .^■UUii'ii 

vcs,  and  iiicsidcnt.    h 

u)iti()ii,  Prt'sidi'iii  Pi!,, 

•  lalc's  ullicr  ;  and  [«■.- 

//((■()(■  tin'  la-^l  Haltiiuci'' 

]■('<[  l'i()!n  his  spi'Cfli  i 

1',  all  tin'  seitisli  [li:^ 

I'  (,flicc-lii)iili.'rM  art'  il. 

leir  coniliiitahle  e\if 

ysliip  (if  tin"  'I'ri'astm 

.     TliMs  (iid  lie  (iili- 

ii;  <;riiun(isui'a|ij)H'lui 

nrdcr  ot'llie  day'  Mil': 

(.'aroliiK!,  or  ids  un:. 

\c  iiis  I'athoi',  Jonathaii 
Si'iTflary  is  a  lawytr 
Uissi.-sij)()i.  I'liteivd  h:« 
w  lied  S  10,000  worth. 
t'W  iicld  for  tliei'uliiv;. 
In  the  Senate,  hew;:' 
■cai-im  with  feiilwi'lLi:.' 
vivs  he  '•  has  bcvn  ilci; 
i'.nd  ill  IKU  wiMii;  n. 
'i'iie  Tiiliuuc  publi>ho 

ny  subject  wliieli  iniylt 
ipi  will  with  uruat  uim- 
(■inand.s  a  lestuiaticm  >; 
A  State  Bank  can  no 


folk's  secretary  and  printer,   on  BCVING  CONGKIiSSMKN. 


99 


the  Ways  and  Means  in  1834.  It  was  Polk  who,  when  John  Slidell  had  been 
elected  to  Conjfress  from  La.,  closed  his  trust  with  the  people  by  sending  hinx 
out  to  Mexico,  without  asking  the  senate's  consent.  How  many  salaries,  out- 
fits, and  Mexican  and  Russian  ambassadors  has  tin;  Union  paid  since  1828,  M. 
C's  inclusive  1 

more  supply  and  ^nvein  the  pmeral  currcney  ihati  n  State  Ciovornmont  ran  direct  and  control 
itie  aflkirs  of  the  Nation.  Go  on ;  j'our  ronstitiients  are  with  yon  ;  tiie  foiintiy  must  lie  relieved 
from  the  l'ri?htlul  .scenes  of  distress  whieh  have  visiiwl  ns.  Yours  trulv,' 

li.  J.  WALKER.' 
Walker's  appointments  iu  this  State  have  been  mueh  influenced  by  his  cnlleasne,  Mnrcy. 
In  general,  they  could  not  well  be  wor.se  than  they  are.  Our  custom-house,  the  headquarters  of 
intrigue  and  corruption  for  the  city,  is  under  his  especial  supervision  and  care.  Thi;  pious  Folic 
invokes  providence,  omnipotence,  heaven,  and  all  that  is  ijood  and  ^'reat,  to  guide  him — arwi 
then  pitches  upon  a  seiM-etary  ol'  the  tn;asury  from  the  repudiating;  state  (jf  Mississippi — dmt 
sea'etary  the  prince  of  speculators — and  whose  moneyed  li'ansactions  were  so  situated  that  he 
could  not  pay  Van  Buren  for  his  Ihrniture,  and  had  judt^ments  a2:ainst  him  advertised  tor  sale 
in  the  Natchez  Courier,  by  the  Uriioii  Banlc  of  Mississippi,  for  <oine  twenty-five  to  fifty  thousand 
dollars,  whieh  that  parajron  of  banks  sadly  needed  to  pay  the  gulled  and  cheated  people.  I  say 
nothinif  ol't/ii:  lost  iiotn  oj  ham!.  Ifxhui  spirit  of  seventy-sue  is  tlie  spii'ii  that  now  animates  Ame- 
rican bosoms,  I  shall  Ix'  justified  in  tii(\sc  strictures,  even  ujiou  those  who  sit  hi<(hest  in  the  confi- 
.  (lence  of  the  freemen  of  America. 

In  John  C.  Spencer's  edition  of  De  Toequeville.  I  fmd  the  remark.  "  I  have  heard  of  patri- 

^4"otism  in  the  United  States,  and  it  is  a  virtue  which  may  be  found  amniifj  the  people,  but 

j^j'never  amon?  the  leaders  cif  the  people.     In  all  jSjoverninents,  whatever  their  nature  may 

Tj\k,  servility  will  cower  to  forei",  and  adulation  will  eliu?  to  power.     It  would  have  been 

Ij-iinpoRsible  for  the  sycophants  of  Louis  XIV.  to  flatter  more  dexterously"  than  the  cour- 

iiL'i's  of  America.     Jeli'Msoii,  writin;?  to  ThiUPtis   Al'lvean,  IVb.  '2,   IHdl,   t(?lls  him  that 

,  Hr"  Interferences  at  elections,  whether  of  the  state  or  federal  tiiiverniueiu,  by  officers  of  the 

'  r^-latter,  should  be  deemed  cause  of  removal ;  because  the  constitutional  reihedy  by  the  clec- 

jj'live  principle  becomes  nothiiiu:  i'  it  may  be  smothered  by  the  enormous  patronage  of  the 

iO^eneral  government."    Now,  if  interference  with  the  freedom  of  elections  is  bad,  are  not 

:  temptations  to  the  electors,  by  the  executive,  to  betray  those  who  electeii  them  much  worsol 

;    In  a  letter    to  Presidcat  Madison,   which    1    (ind    in    the  Hiciimoxd  l'^Nai"iRi-;n,  by  T, 

"'Ritchie,  dated  June  tjf),  ISIO,  tiie  appointment  of  IJiieicner  'riuuston  an.l  Benjamin  Howard, 

I  both  members  of  Congress,  the  one  to  be  a  judge,  and  the  other  the  governor  of  a  territory  (by 

■the  Presiiient),  is  steinly  reprobated,  beeans(!  that  so  long  as  thi'y  were  "  invested  with  the 

j  legislative  character,  it  is  the  duty  of  the  President  to  leave  it  around  them." 

',    President  Madison  is  reminded  that  the  patriot,  Macon,  had  moved  the  following  amend- 

'ment  to  the  constitution  a  few  months  previous :  "  No  .senator  or  representative,  alter  having 

^ta'ii'en  his  seat,  shall,  during  the  time  for  which  he  was  clecti'd,  be  eligible  to  any  civil  ap- 

,5pointment  under  the  authority  of  the  United  Stales,  nor  shall  any  person  be  eligible  to  any 

ijsuch  appointment  until  the  e.vpiration  of  the  Presidential  term,  during  which  such  person 

"ssliall  have  been  a  senator  or  representative." 

'■:  The  editor  of  Thr  Union,  that  now  is — the  man  whose  son  is  Icv.sening  the  numl'»erof  oppo- 
"si'.ion  writers,  by  violence,  and  who  himself  abused  me,  at  the  desire  o^  President  Polk,  tor 
jbiaving  the  danger  of  ex|X)sing  state  criminals  high  in  power,  through  their  own  confessions 
|— promulgated  the  following  pure  doctrines  in  IHIO  : 

I  "Sir,  if  ever  the  Executive  branch,  in  this  country,  acrpiiies  an  undue  ascendancy  over  the 
llugislature,  it  will  not  be,  as  it  is  now  in  France.  thron'j:h  the  sw^rd — but  by  cnmiption,  as  it 
lis  in  Great  Britain.  It  is  true,  sir,  that  no  plarrman  or  pmsion.-r  can  sit  on  the  flcx)r  of  Con- 
ji^ress,  as  they  do  in  Parliament — but  places  and  appointments  may  now  be  scattered  among 
|tliosc  who  sit  on  that  floor. 

"  Will  you  mark'  the  danger  of  this  di.stribution  of  oflices  1     Will  not  the  senator  or  represen- 
tative, who  wishes  for  an  executive  gift,  always  take  care  tt,  consult  the  executive  wisiies,  in 
his  measures  or  votes  'I    Instead  of  watching  the  misconduct  of  the  President,  will  he  not  con- 
nive at  it  1  Will  not  Cerberns  sleep  because  he  wishes  for  a  sop  1    If  the  President  should  hjive 
|evil  designs  to  accomplish,  here  then  are  instruments  disciplined  to  his  hand — a  lair  exchange 
jis  struck  between  them.    The  one  barters  his  conscience  lor  the  ollice — just  as  much,  as  if  he 
iwere  to  barter  a  piece  of  land  for  a  piece  of  gold.     I  know  it  is  impossible  to  brilx'  both  houses 
jof  Congress  by  such  temptations.    I  know  that  there  are  some  of  them  who  are  too  virtuous 
jto  catch  the  contagion,  but  it  is  certain  that  in  propoilion  to  the  extent  of  this  corruption,  will 
fbe  the  ruin  of  public  morals  and  of  public  spirit.    Arc  not  offices  of  almost  every  description 
fwithin  the  Executive  Patronage  1    During  the  year  1708,  Mr.  Gallatin  estimated  the  amount 
'AvitlUn  hi.s  gift  at  $''2,000,000.    And  where  the  mere  lust  of  lucre  could  not  sway  the  man,  ther» 


-5> 

'»':/*     •    '. . 

'"■' 

;*.■!,■•    ■ ." 

¥'■■:     ■ 

;■' 

■i.';;' 

j'.i:    .        .' 

■i.* 


■.!.■■ 


A*' 


t' 

>■ 

%..:..:■ 

!<-^ 

'ir'M' 

,»;' 

r"'    ■ 

■> 

■■% 

\i  [ ' 

■  k< , 

f'.,   - 

'■81 

if- 

.if 

,1  I- 


100    VAN  IM'KI  \    I  MilN<;    LliSSONS  AS   A  COURl'lKn,  WIIII-l;   )N    l.orvDO.N. 


81*' 


C  H  A  P  T  E  R    X  X  I  V. 

I  shall  cvpv  ri'gnnl  iny  situation  in  that  cabinet  as  one  ol"  the  most  fortunate  event?  of  my 
life,  placing:  oic  as  it  liid  in  close  and  laniiliar  relations  witJi  one  who  has  been  ■well  describcil 
by  Mr.  Jelterson  as  pussessinji  more  of  the  Roman  in  his  charaeier  than  any  man  living',  ai:(i 
whosfi  adininisiratiijii  will  be  luoked  to,  mjvliuc  times,  as  a  iioltkn  era  in  oin  liislci  v.  "i'o  Jia\i' 
served  undo  sneii  a  chief,  at  such  a  time,  and  to  liave  won  his  conlideni.e  and  esict>ni  i.-i  a  sia- 
lieient  f::loiy. —  V<tii  JJiiien's  Iclti  r  /n  M'ullcr  Bonnie,  James  dimpltcIL  Pnacivcd  luf/i,  ii'm.  M. 
Price,  Etifiui  TMch,  (iidccii  Ijr,  C.  IV.  Lan-rtncc,  c^-c.,  Loiiilun,  J^'c/'.  '21,  \8'A'2.<iji.  Iiis  jmsiliiKi 
ill  Jackun'sfinl  rahhul. 

Van  Binen praxitttd bij  BinLiw  wtlhthe  Fiexdomof  N.  Y  and  (t  (jood  C/iara(tcr~ 
C.C  Camhieli'ii'i. — Jac!iSon''s  First  Cabinet. —  Some  facts  about  Lewis  Caa.i. 
—IJis  War  Exploits^  Politeucss,  Motions  of  Slavcrij,  Friendship  to  the  Induiv. 
Vast  Wealth.,  Indian  Aijcncies,  L(.irs,  Floquawe  in  Senate.,  and  JVolions  ahuri 
2\xas. — Calhoun's  Poaitivn. —  The  Seminole  TJ'ar. — Monroe's  Seertt  Ldie^ 
to  Jackson. — .fuhnni/  Ru]j. — Intriijiies  bij  ILnnillon,  Cravford,  Forsijtli  and 
others,  to  injure  Calhoun  and  bcnejit  Va}i  Bvnn. — .lucksonQuarrcla  irith  Cal- 
houn.—  On  the  .Puhlication  of  I'olillcal  Secrets.  —  .hhnJJenri/  Eaton  and  V,':f. 
— Jackson  Quarrels  icilh  three  of  his  Cabinet  about  her. —  T'he  Rissian  JJissiou. 
— Branch  on  Van  Bnren. — John  Tijler  and  a  Second  Term. —  Van  JJnren  sent 
as  Envoy  to  London,  hut  Rejected  by  the  Senate. — Opinions  of  M'ebsier,  Claij, 
'■Frelinghuysev,  Foot,  S:c. —  The  Coiiuial  Trade. —  4  ow  Buren  elected  Via 
President. 

HavInc;  resigned  hi.s  office  as  governor,  on  tho  12th  of  March,  1829,  Van 
Buren  left  Albany,  accompanied  by  hU  frienu  and  confederate,  B.  F.  Butler,  osi 
the  forenoon  of  the  17th,  to  take  upon  hini.self  the  duties  of  Premier,  .Secretary 

are  otlices  ofuislinclion  to  invite  and  .soodie  lii.«;  ambition.  *  ♦  ♦  In  the  jnaicinj;  i.l  Law-,  Ii  i 
lor  the  niend)ers  of  Cungre.ss  to  have  a  simple  eye  to  tiie  intere.'its  of  iheir  country.  It  is  iui 
them  t'l  decide  upon  the  merits  of  every  i]ti(;stion  that  coine.s  Iwfore  tliem,  wiihuut  eiiiier  hup.' 
or  fear,  without  compul.-ion  oi  reward,  l-'rom  the  moiueiit  that  they  are  led  astiay  by  suil 
inducements,  they  are  shorn  o(  ilieir  re])rescniative  ciiaracier — they  eea.-e  to  be  liicagenisi-i 
the  people,  to  become  llie  t.K^ls  of  the  Jvxecailivc' 

Will  il  be  believetl  that  liie  man  who  could  publisli  these  truths  in  ISIO,  is  now  j^rowii  - 1 
^:rey  in  sin  that  he  has  lor  sixteen  years  upheld  the  violators  of  riirht.  and  at  Kiijrth  acct  jiiui 
office  from  tho.'-e  who  ])rai'iise  what  is  here  so  justly  condenr.ied  I 

Jackson,  to  j^et  poijulaiiiy  lor  hiiu.-elf  ami  his  triends,  '.d'ommciulud  Macon's  menMue  ei 
ISIK),  to  piohibit  lliis  biiyiii;;' and  b:ibin<,' of  needy  and  greedy  conj^res.'^men  ;  but  it  \\as;i 
deception,  for  he  practised  contiiuialiy  the  baitinj,'  .system.  Benton,  \m,  wluii  he  and  V;>ii 
Buren  were  sfckiiiK  p.iwer  ami  popularity  in  Ih-Jd.  made,  with  the  help  of  Van  IJiiren,  a  grai.u 
report  against  those  ai)uses  which  have  brought  lice  iiistitulions  into  disgrace  all  over  ll!> 
world,  but  the  reiiotl  was  never  acted  on,  nor  meant  to  be.  It  was  uu  electioneering  triip  '>■■ 
catch  voters. 

I  have  seen  a  list  ol'congi'e.ssn-en  whom  Van  Bnren  and  Jack.son  tempted  to  leave  the  ).u>- 
pie  and  taia'  oliices  of  liir  more  emolument  under  tlie  execuiive,  but  I  am  hot  sure  that  ii  Ui;- 
correct.  It  conlaiiicd  sevcuty-five  names,  and  among  these  weie,  for  the  llussiun  missii!. 
sinecure,  John  ilandoli>ii,  James  Buchanan,  W.  Wilkins.  .ii^ttjOOO  a  vear,  and  ;;;i»,000  otai.i, 
tor  a  trip  to  the  continent.  Cambreleng  and  "Wilkins'.s  brother-itr-law.'  V.  i*.  Dalla.s.  had  alMi 
the  .•iiilS,000  godsend  to  Pelersl)urgh,  but  were  out  of  Congress  before  Ixdng  nrnrt/al.  TIai'' 
is  another  liin'yiuii  winidcr  since,  and  doubtles.s  we  will  soon  have  t)ne  more,  ii'  not  hall' >i 
dozen.  [Duane  of  Pennsylvania,  a.s  a  bribe  or  inducement  io  take  an  imfair  course,  was  olR'i 
ed  by  Jack.son,  g:l-rlhe  Bussian  mis,sion,  and  so  was  Samuel  D.  Ingham,  by  wav  of  "  a  .-t)|)  w 
Peun.sylvania,'' as  he  tells  in  his  letter  to  the  President,  Julv  2(1,  1831,  iirwhich  lie  accii^fr 
Jackson  with  duplicity  and  fal.sehood  ;  \vi  h  secretly  cherished  ho.stilitv  to  him,  and  v.ith  cif- 
dulity  and  imbecility.  There  i.s  no  doubi  but  that  he  was  manured  by  Van  Ruicn  and  iii^ 
as-sociates  to  great  advantage  for  :X^  themselves.]  Eli  Moore,  S.  H.  Gholson,  Arnold  Plum- 
raer,  Fcli.\.  Grundy,  Leonard  Jarvis,  and  Gorham  Parks,  , and  C.C.  Cambreleng  weie  r- 
jected  as  candi(!aies  for  Coui^ress^  and  in-iantly  placed  iii    luciativ  ulli'L'y  by  Van  ruinn 


) 


of  Stale,  01 
a'  Iviml'-rli 
Yoric,  was 
city,"  vvhic 
friciid,  Cebi 


John  Fors,ili 

-R.  T.  i.vi;! 

an  ;uidiior!J- 

Gc'j.  Loyall  i 

M  be  Sc;.'i-.'t;;r 

II '  7i;ibns'<aflu 

L.;\'i  Woodliii 

jiraiser— J.  S. 

u-;is  a  i/umbei 

Supro.ae  Con 

.ippoinled  niai 

cuai'MTcd  till  I 

Oae  grand  .- 

lii.-,co;ifeil::i-at( 

s;i|ipi)i't.'rs.     f; 

t'f  the  year  wli 

['ViA  these  lion 

'I'ii;  yeas  were 

'file  nay.s  woi 

month  aflerwa 

mission  for  fill 

'■lared  that  if  d 

lor  wiiicii  the  ji 

\v:,  hisconledn 

ili  T  alll'i'i'vl  to 

■-iiy,  not  only  o, 

li.'O'e  woiSL' :  u'l 

mi'ii  to  tramp!.' 

iwiitii'al  institu 

.i!ir  .social  insti 

'onsidered  as 

hopes  a  lid  feai's 

)i  losing  it,  all 

ul' patriotism,  il 

*  CncRciiir.r, 

i'  not  an  unsc 

;iitacking  the  !]," 

;i  nvw  IJnitoii  S 

*  way.    (Jn  the 

ought  to  "  t'oUo 

,  l/'oin  the  federal 

'  li'Mice,  with  res] 

Van  Buren,  Ho 

land  make  them 

|ii''  has  quite  en 

'  !''rank  Ogden's 

Suariwout's  tim 

lliarasiies,  and  ; 

||:iihu'nce  there  ii 

jis  used  so  clever 

|?!8,0;)!1  and  tin' 

:|ilovt  ascollecto 

four,  in  18'27,  C;i 

{and  treated  Calh 

iionfidential  leltei 

]of  Georgia,  wou 

l^fSept.  !25,  1832 

'and  single-haiid€ 

■steadfast  friend," 


N   MtNDO.N. 


unate  events  of  my 
,  htcn  AvcU  dcf^ciibc'd 
any  uina  living',  iwx 
Dili  liisli'iy.  'I'i>  l>;i\^' 
•  ami  cslci'iu  is  a  m;!- 
XI- ml  lunh,  V.'iii.  2V. 
I,  1H:W;()//'  his  jiosilii:.! 

good  ClutrcHtcr— 

boul  Lewin  Cf/i.v. 
ship  loihr  Ind'cv. 
itnd  Notions  ahuvl 
foc'i  Srcnt  Ldien 
■ford,  J\)i!iii(li  (trul 
Quarrel;;  iritli  Cn!- 
1/  Eaton  and  IViJ'r. 
'le  Rl.ssion.^Jit<siLr.. 
. —  Van  Jiarcn  utr,: 
,oJ'  Mchxit'i;  Ci(Uj, 
hinn   chcled    V'ui 


March,  1S00,  Villi 

B.  F.  Ijiillci',  oil 

Preniicr,  .Sccri'taiy 


juakiiii;  I'l  Law-,  Ii  i 
ftmiilry.     It  i^  '^-i 
,  williuiii  L-iiiier  lioiv 
':o  it'd  astiay  by  suil 
.(.'  lu  be  ihoagi-'iiisi-i 

ISIO,  is  luiw  ;,n'u\vii  -• 
;d  a!  Icn^'lh  accfjilu 

Macou'-  nuT.MUi'  o, 

^hllK•ll  ;     lul    ll    wiis  -1 

,),  wIru  1>o  and  ^'m 

,1' Vail  15uiLn,a  gnu." 

disiaacc  all  nver  iliv 

L'lijclidiu'eriiif^  trap  i" 


^VKEDr\r;  OUT  CONGRESS!.  C.  C.  CAMBRKLKNG. 


101 


jiicd  lu  leave  tlip  pi.1' 
II  i.ut  Mii'o  ilint  i;  w;:- 
ilif  llus.-iaii  niissii'. 
ai,  and  :ii:t,000  .mil,., 
V.P.  Dallas,  had  iil'i. 
iiiiT  riVdi'ilcd.  'I'IkI' 
iR'  more,  it  nut  imlt . 
nl'air  (■om.so.uasolk'i 
n.  by  way  of  "a  Mfin 
,  iu'wliicli  he  afii!'?' 
,•  to  him,  and  v.iili  cu- 
y  Van  Buicn  and  hi:- 
;-ilK)lson,  Arnold  Plum- 
Cainbrelenf,'  \vei>'  i'' 
..lliroy  by  Vim  nmvi! 


of  Stale,  or  AJinistor  of  Foreiga  Affiiirs,  at  Washington.  He  stopt  a  short  time 
a-  Kiml'.Thoolc,  Hudson,  I'oughkocpsie,  ikc.^  antl  soon  after  his  arrival  at  New 
Yoric,  was  pros(Mited  Ijy  thf  Mayor  and  Aldermen  with  "  the  freedom  of  the 
city,"  which  had  hoen  voted  to  him  on  the  !23d,  on  motion  of  Jesse  Hoyt's 
fric.idjCebra,  who  is  said  to  have  had  a  hint  from  Cambreleng.*     Corporations 

Jolin  Forsyth  was  ink-cn  out  of  Congress  hy  Jaelcson  and  Van  Burpn,  lo  be  Si'civtary  of  State 
—11.  T.  Lyitle  to  b '  Siii'veyor  General  of  Ohio — Jessi'  Miller  to  ho  first  auditor  [and  siieh 
all  aiuiitor!] — il.  fl.  Leavilt  to  tn^  a  district  jiul,f,'e — J,  M.  Wayne  to  lie  a  jud;j;('  [:iii-l,r)OOJ — 
Qic).  Loyall  lo  l)o  a  navy  a^ent — John  Braiieh  to  be  secretary  of  the  navy — John  H.  Katun 
M  be  sp;:i''t;uy  al  war — 'J'hoinns  1'.  Moore  to  be  ambassador  to  Columbia — Lonis  AI'Lane  to 
ii"iijibns-:ri(lur  io  fjondon — William  C.  Rives  lo  lie  ambassador  to  France — E.  Livin;^slon  and 
1..  \i  Woolbuvv  lo  caliini'l  oHif^es — Jeroinus  Johnson  [see  him  in  correspondence  !]  to  bean  ap- 
jii'ai> 'I  — J.  S.  iViiiu  baclvcr  to  b-  a  judu;e.  and  it  is  my  impression  tliat  H.  A.  Aluhlenberi:; 
uMs  a  i.unibL'r  o!' Cin^Tcs.  uiu'ii  sent  to  Austria — Philip  P.Barbour  when  placed  on  the 
suniv.ii.'  Court  Ir'inli— Povvliattan  Ellis  wlicn  sent  to  Mexico — '  id  Nathaniel  Garrow  when 
;ipi')p:nleil  niarshr!!— but  it  may  be  that  in  one  or  two  instances  u:i  executive  reward  was  not 
.■oiii'iTcd  till  the  recipient  had  been  n;jected  at  the  hustin;,'s,  or  had  retired. 

( »ae  t;raiid  seerel  was  .-iooii  Ibiind  out  hy  Stevenson,  namely,  lo  pay  court  to  Van  Buren  and 
!ii.-,coal'edji'ale-.  Jle  is  lui'-le  to  tli"  wife  of  oul;  of  Van  Bnren's  sons,  and  one  of  his  steadiest 
^;l|lp^)l■t.•l■s.  On  the  !)tli  of  May,  IS31.J.  U.  Adams  moved  to  refuse  that  part  of  the  money  vote 
I'f  the  year  whidi  irranied  .f^bS.OOi)  to  ambassadors  in  Russia  and  Ens^land.  as  there  were  none, 
;ind  ilie^^e  honors  and  emoluments  lu'ld  in  terrurein,  as  attractions  to  members  of  Congress, 
'fii;  yeas  were  tl:),  and  amonL'-  them  \Visi>,  Selden,  Slade,  Vance,  Gilmer, Corwin,  and  Lincoln. 
'fiic  nays  were  Vaiul.'rpr.  il,  Tiillci,  Cainbivlen'j;,  J.  B.  Sutherland,  Polk,  ■.\:c.,  1'23.  About  a 
iihiiith  afleru'ard-^  it  was  found  thai  Speaker  Stevenson  had  had  the  promise  of  the  London 
iiii-diu  for  lilb'eii  months  ! !  !  Have  1  not  shown  that  Jackson  was  right,  when,  in  I8:2.'i,  he  de- 
.  lared  tliat  if  coii'jfressmen  were  not  Icept  out  of  executive  ollices  until  two  years  alter  the  term 
i.ii  wiiii'li  the  people  had  elecled  them,  ••corruption  would  be  theordei;of  the  day;"  as  also  that 
i;',  liisconleilrmies,  V^an  Buivn,  Polk,  Rilchii-,  and  their  partisans  were  guilty  of  the  practices 
hi  'v  an'eet"d  to  condemn  '!  The  more  I  look  iiil>)  the  past,  into  facts,  the  more  I  see  the  neees- 
-iiv,  not  only  of  a  state,  l)ut  also  of  a  national  convention.  If  we  have  not  reform,  we  .shall 
iiiive  w.)is'':  while  Cii'j;laiid  is  really  iinprovini<  her  defective  institutions,  we  are  allowing  bad 
iiuMi  to  traniplt'  our  more  pure  systmn  into  the  very  dust.  In  the  language  of  Webster,  '•  Our 
'  iiDiiiii'al  institutions — i.)ur  government  itself,  is  made  an  engine  of  corruption,  and  undoes  what 
,iar  soeial  insiiiutions  jierlbrm.  The  patronage  of  government,  offices,  and  enwluments,  are 
ronsitlered  as  rewards,  instead  of  being  regarded  as  necessary  agencies  of  the  people ;  the 
impes  and  fear-  aiiendanl  upon  this  state  of  things ;  the  desire  to  gel  olfice  and  the  apprehension 
ll  losing  it,  all  become  moiives  of  action,  and  lead  manyto  a  course  never  dictated  by  feelings 
ul  palriotisin,  if  such  people  ever  feel  patriotism." 

*  Ciiirncnir.i,  tJAt.DOM  C.AMiiRni.KNri.-— This  gentleman's  letters  require  no  comment.     If  he 

1  1-  not  an  unscrupulous.  unprinci|iled  partisan,  wliere  shall  we  lind  one  1     His  motives  in 

aitackiii'j:  the  I).")  million  bank  at  Pliiladelphia  were  to  get  a  35  million  bank  at  Ne\ii  York,  or 

■  a  n'  w  United  Slates  Hank,  through  the  Bo.ston  and  Portland  people,  who  were  leading  the 

i  way.    On  the  Kith  of  Ociiber.  b'?3"2.  he  hinted  to  Hoy  t  that  the  stockjobbers  of  Wall  Street 

;'  Dii^ht  to  "  I'ollow  the  Bosionians  ami  Portland  people  ^t  in  a-sking  tor  A  NEW  BANK 

•oin  the  federal  government,  but  on  tlie  plan  they  propo.'re."    His  notions  of  lionor  and  conh- 

■i.i''nee,  with  resp 'ct  lo  private  letters,  need  no  remark.     His  stock  .speculations  as  one  of  the 

■1  Van  Huren.  iloyi,  ami  Butler  clique,  are  well  Icnown;  and  his  etforts  lo  moek  the  workie.--, 

land  make  them  his  instruments,  for  no  noble  and  worthy  purpose,  show  that,  like  Van  Bnren, 

<ii"  has  quite  enough   of  the  cunning  of  the  fox.     He  wanted  to  be  Consul  at  Liverpool,  but 

■(•'rank  Ogden's  interest  was  too  heavy  for  him  there.     The  Custom  House,  in  IJoyfs  and 

j  Swaiiwout's  time,  was  a  political  machine  for  raining  milled  dollars  into  the  palms  of  his 

jparasiies,  and  as   Lav.-rence  is  the  old  cojitederate  of  Hoyt  n.nd  Swartwout,  Caintrelen^'s 

iiiilhience  there  now  nui-l  be  very  considerable.     That  sinecure,  the  Russian  embassy,  which 

Yi-^  used  so  cleverly  for  paying  oiT  '•  old  and  active  politicians,"  produced  to  him,  in  his  turn, 

|?1H,0;)1)  and  the  et  eeleras,     lie  was  for  the  pets  in  '34,  tor  the  sub-treasury  in  '37 — for  Jesse 

liioyt  as  I'ollector,  tiiul  for  Coddingkm  a.s  posiina.strr.     Whim  Van  Buren  toolc  nis  southern 

|ioirr,  in  18^J7,  Cambreleng  was  his  comnanion  or  pilot-fish.     He  wa.s  an  old  Crawford  man, 

fand  treated  Calhoun,  in  18^27,  about  as  honorably  as  he  did  Webb,  a  few  years  later.     'I'he 

jconiidenlial  letter  to  which  Cambreleng  refers,  page  234,  No. '225,  as  one  which  A.  S.  Clayton, 

5iif  Georgia,  would  publish,  was  written  by  Webb,  and  appears  in  the  Courier  and  Enqiiirer 

jufSept.  25,  1832,  credited  to  the  Milledgeville  papers.    Webb  there  says,  "We  have  alone 

'and  single-handed  fought  the  battle  of'  the  SOUTH.    In  us  Georgia  has  found  a  bold  and 

steadfast  friend,"  &c.    Mohawk  and  Hudson  Railroad  stock  was  actually  puffed  up  to  196  by 


%•■■• 


»  - 
i;    ' 

•       1. 

f 

■  ■..*<; 

t,  . 

■    -I 

]..'■ 

;  vi^.i 

»'■'  . 

' '  •  Pf 

,1  ' 


102  VAN  DUREN  AND  THE  FREEDOM.  THE  MOHAWK  STOCK.  LEWIS  CASS. 


,  •  4 


1)1 'i  >  :  ''- 


worship  libiiiu;  luiTiinarics,  seemingly  from  habit — and  the  resolution  in  Van 
Buren's  cast,  (It dared  hiin  to  be  one  of  the  state's  "brightest  sons,"  whosp 
pure  rt'publicanistn,  patriotism  and  public  .spirit  caused  the  corporalois  to 
"deeply  deplun?"  the  necessity  \vhich  had  called  on  them  "  to  surrender"  him 
to  Andrew  Jackson.  Walter  Bowne,  the  mayor  who  afterwards  whined  so 
piteously  for  a  few  l)aL';s  of  the  public  treasure  from  that  "  rove-  '  chief,"  said  to 
the  secretary   elect,  '*  you    have  had  to  encounter  the  p  .on  of  enemies 

and  the  treachery  of  friends — but  your  upritjhtiitss,  your  ,  ._v..\i,  and  courage, 
have  borne  you  in  triumph  through  every  conilict.  The  sanic  powerful  intel- 
lect, untiiin;^  industry,  and  devoted  patriotism,  constituting  at  once  your  glory 
and  your  strength.  During  the  whole  of  your  career,  not  a  single  event  has 
occurred  to  dim  for  one  moment,  the  lustre  of  a  reputation,  which  has  been 
continually  increasing  in  brioihtness."  The  mayor  then  presented  "  the  free- 
dom," in  a  golden  box,  and  Van  Buren  delivered  a  suitable  respons  i  about  har- 
mony, "  liberality,  moderation,  justice  and  firmness,"  remarking,  rather  quaintly, 
"  WE  Ai!R  Ai.r.  I  .MiiAKKEi)  IN  TiiK  sA.MK  BOTTOM."  After  giving  audiences  to 
olliceseekers,  political  schemers,  holders  of  French  claims,  bankers,  brokers, 
and  blacklegs  ;  arranging  plans  for  the  future  with  the  party  leaders  ;  receivin;; 
judicious  bints  from  the  merchants  ;  and  very  j)robably  .settling  with  some  of 
his  most  interested  partisans,  how  best  to  open  the  future  campaign  against  tho 
United  States  liank,  he  departed  for  the  south  to  begin  that  twelve  years  course 
of  daring  and  successful  intrigue  which  had  i;caicely  closed  when  he  landed  at 
the  battery,  in  the  midst  of  storms,  and  tempests,  leaving  tluf  tickle  dame  called 
Fortune  with  her  new  "favorite  son,"  William  Henry  Harrison,  who,  like 
-Nelson  at  Trafalgar,  was  soon  to  expire  in  the  arms  of  victory. 

Jackson's  lirst  cabinet  fwhich  soon  gave  place  to  Messrs.  Livingston,  IMcLano, 
Cass,"'  Woodbury  and  Barry,]  consisted  of  Messrs.  Van  IJuren,  Iviton,  Ingham, 

holders,  ulin  then  >()ld  out,  and  do'.vii  went  tin-  shares  to  1 17.  Welib  and  N'oali  explain  Caiii- 
l)ri'leni;;'s  com-''  in  tlti'^  and  oilier  stock  operations.  He  is  a  caniliii.-ilo  in  .Suli'olk  lor  a  scat  in 
ihe  sinie  eonvention  oii\exl  Jnne.  He  was  an.\ioiis  to  secure  tiie  extension  of  slavery  to  Mi- 
soiiri  in  181!>,  at.ii  to  Florida  and  Texns  in  IHlfi;  and  ho  reported  from  the  Ways  and  Mean*. 
in  Con^'res.s,  D.'ci'uilHr,  l^^'.'t!,  iliat  "the  eoninierce  of  a  ronfwleraey.  internal  and  exierniil. 
should  tie  wholly  iVeo."  Noah  says  oC  him,  Oct.  21,  IKM.  "It  is  now  moie  than  Ti  year- 
sineo  Canilirflen'f  has  hen  I'ui.-ti'd  npon  iliis  eoininnnily,  and  we  (diallenire  any  innn  to  point 
out  a  sintrle  measure  (if  his  leeonimendaiion,  ealeuland  lo  heneni  the  eeinilry.  llavini;  im' 
wile,  no  child,  no  ilninji-ile— no  inleii'st.  nolhini,' to  allaeh  him  lo  the  soil  horc,  r.rrcpl  aomi' 
/iiijutluidtiil  Mii/:iivi{  s/i'ii,-.  and  heinu'  'cry  n-eful  to  Van  lluren  in  more  ways  than  one,  he  i< 
to  have  a  [x-rpeinal  .seat  in  fjonjrress.''  if  1  could  not  state  one  panieular  of  V.  B.'.s  lilc,  il:' 
eharaciers  he  a>-oeiaies  with  would  show  \('ry  elenriy  what  he  is.  Like  iVilk,  with  whom  l.o 
is  very  inlimafc,  C'anihrelemr  is  a  n.-itii-e  of  North  C';uo|ina — old  in  years,  very  short  mad''. 
and  vei'y  si..iul — no  iswnt  orator,  hut  well  aequainied  with  business  and  pidiiics.  -Messrs, 
Wchh  and  Auah,  in  the  Courier  and  Knquirer  of  lOlh  September,  183-2,  .say: 

"Ii  H  \vc  U  Kmiumi  1iit  '  ili.it  !Mr.  fl'ljc  m  |  Tilihll'S  .iml  tin  littji'  cciilli  iimn  iCiiiihr  Inivl  iiro  stork  sppculairr', 
\vli()-e  liiisii  i  y  lo  llic  i'.  iiik  iit'  tin'  I'liiti  it  .s  iii...  ispiireln  mircinnrij.  T  ey  arc  n)  p.iscil  lo  a  r-f  liiirliT  siiii|iiy 
liijciiiis  tiloy  wiini  a  Ntw  H;itik  lor  111"' |)nr|io.-i,' nt'.-ii'rululiiit;  iipmi  r.i  w  Mdck.  For  nvdic  >.  iirs  t'liiiibr' 1  ni; 
liii- iiviil  Ml  oi  I'.i'' iliiiiocr.iiii' p;iriy  *  *  ^'  *  In.  was  no  M)i.ni  r  .•olmict^  i  I'lM  lln'  iiioncv  ilnii'jin.':  fi  Ri  "f 
Cr'SWrll,  Olr  .11  fc  Co.,  Ilvin  his  jilr.ns  rrp-inili'il.  *■  '  *  ■'  \Vi'  .T'liut  ilm  i m  an  iiiili\  iI'.dI  in  tlic  S  iilf 
Imi  Mr  Caiiiliri'lon!^  iimlil  liui'c  (Jii(;i'''i'(lc'ij  in  niliiintr  thf  Mohawk  anil  Ilioi^on  K.i'l  Hu:iil  Slork  lo  IMi.  ir  iiian- 
iiK'il  thai.  w.  II.  tlir.iuL'li  ilui  af.viiry  ot"  ihe  .Alliany  .'inn — .^old  out  at  ilie  nlc;k  ot'  t.iin' — irfi;;ned  liis  appoiiriiMii, 
ai.il  mil  oirto  \Vaslinii;t.iii.     Ilis  .'tock  i.s  now  w.mIi  111!,  having  iicpici-ialwl  S  i  per  ci  lit  i.i  K'--'  t:.aii  a  yrar." 

If  Cambrelen.2:  believed  that  the  U.  S.  Bank  could  not  establish  a  braneh  in  any  state  wiili- 
out  a  j^fruss  violaiiim  of  the  con.stitulion,  why  did  be  aecejii  a  fee  of  SlOO!)  tV.-ini  Biddlc,  for 
locating;  a  bmaeh  at  IJuflalo?  He  votwl  a.v'ain.st  Jackson  for  President,  in  1S:25,  in  Congie-s, 
and  for  Van  Buron  as  governor  at  the  Herkimer  Convention  of  1828. 

♦  Lf,\vis  CAssAvas  born  at  Exeter,  N.  H. — removed  with  his  father  and  family  lo  the  state  of 
Delaware,  in  or  about  the  year  17:).'>  or  'G — remained  several  years  there,  and  thence  emisratcd 
west  lo  MarJeun,  Ohio,  in  1799— studied  law  there,  and  be^an  lo  practise  in  1802.  In  1800  he 
was  elected  lo  Ihe  Ohio  legislature,  and  on  the  11th  of  December  introduced  a  bill  to  sn.spcud 
the  writ  of  habeas  corpu.s,  on  account  of  Burr's  conspiracv.  Next  year  he  was  appointoi 
United  Slates  Marshal,  which  office  he  held  tUl  1813.    The  "Sd  Ohio  Volunteers  elected  liiiB 


Branch  a 
honn.     'J 

iheir  coloiu 
Detroit,     ii 

.li'j  British 

youiii  all  gi 

diired  Deiru 

HOCJiint  ol'  ij 

tiiita  miiiuii 

ilu'  cuunfv 

it  was  the  iit 

itppointetl  Ci 

and,  b'.'ing  c 

than  BLTiien 

up  in  tin;  lirs 

Luiiis  Phi)i| 

United  .Stale" 

il'iiey.     Itiic 

his  f.u'onr. 

a  long  sketch 

lavonie  in  <j| 

h.'iviiig  nia.ie 

..  /  rn^ttditihiih 

l.^di  Ol' July,  I 

al  i!,j  ()!■  ijG  ye 

: '  die  i|tiiiuii|) 

aaiiun  tu  persi 

iio;n  tlij  wiirl, 

Aas  (juite  read 

.Di.i  [ij  I'xhibit 

.'laying  iJjo'  hii 

la  fe.icas  as  it 

Van  Bni\wi,  In 

Aaicii.;a  \iMs  . 

.iikl  .sold  OUi'  1^ 

'ii-'ir  liapie.ss  i 
iiovv  naiurallv 
iiglil  to  .sjareii 
W.I  sniiVr  ill 
^iiimion  in  its  A 
-\:njriea  w,ii| 
l.invis  Cass. 

His  huui.iiiii 
■^iiprcin!.'  Court 
i;'i  'P''ndi.'nt  am 
'i_'^:  Van  Bitrer 
\.iiiki;e  educali 
ii.'f  Mwks  with 
.' '  'r  in.li.ins  w. 
'i\'st,  (ar  from 
''.T=s  liad  his  sp 
■"  ilie])jlii(>  H^ 
\     Cieiur.il  Cas; 
•':  I'li'tiiiie  by  inoti 
:  'iosc  to  and  aro 
I  I'^iis  at  immense 
■"  ill  Congi'e.s.s,  ha 

■  ■'■•■ic's,  the  Oi.on 
;  I'-rritory  of  Mic 
;  'f  liR  sudden  and 
1  ^-old  for  an  imiiii 

'  "n  the  public  .si_ 

■  ilow  he  manage 
-stated  in  the  A 

Ksides,  sent  thr 


LliWlS  CASS. 

iolution  in  Van 

L  sons,"  whose 

corpoitilois  to 

suneniler"  him 

aids  whined  so 


•'  ciiielV 


said  to 


CASS,  A3  OOVfiRNOn,  SENATOR,  AND  MICHIOAN  NABOB. 


103 


.on  of  <>nemies 
.M,  and  coURAOE, 
;  powerful  intol- 

once  your  glory 
single  event  h;is 
which  has  been 
enled  "  the  free- 
;j)ons!  about  bar- 
er, mlher  quaintly, 
'iiijr  audiences  to 

biuikers,  brokers, 
eaders  ;  reccivins; 
liii<r  with  some  of 
iil)ais:;n  a«>;ainst  the 
velve  vears  course 
\vb(>n  "be  landed  at 
fickle  dame  called 
iurrison,  who,  like 

k-. 

vin<.'ston,  IMcLano, 
n,  l-:aton,  Ingham, 

,l>'o<nii  explain  Cam- 
nSulVulW  loi- a  sojit  111 
ion  (if  slavery  to  Mi^- 
tlie\V;ivsaiiilMc:ni*. 
iiiLMiiiil"  niKl  oxtoniiil, 
^-  wm-  than  1>2  Vfiib 
,!•'.■  any  innn  to  pomi 
,.,,Muirv.  Uavinjr  rm 
„,il   lirre,  <vrq>/  ^.cv 

wav^  th""  ""•■''  '"■,'' 
lurof  V.  B.-slirc,ii.' 

rulk,  witli  wliiiia  i'^' 
iirs.  very  >^lHlrt  inad'\ 
Hud  voliiics.    Mo-M>. 
•ay ; 

en]  :iro  ftock  spnciilairr'. 

«,.,!  1.1  n  r.-«imrler  sMui-.y 
,,v,,h,:  y.nrs  CMinbn!  ni: 
i„„„cv  i-litiii'Jiii!:  fi  mill 
„  itMli\  ilii:tl  ill  tl"'  *'■"'■ 
1,1  Siiirli  II)  I'.'i.  "■  "'^"' 
.;rfij;nca  lii^*  aiipoiu' iii.nl, 

inch  in  anv  Mate  wiili- 
ft  1000  fVoni  Biildle,  for 
in  1^-^.'),  in  Congress, 

Li  llnuily  to  the  state  of 
t  and  ihence  emigr.-itcti 
teinl80-3.  InlbObho 
Vced  a  bill  to  suspend 
bear  he  was  appointi^ 
Vol'ontcera  elected  m\ 


Branch  and  Berrien  ;  of  whom  the  three  last  named  were  warm  friends  of  Cal- 
houn.    The  President  and  Eaton  were,  at  heart,  opposed  to  Calhoun,  and  in  the 

iheir  colonel,  find  with  that  regiment  he  joined  General  Hull  and  marehcd  from  Dayton  to 
Daroit.  liull  SL'UL  him  acros.s  to  Sandwich,  with  "280  men,  and  Lieut.  Col.  Miller,  to  sec  what 
ill.:  Briri'<h  w.'iv  .•il;oiii,  iuiit  aiierwanis  cruss.'d  to  (.'anada  hiui-cll',  but  Ixiui^  (dd  and  tiic  fire  ot 
youiii  all  sone,  il'ht-  uvur  had  any,  Ik.'  sc)<in  mrcaied  be-fore  a  Vfiy  iiili'rior  l.)icf,  and  surrcn- 
Ikivd  Dciroit.  Cass  was  si;nt  tj  Washin'.^ton,  whi're  In.:  gave  Dr.  Ilustis,  in  Scptemlu'r,  an 
a.:couat  of  liii;  rain|)ai2rn.  .My  iinpivs-sioa  is,  that  he  behaved  well ;  but  a  iuihti;i  colonel  willi- 
ciiita  niiliuiry  edu.jatioii  had  not  much  chaiH.'L' to  di.stinsruisli  liiinsclf.  It  wa.s  great  cruelty  to 
ik'  count-y  not  to  slioji  Hull,  as  smitcnccd.  The  example  wa.s  nuudi  wanted  in  those  days,'and 
ii  was  the  fate  he  richly  merited,  by  his  bullying  proclamations  and  base  cowardice.  Ca-ss  was 
;i;ipointeil  Governor  of  Michii^an  by  Madison,  in  IHVA.  ihi  held  that  oliice  eii,'hteen  j'ears, 
;iud,  being  considered  mon;  suitable  (or  the  purposes  and  policy  of  \'iin  Hiin.'n  tind  Jaclcson, 
lium  Bi-'rrien,  Hianch  and  liicrhaia,  succeeded  to  the  w;ir  de})artiiient  innni.'diaiely  alter  the  blow 
up  in  ilie  lirst  cabinet.  In  \H.U>,  Jackson  .sent  him  to  represent  his  ^'•overnineut  at  the  court  of 
Louis  Philippe,  wli  tc  he  reinaim^d  till  Dceinlvr,  1S1:2,  and  lias  since  been  elected  to  the 
United  States  Senate  from  .Vliehiiran.  In  |Hll,hewas  named  as  ,i  r;andidale  for  the  pri'si- 
(L'uey.  Ititcliie  was  tlii'ti  rullnT  Iriendly  to  him,  and  piihlisheil  in  his  i-mcjuirer  many  lelteTs  in 
liis  fiv.eir.  I  b'iss,  now  Hii.'!iii''.s  putii'T  in  the  Uninn.,  but  then  of  the  Nashville  Union,  copied 
,1  loncc  sketch  of  his  [Cass's]  life,  '■  hy  reipust/'  as  he  took  care  to  state.  Cass  was,  and  is,  ;i, 
ivorite  in  Ohi),  wiih  v/hat  is  called  the  conservative,  "  or  p(.-t  banks  for  e\er"  parly — and 
ii.ivinu;  mad.'  ;i  li'W  llo'irish's  wliile  in  rr.-im'..'  ahoiit  the  tyranny  of  I'lnijland,  and  all  tlial, 
,.  /  nifitfiiii/inii.  (•//',',"<,  hi:  was  s.'i  down  by  the  war  tidks  in  tlie  west  ;is  very  liivoralde  to  another 
l.Tiih  of  July,  18I:J,  policy.  In  the  seiiiite  he  keeps  up  this  '  []vv.  and  independent'  charaet(.'r,  bill, 
;U  li.')  or  ijtj  3eais  of  a'^e,  it  is  to  lie  pn.'suineil  that  his  fi^'htini,'  days  are  all  over.  Hisiipposiiioa 
111.";  quiniuple  treaiy  a>,'aiiist  slaver\',  and  atf 'cied  cr  real  indiijnation  at  Enj,dand's  ''  tteiermi- 
lation  to  per.si'vere  in  her  pl.ans  ol'sup[)ressimj  tiie  sla\e  trade,  until  slavery  itself  was  extirpated 
uy.n  tlij  world,"  aiibr.ls  the  very  best  proof,  tliai  like  the  cold  anil  caleuiatim;  Van  IJuren,  he 
.^as  (juite  reaily  t.)  barter  New  Hampshire  and  < Jhio  lt?.diiurs  liir  a  phtilanx  ol'  southern  votes, 
.<n  1 1.)  exhibit  in  the  presideiili.il  chair  the  revohinu:  speeta.'le  of  a  iriicklinir  New  Kns^lander, 
dyin^  the  hireliii'j;,  as  the  attorney  ol'u  sei  of  men  whose  notions  of  lilK'rty  are  better  reali/e(l 
!  Texas  as  ii  is,  than  ;i.s  it  ou;4ht  to  be.  Kiiehie  and  his  cli(|ue  would  have  jirelerred  Cass  to 
Van  Bureii,  but  l',)l!c  was  still  betier.  Thi>  yo'^e  ovi'riluce  millions  ol' unlucky  necks  in  North 
^;ncrii;a  was  lik.'ly  to  be  i,'rasppd  the  tii,'hli'.st  by  one  who.  with  his  ancestors,  had  alwavs  boUL'lii 
,iiul  sold  our  I'dlovv  cre.alures  liki'  cattle,  and  iii'\-er  e\en  dreamt  of  the  sliu:hlest  amelioration  ot 
:ii/ir  hapless  lol.  li.uv  well  Ca.s.s  knaw  the  s.  .nth  and  the  west!  His  tact  was  really  admiridilc. 
How  naturally  he  put  on  the  ^:uise  of  a  horrnr-struck  freeman,  at  the  very  idea  of  a  unitiuil 
ri^'lit  to  search  lor  human  cariJ,o,'s  of  kidnapiu'd  Africans  I  What  a  blow  to  our  liberties,  should 
\vi!  suul'r  it!  Van  Ibireii.  in  his  inaui;ural.  vetoed  in  advance  every  ell'ort  to  enforce  the  con- 
-liiuiioii  in  its  niirily  in  the  l)i--trii-t  of  Colunil'ia.  That  was  part  of /u'i'/M/'^.'i/Z/f.  No  man  in 
AiU'rica  w  iuld  '.i  ■!•(*  cheerfully  have  oli'ered  oi'  aci'epted  just  sudi  terms  as  iiis  were,  ihau 
Lewis  Cass. 

His  huuiaiiiiy  l  i  ih  ^  Indians  was  on  a  par  n  iih  his  kindly  feeling's  tor  tlie  .s.'rls.    'When  tiie 

-iiiiU'eine  Court  of  til ;  Union  had  deeili'd  that  tin."  Cherokees  or  Creeks  were  entitled  lo  the, 

11(1  'P'^itik'nt  and  quiet  po-s,'ssion  ol  the  lands  of  their  fathers,  which  tliey  justly  claimed,  Ca.ss, 

.iko  Van  Buren  and  Butler,  was  for  K''"ii'o  rid  ni  them.     He  is  a  y:ood  writer,  thanks  to  his 

V.uikee  education;  (he  was  tli;  sidioolmate  of  Weh.sier  and  Sahonstall;)  and  he  tilled  the  (i/ohr 

i'/r  WL\'ks  wilh  ailacks  on  the  humane  doctrine  of  ihe  Jiids^es.    Jackson's  policy  prev;iiled — ihe 

;iMr  In.ii.ms  wev.;  viitually  banished — the  nation  was  h.-tivily  taxed  to  paj'  for  drivina'  them 

'v.'st,  tar  from  the  '.,'raves  of  their  I'ailiers — the  lieorc^ia  slave-owners  were  conciliated,  and 

i  ',iss  had  his  splendid  reu  aid  in  the  I'reiieh  embassy,  and  became  as  supple  and  oily  a  courtier 

!ii  ilie  julile  Bourbon  as  he  had  pi-,ned  hiin>'elf  U-fore  to  the  passionate  'rennessean. 

[     Geiijr.il  Cass  is  rii  h — very  ri'di — nm),  lik."  Van  Buren,  very  fond  of  money.     He  made  a 

'  i''irtiuie  by  monopolisinar,  throU'.rh  his  station,  means,  and  superior  credit,  much  of  the  lands 

'lo.se  to  and  around  Detroit,  at  an  early  day — kept  n  sort  of  land  otlico,  and  sold  them  out  m 

•  lots  at  imiaense  proliis,  on  bond  and  mortE;as-e,  p;radually,  as  the  city  increased.    When  Wise, 

■'  ill  Congress,  had  accused  him  of  having  got  rich  through  government  jobs,  agencies  and  cni- 

, 'racts,  the  Gnoa--;,  Blair,  in  April,  1810,  replied,  that  "General  Cass,  while  Governor  of  the 

!  ^m'ritory  of  Michigan,  bought  a  tract  of  land  on  the  verge  of  the  then  infant  city  of  Detroit. 

:  The  sudden  and  rapid  growth  of  the  city  converted  this  iwnM  into  city  lots,  which  General  Cass 

i  sold  for  an  immense  .sum  of  money.     His  forinne  consists  in  the  bonds  and  mortcvcks  obtained 

■  an  the  public  sale  of  real  estate  which  he  purchased  in  the  early  settlement  of  Michigan." 

■  How  he  manages  with  his  wallet  of  "  bonds  and  mortgages"  I  can  only  guess  from  the  fact,  as 
stated  in  the  Albany  Argus,  that  in  December,  1813,  the  first  ward  of  Detroit,  in  which  he 

i resides,  sent  three  Van  Buren  men  to  the  coimty  convention  there,  the  delegates  in  which 


I,  ,.■; 


■(.,* 


.1 


I 


J  ■^.  M^^ 


,..■  t . 


■     'i 


t- 


'h 


I. 


'>' 


104    CASS,  AS  ."ricRETAnY  or  WAR,  INDIAN  Aon\r,  '\7>  a:mbassador. 

interest  ol  N'uii  Eiuon.     1  ilo  nul  at  all  doiiLl  tluit  \  an  Jjuiun';j  leltev  to  iloyt, 
page  2H'>j  liuly  ilcsiiibia  his  stuiiiling  with  (Jcik  lal    JucL^on  :     "  [  fuucjuund 


stood,  'i'J  (iir  Van  Huren,  and  Lut  ±i  I'ur  C'asM,  ol'  which  tlie  city  sent  a  inajoi  ily  opposed  to  liirn. 
It'tliis  is  so,  liis  jiupulaiily  amonj,'  tliose  wlio  hail  had  inoht  dealing's  with  him,  \vn»  not  Very 
stronf,'. 

When  In-  Icll  I)t  iioit  lor  Washin^'ton.  in  June,  IwIJI,  lu  hccanu'.  as  .'■'crri'larv  ofWar,  the 
olhi.ial  |)rinci|iai  in  M'tllii;','  the  accounts  ol  his  live  Indian  J\i;i'nri('s,  imil  ,,i  iinimnsc  diKhiirsc- 
nicnts  tiiadc  hy  liini  liir  llic  U.  S.  ^(ovcrnnii'nt.  lie  r^dllwl  lus  own  accounts;  piThaps  with  tin- 
aid  of  sonic  di'p(  ndcnt  anditor.  and  pciliaps  not.  Willi  Andrew  htcM'usoii  as  >>pi';ilicr,  rcjfu- 
latinj;;  tiic  coinniillcus,  aiid  ihc  uii<li  il  hail  ol  a  London  inis>ion  [ijaccd  rrrr  /.r/urr  /;;.<  ri/rs,  con- 
ffi'cssional  in(piiiy  was  hut  an  iniairinaiy  ciicrk.  Yet  all  may  have  k'en  perleclly  correct. 
Who  can  iiiiow  anythinir  to  llie  contraiy  !  As  sdt/id  irilh,  (Jass  was  assuredly  no  defaidter. 
The  Piiilliiiiil  Adraiisir  icmaiks,  ijuit  prioi'  lo  ihe  time  of  heint,'  Secretary  ol  War,  he  was 
Governor  olMielii;,'an — tiien  a  territory — and  snperintentlent  of  Indian  alliiiis.  I'olh  oliices 
were  ^'iveii  by  ilie  :,^'iieral  iroverinm'nt.  and  hotli  salary  oliiccs.  Tlie  bu-.iness  of  the  Superin- 
tendenl  was  wilh  the  Secivlary  (jf  Wai\  Condny:  fi'uni  this  olliee,  iherelore,  to  the  Wai 
deparinient,  Ciovcrnor  ('ass  had  tin;  power  lo  settle  his  own  accoiUits  wilh  his  own  hands,  and 
almost  upon  his  own  terms.  He  had  been  a  contractor,  receiver  and  disbitrser,  i.nd  U-catne 
debtor  and  cij'dilor  ami  examiner  of  his  own  accounts." 

John  IJell,  JIarrisiin's  Wai'  Secretary,  winds  tip  his  annnal  or  other  report  wilh  .sonip 
very  lell-handed  compliments  to  Indian  A;.'enis  relative  lo  iheir  honesty,  but  nan:es  nobody. 
He  was  .s(Kjn  ousted. 

In  the  matti  r  ol'  the  11.  S.  Hank.  Cass,  in  ihe  cabinet,  was  assiu'edly  no  Diiane.  The  pri'- 
sideni  had  ikj  nceil  to  oiler  to  i-oinpound  with  his  ti'i.der  consrience  by  an  oiler  of  '  the  P.nssinn 
nrissi<jn.'  Loni;  alter  Ihe  bank  was  deiiinel,  society  ascertained  throii'/h  a  biier  loG.  O.  Wliii- 
temore,  that  Lewis  Cass  ••  had  never  seen  in  the  consiiuilion  of  the  IJ.  S.  a  suliieient  errant  of 
jiower''  to  establish  a  national  bank,  t  )f  course  he  thoiiijht  Madifon  very  Avi'onir  indeed,  wheti 
he  siifiied  ihe  national  bank  chatter  in  IHKi.  and  also  (Jra\vfoi\l,  Monroe,  Callioun,  Clay,  Van 
Hiiren  and  the  Supreme  Cotnt,  in  deli'iidintj  tin-  act,  bnt,  beini,'  Govcrnnr  of  .Michitran,  Iv 
Madi>on's  appointmeiil.  just  then,  he  was  liir  loo  jiolilc  and  ci\il  ti)  say  so.  .'so  };,>  was,  but  he 
I'linii/s  ihijUifht  so.  So  lie  did.  In  Sept.  IH.'tl.  in  the  'I'eletrraph,  (leneral  (ireen  discribuJ 
< 'ass,  as  •'  Foil  A  n.wK — tor  internal  imiirovcmeut.^ — tarilf  >o-so — a  liiileanti-SnincmeConr;  — 
Iriend  of  Ihe  Indians,  .\\p  no  t'iiii-;\t 

General  Cass's  laws,  when  Governo!'  of  the  teiiitory  of  Michijran,  were,  some  of  ihciii,  in, 
jx'culiar  as  'the  |ieeiiliar  insiitntioii'  of  the  soiilli.  The  followin'/  enactment,  if  e.>;tended  to  jus- 
tices of  the  peace  here,  uoiild  much  deliirbt  many  /imird  men  who  may  have  been  so  unfoitii- 
uale  as  to  bretik  Ihe  comniandmenl  number  ei'/lit.  as  also  their  worships  of  the  rpioriiin,  who 
Mould  be  sure  of  heavy  fees,  prompt  ))ay,  and  no  need  to  tax  bills.  Poor  sinners,  as  tisnal. 
Mould  be  excluded  from  the  benelits.     No  pay,  no  pardon  ! 

"  An  Act  for  Patdonin;;:  Ale.vander  OiHon. — I5e  it  enacteil  by  the  governor  atul  judges  of  the 
territory  of  Michii^'an.  that  Alexander  (»di(in.  now  inij)risoned  in  tlii'  co^nity  <,'acil  of  the  conniv 
of  Wayne,  upon  a  conviction  for  larceny,  be  jiardoned  and  released  from  sjacJ  iijion  conditiuii 
that  he  pay  to  the  SheriU'of  the  said  cotinty,  the  costs  and  expenses  which  ha^•e  accrued  fr<  la 
ihe  time  of  his  apprehension  till  his  disehari,'e.  The  same  being  adopted  i'rcm  the  laws  ,; 
one  of  the  original  states,  to  wit,  the  state  of  New  York",  as  far  as  necessarv  and  suitable  i' 
Ihe  circumstances  of  the  territory  of  JNlichigan.  Made,  aitoptml  and  pidilished  at  the  citv  el' 
Detroit,  in  the  territory  of  Michigan,  this  Tlh  day  of  August  in  the  yearof  our  Lord,  1817. 
(Signed)  L-kwis  (J.tss,  (inrrnior  af  the  t'irilonj  of  IMirkigan.'" 

A  few  inonlhs  before  General  Harrison  died,  one  would  have  ihought  that  if  the  ofiici;,! 
newspaper  of  the  I'nioii  at  Washington  was  entitled  to  credit  for  veracity,  lie  niust  hav.^ 
been  one  of  the  greatest  of  monsters,  one  of  the  w(<rst  of  nieii.  When  he  died,  Cass,  at  Paris, 
delivered  a  very  long  orati<jn  to  his  meinorv,  from  which  one  Mould  have  judged  that  he  nni-'^ 
have  been  "  one  of  the  greatest  and  best"  of  men — all  this,  too.  on  personal  knowledge. 

Wlien  defeated  in  what  .some  sii|ipo.se  to  have  been  the  great  object  of  his  wishes,  by  tin' 
decision  in  favoiu-  of  Polk,  Cass  wrote  to  E.  Worrell  luid  others,  that  he  Mas  delightcii  wiiii 
the  choice  the  Baltimore  Convention  liad  made  of  such  "lirm.  consistent,  able,  and  hone.M  ' 
citizens  as  Messrs.  Polk  and  Dallas,  both  of  whom  he  knew  intimately,  and  that  •'  tliey  wcuil 
never  disappoint  the  expectations  of  OUR  party,  nor  of  ihe  eountry.''  Perhaps  he  really  wa- 
delighted.  He  had  Miitten  from  Paris,  Ki  Aug.  1841,  ■'  My  conviction  is,  that  there  is  nothing 
in  my  present  position,  notiiino  i.\  .mv  past  carkkr,  which  should  lead  to  my  .selection  lu. 
such  a  mari^  of  conlidenee.  My  repugnance  is  great,  ^r  ALMOST  invincible."  How 
sorry  the  friends  of  Peace  mast  1)P !  That  is,  in  ca.se  Polk  should  set  the  world  in  a  blaze. 
Mr.  Richard  Rush  wrote  Aaron  Hobart,  of  Boston,  Jan.  4,  1844,  that,  after  an  acquaintanco 
of  more  than  thirty  years,  he  wanted  General  Cass  to  be  elected,  "  Because  to  have  ii 


entirdif  ,• 
not  entcii 

T\w  H 
to  have  I 
navigiitiu 
U.  S.  em 

hi  the 
Jaclcson  i 
honied  a 
thojie  bai 
material  i 
elevated 
for  the  dc 


man  like  h 
moiiacing  i 
out  of  ids  c 
this  session 
care  a  ni^k. 
the  anii-ski' 
own  eieeti'j 
W'liich  he  ei 
l>hJs  (ejntij 
lui  n  inily  a 
pcrpcliiated 
III  his  pr 
that,  in  the  i 
nol  all  lliat 
slave.i,  or  tl 
ocj.Lii  into  .1 
jiartic-i  h:i\- 
wilh  any 
and  that  tt 
ever." 

Ca-;s's  el 
treaty,  by  i 
pie.ssment, 
Webb,  of  tl 
dontiy  llk.'s 
cracy  of  Ca 
very  worst 
.  (jeiieral 
approved  ol 
no  means  tl 
kindly  feelii 
or  Cass ;  yi 
Van  Rure'ii 
of  jiarty  are 
(riis  a  ina^ 
engaging  ai 
laiity  wilho 

.slill.        Pol 

s.lllVdge,  k'l 
whil-  Ciav 
ranks,  ifi 
ll'tters.  H,i 
diijie.  Tlie 
lie  is  courte 
sized,  piirtlv 
wallet  of  nit 
presi  lent  , 
liapji'n  tw. 


fBASSADOR. 

,  letter  to  lloyt, 
"  /  htue  found 

urilyo{ipu.stdtoliini, 
him,  wns  not  very 

•nt'tfirv  ol'War,  the 
1  imiiuMsi'  (li.sl)nrHt'- 
its;  in'rliaps  with  till' 
im  as  fSpi'akor,  it<;u- 
■/■  /'ilcv  hif  >i/fx.  con- 
•cii  '|)cit('C'lly  coriirl. 
siiiihIIv  no  (li!l'aiilt<T. 
i.irv  t'V  War,  lie  wa.^ 
lllilil^.  I'o'll  (illicrs 
ni"ss  C.I  ilic  Siipi  riii- 
iTi'luic,  li>  the  War 
ii  liis  (iwn  hands,  ami 
sbuiser,  und  became 

lipr  ri'port  with  somp 
V,  hut  nnn.es  nobody. 

10  Duanc.     The  pri'- 

(illor  of  '  the  nns<inn 
Iciur  toG.  O.  Wliii- 
a  snliicifnt  errant  ot 

•  wronir  indeod,  \\\wn 
CaUmun,  <-iuy.  Van 

nor  of  Michicfan,  I  v 

So  111-  vas,  hilt  l]i' 

ral  (irci'ii  dLscvihuJ 

nti-Sii)irt-mi'  Coiir;  — 

IV,  some  111'  tiicin,  ;is 
nt,  it' extended  tojM<- 
fivi-  bfon  so  unf'orni- 
oi'  the  quornm,  who 
oor  sinners,  as  u>iial, 

imr  ai.d  judges  of  llie 
ilv  ',';'.(..l  111'  the  conniv 
u'!,'aol  iijion  condiliuii 

.1  have  acrrued  I'n  la 
led  i'rcin  the  laws  i-f 
ssarv  and  suitable  t^' 

dslied  al  the  eity  ef 
of  our  Lord,  1817. 
try  of  Mirhigau." 

;ht  tiiat  if  the  oflici;J 
racily,  h.e  must  haw 
.  died,  Cass,  at  Paris, 
e  judged  that  he  niii^' 
.al  knowledge. 
L  of  his  wishes,  by  ll," 
!ie  was  delighted  wiili 
ent,  able,  and  honc.M' 
and  tlial  •'  lliey  wouil 
'erhaps  he  really  wa- 
s,  that  there  is  nothing 
d  to  my  selection  lur 
T  invincible."  How 
the  w  orld  in  a  blaze, 
ifter  an  acquaintance 
"  Because  to  have  « 


CA.SS  ANULIXli   FOR  TIIK  AMI'.RICA.N  DIADI.M. 


105 


Aiw,"  says  hf.y''^  affectionalCf  ronjUkiitiul,  mid  kind  to  the  lust  (hr/rcc ;  and  am 
entirdij  tuidsjifj  t/ial  there,  is  no  decree  of  yooil  fcclinrj  or  confidence  which  he  dom 
not  entertain  for  »jc." 

Tlu!  fust  measures  ut'  consequence  in  which  Van  Huron  was  engaged,  appear 
to  have  been  the  preparation  of  .suitable  instructions  relative  to  coininercej  taritis, 
navigation,  and  boundaries,  and  the  adjustiu'-nt  of  claims,  for  the  guidance  of  the 
\j.  S.  envoys  and  other  agents  in  England,  l-'rance,  Mexico,  Spain,  &c. 

In  the  prosecution  of  the  U.S.  claims  on  France,  he  seems  to  have  persuaded 
Jackson  to  assume  a  to.ie  of  menace  and  defiance,  very  unlilce  indeed  to  his 
honied  accents  when  addressing  imperial  England.  The  aggrandizement  of 
those  banUsand  mercantile  concerns  on  which  lie  placed  depet<dence,  as  forming 
material  for  the  construction  of  a  step-ladder  by  which,  in  time,  he  might  be 
elevated  to  the  Presidency,  was  not  forgotton  ;  nor  did  he  hesitate  to  intrigue 
for  the  destruction  of  the  U.  S.  Bank,  from  the  moment  in  which  he  saw  Jackson 

man  like  him  President,  would  be  the  most  likely  means  of  keening  us  OUT  OF  WAR,  under 
iii.niaeiiig  questions  that  hang  over  us.''  Methinks  i"i  lend  llush  would  have  letl  this  became. 
out  of  liis  catalogue,  !iad  h'.' heard  the  gallant  general's  trumpet  tongtied  noifs  in  the  capitol 
this  session,  all  ending  in  jl''  11)',  for  which,  however,  some  wiclced  wags  allirm  tliat  he  don't 
c.iro  a  rmh.  t5roiigliaiii  sai  I  of  Cass's  ellbrls  lo  plea-^e  the  eotuin  growiii"  slates  hy  opposing 
the  anii-shivery  Irealy,  "  Ami  he  has  done  all  this  foi- what  !  Fur  the  sake  of  furthering  liis 
ou';i  eleeiioaecring  int^-rest  in  America,  and  lidping  himself  Id  that  t.eal  the  po.ssessicn  of 
whicii  hi  envied  ,\Ir.  Tyler — :lie  ^••at  of  the  firsi  magistrate  of  that  mighty  republic.  My 
loiJs  (ejniiiuu'.l  llrougnam),  I  hope  and  trii-t,  I'or  t!i'  sake  of  Ameriea,  of  England,  aid  oi_ 
hunuiiiy  tiui  maidcind  al  large,  tlial  liiv!  prosp-rity  and  haiJiiinoss  of  that  great  people  w.li  be' 
perpetuated  I'or  ever." 

In  his  ])rolesi,  C;lss  ai-euse  I  Kiigland  of  duplicity.  Wel)ster  replied :  ••  Vou  will  perceive 
thai,  in  the  oi)iiiion  ol'  this  GovernuiL'ni,  eriiising  against  slave  dealers  on  the  coast  of  Africa  is 
noi  all  thai  is  n.'cessary  to  h.'  done,  in  order  to  pul  an  ond  lo  the  Inulic.  There  are  markets  for 
slaves,  or  the  urhappy  natives  ol' Africa  would  nil  b"  seized,  chained,  and  carried  over  iIk; 
oc.'.ui  into  .->lave.y,  'Phese  mark  'is  ought  to  b.-  .shut.  And  in  th"  treaty,  the  high  contracting 
parties  hav  •  siinulal'd  '  liiai  th'y  will  unite  in  all  bei;omiiig  repn^sentalioiis  and  remonstrances 
wiih  any  and  all  poweis  within  whose  dominions  such  maikels  an;  allowed  to  exist; 
and  thai,  they  will  luge  the  jiroprieiy  and  duly  of  closing  such  markets  al  once  and  for 
ever." 

Cass's  eH'orls  in  France  prevcnteel  ihi^  ralilie.ilioii,  by  that  nation,  of  a  mutual  conccs.sion 
treaty,  by  rcpres'uling  lingland  as  insineere,  and  (I'sirous  to  enforce  her  old  designs  of  im- 
piessmenl,  searching  I'or  her  seamen,  &.i;.  President  'I'yliu'  ai)[)roveii  highly  of  (Ju.ss's  (.'onduct. 
Webb,  of  the  Courier  and  Iviquirer,  rarely  missi's  a  defenw- ol  (!ass  or  ot  .Marey.  H(^  cvi- 
deatiy  lik.'s  many  of  his  liroih  a-  e  liiois  ol'the  Whig  party  mui-h  worst-  than  he  does  the  demo- 
cracy of  Cass  and  M.ircy.  lie  and  they  are  thorough-going  friends  of  negro-slavery  in  its 
very  wor.st  forms. 

.(.Tcueral  Ca.ss  is  the  Se'cretarv  wli  i  issurd  orders  to  Gaines  to  invade  'I'e.xas.  Of  course  he 
approved  ol  the.se  ordeis.  Had  it  not  Lieen  so,  he  could  have  resigned  his  place.  He  is  bv 
no  means  the  equal  in  iibiliiy  o|'{;iay  ami  Calhoun,  nor  does  ln"  possos  ihe  excellent  heart,  tlw 
kindly  feelings  ol'Col.  Johnson.  Van  iJuren  has  less  mental  piiw<T  than  either  (day,  Calhoun 
or  Cass;  yet,  nolwithstamliiig  a  life  of  intrigue  and  (iemagogueism,.ch!ince  did  the  mo.sl  foi  him. 
Van  Buren  prefi'rred  Cass  to  ("alhoiin,  and  Calhoun  piefeircd  PolkloCass.  The  new  divisions 
of  jiarty  are  north  and  south,  slave  owner  and  freeman.  Southern  policy  is  to  give  lo  us  norili- 
criis  a  master,  and  to  ensuri-  our  bmiiage  to  the  spread  of  iludr  system  by  dividing  us,  and 
engaging  and  iiargaining  with  the  Alareys,  Walkers,  and  other  cunning  men  who  have  pojiii- 
larity  with(jul  lil)eralily.  (Jalhoiin  was  hoi  tiir  Texas,  but,  ;is  lo  (Jregon,  he  uigetl  us  to  he 
.still.  Polk  does  not  dill'er  from  him.  Had  I  voted  in  Nov.  I. SM,  Polk  would  have  had  my 
s  idVage,  bei' luse  he  Ntood  pl'dged  to  uel  with  |)erfecl  e(|ualily  lo  the  Ibreign  born  and  the  native, 
while  Clay  stood  sih-nt,  with  our  native  bigots,  the  I'oreigner's  avowed  enemies,  in  his  front 
ranks,  lifher.'  is  to  be  a  slavi'  class,  and  ii  masier  class,  1  shall  not  willingly  tiiige  my  own 
li'lti-r-i.  Had  I  supporteil  Polk,  however,  which  I  did  not,  I  would  Inive  been,  as  others  are,  his 
dupe.  Thosi' who  ate  inlunale  with  Ciov.  Cass,  tell  me,  thai  his  manners  are  pleasing ;  thai 
he  is  courieoiis;  a  gooil  scholar ;  an  amiiible  man  ;  a  goo;!  hu.sliand  and  father,  lie  is  a  large 
sized,  portly  man,  with  it  big  head  ;  and  carries  his  p.ilitieal  principles,  like  a  country  doctor';* 
wallet  of  medicines,  in  a  convenient,  portable  form.  He  played  ids  card  well  in  the  game  of 
presilenl  iuakiu,',  in  HH— and,  .itler  Van  Buren's  cleclioii.  there's  no  knowing  what  may 
happ'n  two  \  ■  ir-  Ii'mi.c.     Cass  is,  by  Irade,  a  politician,  and  has  mind  and  ;,nvat  experience. 


■{■•<' . 

t.i;' 


>>' 


■I:'! 


^\ 


I 


106 


JACKSON,  CALHOUN,  AND  THE  SEMINOLE  WAR. 


1,- 


h  ■'.■•: 


Iv^'' 


! 

■ , .  f : 


If 


ij- ' : 


Mi 


in  possession  of  substantial  power.  The  President  was  speedily  involved  in  a 
quarrel  with  the  directors  of  the  U.  S.  branch  at  Portsmouth,  i\.  H.,  and  the 
breach  when  made  was  easily  widened. 

The  iniluence  of  the  cabinet ;  its  patronage  ;  the  means  its  members  had  of 
giving  a  direclioa  to  public  opinion  on  certain  important  subjects  ;  their  views, 
connections,  expectations,  wishes;  the  majority  of  them  desiruus  to  see  Calhoun 
the  next  President ;  Calhoun  himself  already  at  the  head  of  the  Senate  as  Vice 
President ;  with  the  Telegraph  press  and  patronage  of  Congress  in  the  hands  of 
its  indefatigable  editor,  General  Dull' Green,  at  his  back  ;  presented  a  state  of 
things  wliich  neither  Jackson  nor  Van  Buren  liked,  so  they  resolved  upon  a  dis- 
solution of  the  cabinet,  as  the  only  plausible  means  of  getting  rid  of  Branch, 
Ingham,  and  Berrien.  One  pretext  for  a  quarrel  was  found,  in  the  fact  that 
President  Monroe,  and  his  Secretary  of  War,  Calhoun,  had  not  been  altogether 
satisfied  with  .laciison's  mode  of  conducting  the  Seminole  war,* — and  this  was 

■  What  .u;i;  tiik  ruis  ov  the  Seminole  question'?  Tlicy  are  iln'se.  Jackson  ■\vris 
employed  hy  Monroo,  and  his  cabinet,  which  then  consisted  of  CravfonI,  Aiiams,  Cnlhoun, 
Wirt,  and  Crowninshieid,  to  chastise  certain  Indian  liihos  or  bands,  wiiose  home  was  in 
P^lorida,  a  possessiou  of  Spain.  He  disobeyed,  or  rather  transcended  Ids  orders,  and  on  ihe 
l!)th  of  .hily,  18IS,  President  Monroe  wrote  hiin  privately,  that  when  ealled  into  serviei' 
ajrainst  the  iSeininoles.  "  the  views  and  intentions  ot'  the  i^orernment  wctv  i'nllv  disclosed  i\' 
respect  lo  the  operations  in  Florida.  IN  TRA.X.-^CK.NDlAG  'I'tlE  LIxMIT  PKKSCRIHED 
BV  THOSf;  ORDERS,  you  acted  on  your  own  responsibility.''  Mr.  Monroe  said,  it  was 
right  to  attack'  the  .SeniinoiCs  in  Florida,  for  tl-.ey  jiad  a  sort  of  sovereignty  there,  "but  an 
order  by  the  government  to  attack  a  Spanish  post  would  assume  anotlur  character.  IT 
WOULD  AlJrHORIZF,  WAR.  CONGRESS  ALONE  POSSESS  THAT  POWER.'' 
Jackson  hi  I  s-iz.vl  and  held  the  posts  or  forls  of  Spain  in  liinj  ol' peace.  Hill  had  denounced 
him,  so  had  Ritchie,  and  Noah.  Coleman  of  the  Post,  Feb.  H,  18l'.(,  said,  that  ''in  s])ite  of 
the  votes  which  one  branch  of  Jie  legislature  ha\'0  passed,  we  shall  continue  to  think  that  the 
eon  duct  Ol  General  Jackson,  in  forciUly  pntcring  the  Spanish  territory,  and  seizing  upon  lli- 
civil  authority;  in  decoying,  by  mean's  of  false  colors,  two  Indian  chiefs  on  board  of  an 
American  vessel,  and  th.m  hanging  tln'ni  at  the  yardarm,  one  of  whom,  too,  had  spared  the 
life  oi  an  American  capiivc,  attlie  intercession  of  his  dau'jrhters;  and  in  luirrying  lo  a  violent 
and  ignominious  death,  two  prisoners,  after  quarter  had  been  granted,  can  never  be  justiheii 
by  any  authoriiv  lo  i)e  tbund  in  ^ny  civil  or  religious  code."  in  iJie  liritisii  cabinet  it  was 
.seriously  debated  whetiier  satisfaction  or  war  ought  not  lo  be  the,  alti-rnaiive  dcman.ied  for  the 
hanging  of  Capt.  Arbutimot,  wIk)  advised  the  Entriish  authorities  that  Jackson's  war  mission 
was  occasioned  by  persons  who  were  grasjiing  after  the  lands  of  ihe  Indians,  and  the  southern 
planters  desiring  to  .seize  and  ])unish  thejr  black  bondsmen  for  seeking  that  freedom  iu  a 
S)ianish  colony  which  the  laml  of  liberty  denied.  Crawf  ird,  in  (me  nf  his  |e|icrs,  mentioned 
that,  about  this  time  Jaelison  wrote  to  Monroe,  and  '-gnM'  it  as  his  opinion  that  the  l''loiidas 
ought  to  be  taken  by  the  lTniie(|  Slates."  He  (Jackson)  added,  '•  it  might  Ix-  a  delicate  matter 
for  the  Executive  to  decide;  but  the  I'residenl  f.MoiHneJ  had  oiilv  Id  give  a  hint  lo  .some 
cunfiikntiol  member  of  Congress,  say.Toimny  Ray, 'Tnd  he  woidd  take  ii,  and  take  Iheresponti- 
bi lit V  upon  himself."  Was  Senator  Houston,  Jacksoifs  Johnny  Rav,  in  the  Te.xas  all'air  ? 
WasSennttir  Ynlee,  I'olk's  Johnny  Ray,  when  he  introduced  a  ivsdiution  rec-entiy  lo  anne.\ 
Cuba,  afier  the  highest  ollleials  in  Illinois  harl  met  ami  advised  Ihat  measure'?  Who  are  to 
be  the  Oregon  and  California  Raysl  That  Presideiu  is  ,;ol  vert  particular  in  t';e  matter  ot" 
.sincerity  wlio  pbdires  himself  lo  <ill  Oiegon  before  an  eleciiun,  olleis  to  give  iiji  15,000  square 
miles  at>er  it,  declaivs  U)  the  American  people  that  our  title  j.;  .Icar  and  unijuer.iionable  to  54" 
40'.  and  then  oders  a  compromise  for  latitude  liC^. 

To  return  to  Monroe's  letter  to  Jackson.  He  told  him  that  his  seizinc:  the  fortrcs-ses 
of  Spain,  might  involve  the  Union  in  a  war  with  that  power,  when  Hritish  i)iivateer.s  would 
harass  American  c-ommerce,  and  this  country  not  have  one  Kui"])ean  jiouei'  on  its  akXc. — and 
that  such  a  .stale  of  things  ought  not  lobe  liiditly  hazarded.  He  advised  Jackson  toamend  his 
reasons — and  in  aiiotiier  private  letter,  dated  Oct.  ^M,  added, '•  I  was  sorry  to  liml  thai  yon 
unilerstood  vour  instriieiions  relative  to  operations  in  Florida  OIFFERENTL\'  FKo.M 
Wll.'VTWE  INTE.NDKD."  Here  he  speaks  for  himself  and  his  cabinet,  especially  Im 
Calhoun,  wiii)  was  then  at  Ihe  head  of  the  depnrtmeni  of  war,  and  had  issued  ilie.se  instrur- 
tions.  Air.  Monroe  bids  the  general  write  out  his  views,  adding,  "  This  vvill  he  answered,  so 
a-'io  explain  ours,  in  a  tVieiuilv  manner,  by  Mr.  (.alhouii,  WHO  HAS  VERY  Ji;ST  AND 
LIBERAL  SICNTIMENTS  ON  THE  SUBJECT.  This  will  be  necessary  in  the  case  of  a 
call  for  papers  by  Congress,  or  may  be.    Tints  we  shall  all  .stand  on  the  groimd  of  honor, 


furnished 
Forsyth  u 
evidently 
say  feigne 
matter,  he 
leading  po 

EACH  DO 
to  place  eac 

Adams's 
public  capac 
we  see  that 
just  and  ver 
"sought  for  i 
could  Jacksi 
lion  liad  \Ki 
iliat  he  had 
and  fortress 
and  Crawiu 
(Ilia  "re  1  was 
I'liat  Messrs 
views  were 
would  have 
tlie  Preside!! 

Crawfii'd 
tiie  .secret  eu 
^tatement  si 
pretend  to  c 
assurances  ( 

In  18-28,  V 
as  follows : 
"  place  a  fe 
"  meeting  ot 
'•  sequence  ^ 
" CALHOL 
'PROPRIA 
••JACKSO: 

Hamilton 
'J5,  1828,  he 
net  the  pro] 
during  the 
MEASURE 
cabind  ivus  t 

Hamilton 
fedei'alist,  ai 
information 
ARREST,  V 
Berrien  wer 
had  no  meai 
indignation 
apples  of  di: 
ARREST,  I 
Crawford,  tl 
a  disavowal 

Finding  I 
:ja  April,' l> 
"  letter  to  iV 
"  should  be 
"AM  N(V] 
"  PROPOS. 
"  made  use  ( 
Forsyth  seci 
that.  In  on 
hut  in  the  m 
ur  of  puiiisli 


lily  involved  in  a 

I,  JV.  H.,  and  the 

niombcrs  had  of 
;cts  ;  their  views, 
as  to  see  Calhoun 
le  Senate  as  Vice 
ss  in  the  hands  of 
"sented  a  state  of 
iolved  upon  a  dis- 
ig  rid  of  Branch, 
],  in  the  fact  that 
•t  been  altogether 
■,* — and  this  was 

icso.  Jackson  ■vvas 
:■(!,  Adams,  Calhoun, 
rt'iiose  home  was  in 
s  orders,  and  on  iln; 

ralli'd  into  survji'i' 
rt-  luUv  disclosed  ii' 
1IT  PRK.SCRIHlvD 
Monroe  said,  it  was 
ii(iity  there,  "  but  an 
itluc  character.  IT 
THAT  POWER/' 
Hill  had  denounced 
lid,  that  •'  in  spite  of 
nue  to  think  that  the 
liid  seizing-  upon  th" 
ef's  on  i)oard  oC  an 
.  too,  had  s[)are<l  the 
Jiurrvin;:;  lo  a  violent 
m  never  he  jusii/icil 
•Jtish  cabinet  it  was 
ve  (lemanled  lor  the 
eks(>n"s  war  mission 
lis.  and  the  southern 
,'  that  iVeedoin  in  a 

is  |e|i('rs,  mentioned 
on  that  the  l-'loiidas 
!«•  a  (lelii'iiie  iiiatti'i' 
;ive  a  hint  lo  .some 
lid  lake  (he  respoiuii. 

I  the  Texas  aliair  ? 

II  recently  lo  aniie.v 
siirel  Who  are  to 
liar  in  t':e  matter  of 
vc  lip  1;),00()  .square 
iKjue.-'iionable  to  54" 

'i/iiis:  the  fortrcs-ses 
ish  jiiivatcers  would 
vrv  on  its  fiidv. — and 
aekson  to  amend  hi-^ 
■rv  lo  lind  ilinl  von 
■:RI^.NTL^■  Flio.Al 
billet,  especially  I't 
is>iMed  lliese  instill'  - 
vvill  be  answered,  .su 
ri:RY  JCrtT  AND 
sary  in  the  case  of  a 
le  ground  of  honor, 


MONROE,  ADAMS,  CALHOUN,  AND  THE  KINDERHOOK  PLOT. 


107 


furnished  by  the  confederates  of  Van  Buren,  and  urged  through  Hamilton  and 
Forsyth  upon  Jackson  at  the  fitting  moment,  who  feigned  a  feeling  of  indignation, 
evidently  put  on,  and  acted,  to  rouse  Calhoun  and  bring  on  an  angry  dispute.  J 
say  feigned  a  feeling,  for  after  Jackson  had  quarrelled  with  Calhoun  on  this 
matter,  he  remained  upon  the  most  cordial  and  kindly  terms  with  many  other 
leading  politicians,  who,  as  ho  well  knew,  had  in  1818  and  181y,  been  among 

EACH  DOING  JUSTICE  TO  THE  OTHER,  which  is  the  ground  ou  which  we  wish 
to  place  each  other." 

Adams's  vindication  of  Jack.son  is  on  record — Monroe's  manly  conduct  towards  him  in  his 
public  capacity,  was  only  equalled  by  his  kind  and  friendly  consideration  in  private.  Here 
we  see  that  he  frankly  told  Jaclcsou,  that  Calhoun's  sentiments  in  the  whole  ma'tcr  were  very 
just  and  very  liberal,  and  that  his  (Jackson's)  conduct  was  not  approved,  but  that  rea.sons  were 
"sought  for  its  justitication  that  the  evils  of  an  unnecessary  war  might  be  avoided.  How 
could  Jackson,  when  in  possession  of  these  .secret  letters  for  ten  years,  pretend,  ofkr  lii.s  elec- 
tion had  been  secured  through  the  gigantic  efforts  of  Vice  President  Calhoun  and  his  friends, 
liiat  he  had  always  understood  that  Calhoun,  as  war  secretary,  had  approved  of  the  hangings 
and  fortress  seizures  in  a  friendly  country  without  war  !  Jackson  was  enraged  at  Calhoun 
and  Crawford  in  1818,  for  not  liiiukingas  he  did,  but  Calhoun  gave  him  a  party,  and  the 
quarrel  was  revived  at  the  convenient  interval  of  ten  years,  to  .serve  Van  Buren.  As  a  proof 
that  Messrs.  Monroe  and  Calhoun  continued  to  confide  in  Jackson,  anrl  that  their  ulterior 
views  were  believed  lo  be  his,  they  otiired  him,  in  18"23,  the  mission  to  Me.vico,  which  he 
would  have  aec  'j^ileJ,  had  not  Burr  and  others  more  influential,  induced  him  to  set  his  cap  for 
the  Presidency  ot  the  Union. 

Crawford,  when  he  reported,  as  he  had  a  perfect  right  to  do,  at  a  proper  interval  of  time, 
the  .secret  eonver.sations  in  Monroe's  cabinet,  ought  to  have  told  the  truth.  Does  not  his  own 
statement  show  that  he  did  'lot  do  so  ?  and  knowing  that,  how  could  Jackson  or  Van  Buren 
preiend  lo  depend  more  on  his  vindictive  yet  treacherous  memory  than  on  the  confidential 
assurances  of  James  Monroe  '! 

In  18-28,  we  (ind  John  Forsyth,  Van  Bnren's  confederate,  writing  Major  James  A.  Hamilton 
as  follows:  "  Milledg.;ville,  "Feb.  8th.  Dear  Sir:  Our  friend  W.  H.  Crawford  was  in  this 
"  place  a  few  hours  yesterday.  By  his  authority  I  state,  in  reply  to  your  inquiry,  that,  at  a 
"meeting  of  Mr.  Monroe's  cabinet  to  discuss  the  course  to  he  pur>ued  towards  Spain,  in  con- 
"  sequence  of  General  Jackson's  proceedings  in  Florida,  during  the  .Seminole  war,  MR. 
"CALHOUN  SUBMITTED  TO  AND  URGED  UPON  THE  PRESIDENT  THE 
•PROPRIETY  AND  NECESSITY  OF  ARRESTING  AND  TRYING  GENERAL 
•JACKSON.    MR.  MONROE  WAS  VERY  MUCH  ANNOYED  BY  IT." 

Hamilton  had  previously  nsked  Calhoiui  tlie  same  question.  In  his  letter  to  him  of  Feb. 
tJ5,  1828,  he  savs — "  In  reply  to  my  inquiry,  '  Whether  at  any  meeting  of  Mr.  Monroe's  cabi- 
net the  propriety  of  ARRESTING  GENERAL  JACKSON  for  anything  done  by  him" 
during  the  Seminole  war,  had  been  at  anv  time  discussed,'  you  answered,  'SUCFI  A 
MEASURE  WAS  NO'l'  Tl  lOUGHT  OF— much  less  discussed.  Thr  ivi/ii  puint  hejnrc  the 
cnhintl  Was  the  atiMnr  In  he  giv(  d  to  the  Spanish  goirnimcnt.'  " 

Hamilton  was  the  dependant  of  Van  Buren — he  was  fond  of  money — had  been  an  anti-war 
federalist,  and  required  Van  Biiren's  aid,  as  Van  Buren  did  his.  At  the  proper  moment,  the 
information  which  he  had  secretly  obtained  from  Crawford's  friend,  Forsyth,  about  THE 
ARREST,  was  communicated  to  Jackson.  The  election  was  now  sure — Branch,  Ingham  and 
Berrien  were  true  to  their  jiriiiciples  and  tlieir  friends — Dud' Green  stood  by  Calhoun,  who 
had  no  means  of  rew  arding  him,  though  by  so  doing  he  knew  that  Jackson's  and  Van  Buren's 
indignation  and  ilie  lo^s  of  olfic  and  its  vast  emoluments,  would  be  the  certain  results.  The 
applies  of  discord  had  now  to  be  scattered — and  Jackson,  professing  astonishment  about  the 
ARREST,  and  not  contented  with  Calhoun's  explicit  disclaimer  to  Hamilton,  applied  to 
Crawford,  the  |iolitical  enemy  of  Calhoun,  and  who  had  voted  in  tlie  cabinet  to  punish  him  by 
a  disavowal  of  his  Seminole  proceedings  ! 

Finding  that  matters  v.i-re  taKing  this  new  turn,  Crawford  wrote  Forsyth  iVoni  Woixllawn, 
30  April,  18IJ0,  "I  recollect  distineily  what  passed  in  the  cabinet  meeting  referred  to  in  vour 

"letter  to  Mr. .     Mr.  Calhoun's  proposition  in  the  cabinet  was  that  (Seneral  .Tackson 

"shoidd  be  PUNISHED  IN  SO.ME  FORM,  OR  REPRIMANDED  IN  SO.ME  FORM.  I 
"AM  NOT  POSITIVELY  CERTAIN  WHKMl,  AS  MR.  CALHOUN  DID  NOT 
"  PROPOSE  TO  ARREST  GENERAL  JACKSON,  I  feel  confident  that  I  could  not  have 
"  made  useof  that  word  in  my  relation  to  you,"  Ac.  Here's  a  disclaimer  for  you  !  He  had  told 
Forsyth  .secretly  that  Calhoun  did  propose  to  arrest  Jackson.  Now  he  tells  him  he  did  not  say 
that.  In  one  sentence  of  the  above  quoted  letter,  he  says  he  recollects  distinctly  what  passeti, 
hut  in  the  next  he  says  he  does  not  recollect  distinctly  whether  CalhL'un  spoke  of  reprimand 
or  of  punishment  I 


t 

■  'V-'- 

t 

..'if' 


^:: 


1  :•  ■  • 


f^.> 


?;■ 


<■>■ 


■!'!i- 


,,.,(r*fVir-' 


i]   'l 


:•■>  •; 


H  r-^'v 


108 


Calhoun's  retort,  crawford  on  political  secrete 


the  most  hostile  to  him  in  the  matter  of  that  same  Florida  campaign.  Jackson 
was  perfectly  aware  that  Van  Buren,  with  the  presses  under  his  control,  and 
also  some  of  his  friends  in  the  U.  S.  Senate,  had  really  been  hi.>  deadliest  enemies 
in  1818,  and  long  after  it — yet,  now  that  it  suited  his  purpose,  he  could  profess 
to  forget  all  this,  while  Calhoun,  who  had  acted  most  honorably  toward  him, 
was  made  to  feel  the  effect  of  what  assuredly  was  a  rooted  hatred. 


Jackson,  urged  on  by  Van  Buren's  creatures,  goes  to  a  man  for  facts,  who  is  filled  with  envy 
and  hatreil  of  Calhoun ;  and  who  cannot  withhold  the  details  of  his  own  petty  griefs,  even  in 
an  appeal  to  the  public.  Calhoun  (says  he)  established  the  Washington  Republican  lo 
slander  and  vilify  nie — he  set  on  Ninian  Edwards  to  brealf  down  niy  chfiracirr,  &c.  He  goc:. 
on  to  sav,  that  he  was  foi  Jackson  as  president  if  it  wouldn't  help  Cillhoun,  and  that  Calhoun'- 
family  had  called  Jackson  a  "  military  chieftain,"  with  more  of  such  gossip  and  twaddl"; 
adding  what  had  probably  the  greatest  weight  of  any,  "  I  know  personally  tiiai  r^lr.  Calhoun 
favored  iVIr.  Adams's  pretensions  till  Mr.  Clay  declared  for  him."  In  his 'letter  to  Baleh,  14tl> 
Dec.  1827,  Crawford  also  says,  "  iMy  opinions  upon  the  next  presidential  election  are  gene- 
rally known.  Wlien  Mr.  Van  Buren  and  Mr.  Cambreleng  made  me  a  visit  last  April,  I 
authorized  them  upon  every  proper  occasion  to  make  those  opinions  known."  On  turning  to 
page  200,  letter  111,  it  will  be  seen  that  "  my  friend  Col.  Hoynt '  is  the  word  with  Vyr. 
Buren.  In  183'2,  we  meet  with  the  Colonel's  vote  to  recall  Yam  from  London.  When  the  V;ir: 
Buren  part}'  nominated  Jackson,  in  this  state,  in  1H28,  they  omitted  to  name  Calhoun  for  vice 
president — meantime  the  plot  was  ripening,  njid  a  very  deep  plot  it  was.  How  lik"e  to  (he 
persecution  of  Clinton  in  1819  and  1820,  by  Van  Buren,  Bniler  and  the  '•  high  minded;"  ,i 
persecution,  the  priticiple  involved  in  wliich,  even  Hammond  could  not  sec;  lor  Clinton  ^ 
measures,  like  those  of  Jackson's  insulted  secretaries,  had  given  enlir'^  sntist;;ctioii. 

Calhoim's  letter  to  Jackson,  dated  May  29,  IHHO,  is  a  specimen  of  his  mnnly  ^raight-f"!- 
wardiiess,  and  consistency,  which  one  would  wish  lo  see  rewarded,  even  on  eaith.  Hegoc 
fully  into  the  merits  of  the  Seminole  case — is  master  of  both  tacts  and  aigument.'! — and  afln 
liav'ing  stated  that  he  approved,  that  they  all  apprcjved,  of  Monroe's  jirivnte  letter  of  .Iftly  JJI, 
1818, 1  cannot  perceive  how,  at  an  interval  of  twelve  years,  Jackson  should  have  singled  em 
him — the  man  to  whom,  when  aspersed  and  slandered  from  Maine  lo  Missouri,  lie  o\^ed  mi 
much — as  an  enemy — unless  it  was,  that  he  (Calhoun)  stood  in  Hie  way  of  measures,  puh'i: 
or  personal,  whichJaekson  and  Van  Buren  had  at  heart ;  and  must  be  injured,  if  that  \\\\r 
possible.  Calhoun's  idea  appears  from  his  letters.  He  says  to  Jackson,  "  1  slunild  be  blind  i;.' 
to  see  that  this  whole  affair  is  a  {xjlitieal  manu-'uvre,  in  which  the  design  is  that  you  shoull 
be  the  instrument  and  my.self  the  victim,  but  in  which  llie  real  actors  are  carefully  concealed 
by  an  artful  mcjvemenl."  In  the  hands  of  Clinton,  Duane,  Calhoun,  and  men  of  I'lieir  hcn'H- 
able  dispositions,  Jackson's  admini.slration  might  have  become  a  ltlessiii;j;  to  society,  and  Van 
Buren  been  compelled  to  suspend  his  intrigues.  ,Soon  after  llie  dissohiiioii,  ai  ri  |)ul)lie  di.'iiiii 
in  Pendleton,  S.  C,  one  of  the  toasts  was  "  Martin  Van  Buivn.  '  All  I  thai  deeeii  should  sl'Vil 
such  gentle  .shapes,  and  with  a  virtuous  visor,  hide  deep  vices.'  " 

Calhoun  never  could  find  tmt  the  name  of  Jack.son's  I'nst  inloriiui-— he  \,  ho  referred  ii 
Hamilton,  who  in  his  turn  referred  to  Crawford,  lie  was  just ili<'d  in  holding  i'Virsjlh  up  h- 
that  detestable  char.'icter,  ;ind  did  so — but  Van  Burei\  reineinlK^retl  the  seivice  lione  hiiii  nmi  m 
course  of  lime  lAjrsylh  became  his  Secretary  of  State.    'I'liis  was  his  reward. 

Because  I  gave  to  the  public  the  secret  cinrespondence  ot  Van  Bmvn  and  his  confederate  , 
instead  of  lurning  it  into  money,  as  some  poor  men  like  me  would  have  been  templed  In  do, 
'•.'an  Buren's  friends  hav«'  slandered  ami  perseeiiied  inc.  In  a  Idler  fioin  his  favci  iie  ciiiidi. 
date,  W.  H.  Crawl'ord,  dated  Woodlawn,  2d  Oct.,  1830,  iind  addressed  to  J.  C.  Calhoun,  1  fin' 
the  tbllowing  paragraith  on  political  secrets  : 

"I  slinll  ni;it  notice  .voiir  observations  upon  lliu  tli»<'losiire  of  the  FPcret^  of  Ilic  niliinnt,  wliirli  you  siiy  i.;  Ill" 
firstwlPlr.il  liiisnci'iirrrii,  at  UmH  in  tliia  country.  Do  you  rrnlly  biliivc  lliis  iissi  runn,  Mr.  t'^illioiiii  .'  Ilow  ili,l 
the  wiiUcM  opinions  ol'  M(ssr..<.  JilfiMson  and  Ilniiiiiton,  mi  llii;  first  liniili  liill,  <  ver  t-cf  llii/  li^'hl  ?  How  were  lli 
fuels  and  rircuniNlnncm  wliirli  iiruciMlFii  and  acoonipiinicd  tlie  ruinovui  of  DdnMiml  ll.'inilol|iji  from  ilie  t^tato  iJi 
liarinient  by  General  \VaiiliiM(!toii,  d|sclo.si'd  and  made  lomwii  to  tin:  |inlilu'  .'  If  Vnnr  assriiiiii  bo  Iriic,  llic-' 
facts  and  circunistaiico.s  would,  at  tlii.<  nioniont,  be  buried  in  Kpyplian  dail<n<ss.     \\'lii|i'  a  cabinit  i:.  In  i'\i<iin  " 

and  Its  usefulness  iialile  lo  \u>  iuipnired,  rfason  and  coiiitnoii  sense  piint  out  llie  pnipiiety  ol  Keepiij;;  jij  proi I 

iM«s  sccfet.  Unl  after  tlip  caulnet  no  lonpcr  exists,  wlien  its  iHefnIness  cannot  lii^  impaired  jiy  a  di-clusure  <i(  in 
proceedliiKS,  neillier  reason,  common  senso,  nor  piilriotiBni.  iciiuircs  ibai  those  proceediiiKs  ^liunld  lie  sliromii  >l  1 1 
impenetrable  <larkness.  The  acis  of  siicii  a  rabiin  t  become  liisloiy,  and  the  nation  has  tln^  sunn'  rl<;lii  lo  n  l<iuiu 
ledge  of  tlicm,  that  it  lius  to  anv  ntlicr  liistorical  fact.  It  i.s  presumed  Unit  all  nations  have  (iilerlained  lliis  ii|<i 
liion  and  have  acted  upon  it.  Hence  the  secret  history  of  cnl)inets,  ilie  most  despotic  iii  l)nro|re.  Hence  the  .'il-leiv 
of  the  house  of  Stuart,  by  Charles  James  Fojt,  which  discJoscH  llie  most  lecret  intercmiisie  between  Churl,  i 
II.,  and  the  French  Minister,  by  which  it  waH  proved  tliat  (  harlus  was  a  pi'nsioner  of  I.onis  MV.,  Kmu  it 
France,  and  had  secretly  enttnged  to  ro-cstnhlish  I'opeiy  in  Enpland.  Yet  in  (lie  (aic  of  all  these  fai  ts,  mui  dun' 
presume  upon  ilie  iKiiorance  of  the  dislinuuished  person  y<iu  were  addre-vinp,  so  far  a-)  to  insinuate  llial  biuIi 
disclosutcs  liad  never  been  iiindi.'  in  any  cyuniry,  but  ceituinly  not  in  this  republic." 


The  S 
means  ta 

Anothi 
Timberla 
son's  bio 
ladies  of 
years,  all 
Desha  ha 
favorite  o 
Ingham  n 
ren,  beinj 
her,  an  i 
a  differen 
was  not, 


*  Wu.\r 
fidenee  in  tl 
of  high  cha 
chose,  like 
bribes,  rathi 
enjoy  a  moi 
fldcnce  in 
spurned  Jai 
Mrs.  Eaton 
zens'  wives 
ii ;  and  I  t 
steward'^  to 
their  prejud 
"Woodbury, 

John  lie 
been  a  kwr 
that  year,  ii 
19  01-  20  ye; 
months  sine 
have  appro\ 
Blnir,  statin 
and  that 
lileness. 
any  tim",  n 
it  lo  he  the 
the  jilace — i 
sficiety,  but 
Tiinberlaki 
wns,  whethi 
in  other  woi 
that  censor,- 
purity  am 

I  have  icf 
other  new.sp 
ren.    They 
colleagip's, 
will  si.an  I  li 
and  bnseues 
i\  th{\  inel 
aii'/ry  wife 
II. 'at  ihe  c 
veiigi^nnee, 
A\o!ild  be  lei 
who  h.nd  bei 
ren's  atrem 


■'  Mr,  Van  I 
adroitly  iiv.iili 
iliarHcler     I'l 


1 


CRETS. 

npaign.  Jackson 
r  his  contiol,  and 
deadliest  enemies 
he  could  profess 
ibly  toward  him, 
red . 

ho  is  filled  with  envy 
petty  f,'riefs,  even  in 
igtoii  ilcpublican  in 
raelrr,  &c.  He  goc, 
n,  and  that  Calhoun's 
gossip  and  fvvadril" ; 
1\-  tiiai  ~Mv.  Calhoun 
ricttcrto  Baleh,  Hlh 
ial  election  are  genf- 
I  a  visit  last  April,  I 
\vn.''  On  turning  to 
the  word  with  Van 
:lon.  When  the  Va:; 
line  Calhonn  for  vie.; 
js.  How  lik'e  to  Ihr 
le  '•  high  minded;''  ,i 
(It  sit;  for  C!inton'^ 
Ltisfiu'lioii. 
s  inn  lily  straiglit-t'"!- 

on  earth.  He  goc. 
iigumenl^ — and  alii  i 
,-ate  Irtlcr  of  Jftly  ];t, 
oiild  have  singled  cut 
Missdui'i,  lip  owed  ^m 
\'  of  measures,  pub'i': 

injured,  if  that  wn^ 

1  sh(juld  bclilind  i;-' 

,'n  is  that  yon  .should 

e  earel'ully  conceal'': 

nu'M  of  their  honiii- 

t(i  s<icii'ty,  and  Van 
nil,  ,'ii  a  piiblii'  diniii'r 
lai  driM'ii  ^l|lluld  sl"al 

—he  w  ho  rrfcnvd  io 
olding  f'or.-ylh  up  \r 
\\rv  dniic  liini.  riiiii  iii 
ward. 

and  his  confodcralc, 
e  hocn  lemptcd  to  dn, 
111  his  favi.i  iie  eamli- 
J.  C  Calhoun,  i  fiii'' 


let,  \i  Midi  you  siiv  i.;  Ill" 
Mr.  r:illM)iiii  (  llow  ili.l 
Ih'  li^'lit  !  llow  were  ih 
il<il|ill  IVuiii  llio  Stulu  III 
r  iis.'.rilii.ii  liu  true,  thi',-'' 
I'  II  ciiliilirt  i:.  ill  t'\islcn'i' 
ty  1(1  kccpiiii,'  its  proir.  il 
icil  hy  a  (liMiliwiiri.'  ni  lu 
IKS  hliiiiilil  III'  slii'diiili  il  I.I 
Uio  Kiinic  ij^lit  ID  II  kiiiiw- 
1,'ivo  ciilcrliiiiiotl  lliis  ii|ii 
liiroj.o.  Ilciici'  Ihf  lii-lmy 
rcoiii'ji'  Ijctwi'cii  t'liiirl,  i 
r  1)1'  l.diii.s  MV.,  KiiiK  I'l 
lull  llicsi'  fiiitH,  Vim  dill'' 
!)'<  to  liisinimie  tliiit  uiuli 


THE  WIDOW  TIMBBRLAKE,  Oil  A  WOMAN  IN  THE  I'LOT. 


109 


The  Seminole  question  was  but  the  nominal  one,  on  which  they  diftered — a 
means  taken  to  elt'ect  a  much  desired  end. 

Another  cause  of  strife  was  Mrs.  Eaton.  She  had  been  the  widow  of  Purser 
Timberlake,  of  the  Constitution ;  and  was  married  to  Mv.  J.  il.  Eaton,  Jack- 
son's biographer  and  war  secretary,  in  1829.  While  Airs.  Timberlake,  the 
ladies  of  character,  in  Washington,  had  refused  to  associate  with  her  for  several 
years,  alleging  that  her  conduct  and  reputation  were  too  bad.  General  Robert 
Desha  had  warned  Eaton  of  all  this  before  their  marriage — and,  as  Eaton  was  a 
favorite  of  Jackson's,  and  the  families  of  Messrs.  Calhoun,  Branch,  Berrien  and 
Ingham  neither  visited  his  wife  nor  invited  her  to  their  parlies,  while  Van  Bu- 
ren,  being  a  widower,  with  no  daughters,  was  unremitting  in  his  attentions  to 
her,  an  effort  was  made  to  coerce  Messrs.  Branch,  Ingham  and  Berrien  into 
a  different  course,  coupled  with  a  threat  of  removal  from  office,  in  case  Mrs.  E. 
was  not,  by  their  families,  placed  on  a  more  friendly  footing.*     In  all  this,  the 


*  Wii.vr  iNi-"i.iK\eK  nil)  Ma.  and  Miis.  E.vton  kxbiicisk  ovku  J.\e:\tinN  !  I  place  much  con- 
fidence in  the  statements  of  Me.s.sr.'*.  Branch,  Berrien,  and  Ingham,  because  they  were  democrats 
of  high  character,  the  choice  of  Jackson,  in  accordance  with  public  .sentiment,  and  becan.se  they 
chose,  like  Duane,  to  retire  from  the  olliees  they  held,  and  refuse  other  offices  offered  them  as 
bribes,  rather  than  become  the  base  in.strnments  of  Van  Burcn,  and  through  his  influence  to 
enjoy  a  monopoly,  cs  it  were,  of  the  power  and  paironage  of  this  great  republic  1  place  con- 
lidcnee  in  tln'iii  because,  like  Calhoun,  they  M'oiild  descend  to  tiolhiug  mean — because  they 
spurned  Jackson's  oli'.'r,  lor  such  it  was,  on  condii ion  that  iheir  families  would  associate  witii 
Mrs.  Eaton,  the  wite  of  Jackson's  personal  friend  and  war  initii.stpr,  a  woman  whom  the  citi- 
zens' wives  would  neither  receive  nor  visit,  on  account  of  her  mode  ol' life  asthey  had  wilncs.sed 
il ;  and  I  confide  in  them,  because  they  were  acknowleilgea  to  have  been  good  and  faithful 
stewards  to  the  public,  by  Jaclcson,  while  not  a  whisper  did  even  the  brcnih  of  .slander  utter  to 
their  prejudi'-e.  1  wish  "we  could  say  as  much  of  their  well  known  successors,  Kendall,  Taney, 
Woodbury,  Van  Bureii  and  Butler. 

John  lienry  Eaton  married  the  Widow  Timberlake  in  January,  I8'21>.  I  .suppo.se  he  had 
been  a  long  time  a  widower.  Either  General  Maeomb  or  John  Van  Buren  intnxlnced  nn- 
dial  year,  in  the  department  of  state,  to  Mr.  Eat'jn's  sons,  one  at  least  of  wlioni  must  have  been 
19  or  '20  y.\irs  old.  William  B.  Lewis,  of  Tennessee,  v.hoin  Piilk  dismissed  from  office  a  few 
m'.inths  since,  another  personal  friend  of  Jackson's,  was  Eaioa's  brother-in-law,  and  ap[)eais  to 
have  approved  ol'ttiis  second  marriage.  When  the  c;ibiiiel  broke  up,  Ealon  wrote  a  letter  to 
Blair,  stating  that  soon  after  their  marriage.  Mr.  and  Airs.  Calhoun  called  ;md  left  their  card, 
and  that  he  and  Mrs.  Eaton  returned  the  visit,  and  were,  by  Mrs.  ('.,  rccei\ed  with  much  po- 
liieness.  To  this,  a  reply  was  made  by  Calhoun,  that  his  wile,  had  never  cilied  on  Mrs.  E.  at 
any  tini'',  never  left  her  card,  nor  aiithori/cd  another  to  do  .so  lor  her — that  xMrs.  C.  conceived 
il  to  be  the  duly  of  Mrs.  E.,  if  innocent,  to  open  her  i iit'jreour.se  with  flu;  ladies  who  resided  in 
die  place — thai  "  it  was  not,  in  fact,  a  (piestion  of  the  e.xelusion  of  one  already  admitted  into 
society,  but  the  admission  of  one  already  (\Keluded.  Betim'  the  marriage,  while  she  was  Mrs. 
Timberlake,  she  had  not  been  admitted  into  the  .society  of  Washingt'.m  ;  and  the  real  (pie.stion 
was,  whether  her  marriage  with  Major  Eaton  should  open  the  door  already  elo.scd  on  her;  or, 
in  other  words,  whether  olhcial  rank  and  patn'.iav'e  should,  or  shir.dii  not,  prnve  p,irainount  to 
that  censorship,  which  the  .sc.v  exercises  over  itsclt';  and  on  whieh,  all  mtisi  ack-nowledge,  the 
purity  and  dignity  of  the  female  character  mainly  depend." 

I  have  recently  pmused  with  as  much  attention  as  1  conk!  give  to  them,  the  correspondence  and 
ulher  newspaper  si;iteinents  concerning  Jaekson,  his  secretaries,  and  Mrs.  Eaton  and  Van  Bu- 
ren. Theyare  full  of  gall  and  bitterness.  The  Heereiary  of  War^^Eat'.m)  publicly  adilrc.s.scshialate 
colleagues,  the  great  e.veinplnrs  of  the  new  worlil,  thus:  "  These  two  men,  iiighain  anil  Berrien, 
will  Stan  1  together  in  after  time,  and  with  honorable  men,  monuments  of  diijilicitv,  ingratitude 
and  ba.sencss — traitors  to  th' ir  friends,  and  destroyers  of  them.selve< — a  meniorafile  illu.stration 
o;' the  melancholy  truth,  that  a  man  may  smile  and  smile,  and  be  a  villain!"  Betwhvt  his 
aii'^TV  wife  and  ai-lfid  monitor,  Van  Buren,  poor  Eaton  must  have  been  in  a  bad  way.  To  re- 
peal ihe  charges  of  deceit,  falschooil,  hvpocri.sy,  and  other  vices — ihe  thieats  of  a.ssassiuation, 
V'ligennee,  eliasiisemeni,  \-,e. — the  challenges  lo  fighl  duels  or  bear  the  brand  of  cowardice, 
would  be  tedious — but  a  i\'\v  extracts  friMiithe  narrativi'  of  (Jovernor  Branch  of , North  Carolina, 
wliii  had  been  .laek.son's  Secretary  of  the  i\avy,  may  liclp  us  to  ;i  right  cstimaie  of  V'an  Bu- 
reii's  ageni'y  in  the  atihir. 

"  Mr.  Villi  Biirnii,  it  iimst  lie  lioriie  in  iiiliid,  [.siiy.s  (!uv.  Buiiu  h.]  wns  n  w  lilmvcr  \\  iilimil  (Iiiicjlittis  ;  mid  lie 
iuliolliy  iivnilcil  liliii:;t'll' 111  lilt  his  privilcjies  lis  sui'h.  Ills  ultuiilioiij  to  Mn.  Ivitim  vmiv  of  tlio  iiwHt  innrkKil 
iliarai'tor     I'olilc  »ml  its'idiious  on  all  occasions,  ho  waa  piirticularly  .%o  in  the  ine^cniL'  ol  lion.  Jiickaon  or 


0  ■ 
'■ii,' 


.-./<' 


^. 


.i-,- 


.r;.c 


'-    fit 

it 

'  'M 


no 


A  FOX  CHASE 


BY  BRANCH,  WEBB,  AND  SPEIGHT. 


If    f^- 


r-.: 


i- 


point  aimed  at,  both  by  Van  Buren  and  Jackson,  was  to  get  rid  of  Calhoun's 
triendi$,  and  to  till  iheir  places  with  more  pliable  politicians.  On  the  7th  of 
April,  ]b3I,  Eaton  resigned  the  War  Department.  Van  Buren  gave  up  the 
Department  of  State  on  the  11th,  and  Jackson  wrote  him  after  tliis  manner  : — 
"  'I'd  say  that  I  deeply  regret  to  lose  you  is  but  feebly  to  express  luy  feehngs." 
Ingham  was  sent  for  next — the  two  resignations  shown  him  by  the  President, 
and  a  wish  expressed  that  he  would  go  out.  The  Russian  Mission  was  offer- 
ed as  usual,  which  he  indignantly  refused,  but  resigned  forthwith,  giving,  as  his 

Maj.  Eaton.  IIU  influence,  in  every  variety  nf  fi)nn,  both  official  and  unofficial,  was  exerted  to  make  it  api)n- 
reut  Cu  those  gentlemen  thut  he  entered  deeply  into  their  feelings ;  not,  in  luct,  that  he  cured  unythlni;  nlmut 
them;  but  he  loresnw  the  power  to  bo  iicquired  liy  pursiiinK  such  a  course,  and  hiid  no  scruples  toresiniin  him. 
At  length,  Uen.  .liicl;son,  alter  the  meelini;  of  Congress  in  IJeceniber,  ISiO,  linding  the  ladies  of  Washington  to 
lie  in>|)ractic!ilile,  determined  thut  tiie  thniilies  of  his  Cabinet  should  suliniit  to  terms  or  lie  dismissed.  *  *  * 
Congress  was  in  session  ;  tlie  ladies  of  the  members  from  Tennessee,  even,  held  no  intercourse  with  Mrs.  Ea- 
ton ;  nor,  in  fact,  tlie  President's  own  family.  The  friends  of  the  administration  became  aliimied,  lest  the  ex- 
erci.se  of  suchdcs)Kiii(;  power  should  o\'erwiielm  them  all,  and  warded  otf  the  impending  blow.  The  situation 
of  Mr.i.  Eaton,  however,  engrossed  the  President's  whole  soul,  and  he  continued  to  b3  much  occupied  incut 
lecting  eertlticates,  principally  from  olhco  seekers,  to  sustain  her.  This  book  of  certiticaies,  for  a  folio  did  it 
soon  becoAie,  was  that  on  vvldch  otiicc  seeker.-s  first  qualitied  for  office.  In  the  meantime,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  wbu 
had  artfully  contributed  to  intiame  (he  President's  mind,  doubtless,  in  part,  inducing  him  to  believe  that  Mr». 
Calhoun's  refu.sat  to  return  Mrs.  Eaioii's  card  in  I'ebruary,  IHCi),  had  intluunced  tlie  families  of  the  Cabinet  to 
pursue  the  course  they  had  adopted  towards  her,  finding  him  wrought  up  to  the  mad  fury  of  a  '  roaring  lion.' 
to  use  Col.  Jolinson's  description,  tliiiuf.'lit  it  a  good  time  to  uncage  and  turn  liim  loose  on  his  most  liirmidable 
rival,  Mr.  Calhoun,  who  was  then  Vicii  President,  and  participated  with  him  in  the  renown  which  he  (Van 
Buren)  attached  to  service  under  such  a  c^  .ef  The  manner  in  which  the  unfriendly  corresponilence  coin- 
nienced  between  (ieii.  Jackson  and  Mr.  Callioiii),  taken  in  connection  with  the  time,  is  sufficient  to  convince 
any  intelligent  mind  that  it  was  instigated  liy  Van  Buren.  I  e.veried  every  nerve  to  defeat  his  purpose.  Vt'Un 
have  I  entreated  General  Jackson  to  avoid  u  rupture  witii  Mr.  Calhoun,  as  no  good  could  result  frnm  such  h 
quarrel.  His  iillegation  against  Mr.  Calhoun  wasu  mere  pretext  ;  you  see  him  now  in  sweet  communion  wiili 
those  who,  in  ICI'J,  were  his  most  bitter  assailants.  By  this  time,  1  well  understood  the  character  of  Mr.  Van 
Buren.  With  him,  I  found  that  the  end  justified  '.lie  means  ;  and,  as  the  destruction  of  Mr.  Calhoun  was  tlic 
object  nearest  his  heart,  he  was  very  willing  the  old  Chief,  for  wliom  he  professed  so  much  love  and  veneration, 
should  accomplish  this  work  for  him  at  any  and  every  hazard  toliimself.  1  believed  then  that  Mr.  Van  Buren 
placed  too  low  an  estimate  on  the  virtue,  patrioti.iiii  and  intelliiieiice  of  the  American  people,  and  that  his  reli- 
ance on  General  Jackson  to  accomplish  his  purpuses  would  prove  delusive.  *  *  *  His  skirts  hive  proved 
strong  enough  to  bear  Mr.  Van  Buren  into  the  Vice  Presidency,  and  recent  indications  have  induced  meld 
liear  that  the  country  is  sutBciently  corrupt  to  enable  him,  through  the  patronage  of  the  Covernmeni,  to  reach 
the  great  objeut  of  h's  ambition.  It  does  surpass  all  belief  that  the  cool,  dispassionate  and  unprincipled  wire- 
worker  in  this  plot  ^liiuld,  by  such  means,  render  himself  acceptable  to  u  free,  generous,  patriotic,  and  enlight. 
ened  [leoplc." 

One  thing  miust  be  said  here,  in  favor  of  Jackson,  but  it  tells  ^^o  much  the  worse  for  Vnii 
Buren.  His  party  h;id  basely  slandered  Mrs.  Jackson  during;  the  canvr.ss  of  IS'U ;  Jackson 
was  tenderly  attached  to  her ;  she  had  pione  to  her  grave,  just  belore  he  lelt  Tennessee  to  assiuin' 
the  duties  oV  President ;  and  there  were  those  who  wounded  his  feelings  by  telling  him  that  the 
conduct  pursued  towards  his  Tennes.>:ee  f'iend's  wile,  was  one  way  of  instilling  himself.  Jack- 
son had  not  Ibrgotten  the  Benton  pamphlets.  On  the  yth  of  May,  Ib3l,  Jesse  Speight,  M.  C, 
who  atlerwartls  aiiliered  to  Van  buren,  thus  aiklressed  Governor  Branch : 

"STANToNni'Ro,  May  9,  18.tl, 

"Mv  DKAR  KRiiEND  : — Yours  of  the  4th  inst.,  has  this  moment  come  to  hand.  I  am  not  mistaken  :n  the  opinion 
I  had  fiirnied  as  to  the  cause  of  tiie  lilow  out  at  Wasliington  (,as  we  call  it  liere.)  It  is  i-iipossible  for  me  to  ex- 
press the  deep  and  lieartlelt  niortitication  I  have  and  continue  to  feel  for  the  honor  of  my  country.  I  too,  sir. 
am  disapiMiintrd.  Never  did  1  bidirve  that  iho  high-minded  chivalrous  Indeputidence  of  Andrew  Jackson  coiiUI 
be  made  to  bow  at  tlie  shrine  of  siltish  ambition.  Ah  !  and  so  as  to  forsake  old  long  tried  tiiends  at  the  poll.<, 
and  niovrd  by  the  deccitltil  artilices  of  such  men  as  Martin  Van  Buren,  and  seduced  by  the  instigation  of  Mrs. 
Eaion.    So  f;ir  as  I  have  understood,  the  leclings  of  your  friends  are  with  you.    *    ♦    »    God  liless  you. 

"J.  SPEIGHT." 

Col.  James  Wat.son  Webb  was,  as  the  reader  will  perceive  by  reference  to  his  letter  and  card, 
pages  231  and  23"2,  so  friendly  to  Van  Buren,  that  he  was  ready  to  tight  any  number  of  d'lels  tu 
his  honor  and  glory.  Having  since,  like  me,  cooled  down  a  little,  he  tells  his  reatlers,  through 
ihe  Courier  &  Emjuirer  of  July  7,  1837,  that  Van  Buren  became  Jackson's  favorite  "by  his 
lose  sycophancy  and  nnserupuious  truckling  to  the  mandates  of  his  master" — that,  to  worm  him- 
self into  Jackson's  favor,  he  gave  a  grand  entertainment,  to  which  ail  the  families  ol  distinctiuii 
were  invited — that  "  at  the  apiHiinted  time,  the  doors  of  the  supper-room  were  thrown  u\k\\,  lb' 
music  .struck  up.  and  Martin  Van  Bin-en  led  to  the  head  of  his  table,  and  sealed  upon  his  rigiii 
hand,  the  lady  whom  General  Jack.'^on  had  commanded  to  be  r'.'ceiveJ,"  but  whom  the  rest  ul 
the  cabinet  objected  U)  counienance. 

As  early  as  iNov.  'Jl,  IH'iH,  the  National  Advocate,  N.  Y.,  notices  the  singular  fact,  that  "  ini- 
mediatelv  alter  the  comliined  powers  have  eltccted  the  .security  of  Jackson's  election,  the  forces 
of  Van  Ijurcn  and  CJallioun  shu'ild  a.'^sume  a  ho.'-tile  attitude  towards  each  other."  Van  Buren 
and  his  Ibllou  ers,  well  knowing  Jacksoivs  pledge  not  to  be  re-elected,  were  the  first  to  iiominatft 
him  for  a  .second  term — they  saw  he  wished  it  and  that  it  would  throw  him  more  and  more 
into  Van  Biiren'.s  pjwer.    How  lew  King*,  Popes,  and  Presidents  we  lind  who  willingly  lay 


reason,  Jacl 
testimony  t( 
tisSed"  will 
faithful,  did 
was  thereto 
he  asked  to 
vice,  but  y( 
not  to  be  nn 
have  told  it 
part  with  V 
to  London, 
of  March,  i 
parts  porfec 
Tliat  sair 
left  for  Eng 
he  liked  tli 
tion  as  mini 
iiury,   1832, 

ilown  power ! 
i,'iv(;  us  a  nali 
lion,  and  jiosit 
term  principle 
ilie  very  dre,i. 
oiisjht  to  be  J" 
spirit.  He  ni 
would  be,  Hoi 
took.  He  le;i 
parties  in  this 
ilif  liarue.'is  o, 
iliu  11,'iil  that  i 
liaps  I  was  mi 
ilio  otlice  he  hi 
|kwtage  bill,  m 

*    WlIV  WAf 

heard  of  his 
authority,  '•  h 
liie  Court  of  S 
litT,  where  Soi 
and  Butler,  ca 
a  state  i.'onven 
Edmunds,  A. 
address  Gener 
the  quesiion  oi 
and  lliat  his 
ability  and  int 
lit'',  iii'twoen  h 
lieen  the  frient 
'■onseni." 

In  fc'enate,  1^ 
tierogatory  to  1 
Abenlcn  thai 
iMiey  (d'llu;  ]ia 
Ills  country  an 
lions  commissi 
who  were  defe 
liivor,  as  a  pri 
Adams'  time- 
he,  Mr.  Van  I 
of  the  Foni-'KiTi 
would  be  unjii: 
that  adininistri 

On  tiie  mat 


HT. 

rid  of  Calhoun's 
IS.  On  ihe  7th  of 
iren  gave  up  the 
r  this  manner  : — 
ress  my  feelings." 
by  the  President, 
IissioN  was  ofTer- 
ath,  giving,  as  his 

xerted  to  make  it  api)ii. 
e  cared  tinythlng  atumt 
)  scruples  toresiriiin  him. 
ladies  of  Wnshiiiylnn  to 
r  he  dismissed.  *  *  ♦ 
itercoursc  with  Mrs.  Gh- 
■lie  Hliiniied,  lest  the  ex- 
ing  bluw.  The  situation 
13  much  uccupied  in  col 
'titlctues,  lor  a  I'olio  did  it 
me,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  who 
liiM  tu  believe  that  Mr». 
Millies  of  the  Cabinet  tn 

I  fury  of  !i  '  roaring  lion.' 
;e  on  his  must  Dirmidahle 
renown  which  he  iVaii 
ily  correspondence  com- 
is  sufficient  to  convince 
ifeat  his  purpose.  Uftcn 
:ouid  result  trom  such  n 

II  sweet  communion  wiili 
lie  character  of  Mr.  Van 
id'  Mr.  Calhoun  was  the 

luch  love  and  veneration, 
then  that  Mr.  Van  Buren 
people,  and  that  his  reli- 

His  skirts  hfve  proved 
ins  have  induced  me  lii 
,he  (jovernment,  to  reacti 

uiid  unprincipled  wire- 
us,  patriotic,  and  enligtit. 

h  the  wnrsc  for  Vnii 
f'.ss  of  18'.i4 ;  Jackson 
;  Tennessee  to  .issiuin' 
)y  telling  him  that  the 
lilting  himHolf.  Jaok- 
Jes!<e  iSpeight,  M.  C, 

roNnrRu,  May  9,  IS-"?!. 
iitmisl;iken  in  the  opinion 
i.'iipiissilile  for  me  to  ex- 

my  ciiunlry.  I  too,  sir, 
of  Andrew  .lackson  could 
tried  Iriends  ul  the  poll.s, 
y  the  instigation  of  Mrs. 
Olid  bless  you. 
"J.  SI'LltiHT." 
t;  to  his  letter  and  card, 
iiy  nuinlx^rord-ielsto 

his  readers,  through 
)ii's  favorite  "  by  his 
" — Ihat,  to  worm  hini- 
tamilies  of  distinction 

ere  thrown  iqxn,  tin- 
seated  upon  his  rijjlii 
lilt  whom  tlie  re.H  ul' 

iiETular  fact,  that  "  iin- 
ii's  election,  the  force's 
I  otlici."  Van  Buren 
e  ilic  lirst  to  nominate 
him  more  and  more 
id  who  willingly  lay 


JACKbON — TYLEU — VAN  BUUEN's  UEJKCriON,  1832. 


Ill 


ryasou,  Jackson's  wishes  that  he  should  do  so.  Jackson  replied  to  his  note,  bore 
testimony  to  his  "  integrity  and  zeal,"  and  declared  that  he  had  been  "  fully  sa- 
tisHed"  with  his  conduct.  This  was  not  the  truth.  If  the  ollicer  was  true  and 
faithful,  did  he  merit,  as  a  reward,  to  be  turned  rudely  out  of  place,  or  what 
was  thereto  equivalent  ^  If  he  had  said  to  the  three  cabinet  miflisters,  whom 
he  asked  to  go  away,  *'  You  are  faithful,  capable  and  zealous  in  the  public  ser- 
vice, but  you  are  also  fond  of  Calhoun,  whom  Van  Buren  has  made  me  believe 
not  to  be  my  friend ;  this  is  your  oll'ence,  and  it  is  unpardonable ;"  he  would 
have  told  more  of  the  truth  in  that  matter.  How  could  he  deeply  reuret  to 
part  with  Van  Buren  as  an  ofricer,  when  he  had  already  resolved  to  send  him 
to  London,  and  give  McLane  Ingham's  place!  Congress  l>ruke  up  on  the  3d 
of  March,  and  by  the  7th  of  next  month,  the  actors  in  the  cabinet  plot  had  their 
parts  perfectly  prepared. 

That  same  year,  Louis  McLane  took  charge  of  the  Treasury,  and  Van  Buren 
left  for  England  as  the  new  envoy.  His  letter  to  Hoyt,  page  2:29,  shows  that 
he  liked  the  British  capital,  all  hut  the  expense  of  living  in  it.  His  nomina- 
tion as  minister  was  sent  to  the  Senate  in  December  ;  and,  on  the  25th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1832,  by  a  vote  of  23  against  23,  and  the  casting  voice  of  *Calhoun, 

down  power!  1  think  John  Tvler  was  honest  and  meant  to  do  right,  and  I  am  glad  he  did  not 
s;ive  us  a  naliuiia!  bank,  fur  1  think  we  may  do  belter — but  he  ought  to  have  ileclined  a  re-elec- 
lion.  and  positively  diu'iured  ihal  he  would  not  he  a  candidate.  VVhy  did  he  advocate  the  one 
lorin  jirinoiple,  and  atierwards,  like  Jackson,  decline  to  lay  down  the  cup  till  he  had  drank  to 
ilie  very  dregs!  I  am  not  sure  that  his  conduct  in  asking  his  cabinet  officers,  whether  he 
ought  to  be  a  candidate  fur  a  second  term,  was  the  surest  evidence  of  a  great  sfjul  or  a  lolly 
spirit,  tie  must  have  known,  when  he  asked  his  cabinet,  What  shall  I  do  ]  that  the  answer 
would  be.  Hold  ihe  reins  as  long  as  po.-^sible.  One  goi.d  to  hiui  resulted  from  the  course  he 
look,  fie  learnt  what  a  hollow,  deceitful  tribe,  eourticrs  are.  There  are,  in  reality,  but  two 
parties  in  this  republic  ;  and  it  woidd  have  been  glorious,  indeed,  if  the  jieople  harl  shaken  oil' 
ilie  haincss  of  demagogues,  and  constituted  a  party  for  the  country  and  for  literty.  1  once 
tin- ight  that  it  was  Mr.  Tyier"s  ambhioii  to  rise  upon  the  ruins  of  prostrate  .selfishness.  Per- 
li;i()s  1  was  mi.staken.  When  he  lell  Washinj,'lon,  iiis  succssor  seemed  wanting  in  res^)ecl  to 
iho  otlice  he  hail  held.  INo  matter.  It  taught  iiim  a  Ics.-^on.  I  honor  him  for  signing  tlie  cheap 
po.'jtage  bill,  malgie  all  southern  opposition. 

*  Wiiv  WAS  V.w  HiwKN  liKjRi  TKi)  I'.v  I'lii;  Sknai'k?  When  the  Van  Ijiiien  party  at  Albany 
heard  of  his  rejeclion  as  minister  lo  Loniion,  where,  as  J))'  tlnllaiid  tells  us,  on  the  best 
authority,  '■  he  arrived  in  Scptendi,'!-.  1H31,  and  was  reeeived,  with  di.-'linguisheii  lavor,  bv 
ihe  Court  of  iSt.  James,"  ihe  legislatius  frieiully  to  him  met  at  Ali)any,  in  the  Assembly  t'haiii- 
lier,  where  Senato:'  Kemble.  wiiose  subsequent  adventures  will  be  found  in  my  Lives  of  Hoyt 
and  Butler,  came  forward  with  a  series  ol' resolutions  for  a  national  rnnvention  at  Baltimore, 
a  state  convention  at  Albany,  &c.,  and  tlu;  meeting  also  appuiiUcii  I.evi  Beaidsley,  John  W. 
Edmonds,  JN.  P.  Talmadge,  C  L.  Livingston,  W.  H.  Angel,  and  others,  a  committee  to 
address  General  Jackson  ;  who,  in  his  reply,  took  occasion  to  say  to  them  that  Van  Buren,  on 
the  quesiion  ot'  trade,  res|)eeling  which  he  had  been  blamed,  hud  .'icici!  under  his  directions, 
and  that  his  coirducl  had  his  approbation — that  he  held  him  in  high  esteem  as  a  man  ol 
ability  and  integrity — that,  as  far  as  he  (Jackson)  knew,  he  had  taken  no  part  in  thi^  liiiiicul- 
lies  heiween  him  (Jaeksoii)  and  Calhoim.  nor  advised  liie  dissolution  of  iiis  fust  eabinel,  but 
been  the  friend  of  harmony — and  that,  wlifu  asked  to  go  to  Lundon,  lie  "  yitdueJ  a  ivluctani 
'■ouscnl." 

In  fclenate,  .Mr.  Webster  thought  Van  Huien's  instructions  to  McLane.  of  v'.ith  of  July,  1H"J!), 
lieiogntory  to  ihe  national  character,  and  showed  a  disposition  in  the  writer  to  pcrsuude  Lord 
Abenlcn  that  the  English  government  had  an  interest  in  maintaining  in  the  L\  S.  the  ascend- 
eiiey  of  tlu;  jiarty  to  wliiidi  he(V.  15.)  belonged;  thus  establishing  abroad  a  distinction  beiween 
Ids  country  and  his  party.  Mr.  Fi'elinghuysen  took  a  similar  view.  Van  Ijiiren's  instruc- 
lioiis  comuMssioncd  Mcl/uie  lo  apprise  the  iiritish  f'oiirt  of  who  triumphed  last  election,  and 
who  were  defealed — to  pul  his  party  in  the  right  and  his  (.•ountry  in  the  wrong — to  seek  as  a 
liivor,  as  a  privileiri!  to  the  party  now  tlominani,  what  had  been  refusi'd  as  a  right  in  Mr 
Adams' limr- — and  to  si.'paiale  the  administration  of  the  country  from  1  lie  eouniry,  for,  said 
he,  Mr.  Van  Buren  argues  that  "to  set  up  the  acts  of  the  lath  Aij.MiMSTn.'rioN,  as  the  cause 
of  the  Koiu'KiTLKK  OF  I'll!  viLKUK.s  whicli  would  otlicrwisc  be  extended  to  the  pcujile  of  the  U.  S., 
would  be  unjust."  Ix'cause  we.  the  new  men  in  ollice,  took  sides  with  England,  and  opposed 
that  admini.stration.     This  is  very  humiliating  indeed. 

On  the  mailer  of  cdMiiial  liade,  Adams  and  Clay,  when  in  jiower,  had  agitated  in  cvo'j' 


■■yi 


U- 


'^y^i 


f 


I  ■ 


112 


VAN  BUREN,  THE  TARIFF,  AND  PROSCRIPTION  .H  POLITICS. 


^^♦•; 


^■■■}  ' .■  *. 


i- 


M- 


"  New  York's  favorite  son"  was  permitted  to  exchange  the  classic  banks  of  ihe 
Thames,  and  the  smiles  of  royalty  in  tho  old  world,  for  liis  rural  residence  ;r. 


iblc 


the 


I  of  the ; 


,  Lnwrciicc.    They  assci 


question  of  the  free  navig; 
England,  by  her  colonial  trade  act,  Wiiutud  to  monopolize 
rican  pruducc,  which  is  very  bulky,  to  the  Hritisli  \V'c.-t  lIluic^,  aim  nvsoueil  with  hci  on  u 
unfairness  of  high  discriminating  or  jirotectiug  duties.    Jncksdii  and  Van  Buren  abandoin 
the  free  use  of  the.  St.  Lawrence  and  tlie  carrying  trade,  and  r)l)taiiied  a  reduction  of  duties  i; 
articles  sent  throngii  Canada — ihey  declaiing  that  if  the  tanner  linmd  a  new  or  inipiuw 
market  at  his  own  door,  itmattereit  little  lo  Jinn  where  his  produce  went  to.    1  imist  own  tii; 
Van  Bmen's  coiiduci  in  this  trade  question  do(,'s  not  appear  to  me  to  be  deserving  of  ceiiMi: 
in  ils(.//- — and  as  the  inslvuctions  were  by  the  Presicleiil,  andhad  been  before  Congress  i; 
many  months — as  the  terms  agreed  to  bylLonl  Aberdeen  and  Louis  AlcLane,  in  18"2!>,  1  iliji;, 
had  been  accepted  by  this  country,  and  the  trade  opened  undi  r  a  legislative  enuctnieiii, 
seems  to  me  that  ir  was  too  late  to  censure,  in    1H3'J,  language  which  iiad  been  parsed  ov^ 
without  remark  18  months  belore.     The  cringing,  apukigelje  tone  of  tlie  instruction.s  tells  wi 
the  real  autiior  was;  and  ccjiitrasis  strangely  witJi  the  bold  aiid  haughty  deiiancc  given  to  i.i 
eient,  friendly,  warm-hearted  Franei',  on  another  memorable  occasion,  liom  the  same  qiiuv 
— but  I  do  tliink  the  arrangement  made  was  advaniageous  to  the  U.'6.    iSoon  alter  thi:~. ; 
moved  in  the  Canada  Assembly  for  the  appoiutuient  of  a  Committee  on  Trade  ;  and,  ui; 
some  si.v  weeks  of  inquiries,  1  drew  up  the  report,  ^\•hieh  tli(;  legislature  printed  in  the  Ibnii 
a  painjihletofa  hundred  pages.     Here  is  an  extract :  "England  claims  an  exclusive  inonopi 
in  our  markets;  she  allows  us  none  in  lieis.     Our  beef  and  pork  are  jirohibiteil  in  her  Imi 
dominions,  and  our  pot  and  pearl-ashes  subjected  to  the  same  rates  of  duty  at  Liveniool  ns  i 
pol  aiid  pearl-ashes  of  the  .-outlierii  shores  of  Ontario  and  Lii'  .     The  shipping  of  Britain 
U,ueb.'(;  give  no  jireferenee  to  timber,  live  slock,  (lour,  beet,  and  pork,  brongut  from  I'jij 
Canada,  over  similar  articles  biduglit  Ifom  the  United  "-tales.     The  monoj-.oly  is  ;;ll  in  t;  v 
of  England  and  the  Uiiited  Stales,  the  Congress  of  wliich  latter  country,  by  an  aei  pa.-M'U 
July,  li<o'2,  subjects  our  wheat,  wlieat  llour,  beef  ami  poric,  ashes,  ;nid  other  ^taple^■.,  to  an  i: 
post  lax  of  £\b  on  e\ery  £l()t)  value.''     In  all  this  iIktc  was  not  much  of  reciprocity — Inu 
do  noi  see  how  comjilaiiit  eoukl  be  made  at  Washington  of  an  airangcmeni  which  e.xelu  ■ 
("anada  from  the  ports  of  the  United  Slates,  and  opened  those  of  Camidaand  the  West  iiKii 
to  111!'  farmers  ol  this   Union.     In  every  conversation  1  had,  when  in  England,  with  Li: 
Goderich,  who  introduced  Ihe  corn  bill  into  parliament,  and  with  Lord  Sydenham,  V.  P.  ri  i: 
Board  of  Trade,  in  1832-33,  1  eoinplaiiied  grievously  of  llie  liberality  shown  to  the  U.  S. ! 
Ihe   benelit  of  English  shipping,  while  no  care  had  been  taken  to  obtain  the  like  favois  : 
(^aiuula  here.     The  late  drawback  act  is  an  aiiiendmeut,  how e\er,  and  there  are  many  i 
provemeiiis  on  both  sides — but  1  ha\e  projioseil  to  myself  to  avoid  saying  much  uii  tarilf  (,u 
lions.     There  is  not  room  here. 

A  chaise  made  against  Van  Buren,  that  he  was  the  parent  of  the  proseriplive  system,  wlir 
Clay  and  Adams  iiad  disdained  to  resort  lo,  would  have  been  al'ly  sustained,  had  the  Sena  > 
who  made  it  had,  in  addition  to  the  facts  in  tlii'ir  possession,  the  (  usloni  House  rubbish  kli 
deposit,  or  to  be  swept  out,  when  Jesse  Hiyt  ceased  lo  be  hrst  k)i(l  of  the  Van  Buren  Ikjim 
here.     Senator  Ftwt,  of  Conneetieut,  said,  "1  sinceri'ly  lielievi'  lliat  (Jen.  Jackson  came  to  ii 
place  fully  (k'teiinined  to  remove  no  man  from  oliiee,  but  lin- good  cause  of  removal.     1;,, 
tiilly  convinced  the  whole  ' si/s/cm  of  iini,srrijit,i(.n'  owes  its  existence  to  Martin  Van  Bim 
That  the  dissolution  of  th"  Cabinet  was  ellceled  by  his  management  and  Ibr  his  bencht !  ;ii 
that  the  haml  of  the  late  Secrelaiy  of  State  may  be  traced  dislinctiy  in  another  alliiir,  which  !. 
produced  an  alieiialion  between  Ihe  first  ai"'  -econd  Oliiceis  of  the  Cioveinment;  and  ahu 
reliifion  to  the  pieseni  '  imj)ro\"e(l  coiuiiliou  of  the  public  press^'  iuid   the  great   abuse  oil 
jiatronagc  of  the  (-ioverniiieni !'' 

On  'i'uesday,  Jan.  31,  Tammany  Hall  met  to  siisinin  Van    Ihiren,  and  the  eommittec 
resolves  (.'onsisted  vt  W.  Bow  lie.  James  ( 'amjibell  [see   pai;es   l!'3,  •JiC,  vVc.J,  Saul  Ailev. ' 
W.  Lawrence,  W.  P,  llalleii,  Preserved  Fi:-!),  Win.  M.  Price.  F.  1!.  Ciiltmg  [see  pages' ir 
bSi».  IH'JJ,  Gideon  Lee,  Eli.sha  'I'ibbdts,  ivc.     They  gkirilied  JacKs.in  ai;d\'an  Buren,  cen.-Mi 
the  Senate  as  intriguers,  and  read  John  C.  Calhoun  out  of  the  deiuoeraiic  I'arty  by  due  pine 
ot' political  e.xcommnnication. 

Among  the  v!3  rejecting  votes  in  the  Senate,  1  notice  Holmes  oi' Maine,  Clay,  Vv'ebster,  t^c. 
moiir  of  Vt.,  Frelinghuysen,  Clayton,  H.  Y,  Hayne  Gabriel  Mooie,  'Ihonitis  Ewing,  ami  i 
Riiggles.     Among  the  '23  alHrming  voles  were  l.'-aac  Hill,  l-'elix  Grundy,  JJudley  and  Man 
G.  M.  Dallas  and  W.  Wilkins,  his  brother-in-law,  Benton,  Tyler,  Powiiattaii  Eilis,  and  Kii. 
now  at  Paris.     1  have  seen  a  lab'.e  showing  that  the  Slates  V(itim<-  in  (avor  of  Van  Buren  h. 
a  population  ot'ti,(il)r»,,')71,  and  those  opposed  onlv  3.r)!ll(,()IJt),  yet  titi'  majoiily  was  one  again 
}snllifieatii)n  came  next,  tli(!n  the  p't  banks,  the  sub-treasury  tbilowed.     On  JN'ew  Yeai'sdi' 
184!1,  Clav  and  Calhoun  attended  President  V.'ui  Buren's  levc'e  ;  and  in  ]S\i\cmber  next,  Son 
Carolina,  with  con.^i  nt  ui  ( 'alboiui,  McDuIhe,  Pickens  and  Hheu,  iK'noied  with  liei  \yt' ,  lot  i 
«econd  term,  the  rejected  miniate)-  ol  IH30. 


POLITICS. 

classic  banks  of  the 
i  rural  residenci  w. 

cc.    They  asscrteu  ili:. 
uryiug  trade  lor  Aii.- 
iifsonecl  with  hi'i  on  u 
Van  Buren  abandoin, 
I  roduction  of  duties  i; 
id  a  new  or  iuipruv. 
nt  to.    1  imibl  uwii  tii; 
.•  deserving  ol'  cciimi; 
en  hct'orc  Congress  i; 
-•Lane,  in  18-2'J,  1  iliii:;, 
:gii?iative  enaclnieiii, 
had  been  passed  o>. 
le  instructions  tells  \v: 
y  (leliancc  giv'en  to  i.i 
,  lioiu  the  same  qiiur: 
J.  rf.    Soon  alter  thi>. 
.e  on  Trade  :  and,  ai 
e  piinted  in  the  lonn 
;an  exuhisive  nionopi 
juohibitcd  in  her  hoi 
iluty  at  Liveijiuiii  ns  i 
siiipping  ol'  Britain 
I'iv,  bi'ongni  Iroiu  l']i] 
luunoiHJly  is  ;;ll  in  t;  v 
try,  by  aii  aei  pas;  nt  . 
1  other  staph';'',  lo  an  i: 
R'h  of  reciprocity — inn 
genienl  which  exclu'' 
aia  and  the  West  linii 
in  England,  -with  L 
Sydenham,  V.  P.  ri  i 
shown  to  the  U.  hf.  \ 
ibtain  the  like  lavors  ; 
id  there  are  many  i 
ng  much  on  tarill'  (,ir 

)seriptivc  sysunn,  wlii' 
laincd,  had  ihi;  8ena  > 
11  House  rubbish  leli 
the  Van  Biiicn  Iithm' 

n.  Jackson  came  to  ii 
ausc  of  removal.     1 ;. 

lo  rslai'tin  Van  Bun 
and  lor  ids  bcnehl !  ;■ 
iKither  aliiiir,  which  i. 
jvei  nmi'iil ;  and  al.-o 

the  gieat   abuse  ol  '.. 

,  and  the  committee 
;ii;j,  \c.J,  f'iaul  Alley. ' 
Cnlting  [see  [lagcs  IV 

lid  Van  BiU'en,  ccu^mI 
itic  party  by  due  y.vnc 

lie,  Clay,  VVebster,  !Sf} 
Ihonias  Ewing,  and  i 
dy,  JJudley  and  IVlitn 
iiattaii  Eilis,  and  Kii- 
ivor  ol'  Van  Burin  1: 
itijo!  ity  was  oae  ag.iin 
Cn  iVew  Yeai  's  di' 
n  NoNcmber  next,  Suii 
died  With  lici  \ot'-,  l(ji:i 


VAN  BUREN  AS  VICE  PRESIDENT.  HIS  CAREER. 


113 


Kinderhook,  in  the  lovely  valley  of  the  Hudson,  near  the  base  of  the  Catskill ; 
and  relieved,  for  a  brief  season,  from  the  cares  of  public  life.  He  left  England 
for  France  in  March,  made  a  hasty  tour  over  the  continent,  and  embarked,  on 
the  10th  of  May,  at  Havre,  for  ^    :w  York. 

Early  in  1S33,  he  came  ajjain  into  jossession  of  power  as  Vice  President  of 
the  Union  ;  as  President  of  the  Senate,  which  had  refused  to  place  confidence  in 
him  a  twelvemonth  before  ;  and  as  the  successor  of  Calhoun,  whose  casting 
voice  had  ensured  his  rejection.  Had  Van  Buren  been  a  truly  great  and  good 
man,  his  triumphs  would  have  been  a  pleasant  theme  for  the  historian  to  dwell 
upon ;  but,  as  they  were  obtained,  like  Butler's,  by  deceit  and  hypocrisy,  by 
seeming  to  be  the  man  he  was  not,  and  by  the  "judicious  puffs"  of  artful  fol- 
lowers, interested  in  his  fortunes  by  personal  ties,  they  are  a  source  of  regret. 
Blair's  press,  a  donation  froin  Van  Buren's  financial  confederates  in  New  York, 
did  him  good  service — as  did  the  trusty  types  of  his  ancient  advocate,  the  editor 
of  the  Argus.  Jealousies,  bickerings,  and  some  lack  of  tact  among  his  oppo- 
nents, the  cry  of  persecution,  and  the  fact,  well  known  to  "  waiters  on  Provi- 
dence," that  Jackson's  popularity  was  at  his  back,  did  the  rest.  That  the  agi- 
tation of  the  colonial  trade  question  at  the  time  of  his  rejection,  and  the  speeches 
of  General  Samuel  Smith  on  that  home  topic,  did  him  no  injury,  1  am  well  per- 
suaded. He  took  his  seat  at  the  head  of  the  Senate,  for  the  first  time,  on  the 
leth  of  December,  1833. 


CHAPTER    XXV 


"Gold,  still  gold—it  flew  like  dust !  it  tipp'd  the  post-boy,  and  paid  the  trust; 
In  each  open  palm  it  was  tieely  thrust ;  there  was  nothing  but  giving  and  taking! 
And  if  gold  could  insure  the  future  hour,  what  hopes  attended  that  Bride  to  her  bower; 
But  alas!  even  hearts  with  a  four-horse  power  of  opulence,  end  in  breaking.'' 

Removal  of  the  Deposits  in  1833. — Banli  of  the  Metropolis. — Rout,  Jackson^  and 
Van  Bnixn.)  on  the  Pets. — -V.  Riddle. — Iiujcrsoll  on  Charters  and  !Slavery. — 
Col.  Dunne. —  IK  ./.  Dnanc. —  Polk  and  Laterence. — Kendall  in  Kentucky. — 
His  treatment  of  IT.  Claij. — Kendall  and  the  Bank,  Tariff,  Mackenzie,  6fc. — 
Duane  opposes  the  Pet  Bank  Conspirunj. — His  reasons. — Louis  JVIcLane''s 
views. —  Silas  JFriyht  and  the  Bank. — Calhoun\'i  Prophetic  Address  in  1834. 
— Land  Speculations. —  The  Globe. — Jackson,  Duane,  and  the  Mission  to  Si- 
beria.— Chief  Justice  Taney, —  Wonderful  effects  of  Flattery. — Bennett  upon 
Kendall. 

I  HAVE  shown,  that,  in  18'24,  Van  Buren,  his  presses,  and  his  partisans,  were 
among  the  most  thoroughgoing  advocates  of  the  United  States  Bank,  and  of  the 
Presidential  candidate  who  had  been  its  most  consistent,  zealous,  and  uniform 
advocate — that,  in  1826,  Van  Buren,  jNIarcy,  and  Butler,  admitte(l  that  it  had  a 
right  to  establish  branches  in  the  states,  and  that  they  petitioned  Nicholas  Bid- 
die  and  his  brother  directors  for  a  branch  at  Albany — that  Van  Buren  was 
friendly  to  Adams  and  Clay's  administration  in  the  first  instance,  and  that  the 
presses  in  his  interest  had  abused  Jackson  in  harsher  terms  than  even  Ritchie 
used — that  he  was  coiu)ected  with  tho  most  corrupt  and  infamous  banks  and 
bankers  in  the  Slate  of  New  York,  the  opponent  of  inquiry  into  their  miscon- 
duct, and  the  advocate  of  new  charters  without  check  or  responsibility — tliat 
the  Albany  Argus  was  his  official  organ — and  that  when  the  swindling  establish- 
ments of  previous  years  had  pillaged  the  people  of  millions,  and  no  two-thirds 
majority  could  be  found  to  rechartcr  the  Mechanics  and  Farmers',  and  other 


114 


VAN  BUREN,  WRIGHT,  AND  THE  BANKRUPT  PETS. 


favorite  banks  of  his,  in  1826,  '27,  and  '28,  he  put  forward  his  Safety  Fund 
nostrum,  and  went  for  banks  by  the  score,  in  January,  lb29.  1  have  also 
shown  what  that  fund  was  and  how  it  operated. 

The  authtnlic  secret  correspondence,  which  providence  has  thrown  in  my 
way,  will  help  the  historian  not  a  little  in  his  etli:>itii  to  discover  the  motives 
which  influenced  V^an  Buren*  and  his  confederates  to  t.amper  with  the  currency, 
as  they  did,  from  1829  to  1841.  The  letters  of  C.  W.  Lawrence,  C.  C.  Cam- 
breleng,  S.  Wright,  B.  F.  Butler,  R.  H.  Nevins,  John  Van  Buren,  Joseph  Ker- 
nochan,  \V.  L.  Marcy,  E.  and  C.  L.  Livingston,  F.  B.  Cutting,  S.  Swartwout, 
E.  Croswell,  A.  C.  Flagg,  Thad.  Phelps,  Stephen  Allen,  and  T.  W.  Olcott, 
.  when  compared  with  certain  focts  and  circumstances  previously  made  public, 
too  clearly  prove  that  the  war  against  the  U.  S.  Bank,  the  detestable  scheme 
of  the  pel  banks,  with  the  bribery,  fraud,  bankruptcy,  and  other  accumulated 
miseries  inflicted  on  the  public  through  the  derangement  of  business,  had  their 
origin  at  Albany.  JackHon,  though  cunning  himself,  was  but  the  ready  instru- 
ment of  still  more  artful  men.  Lady  Hester  Stanhope  tells,  that  when  I'ilt  was 
"    !  .  premier,  large  sums,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  pounds,  were  oli'ered  to  hiuj  iu 

*  presents,  by   men  deeply  engaged    in  commerce,  speculation,   b.udving,   &c., 

doubtless  with  the  hope  that  he  would  favor  their  interests.      In  the  absence  ot 
;-,;■■;"•  ..        proof  tu  the  contrary,  we   may  venture  to  assume  thai  buektail  virtue,  like 
[',   •»•  '     '         Eniilish  pride,  would  have  spurned  all  such  J'otonidii  temptations. 
I     ''  ■-  Tiu-   United   States  ikink   had   paid    'jsl,."iOO,n{)0   for   the    use  of   the   public 

'  money,  during  the  continuance  of  its  charter;]"  the  Senreme  Court  of  the  Union 

*  In  Villi  nurt'ii's  iiiessnRe  to  Congress,  Dec  ri,  184tt,  he  says : 

;  •  "  WMi'n  I  rntt'rcd  ii|)ii,i  the  di^cli.ircr  of  my  oirici:il  iliitirs  in  Miircli,  l-\iT.  tln^  'm.  I  lor   llii'  liislrilmtinu   nf  the 

i    '  '•iir|i|iis   roveniu'    w.is  in   ;i  cnnrso   di'  riipiil   rMTUlion.     Nearly  tuonlyriL'iit  ii'illiiHis  ul   ilnlliir.-  ul' llie  pulilir 

i.ii'nt'y-  were,  in  piir«ii;inrR  nf  its  pr(>vi^iolls,  (l('p(l^sit^'ll   \\\t\\  the  ^t;ll(■^  in  th>'  iitimth-.  uf  .litimiry,  April,  mid 
'   ;  .Inly,  ■  f  ihie  yeiir.     Q:y  In  Mhv  there  ncturruci  ii  iicntTil  »u<pr'ii>ii>ii  ol  sppi-io  piiyniii.ts  liy  ilit-  I  unk^,  Inclinllnt,', 

i^'f"  «  illi  very  lew  exceptions,  tlio-c  in  wliii  h  llie  piiliiir  inonoys  wire  depo  iiicl.jind  upiiii  wlicsr  (idiriity  t'.e  (lov- 
■J'Ci''  eminent  had  nnl'orninnlcly  nnde  itself  dependem  lor  llie  reveiiiies  whicli  had  htLii  (01101:10(1  rri.nithc  people, 
and  were  iiidispens»ble  lo  the  pr.lilie,  spr\  ice.  'I'his  Mi-pen<ion.  and  thi'  exicsi-i  in  iKinkin'^  and  r.  iinneri'e  mit 
of  which  it  ar<pse,  and  wtiicli  wire  (ireally  auLTav  ited  hy  it>;  oi  .arreni'i'.  inade,  io  ;i  ureal  I'Vlent.  Mn.iviiilalile 
tin;  pniicipiil  pan  of  the  pulilie  money  then  on  haad;  sn^pended  the  eidlerilon  oi  many  iiiillionN  acrrning  on 
niercliiints'  bonds  ;  and  iireally  reduced  llie  reveiuio  ari-ini^  from  cu^iiiiii  .and  liie  piildic  Innd^." 

"  The  Treasury  has  it  in  its  power  to  exert  a  sMiiiltrj-  inlliienci'.  lirst  over  'he  deposit  liank-.  which  will  al- 
ways 1)0  selected  Ironi  'lie  principal  Hanks  in  the  stales,  and  Ihronijti  Ihcni,  oxer  ihe  residue.  WhiK'  \cr  clit.-k 
was  exercised  liv  Ihe  tJnitid  Siaies  Hank  on  llie  issues  of  the  ^:  iie  lianks,  was  don"'  ;  iilier  'ly  refiisir'S  to  take 
their  notes  in  liejiosit.  or  if  taken,  hy  reuiriiiiii?  llietn  ii'iiekly  for  specie,  if  it  lielieved  iheir  issues  to  ho  execs 
sive.  'J'he  deposit  lianUs  have  a  rij:ht  to  do  the  same  liiiiii.',  and  are  in  the  hahit  of  exc/cis  ni;  it,  wlun,  in 
their  opinions,  an  oci-i>ioii  liir  its  exercise  exists.  Over  the  deposit  hanks  :lii  niselvrs,  ilie  .'•'i  creiary  of  Ihe 
'J'reasiiry  h.is  liheral  sujiervisory  powers,  lie  may  in  his  discrelion  direcl,  as  lieioro  r.'iivirked,  an  Increase  of 
th'ir  specie,  when  il  appe.irs  hy  tlie  relnrris  which  tlii'y  are  oliliic'cl  lo  make  lo  him  at  short  intiTvals,  tli.ti  ,hi  ir 
issnes  arc  liiriie  and  dispropnriionate  to  ilieir  specie  on  hanil ;  and  a  constant  and  preat  check  is  exircistal  over 
llieni  hy  ihu  actii.il  piililic  knowledge  of  their  rondilinn  olitained  thron;;h  iheii-  report^,  and  the  resiukir  piildi 
cation  of  them."— /-'i7«  Ili(rfii'i<  I.iinrlo  Sherrod  lyi/Ziam.'. .  lu^u.it  t',  HJii. 

In  his  tiiessiiic  of  \H\V.i.  Jackson  told  Coii^'ress,  that  '•  tiie  State  Hanks  selected  are  ail  In.-.iiu;iions  tif  hiiiii 
i  •  y.  ;  ■  character  and  iindonhled  sirenLth,  and  are  under  tlic  iiiaiKii;emeiit  and  cun'm'  of  mrn  uf  uiiiiuiiilcnnU  prubitii 

andiHlcUifrrnr.e."  In  his  messns;c 'if  It^Hi,  he  said  that  "  a  nmiilur  of  the  Ueixisit  Hanks  hav<,  with  ,-i  torn- 
iiiendahle  zeal  to  .lid  in  the  improvnicni  of  the  currency,  imported  from  al;niad  at  Ihcir  own  expense,  larijc 
sums  of  the  precious  metals  for  oiiiaiie  and  circulation."  The  explosion  anil  Iniikraptcy  of  l-','t7  followed, 
and  VVrijiht  &.  e'o.  were  ready  with  lln  ir  new  noslnmi,  the  suh  iieasnry.  Kitchie,  of  the  Union,  iiko 'J'all- 
madf'e  kicked  a  Utile,  heinp;  up  to  the  chin  in  speculatiuii.  His  |iress  dcsi^niileii  the  liontst  locos  wlio  iiicC  in 
the  I'ark,  N.  Y.,  "Ihe  rablilo  rout." 

In  .1  letter  to  S.  I).  Hastings,  dated  Forest  Will,  Sept.  'Jfi,  18W,  Charles  J.  Inj;er.ioll,  Chairniiin  of  the  Com.  on 
Foreign  Aftairs,  II.  of  K.,  savs  that  "the  chartered  power  (liven  bv  our  laws  to  iimke  paper  money  bv' 
banks  ofdiscmint,  TOI.RRATKI)  IN  ALLTHKIR  VIOLATIONS  OF  KVKRV  PRINCII'Li;  OF  KKiHT,  U  at 
this  moment  deinorali/.in;;  I'ennsylvania,  and  particularly  I'hiladelphi.a,  by  more  folly,  igaoiaiice,  breach  of  faith 
and  of  law,  luxury,  intemperance,  vice,  crime,  and  misery,  than  can  be  .jusiU  iiiipnled  to  slavery  anywhere. 
Slavery,  I  entirely  believe  with  you,  distempers  any  Ciiniinonweulth  ;  hut  iho  blood  ot  ours  is  fatally  poisoned 
by  what  renders  liberty  and  equality  hardly  worth  havluR." 

t  In  Webster's  report  on  Finance,  in  U.  S.  Senate,  .Tune  'J7,  \KU,  he  stales  tluit  the  Hank  of  the  IMeh-oiMilifi, 
Washington,  had  not  $1U(I,(K)0  of  its  notes  in  circnlHlion— that  itc  credit  was  so  bad  thai  i'.s  bills  had  been  fold 
at  a  dlscmint  near  its  doors— that  more  than  800.'),000  of  the  public  treasure  was  deposited  with  it—and  that 
those  who  took  its  notes  as  payment  from  povernineiit,  and  carried  them  to  a  distance,  sufirrrd  lo"s.  General 
Root  explains  that  its  funds  were  used  in  land  jobbint!  in  the  west,  to  realize  fortunes  to  Folk's  party  patriots. 
This  bank  hi  d  ils  confederate  pets  gave  no  security  to  the  country — they  paid  no  bonus  nor  interest — ihey  pay 
none  now— they  made  immense  sums  by  using  the  national  revenue— they  were  recommended  by  Woodbury 
And  Taney  to  Itwd  it  out,  t>o  that  the  raerchant»  borrowins  might  be  compelled  to  uphold  their  party  however 


Ii-.:" 


THE  DUANE8,  ROOT,  AND  JACKSON,  ON  THE  UANKS. 


115 


Safety  Fund 
L  have  also 

•own  in  my 

tlie  motives 
lie  currency, 
C.  C.  Cam- 
Joseph  Ker- 
Swartwout, 
.  W.  Olcolt, 
uule  public, 
uble  scheme 
accumulated 
>s,  had  their 
ready  mstru- 
lien  I'ill  was 
:'d  to  hill)  iu 
inking,  &c., 
e  liltsiMico  ot 
virtue,  like 

t"  the   public 
ut"  the  Union 


isiriiillti'iH  iif  the 
llitr.-  iiiilie  puhlic 
!iin;iry,  April.  Mini 
•  lank--,  iiicliicllri.', 
I.'  lUi.'iity  t'x  (Jdv- 
I  t'r.. Ill  till  p(>M|ilo, 

III  (i  lllllliri't!  nut 

I'lit.  nii.iviiiliililc 
i(in>  acrriting  un 

which  will  n!- 
Whiii'  viir  clit'-k 
ri'l'iiiii"^  lo  tiike 

'^lu'-i  to  ho  oxi'.cs 
Is.iiK  it,  wlirii,  ill 
Si crt'l.iry  <»l'  tht' 
I.  nil  increnso  ot' 
iTvals,  tli.it  .hrir 
i<  f\fri"istil  iivi-r 

lln'  ifijuUir  pulili 

.tluMiuns  ol"  liiiiii 
f/I/^.^■/^;Ma/  j>robtt.» 
\V(  ,  with  n  colli- 
n  cxiKtiso,  liirjc 
f  I^;t7  fnlloweil, 
Union,  like  Tall- 
icosi  who  met  ill 

n  01'  the  CniTi.  on 
p;ip(r  money  bv 
OF  KUaiT,  IsBt 

:>',  lireach  of  tiiith 
iv.ry  niiy where. 

s  laially  poi.soned 

f  ihs  MetToiKili.s, 
lis  hiiii  lieon  fold 
with  it— iinil  that 
•rd  \iY:i.  General 
kN  party  HHtflots. 
itercst— thfy  p«y 
led  by  WtxMlbtuy 
\i  fiarty  however 


had  unanimously  decided  that  that  charter  was  constitutional ;  a  committee  of 
Congress,  and  finally  the  House  of  Representatives,  had  declared,  after  inquiry, 
that  the  national  treasure  was  safe  in  its  vaults;  the  high  tariff  of  18i8,  sup- 
ported by  Wright  and  Van  Buren  with  the  view  of  obtaining  a  surplus  of  many 
millions  of  revenue  for  political  distribution  and  personal  aggrandizemi-nt,  bad 
done  its  work  ;  Jackson  had  been  elected  a  second  time  to  the  Presidency  ;  and 
now  was  the  time  to  go  into  "the  general  scramble  for  plunder,"  as  Swartwout 
calls  it,  in  right  earnest. 

The  first  step  of  the  conspirators  was  to  advise  the  appointment  of  William 
J.  Duane  to  the  office  of  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  The  offer  was  made,  and 
it  was  accepted.  Mr.  Duane  was  the  son  of  one  of  the  most  upright,  energetic, 
zealous  and  con.sistent  democrats  ever  known  to  this  Union.  He  had  sown  the 
good  seed  of  manly,  truthful  principles  in  India,  England,  Ireland,  and  America 
— had  sufK'fed  persecution  for  the  love  he  bore  to  freedom — had  upheld  the 
good,  anil  been  u  terror  to  the  evil  doer  in  high  station,  during  half  a  century — 
was  vigilant  for  his  country  as  a  trusted  military  officer  in  wur — and  the  foe  of 
United  States  Banks  and  other  monopolies  at  variance  with  his  ideas  of  equal 
rights  and  laws.  In  Poland,  ho  would  have  followed  Kosciusko  ;  in  France, 
been  ready  to  tear  down  the  Bastile,  or  participate  in  the  glorious  days  of  1830. 
What  he  thought  of  last  and  least  was  the  acquisition  of  wealth;  and  he  died 
in  old  age,  very  poor,  with  a  heart  warmed  by  love  and  kindness  toward  his 
fellow-in.!n.  Cobbett,  who  disliked  his  antipathy  to  the  English  sj'steni  of  war, 
taxation,  finance,  conquests  and  ill  treatment  of  Ireland,  frankly  acknowledged 
that  William  Duane  was  the  most  elficient  and  sleepless  opponent  England  had 
on  this  continent.  I  have  read  the  files  of  the  Aurora,  no  matter  how  old,  with 
real  delight,  for  it  was  impossible  not  to  see  great  sincerity  united  with  true 
patriotism,  and  an  informt-d  and  reflecting  mind,  in  the  remarks  of  its  conductor, 
who,  with  "  .Montague  on  Republics,"  believed  that  "  There  cannot  be  a  more 
certain  symptom  of  the  approaching  ruin  of  a  state,  than  when  a  firm  adherence 
to  party  is  fixed  upon  as  the  only  test  of  merit,  and  when  all  the  qualifications, 
requisite  to  the  discharge  of  every  employment,  are  reduced  to  that  single  stan- 
dard." 

His  son,*  William  John  Duane,  whom  Jackson  called  to  his  cabinet,  in  May, 


wron.?  Oener.'il  Rimt,  ill  \.  Y.  Senate,  Frh.  7,  1311,  saiil  that  "the  deposit  hanks  were  expectej  to  siipimrt 
the  Uoverninent  even  in  tho  local  i^Uictions— in  short,  to  do  all  its  dirty  work.  The  custoitiers  of  those  Banks 
were  reijnired  to  support  ihi;  /Vdniinistration,  otherwhe  they  could  sjet  no  accoinmod.ition.  The  New  York 
incrchanis  soil  their  ^oods  to  the  country  merchants  on  credit.  When  tho  nicrchints  ironi  the  country  went 
to  the  city,  they  weri!  tolil,  we  cannot  ^ivc  you  credit  unless  we  can  get  acoomiiiodiuion  at  the  hanks.  Tho 
Hanks  will  not  discount  to  those  who  iire  opposed  to  the  (lovernment.  The  cousenuniice  wits,  th  it  the  nier- 
I'hants  were  compelled  to  support  the  Adiriinistration.  Thirty  or  forty  I'et  Banks  wrre  ap[>ointed  for  the  e.v- 
press  piirposo  oi'doin;;  llie  work  of  Iho  Administration.  There  was  no  need  oi  proof  of  this — it  was  open,  pal- 
pable, visible  liril»'ry— obvious  to  evi-ry  iiiiii,  woman  and  child  in  the  country.  VV;is  there  ever  such  an  attempt 
lo  overwhelm  tho  whole  l.ind  in  ii  sea  of  corruption  V 

Wherein  did  this  system,  which  m  ly  have  made  fortunes  for  Polk,  Bntler.  Van  Buren,  Lawrence,  Cam 
brclenK,  Marcy,  White  II  Co.,  Its  creators,  ditior  from  that  in  operation  now,  as  presided  over  by  Walker,  baii- 
crofl,  Marcy  and  I'olk  ! 

Who  was  .Nicholas  Uiildle,  whom  Blair,  Croswell,  Green,  and  Bennett,  ko  sy.steniatically  abused  at  the  word 
of  command  from  Van  Buren,  Polk  &.  Co.  ?  Tho  favorite  of  Monroe,  of  .Vdani-i,  of  Jick^on,  a  democratic,  con- 
gressman, affluent  before  he  entered  the  b  ink,  and  nominated  by  .Andrew  .lackson  and  confirmfid  by  the  Stsn- 
ale,  in  1830,  in  1831,  and  a  third  time.  In  IKIi!,  as  a  government  director  of  the  Bank,  as  he  li  id  been  for  seven 
years  before  by  .Monroe  and  Ad  ims.  The  moment  Mr.  Ahab  Van  Buren  ci.vetcd  .Mr.  .\aboth  Hidille's  vineyard 
he  raised  such  a  du<t  aliout  his  ears,  throuvjh  the  collar  presses,  that  many  iiersons,  myself  aiponj;  the  numbury 
believed  him  to  bu  as  j^reat  a  monster  as  his  bank  was  said  to  be. 

*  As  Sfcr^^^tary,  Duane  gives  evidence  of  a  sound  judgment,  first  rate  busines.s  talent,  and 
fjreat  upri!jh'.no<s.  01'  liis  title  lo  superior  ability  as  a  statesman,  when  compared  to  Jackson, 
Polk,  Van  Buren,  Lawrence,  "Wright,  Butler,  Taney,  Cambrelensr,  and  the  rest  of  the  pet  bank 
junto,  let  his  conduct,  and  his  reasons  f.>r  it,  be  compared  with  the  result  of  THE  EXPERI- 
MENT, and  the  tardy  confessions  of  the  men  who  made  il. 

In  a  letter  to  Moses  Dawson,  dated  iu  1837,  General  Jackson,  after  saying  that  he  had  con- 
fidence in  the  honesty  of  state  banks  at  th?  time  he  placed  in  their  vaults  the  deposits,  adds ; 


IIG 


GIRARD,  8MITHS0M,  LAWRENCE,  POLK,  AND  l- AVORlTlisM. 


1833,  was  a  lawyer  of  eminence  in  Philadelphia,  one  of  the  cxecutoi's  of  the 
generous  French  banker,  Girard,  who,  as  if  to  shame  the  intolerant  Ha/tw  parly 
of  our  day,  left  millions  of  dollars,  to  educate  American  children,  while  Smith- 
son,  an  Englishman,  sent  $500,000  across  the  ocean  for  a  like  generous  pur- 
])ose.  Duanc  wrote  Girard's  will,  was  long  his  adviser,  was  opposed  to  tlu>. 
United  States  Bank,  in  1811  and  1S16,  alimys  and  on  principle  ;  and,  with  his 
father,  threw  their  great  popularity  in  Pennsylvania  into  the  Jackson  scale,  in 
1S24,  when  Van  Buren,  Ritchie,  and  the  selfish  politicians,  into  whose  hands 
he  fell  in  1S33,  were  slandering  his  name,  and  ridiculing  his  j)retensions. 

Mr.  Duane  had  represented  the  Philadelphia  democrats  in  the  Legislature  of 
Pennsj'lvania,  had  written  much  that  was  useful,  was  married  to  a  graiid-daugliter 
of  that  eminent  American,  Benjamin  Franklin;*  and,  Vvith  his  father,  had  given 
the  war  of  1812,  an  early,  eiricient,  and  continued  support.  He  was  opposed  to 
fongressional  caucuses,  and  had  no  need  to  tinn  to  the  winning  side,  when 
Jackson  was  victorious,  in  1828.  For  twelve  years  has  this  great  and  good 
man  been  allowed  to  remain  in  private  life,  traduced  and  slanilered  by  the 
Globe,  Argus,  and  kindred  presses  in  the  pay  of  Van  Burenism,  whde  ids  great 
experience,  true  patriotism,  and  sterling  honesty  would  have  been  of  vast  im- 
portance in  the  Congress  of  the  Union. 

IVo  doubt,  Van  Buren,  Kendall,  and  their   confederates  deceived  themselves 

"  But  was  this  contklencc  well  founded,  and  whoso  fault  is  it  tiiat  it  was  not  ?  Let  their 
treachery  to  the  j»overninoiu  ami  the  people  answer.  Every  day  that  the  diroclors  of  the.-^e 
banks  met  at  their  Iwanls,  they  knew  their  liabilities,  and  their  a-^scls  to  mert  them.  They 
were  repeatedly  and  oarnesily  cautioned  by  the  treasury  departmont  not  to  over-issue— thnr 
charters  prohibited  it — tiieir  solemn  obligations  to  the  jjovernnieiit  and  the  peojile,  and  every 
principle  of  moral  honesty,  forbatle  it.  Still,  in  open  vic>lr.tii>u  of  all  oblip;.iiioas,  they  su  i- 
petidecl  specie  navmcnts  in  a  time  of  profound  pcae'.',  robbed  the  treasury  of  many  niillious  if 
dollars,  and  eried  out,  at  the  same  time,  that  t!ie  treasury  was  biinkrupt. 

'•  The  hi'story  of  the  world  never  has  rceorded  such  base  treachery  and  perlidy,  as  has  been 
committed  by  the  deposit  banks  against  the  a:overnnient,  and  purely  with  the  view  of  grati- 
lying  Diddle  and  the  Barings,  and  Ijy  the  suspension  of  specie  payni'Mits,  endiarrass,  and  nti.!, 
if  fiieij  cnulff,  Ikrir  own.  amntrtj,  for  the  selfish  views  of  making  large  proliis  by  throwing  oui 
iiiillions  ot' depreciatetl  paper  upon  the  people — :--"lling  their  specie  at  larg"  premiums,  anJ 
buying  iij)  their  own  pa^'n"  at  discounts  of  from  '25  to  yi)  per  cent.,  and  now  looking  forwaid 
to  be  indulged  in  these  speculations  tor  vears  to  come,  beliire  they  resume  specie  payments."' 

Cornelius  \V.  Lawrence,  the  apocryphal  Presieient  of  perhaps  the  most  corrupt  of  these 
b.inks,  thus  ilenounced  by  Jackson,  is  .selected  by  Polk  in  1815,  as  Collirtor  of  the  Port  id' i>r. 
Y.,  and  coniirmed  in  IHit)  by  the  Senate  !  His  letters  to  Hoyi  ami  others  slmw  tli.it  hi'  actf^J 
contrary  to  his  oath  (which  was,  to  vote  according  to  his  best  juilErnient),  in  supporting  the 
spoli-ition  of  the  U.  S.  Bank.  A  two  million  charter  was  handeil  to  him,  from  Albany,  in 
1S3(>,  as  some  pecuniary  recompen.se  for  tear  and  wear  of  conscieinc — some  two  millions  .f 
the  plunder  of  the  national  bank  were  placi'd  in  the  cu-^tody  of  the  new  c<inc<'rn — Lawrene' 
b.^caine  its  president,  as  a  matter  of  course — and,  wilh  over  ?f  l,OllO,OOi>  of  a  paid  up  capital 
anti  Uiiili'd  States  deposits,  ils  doors  were  shut  upon  the  i)eo|)le  and  their  giiveruiiient,  whil" 
the  ink-  wilh  which  its  charter  had  been  written  was  yet  scarcely  diy.  When  Lawrence  became 
(jollector,  through  the  friendship  nf  Pn\sident  Polk,  his  brother  Joseph  slipjied  into  odice  as 
baidc  president:  and  their  ilefaulting  paper  factory,  though  denoimced  by  Jack.son,  is  once 
more  a  pet  of  Polk  and  "Walker,  with  the  use  of  millions  of  the  publie  treasure  to  its  mana- 
gers, without  bomis  or  interest !  Who  can  doubt  the  result!  >fi't  the  authorities  m  Wash- 
ington. 

*  Sarah,  daughter  of  Benjamin  Franklin,  married  Itiehanl  I'aelie.  ediior  of  the  Aurora. 
Philadelphia.  Colonel  William  Duane,  a  native  (if  the  Provim  e  of  >i.  Y.,  succeeded  'S\x. 
Baclie  in  the  management  of  that  ])opular  journal,  ai:d  was  appointed  by  Madison,  in  IHlii,  a 
brigadier-general  in  the  armies  of  the  Union.  His  son,  the  fearless  secretary  ol'  the  treasury, 
married  a  daughter  ol' Mr.  Bache,  and  her  niolher,  Mi.-.  Sarah  l>ache.  died  in  Oct.,  InOH,  agecl 
()t  years.  1  have  long  and  an.xiously  wished  that  .s(.)me  able,  well-inforuied  (Vieiid  of  ih' 
faniily,  who  has  access  to  the  necessary  materials,  would  compile  and  piibli-li  the  J^ife  ami 
Times  of  William  Duane.  To  the  Union,  to  Brilaia,  and  to  Ireland,  (lie  laud  ^')^  his  fore- 
J'atiiers.  the  lessons  that  dial  work  would  teach  would  be  invaluable. 


L'lsM. 

:ecutois  of  the 
mt  iialiee  parly 
,  wliilo  Smith- 
generous  pur- 
ipposod   to  tin; 

aiicl,  with  his 
:;ksoii  scale,  iti 
,0  whose  liands 
ensions. 

Lfgislatuie  of 
graml-daughtci- 
tlicr,  liad  given 
was  opposed  to 
ing  side,  when 
;reat  and  good 
aiidered  by  tlie 
whde  his  great 
icn  of  vast  ini- 

I'ed  themselves 


as  not  ?  Let  tlu-ir 
direct  Ill's  ol'  thc^e 
nci't  them.  They 
I  over-i>-snc — thrir 
:  peo|ile,  and  cveiv 
ip;aliu;is,  tlivy  su -.- 
'miui',-  llulIiou^s  (1" 

?iikly,  as  hns  beon 
the  view  of  ;;rati- 
ubarrass,  and  ;•;(/■;.', 
Iiy  tli!\!V.  iiiv^  oiii 
'  premiunis,  an' I 
\v  luokinir  Ibrwaid 
pecie  payment>.'' 

St  corrupt  of  these 
r  of  the  Poit  v.i  i"',. 
show  th:it  h'-  actej, 

,  in  supporting  ih'^ 
111,  Iruin  Albany,  in 
le  two  millions  rf 
onei'rn — Lnwreiie'' 

r  a  paid  lip  capital 

;;..)Vi'inn)i'nt,  whil'' 
1  Lawrence  hecani'' 
lipped  into  odicc  as 

V  Jackson,  is  once 
easiire  to  its  mana- 
ithoriiii's  at  Wash- 

iior  of  the  Anroi;i, 
Y.,  succeeded  Mr. 
VLidison,  in  IHlIi,  a 
Riv  ol'  the  treasurv, 
[  in  Oct..  1M3H.  aivd 
rnicil  fiii'iid  of  ili" 
ii)lish  llie  Jjife  and 
^e  land  vi^  his  fore- 


AMOS  KENDALL,  OR  ADVENTURES  IN  KENTliOKY. 


117 


into  a  behef,  that  Duane's  known  dislike  to  the  principle  on  which  the  U.  S. 
rJank  was  chartered,  would  enable  them  to  make  of  him  a  powerful  and  popu- 
lar instrument,  for  the  achievement  of  their  grand  scheme  of  bank  plunder,  al- 
ready resolved  upon.     But  they  had  mistaken  their  man.* 

Previous  to  the  loss  of  liberty  in  Greece,  as  Thucydides  tells  us,  "  while 
each  party  endeavored,  by  every  possible  method,  to  get  the  better  of  its  anta- 
gonist, the  most  flagrant  acts  of  injustice  were  perpetrated  on  both  sides.     Mo- 

*  Amos  Kkm).*i,i,. — I  liave,  in  former  chanters,  and  in  a  sejiarate  work,  endeavored  to  ana- 
lyze the  pietism  of  Benjamin  F.  Butler.  It  now  liecomes  ncce.s.sary  that  I  should  formally 
introduce  his  twin  hrother  in  politics,  piety,  and  principle,  Amo.s  Kendall,  Postmaster  Generiil 
1(1  Martin  Van  Buren,  Director  ol  the  Commonwealth  Bank,  Kentucky,  Fourth  Auditor  <>t 
the  U.  8.  Treasury,  an  editor  of  the  Globe,  the  E.xpositor,  and  the  Kentucky  Arj^us.  and  special 
a;jent  for  Jackson's  advisers  in  bargainincr  with  the  Pet  Banks  for  th'?  ii.se  of  the  public  reve- 
nue, IH33-lil.  11'  it  be  true,  as  we  arc  told  in  Gil  Bias,  that  "  there  are  few  breasts  capacion.s 
f!ioiic;h  to  alford  liouse  room  for  Iwosuch  opposite  inmates  a.s  politic.'il  ainbiticm  and  grati- 
tude," some  exeiise,  may  be  found  for  the  conduct  of  Amos  Kendall  towards  his  early  bene- 
tactor,  Henry  Clay. 

In  Kendall's  own  account  of  his  life  and  adventures,  which  shows  that  he  was  born  on  that 
day  ill  the  year  in  which  Hull  surrendered  his  army,  he  makes  strong  professions  of  meek- 
ness, hnmiiity,  ami  Christian  forbearance — '•  Deacon  Zebedee  Kendall,  of  Dunstable,"  hi.s 
honored  sire,  is  introduced  singing  David's  psalms,  saying  grace  before  meat  and  grace  after 
meat,  antl  otl'ering  up  to  heaven  prayer  and  prai.se — pious  appeals  arc  made  to  the  Lord,  to 
(•onsi:ienee,  and  to  the  world — and  the  Democratic  Re/iew  for  March,  1H38,  paints  Amos  as 
"EXTKCMELY  SliVlPLE  in  character — plain,  mild,  and  unassuming  in  manners — 
(slinnhje  and  ainialtie." 

O'.Sidlivan  elevates  Kendall  into  a  very  Father  Mathcw  of  temperance  while  he  was  at 
loijpge,  hut  we  are  reminded  of  Butl"r's  famous  patroon  scene  at  the  Sandy  Hill  bank,  where 
Iv'^ailall  liiinsell',  in  his  journal,  pictures  the  Yankee  lawyers  who  hail  gone  to  Kentucky  to 
laend  their  fortum's.  •'  We  again  returned  to  the  tavern  where  weic  three  or  four  Yankee 
einigrnnt  lawyers,  and  wi;  madk,  oirsklvks  .mkhhv  wrrii  bihndv." 

j\mos  landed  in  Kentucky  in  1814,  a  lean,  gaunt,  hungry  adventurer,  and,  as  the  event 
proved,  an  unprincipled  and  ungrateful  one — he  was  receivecl  info  the  family  of  Henry  Clay 
when  absent  in  Europe,  as  the  instructor  of  his  children — treated  by  Mrs.  Clay  with  great 
kindness  both  in  health  and  sickness — a.s.si.sted  by  Mr.  (.Ilay,  on  his  return,  to  get  forward  in 
ihi?  world,  acedmniol.ated  by  him  with  a  loan  of  S1500,  introduced  to  his  political  friends, 
pa'ronize.l  as  an  editor,  aided  in  obtaining  the  public  printing  in  Kentucky,  and  when,  in 
t6J5,  Clay  bci'aine  Secretary  of  Stale,  uft'ered  a  situation  in  the  .state  department.  'VS''hy  did 
lie  noL  accept  it !  His  letter  to  Mr.  Clay,  in  IH'it*,  will  explain.  "  You  afterwards  ollered  me 
(says  lie)  a  clerkship  witli  a  salary  of  jj'lOOt),  which  I  declined,  expressing  a  willingne.s.s  to 
iiccepi  one  of  S'l  J'"^- '  Amos  was  ready  to  join  the  democratic  administration  of  Clay  and 
Adaui  <,  ai  5'15'll),  l>iil  couldn't  lake  S'lOOO.  Jack.son's  friends,  through  Green,  had  outbid  that. 
They  hastened  to  buy  Amos  up — and  enabled  him  to  turn  his  marketable  talents  witli  etiect 
iigamst  the  character  and  siandinu'  of  liis  early  friend.  Trading  politicians  may  applaud  his 
woildly  prudence — the  parasite  of  power  will  award  him  a  vulgar  .sympathy — but  irom  pure- 
mindc!  Aiuerienns,  such  conduct  as  lam  about  to  describe  will  ever  nn'ci  with  umiualirted 
ipprobntion  and  deserved  contempt. 

Kendall  ilenies  liiai  he  was  once  for  a  Bank  of  the  United  Slates  and  a  pro'.ective  tarifi",  or 
diat  lie  owes  a  delit  of  gratitude  to  Henry  Clay.  He  as.sures  the  readers  of  the  Expositor  that 
his  "  opposition  to  Mr.  Clay  was  (breed  on  by  'he  hearllessness  and  ingratitude  of  Mr.  Clay 
liiinvelf," 

A  letter  of  Kendall's  to  John  C.  Knowlton,  of  t..owell,  dated  Washington,  July  1 1th,  1H'J9, 
appeared  in  the  >Ccw  York  Evening  Post.    Here  is  an  extract : 

"  tliis  I'llins  iH-.dispnseil  inn  lo  lliink  writ  of  Mr.  CInv,  nnd  KK.M)II.V  F.M.I,  L\Tt)  TlIF,  SI'PPOllT 

'  (iF  HIS  I'Ol.fl'K  .Vl<  \n:\VS.     .Actorilin^ly,  wliou  lio  bccuriiu  (i  caiiilidnti:  fur  III'..'  pri-sicUiicy.  I  ESrOL'SBD 

"HIS  (.'.M'.SF,  Willi  ;i!iu  riiy  and  zoal. My  liiiM'.  my  labour,  and  my  money  wtrr  jill   lavislicd  wUlKint 

'  ■ipcj.ttiu:!  of  rcccar-d'i'O  .\\i\AW\''.MV..V\,i\\.    ll'  1  owid  liiiii  or  liis  I'aiiiilv  any  i  IjllgutiDii^  tlicy  were 
'•  riLlily  .-cpiicl  in  liia;  conteat. .\MOS  KIWOALL." 

'Sic.  (Uay  w;is  then,  as  he  is  now,  the  champion  of  one  ny^ivlalinii  banlc — the  United  States 
Bank — in  piet'cicnce  lo  one  ihoii.sand  of  thein — favored,  as  now,  a  protective  tarili',  and  inlcrnal 
imiirnveniniis  by  vole  of  Congress — and  had  disapproved  of  General  Jackson's  conduct  in 
Ploriiui,  and  pronounced  ii  tyrannical  and  unjust.  Kendall  tells  us  that  he  preferred  Clay  to 
.faekson,  for  President— "  readily  fell  into  the  support  of  his  POLITICAL  views,"  and 
"espoused  hia  cause  with  alacrity  and  zeal.'  Why  then  deny  that  he  was  "once  for  the 
hank  \" 


»-■  • 


■"■ll 


'^^.TjryTTTX 


\\i 


118 


KFNDALL  UP  AT  AUCTION.   A  CASH  TRANSACTION. 


1   : 


5''  '  ,'• 


ii      .■■ 


derate  lucn,  who  refusoJ  to  join  with  eithi^r,  were  ahko  the  objects  of  their  re- 
fCDtinont,  and  equally  proscribt'd  by  eitlusr  faction."  Where  is  the  ditference 
here,  in  Duane's  case  ?  He  was  induced  to  support  Jackson,  through  a  belief 
that  he  would  act  up  to  the  titanly  principles  luid  down  in  his  letters  to  Mon- 
roe.    Did  he  try  to  do  it  1 

Duane  took  olfice  in  June,  1833,  and  was  ofterwanh  informed  that  it  was  the 
wish  of  the  President  that  he  should  remove  the  national  treasure  from  the 


Kendall  nililrr.<s-ipil  a  lont,'  loltfr  to  Clay,  thrniiffh  llie  Frankfurt  Argus,  whicli  was  copied  into 
the  Kvoninp  Post  of  Nov.  Ii-'i7,  In  whic'h  lu'  as.xiirts  him  tliat  lie  prcturrcd  hini  as  .Secretary, 
with  Adains  as  I'rcsident.  to  the  eletlii)n  of  Jackson,  and  that  he  and  lilair,  since  of  liie  Ulob*;, 
wrote  in  lb"Jr>  to  the  nieinbers  ot' Congress,  from  Kentucky,  urging  them  to  vote  mjaind  Jack- 
son and  ill.  favor  of  Adam.i,  vilfi  t/iis  virtr,  Kendall  also  wrote  to  (Jlay  before  the  presi- 
dential election  was  decided,  that  ho  prcterred  Jackson  to  Adams,  all  things  being  equal — but, 
»aid  he,  "  if  OlJll  INTERESTS  can  be  promoted  by  any  other  arrangement,  I  shall  be  con- 
tent."   "  Our  interests"  are  uppcnnost  still. 

In  Kendall's  evidence  before  the  Kentucky  Legislature,  he  says  that  Mr.  Clay  intended  to 
give  him  a  situation  at  Washin^jton,  in  IH;];'),  and  that  he  (Kendall)  stood  ready  to  defend  with 
his  pen  the  political  character  ol  his  early  friend.  In  a  Utter  to  David  Wliite,  who  had  voted 
in  Congress  for  Mr.  Adams  as  President,  dated  March  HiJi,  18'J8,  ho  says,  "  We  knew  that 
Mr.  Clay  was  to  be  Secretary  of  State,  and  FOli  THAT  REASON  promoted  Mr.  Adams's 
election,"  and  prevented,  of  course,  that  of  Andrew  Jackson.  lie  a^^^erts  that  he  supported 
Adams  because  Clay  was  to  he  Secretary,  and  yet  he  told  the  Kcnuicky  Legislature  on  oath, 
that  he  believed  the  charge  by  Jackson  against  Clay,  of  having  bargained  with  Adams,  was  A 
BA8E  SLANDER,  and  that  lie  had  applied  to  Clay  lor  a  situation  in  Washington,  where  he 
would  have  defended  him  ihrougli  the  pros  against  liiat  slander!  In  a  letter  addressed  to 
Clay,  and  dated  Frankfort,  Oct.  11,  1826,  Kendall  says,  ''Whatever  course  I  may  feel  con- 
strained to  lake  in  relation  to  the  administration  generally,  I  trust  I  shall  not  be  the  means  or 
the  occasion  of  casting  any  imputation  upon  your  integrity  and  honor." 

Kendall  swears  that  it  is  his  solemn  belief  there  was  no  bargain  at  all.  But  turn  to  his 
letter  to  Mr.  Knowlton  already  ijuoted.     He  there  has  quite  a  dillcrent  stoiy  to  tell.    He  says: 

"  In  reviewins  my  course,  I  Imv!  but  one  ihiiiR  lo  regret.  It  is,  tlmt  I  did  not,  re^ardluiis  of  all  impiitntlunc, 
"  takn  .1  di.'ciiilvt!  suind  ni!.'in>it  the  Union  ol"  Mosrn  Adams  and  Clay  in  l.'-.'0.  I  kium  that  Mr.  Clay  viulHKd  tlie 
"wifhofliisstuu:;  I  K.NKVV  THAT  THE  UNION  U'A.S  INTEKESTEU  AND  SIOLKISII.  Inaieod  olbiing 
*•  SILENT,  I  ought  boldly  to  \w\  o  dcnouiici-d  it.  I  oiiKht  to  h.ive  boon  as  s- iisible  an  I  am  now  that  no  romiiinii 
"obligation  orprivato  t'rii!iidt«liip,  and  nu  tear  ol'iniptiit:d  ingraiitiide  can  jiixtity  a  puliiic  man  in  WINKING  at  a 
"  violation  of  tiiti  fundnmintal  iirinclplcsof  ourfrefcinBtitutioiiii.  On  this  point  1  aiii  guiliy.— AMDS  KE.NuALL." 

There's  a  confession  for  you  !  "  Give  me  a  ?51,500  place,"  says  the  pious  politician,  "  and 
I'll  call  ye  white  as  driven  snow — though  I  know  that  your  coudiict  was  interested  and  selfish. 
Buy  me  at  my  price — I'm  in  the  market,  and  if  you  don't  your  opponents  will.  Hire  me,  and 
I'll  go  Willi  you  for  the  tariff,  the  bank,  internal  impro/ciucut,  Adams,  anything — neglect  me, 
and  I  will  be  found  among  your  most  bitter  cueinies.     You  wanned  me  into  lite,  as  the  coun- 

Krman  did  the  snake — if  you  don't  wish  to  be  slung,  give  me  mv  |)rice."  Such,  though  not 
endall's  words,  is  the  substan('e  of  his  orter.  Clay  spurned  it,  Kendall  became  his  enemy, 
and  used  the  influence  Clay  had  obtained  for  him  to  seeun?  the  vote  of  Kcniucky  for  Jackson 
and  Van  Buren,  next  Presidential  tlcciion.  (general  DuU'  Green,  the  Jackson  and  Calhoun 
editor,  before  Blair,  "once  for  riic  bank,"  supplanted  him,  says, — •'  It  'ill  be  seen  that  at  the 
fery  moment  that  he  was  negotiating  with  Mr.  Clay  for  a  salary  of  jfl,;.  v/,  as  the  price  of  his 
removal  to  Washington,  for  the  purpose  of  vindicating  Mr.  Clay  against  tiicse  '  SLANDERS 
which  were  afloat  against  him,'  he  was  negotiating  with  me,  Jbr  a  stipulated  sum,  which  I 
paid  him  to  remain  in  Franklbrt  to  assail  Mr.  Clay."  Whether  Green  proved  that  it  was  "  at 
the  very  moment,"  I  do  not  now  remember,  but  if  it  was  noi,  it  was  \eiy  sixin  ailcr.  "I 
winked  at  guilt  till  hired  to  assail  it,"  is  the  sutwtance  of  Kendall's  pretended  ''onlession  to 
Knowlton.  General  Green  was  supplied  by  his  party  with  funds — Kendall  gut  monkv — paid 
his  debt  to  Mr.  Clay,  and  btx-ame  the  ready  instrument  of  his  enemies.  General  Green  de- 
scribes him  as  "  ambitious,  ungrateful,  mercenary,  and  corrupt." 
In  his  letter  to  Knowlton.  Kendall  says, — 

••  They  (meaidng  the  friends  of  Clay  :itid  Adiimri)  combined  lo  withdraw  frofil  rae  all  public  and  private 
"  FATKONAlJE,  to  destroy  niv  rhamcier,  and  reduce  uiy  family  to  d«gradaiion  ault  b<.',;);urv.  I  fell  that  Mr. 
"Clay  was  ungrateful.— AMOS  KENDALL." 

I  select  the  following  passage  from  page  374  of  the  Expositor,  for  1843,  by  Amos  Kendall, 
Washington : 

"Impbdbnob— Ta«  Latest  S:iPEciMEN.— Mackenzie,  in  his  New  York  Examiner,  says  wc  were 'once /uro 
benk  i'    His  language  is  this  : 
"  Week  «fi«i;  wedi,  aiuoUi  ofttir  month,  tJie  Otob«  taktt  pleuuxe  to  tieoouiiciiiit  Mr.  Tylw  twcauso  be  would 


United  Stai 
ordeied  by 
so.  Thoin 
He  asked  t 
acted  right, 
ed  of  its  m 
The  spe 

not  mnkc  dmni 
CriHWull  and  to 

There  unoilii 
(.'liirite  like  tliiti, 

Friiin  IHIti,  thi 
iiid  ill  Iri.J3,  In  t 

IrUHl-Wit.      Bui 

Uiiveninieiit  in  i 

Th  ri!  IS  OIK!  ci 

ttuM'  from  the  no 

Did  not  K 
when  he  foun 
Ailanis  then,  i 
■-tali;  banks  .' 
(lu'ir  unciinst 
iinprovcincnlf 
'•auscil  charte 
..f  Kentucky 

From  ih 

"Jackcion  will 

ii.i*  Imt  to  neU'ct 

iiriiiiiolH  them.    ' 

MVM  tACTl  IIK.S, 

In  ISU\,  Mr 

;ii»i  he  thinks 
Will  Kcml;i 

,iil>i>  lt-i"V  Wci 

r.-iicr  adiiiii  til 
ni'  aii\  men  'li 

\Ir.<'i;iy.  ,. 

jili'clgc  fhe  hai 

ippriipriaif  il 

Is'-.Vi  a  hig! 

— itiiii  iiad  ma 

.•iMtic,  lilllie  n 

«liip  a;  ■lii'.i.im 

luiurscr  fur.'if: 

liiice  the  mail 

he  w.xs  a  hui 

Ves,  it  is  trui 

iin>idciation 

for  money, 

My  iniprcs- 
iiii-'nt  for  IKil. 
it.  He  .siait 
'•iiicc  182.').  Ii;ii 
ill  IftUi,  hni  : 
vcars  Ix'fuic, 
i.c  had  paid,  o 

Lettt 

••  Dear  Sir  :—0 
than  ever.  1  ku 
'akf,  Imt  I  think 
juiijjw  by  any  ini 
liive  iloubtli'ii.<  n 
Adaiiii.  But  if 
rate,  Ut  us  hai;c 
Do  ichiU  yitn  t/iii 
w\.  i\u-  iiimiffis 


i 


I  of  their  re- 
he  ditference 
ugh  a  belief 
ters  10  Mon- 

at  it  was  the 
irc  from  the 


was  copied  into 
m  as  .Sifietary, 
i?c  orUic  UlolA?, 
te  imaind  Juck- 
?l'uie  the  presi- 
ing  equal — but, 
I  .-^hall  be  con- 

'lay  intended  to 
\f  to  defend  with 
,  who  liail  voted 
We  knew  that 
:d  Mr.  Adams's 
lit  he  supported 
slature  on  oatii, 
I  Adams,  was  A 
ngton,  where  he 
tiT  atldressed  to 
I  may  feel  con- 
be  the  means  or 

But  turn  to  his 
>  tell.    He  says: 

of  all  impiitntlunf, 
r.  Clay  violHird  the 
I.  Inijiead  of  buliig 
i\v  t)i:it  no  riiiiininii 
in  WINKINU  lU  a 
MOS  KE.MiAt.1..  ■ 

Mlitieian,  "and 

sted  and  selfish. 

Plire  me,  and 

ns; — neglect  me, 

life,  as  the  coun- 

iuch,  though  not 

;aine  his  enemy, 

icky  for  Jackson 

•on  and  Calhoun 

ten  tiial  at  the 

*  the  price  of  his 

e  '  SLANDERS 

cd  sum,  wliich  I 

[{ that  it  was  "  at 

s(xin   ail'T,    "  I 

d  ''onfession  to 

;ut  MONKv — paid 

meral  Green  de- 


public  and  privnte 
y.    I  tell  that  Mr. 

r  Amos  Kendall, 

Bvc  were  'oneefor  a 
t  twcAuso  be  would 


MARTIN  VAN  BURBN's  POSTMASTER  OBNERAL. 


119 


United  States  Bank,  ami  place  it  in  other  banks.  Ho  refused  to  do  this  unless 
ordeied  by  Con^res.s,  or  unless  reasons  should  be  a-shigned  to  justify  his  doing 
!,o.  Tbuinas  Ritchie,  of  the  Union.,  approved  of  his  course  in  thus  refusing. 
He  asked  the  opinion  of  Col.  Duan^,  his  father,  who  also  told  hitn  that  he  had 
acted  ri^ht,  though  he  thought  the  bank  charter  unconstitutional,  and  disapprov> 
cd  of  its  tnanageinent. 
The  speculating  banks  and  politicians,  of  whom  Van  Burcn  was  the  ready 

not  initkccnmiiiiin  cnu4'>  with  tlio  Van  Uurun  cliciuc  I  Imvo  duscrilind;  and  Kendnll,  onco  fur  the  bank,  joini 
C'roj^vL'll  nnil  l'olli)W:<  suit.' 

Tliurv  uiiuiliini;  10(1  Uurcrur.ed  Tor  di'praviiy  to  invent  and  iimlicc  to  a<«>rt;  hut  tho  ttrptH  who  make^  a 
olMriie  iiki!  tills.  i<iiii::s  unly  Iuh  own  iHxIy. 

Fniiii  IHIIj,  the  Bunk  .MonHier  iieviT  cciiited  t»  rcrelvi'  our  hlnw't  wlirn  wc  rnu'd  atrlkn  Willi  tlin  lenit  eflitct ; 
111(1  id  lrtJ3,  in  itv  riMi  ival  ut'  tlii>  ilupiiiits,  wlilcli  ^l.lKkellzil'  condeiiiii'i,  we  cut  tile  cluU  Willi  which  our  IKrcu- 
:i'D!il'W  It.  But  r>r  ilint  iii('a<ur(<,  it  wiMilii  Inivo  lived  il  >t>l  it  p' ri^lied  In  its  own  coriuptiimii,  iiiviilvin|{  the 
Giivenimeiit  in  the  rmn  wliiili  ovi^rtimk  ilie  too  coiiflUiiiK  Ntnekholdcrs. 

Tli  ru  IS Diiit  ouiHo  :iiiiiii  iii  iiiu'li  aitickn :  They  d  stroy  tiie  euiilidi'iicr  of  the  people  in  nil  the  libeli  wliicll 
rt(jA'  from  iheiiaiiie  soun;-:  upon  inont  hnp.trtniil  iN'ruoiiiiKM." 

Hid  not  KPU'iall  ilo  his  wiy  Ix-st  to  seeurc  the  eli'ffi(m  of  Adams  over  Jackson  in  1825, 
when  he  found  that  Clay  cduld  not  be  elected  by  the  Ifoiisc  of  Rcprescnfatives — and  wan  not 
Aiiains  ilK'n,  as  mnv,  ihc  advucaltr  of  a  national  bank  in  ptefcrciicc  to  a  thousand  unchecked 
■•tatt;  banks  !  KciidaH's  K\pi»itor  coiilaiiu'd  endh'ss  harangues  against  bank  and  taritij 
ihfir  unci.nstitutloiKiliiy,  but  (lid  he  not  sujiport  ilie  advocates  of  boih.  and  also  of  internal 
iinprcvcinerils,  till  he  got  his  price  !  Yes,  and  in  1817-18,  he  and  his  frienils,  and  partisans 
.:aiiM!(l  charters  to  be  irranted  to  more  ttian  forty  spurious  banks,  tliereby  flooding  the  stati; 
ef  Kentucky  wiih  wiiitlilcss  paper. 

^'roln  tho  KBnlU(!ky  ArKU',  hy  Kendall,  (copied  into  the  NiUldnnI  Intel liifencir,  8e,)t.  13,  18!J4.) 

■  Jiicksim  will  ifft  IViincs!-'^''  and  Clay  will  uet  Keiitiirky  u.*  certninly  as  they  remain  cnndidntev,  »nd  Iiidlona 
iiiis  t)iit  1(1  select  litiii  w  hose  policy  Is  iiiosl  lavoiiriililc  to  li  r  inleicsts,  and  wliose  talents  are  most  conii>etent  to 
;ir(iinote  them.  That  this  is  II. my  (^lay,  thk  powlrfui.  Anvoe4Ti:ni'  imtrrnal  iMPKnvKMiCNT«  and  domkstic 
\i\M  lACn  KKH,  uo  unprej(i(liri'il  man  can  doiiUl." 

In  181(1,  Mr.  Clay  voted  fur  ihc  laie  U.  S.  Rank,  and  has  ever  since  eontiniially  avowed 

uifil  he  tiiinks  huch  an  iiisiiuniun  iieeessar\  and  edusiitu'ional. 

Will  Kfinlall  asseii  thai  he  iiied,  first  lo  elect  (May  in  l^'-l,  and  tiien  Adams  in  18'25,  bo- 
,.iise  ih''v  were  for  thr  bank,  and  to  kci'p  dut  JaekMni  because  he  was  opposed  to  it ''.  He  had 
r./iier  adiii't  that  he  was  a  niejin.  sordid,  nieireiiarv  ndveniiirer,  ready  to  '^o  for  any  principle.s 
i^i  any  men  that  paid  liesi.     |iiii(>eil  lie  has  i;diiiitled  as  iimch  in  liis  ieiier  lo  KnowUon. 

Mr.  Clay.  |i;c\  ions  to  Kendjill's  deseilion  to  the  JaciiMHi  litmp,  had  siippntted  a  bill  to 
plivJgc  flie  bank  b miis  as  an  internal  iinpfdvemeiil  fund — had  declared  thai  Congrerss  mighi. 
ippriipriaie  ih  •  revenue  lo  ediisii'uei  canals  and  jxisi  roans — hudad\ocated  in  the  spring  oi 
is'Jii  a  higii  pr  •teciive  larill^ — had  voied  in  censure  (.iciicral  Jackson  for  his  ((nulnci  in  Florida 
—and  liaii  made  A(iaiijs  I'lcsideiii  of  the  I'niicd  isiai(  s.  All  this  Kendall  eiidorseil  as  dcmo- 
.•iiiti(',  till  he  refiisc(,  liim  a  if'l,ri(Kloliic(>,  while  Jaiksoiiism  held  out  ihi?  ])i-ospecl  of  an  audiloi- 
«liip  a:  fii:>."00.  'I'lic  Aiiioid,  ihe  Diiinoiuii/  of  ]).)liiics,  in  IHJii,  joinetl  Hlair  whom,  as  an 
i  luluisor  for  .•ip"i(',Oi)0,  the  bank  of  the  Uniied  riiales  had  forgiven,  and  hired  himself  out  to  ira- 
(iiKv  the  man  wlio>e  kind  faiiiily  and  imspitable  mansion  liad  atiorded  him  a  siieltor  when 
he  was  a  hungry,  friendless  >ir;iiiger,  a  luiclless  barrister  travelling  ia  scaidi  of  strife. 
\'es,  it  is  Hue,  hicndall  deeply  injured  ilie  personal  and  political  friend  wlio  liad  given  hi'n 
■  on^ideialion  in  Keiiiiieky,  and  \»  hose  family  had  teiuled  him  in  sickness.  This  was  done 
for  money,  gain — ilie,"e  wii'*  no  principle  iir. oKcii. 

My  iuipit's-ion,  until  I  saw  Clay's  staieinent  on  page  tJ'Ji.f  vol.  i.  of  .Minor's  Public  Docu- 
ment for  KnU,  was,  that  he  dwncd  much  slock  in  liic  L'.  S.  Rank,  and  was  deeply  indebted  lo 
it.  lie  suilod,  houcver,  in  Senate,  Dec.  1!>,  IfvJIt,  iliat  lie  had  not  U'cn  counsel  for  the  bank 
^iiice  liS:2.'>,  liad  iml  held  a  siiare  li.i'  many  years,  did  not  owe  die  bank  ii  cent,  iiad  voted  for  it 
in  I8u;,  bill  siibsei ib'd  for  none  of  il.-^  stock,  and  (>n  tlie  liiilurt!  of  a  I'riend  twelve  or  fifteen 
vears  Ix'fure,  liad  as  his  ciuldrscr,  become  respdiisiblc  to  the  bunk  for  a  large  amount  uhich 
i,c  had  paid,  owing  lie  in^tiuuion  no  fa\tii-. 

Ijetter,  Amos  Kendall  to  Henry  Clay,  at  Wasiliiniiion,  dated  I'raiikfort,  Ky.,  Jan.  21,  \H'). 

•■  Dear  tsir : — Our  legislature  i«  pone,  hut  have  let'i  us  no  re piiHO,  Wo  h.ive  a  prospect  of  a  contest  more  embittered 
than  ever.  I  reurut  It,  and  would  gladly  escapi' tVoni  it ;  but  the  tales  stem  to  order  it  otherwise.  I  may  inis- 
t.'ike,  but  I  think  the  Icgi.-I.ilure  will  lie  t^usluiiied.  The  excitement  is  anioiij^  ihone  opposed  to  reinoviii'.;  tlic 
judges  by  any  nieaijs.  .As  I  iKrorincd  you,  the  resolulioiis  nviuesting  you  to  vote  fcr  Jackson  passed,  and  you 
iiivciloubilcii^  received  them,  .tarksun  is  my  second  choice,  i\\\  rlrcuinstaiices  being  e(|nal  between  liim  and 
Adams.  But  if  our  mfr.rcst.  in  Ihe.  irc<t  can  he  {iromiited  hij  anil  other  iirraH^etnenl,  I  gliiill  he  content.  ..It  any 
rate,  Ut  U3  haiic  a  President.  I  would  sooner  vote  lor  aiiy  of  the  three  than  have  a  Viceuerent  lor  four  years. 
Vo  lehai.  y<m  Viink  bcst—tkc  .irgus  will  not  comjilaiii,  because  it  has  faith  that  yon  will  dn  nolhinit  to  compro- 
piiJMhe  iineieHs  of  the  wc^•letIl  co'ii'ry.  or  Uie  nation,     biiicefcly  yourlViend,     '  .\,M0l5  KENDALL." 


li"' 


■    i} 


1^. 


i-    •■<     ■•' 


'!»■>'' i*  "'■   * 


& 


* 


*l.' 


I'.. 


'  i 


DUANi:  S  REASONS  RIGHT.      WKIGHT  Ei  VOTES  WUGNG. 

agent,  were  eager  to  grasp  the  many  millions  of  money,  the  proceeds  of  heavy 
tf  .cation,  which  the  tarilf  of  1828  had  imposed.  Dunne's  reasons  for  refus- 
ing to  gratify  them,  as  stated  to  General  Jackson,  were  very  powerful. 

He  reminded  the  General  that  the  law  made  him  responsible  to  Congress  if 
he  removed  the  deposites — that  the  proposed  pjt  banks  were  far  less  sale  than 
the  bank  of  the  LI.  S. — that  Congress  had  pronounced  the  public  money  safe — • 
that  no  thorough  investigation  had  been  made  into  the  allairs  of  the  bank — that 
no  real,  adequate  security  would  be  oUcred  by  the  local  banks,  and  that  he 
could  not  judge  of  their  fitness  or  solvency  by  hearsay — that  he  had  not  been 
confirmed  in  his  office  by  the  Senate — that  the  U.S.  Bank  had  received  and  paid 
400  millions  of  dollars  for  government,  without  the  loss  of  a  cent,  but  that  it  was 
a  well-known  flxct  that  millions  had  been  already  lost  to  the  country,  by  trusting 
the  public  money  with  the  managers  of  local  banks,  the  misconduct  of  which  had 
caused  much  uncertainty  as  to  the  value  and  amount  of  the  paper  currency — 
that  if  the  U.  S.  Bank  was  Ki'llish,as  had  been  said,  surely  \.\w  local  banks  would 
not  prove  less  so — that  they  would  trade  upon  the  public  money  to  be  entrusted  to 
them,  and  be  unable  to  refund  it  when  required  to  do  so — that  perhaps  it  would 
be  better  for  the  government  to  do  without  any  banks  at  all — that  now  was  the 
time  to  make  a  full  inquiry  as  to  that — that  it  would  be  very  unwise  to  enter  into 
entangling  alliances  with  institutions  which  derange,  depreciate,  and  banish  gold 
and  silver,  the  only  constitutional  currency — that  a  therough  inquiry  into  the  con- 
dition of  the  currency  was  much  required,  but  that  we  need  not  look  for  the  neces- 
sary information  from  interested  bank  agents — that  it  would  be  well  to  resist  a 
combination  of  powerful  monied  monopolies  before  the  only  means  of  resistance 
would  be  through  a  public  convulsion  —  that  both  the  local  and  United  States 
Banks  were  monopolies,  alike  at  variance  with  the  .sovereignty  of  the  United 
States  and  the  general  good  of  the  people — that  a  removal  of  the  depositi  s 
would  bring  on  a  struggle  for  power  between  the  national  and  state  banks,  by 
means  of  which  thousands  of  innocent  persons  would  be  ruined — and  that  it 
there  must  be  banks  for  social  or  fiscal  uses,  surely  one  bank*  for  the  whole 

*  Louis  McLane,  Secretary  of  the  Treasiu-y  before  Dnanc,  opposed  the  removal 'of  tho 
(Icposils,  and  so  did  Cass,  Ihonjjh  the  latter  was  pliant  ami  ready  to  go  either  way.  Van  Bu- 
ren,  in  private,  prol'essed  to  McLane,  lor  some  time  al'lor  Tolaiid's  Report,  and  the  vote  in  iIt' 
n.  of  R.  favorable  to  the  baid\,  thai  In  tuo  in/s  uppnxd  in  lltr  n  iiiorri/ ! !  Oleourse,  it  was  Van 
Buren,  and  his  Safety  Fiiiul  Hanks,  that  controlled  the  vote  of  this  state  in  ("onf,'ress,  and  it 
was  that  vote  that  contmlled  the  deposit  (iiiestion.  The  laiitniau'c  of  the  (tldie,  Post,  ami 
Argus,  and  of  CamhrelenL'',  IVardslcv,  Vander|ioel,  Wri!,dit,  and  'i'allniatL'-i' — Lawrence  ami 
Butler's  Letters— Wriirht's  orders  to  the  legislature  of  ,\.  V.',  ihrou'.di  llovt  (p.  -Jit).  No.  'jrui), 
and  the  118  votes  in  the  A>sembly — also  the  great  meeting  <"i  Tammany  llall,  and  J(>hn  Van 
Buren's  correspondence,  atfi)rd  ample  proof  that  Van  Buren  ;md  his  confederates  decided  the 
removal  of  the  public  money.  Colonel  Young  had  a  deep  interc>t  in  the  Safety  i'und  Bank*^, 
and  we  find  him  declaring  that  black  lines  ought  to  be  drawn  across  tlie  laces  lA'  the  Senatur-^ 
who  had  censured  .Jaclcson  li)r  removing  tlie  di'jiosits. 

In  18:}I,  Silas  Wright  "  would  merely  pronounce  his  opinion  that  the  couniiy  would  sustain 
the  Executive  arm  of  the  go\ernmei)t  in  the  e.vperiment  now  makin;,'  lo  Md.-tiiutc  the  Sl;;|e 
Institutions  for  the  Rank  of  the  Uniteil  States,  lie  had  mo^t  entire  conlideiice  in  the  full  ;ni(l 
complete  success  of  the  experiment.  It  was  his  (irm  opinion  that  the  ^teps  that  had  been  taKi  n 
would  redound  to  the  honor  iiiid  best  interests  of  the  cduntry,"  When  the  banks  binke^ 
Wright  talked  in  this  lli-hion  :  '•  Under  this  law, all  the  existing  deposit  banks  accepted  tlici; 
high  Iru^t  to  the  government  and  people  of  the  country,  and  ici'eived  .-•ome  forty  millions  ci 
t'"'  public  treasure,  aiul  yet,  strange  to  tell,  before  a  single  twelvcmondi  had  pa;-scd  au^iy,  tiny 
all  vefii.'se  to  pay  gold  and  silver  lor  their  notes.  Nay  more,  and  worse,  they  even  iclii^e  to  jiay 
to  {i\>  government  anything  buttheirown  irredeemable  bank  notes — tlio'^e  notes  which  the  liiw 
prohibits  the  ofiicers  of  the  govermnent  from  either  receiving  or  ptiying  out,  lor  the  nii!lio!;« 
entrusted  to  their  .salii  keeping.  The  drafts  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  II.  S.,  diawn  upon  a  deiv  - 
sit  bank  tor  a  mere  trust  fund,  belonging  to  individual  citizens,  which  fund  was  by  the  govern- 
ment imported  from  abroad  in  gold  and  silver,  and  in  gold  and  silver  placed  in  that  banlc  tor 
sale  keeping,  have  been  dLshonored  and  returned  without  payment,  because  the  holder  of  the 


country,un( 
irresjionsibl 
(in  which  1 
the  keepinj 
speculating 
as  a  refugf 
death  and  ' 
He  did  n 
opposition  i 
rashly  guilt 
bank  had  d 
ons  to  plact 
on  the  will 
quently  to 
Uuion.)  1 
did  not  orij: 

drafts  would 
shown  it  wo 
Wright  knew 
\S'ii,  that  at  i 
favorable  to  a 
we  nnist  hav 
March  -JO,  IH 
the  duties  re!| 

■'  When  I  li 
thins,"  said  ; 
ofGod.  In  1 
wherever  it  e.' 
to  wain  the  S 
l^uiid  .system 
(lowed,  in  tli 
their  ass(viai 
lending  Heei 
tiom  the  pub 
liatt;in  and  it 
the  goverinni 
the  usiu'y  of 

Mr.  Callu 

"IjCI  lis  licit  I 
pMlirr  liy  iiiflm 

Ol'llie  IMlllIU'  III 

riiiiiiiiiii  I'liirni 

Rllllv  Oi'lIlP  I'. 

iiscliil  Ciinctiiiii 
llclllUL'MI|si|lui| 

t(i  ciincoivc  liny 
Ilia  lilt)  whiilr 

K|IC'Clltlti(m.  jK' 

ineniii'es  ami  pi 
iiii;!lu  nut  III'  t;i 
lis  yet  ciijiiy  Us 
A.Sl)  A  ^YSTKM 

(nrsruY.  I  l( 
niiniiiiis  111'  pi) 
liiivr  cvtciiili'il 
bull'  111!'  rrrinl 
-SAl.l'.S  I'U  \ 
intbniii.'il,  II  II II 
new  iiiTiiniri'iiii 
tiiinl.  n>>  (liiiilii 
t'nilpd  Si;ilcs  I 
Kiciti'il  liiiii!:-^ 
piisiKs — 111  ilr;i 
'J'llDSK  Willi  1 
lUVE  IIIK  MKA 


)NG. 


DUANE  AND  CALHOUN  ON  THR  CURRENCY,  IN  1834. 


121 


oceeds  of  heavy 

masons  for  refiis- 

veiful. 

('  to  Congress  if 

ir  less  sale  than 

c  money  safe — 

the  bank — that 
iks,  and  that  he 
lu!  had  not  been 

ceivrd  and  paid 

t,  but  that  it  Avas 

nlry,  by  trusting 

ict  of  which  had 

aper  currency — 

)cal  banks  woiikl 

0  be  entrusted  to 

jerhaps  it  would 

lat  now  was  the 

vise  to  enter  into 

and  banish  gold 

liry  into  thecon- 

lok  for  the  neces- 

well  to    resist  a 

lans  of  resistance 

d  United   States 

ty  of  the  llnited 

jf  the   deposit!  s 

d  state  banks,  by 

ned — and  that  it 

V*  for  the  whole 

Ihr  removal  of  {]v 
her  way.  Van  Bii- 
,  and  tlif  vote  in  ih'' 
i'couiM',  it  was  Vnii 
in  Con^'ress,  and  it 
he  l.ilolie,  Pcist,  ami 
!■.'(" — Lawroiiee  and 
,t  (|v  -J ID.  No.  2')t;), 
Liali,  and  John  Van 
pderaics  decided  llv 
Sali'tN  Knnd  Haiil^, 
iccN  (d'  the  Seuatol'- 

)uniiy  would  >u,'-i;!in 
sul.^^linitc  tlie  8l;;Ii' 
cncc  ill  till'  lull  ami 
that  had  been  taloii 
en  the  hanks  hidKi', 
lianlcs  accepted  tlicii 
me  forty  millions  cl 
\[  pa^.-^ed  away,  tin  y 
y  even  i{'lu>e  to  pay 
notes  which  the  hiw 
out,  liir  the  riiillioi;'^ 
di.iun  opon  .i  den'  - 
i  was  hy  the  ■fttvern- 
ced  in  that  banlv  for 
sc  the  holder  ol'  tiie 


country ,under  the  control  of  Compress,  was  better  than  a  thousand  banks  altogether 
irresponsible — that  one  eflect  of  taking  the  public  treasure  from  the  U.  S.  Bank 
(in  which  the  public  had  invested  seven  millions  of  dollars),  and  placing  it  in 
the  keeping  of  a  ho.st  of  local  banks,  with  their  gambling,  .stock-jobbing,  land 
speculating  managers,  might  he  to  drive  thupeoph;  to  adopt  a  thirfl  U.  S.  Bank, 
as  a  refugo  from  their  irredeemable  trash  (which  but  lor  Harrison's  sudden 
death  and  Tyler's  unexpected  vetoes,  would  have  been  tlie  case  in  l!S41). 

He  did  not  propose  the  Sub  Treasury  scheme,  but  expressed  the  most  decided 
opposition  to  the  U.  S.  Bank — he  would  institute  a  thorough  inquiry,  but  not  be 
rashly  guilty  of  a  breach  of  the  ol)Iigation  of  conlracls  tt)\v,ir(l  the  bank.  If  the 
bank  had  done  wrong  the  judiciary  wore  able  to  punish,  lie  thought  it  danger- 
ous to  place  in  the  hands  of  a  secretary  of  the  treasury,  dependent  for  his  olliee 
on  the  will  of  the  President,  a  power  to  favor  or  piinish  local  banks,  and  conse- 
quently to  make  thein  political  machinery  (like  \'an  Ikiren's  Safely  Fund 
Union.)  He  knew  that  the  elforts  made  to  hasten  tin.'  removal  of  the  de[)osiles 
did  not  originate  with  patriots  or  statesmen,  but  in  schomes  to  lu'omote  factious 


ihafts  woidd  not  receive  the  irredeeniahle  bil 


mat 


laiih 


'•aiislheiiiin.''     Dii.ine  had 


shown  it  would  be  so  bet()re  "  ihe  e.vpeiinieni'"  was  made,  and  thai  it  had  ahvavs  been  m'. 
\Vrii,dit  knew  that  just  as  well  in  IKU  as  in  1S:5N.  Matthew  L.  Davis  writes  Webb,  l^eb.  H, 
1831,  that  at  a  meetiiit,' of  the  Senators  for  X.  "\'.  and  the  conmiillee  of  meiehants  of  N.  "\'., 
favorable  to  a  U.  S.  llaiik,  WriLcht  sa'id,  '■  Cientlenien.  1  am  opposed  lo  any  V .  S.  llaiik,  but  if 
we  must  have  a  baid<,  1  do  not  want  a  eommereiid  but  a  pdlilienl  bank.''  In  his  sp'cidi  nf 
March  -JO,  \S'M,  he  calls  the  |iet  banks  "  perleeily  safe  ap^iits,  lidly  eonipetent  to  (li>eharj;e  all 
the  duties  re^iuiicd  in  the  culici'tion  and  disbnrsemi'nt  ofllie  poMie  revenne.'' 

■'  When  I  bow  ilown  myself  in  the  House  di'  Uiinnion,  thf  Lord  piirdon  thy  servant  in  this 
thins;,"  said  Xaaman,  captain  of  the  host  of  ihe  kini,'  of  Syria,  lo  l-;iis|ia  the  Hebrew  prophet 
ofGod.  In  like  maimer,  .Idliii  < '.  ('alliDiin's  clear  iiiielleet  cnii  discern  and  aciinowledir^.  ov/i 
wherevi'r  it  exists,  mdi'ss  it  b-  in  the  enslavement  (if  ilv  sons  of  Africa  ;  and  he  was  now  ready 
to  warn  tlie  Senate  of  the  maiiifold  miseries  which  Van  Diireifs  extension  of  the  X.  Y.  Safety 
Fund  system  would  briii'.,'  upon  his  country.  In  his  sjieeeh.  January  1!{.  IsilM,  he  foresha- 
dowed, in  the  (dearest  manner,  the  landjobiiin;r  <if  the  Butlers,  Wrieiit<.  Van  Hnrens,  and 
their  associates — Jiidije  AVoo  Ibury  pulliny  t!ie  wires  for  the  ris"  ;'nd  (all  of  stocks — Hiiyt 
Icndini;  Heers  the  pulilie  funds — John  Van  l^iiren  speeulaiin.,'  in  \>-^'M,  and  ll|•awin^•  ea.-h 
from  the  public  in  iKiO — Swartwoul  keepimr  the  bonds  ^Tlr'as  he  kk't  ih'-m — and  the  Man- 
liattun  and  its  conlederate  banks  lendine'  the  |)ublic  treasure  to  their  conupt  maiianer.s,  wliHe 
the  ,;^overnnient  bade  them,  .as  it  in  deri>ion.  to  help  the  merchants.  'rh"y  did  !■  dp  them,  al 
the  usury  of  cent  per  cent. 

Mr.  Ualhoun's  really  prophetic  remarks  wen'  ;is  follow; 

"  L(n  IIS  iKil  (li'coixr  (nirsclvcs— Uiis  lo.'iniic  -lliis  !i'<si)i'i:iUii:i  of  li;inl(s— (^rculrit  liV  liie  llxfciUivc— tiniind  (n- 
goilipr  liy  liillilcncp— united  in  I'diidiiim  :iriicl('s  (il'iisvirriMiiiMi  \ivirMct  .■mil  sii-Kiincd  liy  rccc'.vin;;  die  (l('|Kw|ts 
of  llic  piililic  llKincy.  mill  li;o  iiti;  their  ikiIcs  converliMl,  liy  lirin;;  :  •ccivril  cvnywln  r.'  |.y  llie  'l're:isiiry.  iiilii  llio 
(■"iiiiii':n  (•(iireiiry  (if  llie  iimntry,  is  til  (ill  iiUeiils  mill  |iiii-|iiis(-^,  ;i  H:iiili  dl'  die  I'liileil  Siiiie> — dir  I'lxeiiitivo 
Bulk  (il'tlie  I'.  S.,  ;i.s  ilisllnu'iiistieil  Iriiiii  tliat  (il'(,"oii!!rcss.  Mnwever,  it  iiiiu'lit  l.iil  In  iierruoii  stuisliicldiily  lli« 
iisci'iil  rtinrtidiis  ol'ttie  U  ink  dldie  I'.  S.,  iis  incnriidnilcd  liy  l:iv  ,  it  wciilil  uiu-iriii  il-lar  diil-.ln|i  it— m  nil  '\ir> 
(liiimfr(i(ls(|(iiilities,  ill  oMendiiiL'  llii'  |i(i\\t  r,  die  iiilliieiicc  miii  die  inn  ii|itiiiii  dlllie  (iiiM  iiiiii.  lit.  It  w.i-i  ii;:|io-sili|e 
til  cdni'.eive  liny  in^titiiiiiiii  iiiiiri^  Milinirihly  (■.•iliiihiieil  to  .■ulviiiice  ilies(!  iilijei-ts.  Nut  diily  dir  xdeiicil  li;iiik<, 
Imt  die  wliiili'  li^'iikini;  instiliitiiins  111' till' Cdiiiilry,  .■iiiil  uidi  it  tlie  eiitiii'  iiiniiey  innver,  lnr  the  |)iir|iiises  et' 
speiiil  iliiin,  iieciiliitidn,  mid  Cdrniiiliiin,  wiiiihl  he  |iliiceil  under  the  Cdiitldl  iil'  the  ll\eiiili\i.'.  .A  >\>ieiii  iil' 
nii'ii.u'i's  and  pripliiises  will  ho  eslahlisliod— nt  iiiniaL'o  M  the  lianks  in  imsM'ssiim  ill"  the  d.'iid-iite-,  hut  \\  hicli 
iiii;;ht  iidl  lie  eiltir";ly  »nlis(!rvielit  In  IvvecnliM'  views  ;  and  iiy  iirninise  iil'  I'litMre  l;iviir<  tn  tlinse  wild  iiiny  nut 
a.s  yet  enjiiy  its  liiviir^.      Iletwecn  Ihe  twn,  Ihe    Hanks   wmild   he   lel't  wilheiil    liillie  nrr.    leiiKir,  nr   hoiic.'.lv; 

A.SIl  A  '~YSTKM   IlK  ^l'l:(  ri.ATlllN  AND  STOCK  .IDIlIUMi   Wllllll    (IIMMKM  K.  INliJl  AM.hn    IN    Till:    ASNAI.S    (IK    dlK 

( iiCN  I'UY.  1  Tear  they  liave  alri'ady  (■iiiiiiiieni"d  I  Tear  die  iie-ni-.  u  liiih  have  hii'M  |iia  iniu  dm  haiuK  nl'  the 
liiiiniins  dl'  power  hy  the  reiiiiivai  nl'  die  depusits.  ami  pliciii:;  diriii  in  Ihe  vaMlH  nf  di'|ii'iiil  int  haiikv, 
liavi:  eMeiiileil  llieir  inpidily  tii  the  piililir  laiiih.  partiiiilirlv  in  die  Miiidiwe-I  ;  and  thai  to  dii-.  we  iiui-i  .iiiri- 
bale  tne  receiil  iilieniiiiien.i  in  Ihit  ipi  irlei  — i\imvn-ik  ash  \mcaiii.v:  iuai  rs  (i>-  i.anp  .soi.ii  at  siniiir  Noii'  k 
-SAl.t'.S  Fit  \fl)l'l-t'.\"l'l,V  l'(iSI'l'i).\i;i)'fO  .AIICI'IIK  M'.;('i;i,\l'nllS:  with  wlnrli,  il  lam  nut  nii^- 
inloriiK-il,  11  11  line  not  linknnwii  to  this  liody  ((iwiiij  has  perliirined  a  piianineiil  |i  ut.  A^  to  stork  Jolihint;.  dii.i 
new  lUTant'eiiifiit  will  open  a  Held  wliicli  llndisihilil  liiin-ell' in  i\  envy.  It  li'.s  heeii  roiia.i  h  d '.v  orU  -very 
lianl.  nil  doiihl  liy  the  joliher- in  ^tock  wild  have  heen  ei,'_'.ii!eil  in  alti'iiipl:  In  r.ii''e  or  dl■pre^•<  the  price  i,|' 
I'niled  Slates  H  ink  Slink  ;  hut  no  work  will  hi;  iinir.'  easy  than  to  raise  iir  depress  tin,"  pdn  iil'  the  -^lock  iirihi'' 
ulecied  hanks,  nl  the  pleiiMire  id'  the  I'.xfeutive.  .\dlliini!  more  will  he  reiiMin  d  llian  to  uiM-  or  i\  illihold  i|(>- 
luisitcs — Id  draw,  iir  iihslaiii  Irnlti  drawiim  warr.ints-' -tn  painpei-  tin  in  at  one  lime,  mid  .sl  irve  Ihi  in  al  .tnolln  i. 
'I'lldSK  WHO  WdCl.li  UK.  IN  llO:  sia  IU;T,  ANIl  M  lid  Wol  I  n  IvMIW  U  MHS  1  (1  III  V  AMI  W111:N  ro  sKI.l,.  Wol'f.n 
lUVE  TIIK  MKAN''  OK  lll;Al.l/.l  N'l     DV  PKALIVl  IN    llIK  STIK  KS  WIIATKVKIl  Kll-ilsi:    1  MK\    Mldlll    I'lKAfOi." 


»'*■ 


^.'if 


k    I'     ■ 


122 


JACKSON  AND  HIS  FLATTERERS — DUANE  AND  THE  SINECURE. 


.  1. 

P5  .,Ai-  !  . 


i^i 


:  "I' 


purposes,  and  that  the  whole  proceeding  would  tend  to  diminish  the  confidence  of 
the  world  in  our  regard  for  national  credit  and  reputation. 

On  the  20th  of  Sept.,  1833,  the  Globe  announced  that  the  deposites  would  be 
removed.  i\ext  morning  Mr.  Duane  wailed  on  the  Prtsident,  and  told  him  he 
would  neither  resign  olKce  nor  remove  the  public  money  to  the  pets.*  Jackson 
tried  to  bribe  him,  or  call  it  what  el.se  you  please,  with  the  $18,000  bait  which 
so  many  have  swallowed  since,  the  Russian  embassy  sinecure.  "  My  dear  Mr. 
Duane  (said  the  President),  we  must  separate  as  friends.  Far  from  desiring  that 
you  should  sustain  any  injury,  you  know  I  have  intended  to  give  you  the  high- 
est appointment  now  in  my  gift.  You  shall  have  the  mission  to  Russia."  "  I 
am  sincerely  thankful  to  you,  sir  (replied  Duane),  for  your  kind  disposition — 
I  desire  no  new  station,  and  barely  wish  to  leave  my  present  one  blameless,  or 
free  from  apprehension  for  the  future.  Favor  me  with  a  written  declaration  of 
your  desire  that  1  should  leave  office,  as  I  cannot  carry  out  your  views  as  to  the 
deposites,  and  I  will  take  back  this  letter  [in  which  he  had  stated  the  same 
determination]."  On  Sept.  23d,  General  Jackson  wrote  his  resolute  officer, 
*'  I  feel  myself  constrained  to  notify  you  that  your  further  services  as  secretary 

Mil  a  letter  to  Juse|)Ii  Necf,  Sept.  :W,  1h3^<,  Mr.  Duane  said  uf  Cieiieral  Jackson,  "  His 
inclinnticjns  were  pntrioiic,  I'lil  his  passions  were  undisciplined.  Of  both,  designing  men  tooiv 
the  advanlaijc.  'J'lic  |iosH-ssion  of  power  pRKJuced  adulalinn  and  ser\'ility,  and  ihcse  into.vi- 
cated  the  President,  as  Uiey  had  btnviliicied  a-ieaier  men.  He  ruuld  not  bear  I'ontradiction, 
and  was  Jiiniscif  o\'crc(iiiii' by  ihc  hist  of  (nen-iiinin'j-.     Al   ii'ni,'th  a  viniticijve  s-pirit  niinc^icrj 

itself  witli  ll'cliM'T>  whi'jli.  if  well  rc^'uliiicil.  would  h.i\''  bci'ii  honourable  and  useful. 

The  I'residtnt.  while  he  fincied  his  will  wa^  llie  irui*  spring'  of  action,  was  but  a  purveyor  fur 
llie  ambitious  and  scllish  ini-ii  around  liini.  While  dcclaiiiiinj,'  aijainsf  abuses  of  the  bank,  lit- 
was  assisting  spccidaiurs  in  po!iiii-s,  siork.-.  and  lands  [such  as  Wright,  F'utler,  Yoiuig,  Van 
Bup'n,  Marcy.  Kendall,  il")!,  .Slilwcll.  Siephi-n  Allen.  Hlalr.  (.'anilnelencr,  Wetmore  and 
Swart^'ouij  10  graiily  their  ii\\  n  rapaeiijusness.  'I'hc  noiiun  ihal  his  rlandt'stine  assnciat»-^ 
(Kendall,  Whimey.  Hlair.  Ovc.J  weic  sluicived  at  ihc  nansacticms  otihc  bank,  oi'  at  the  wantot' 
morals;  in  <JonLTcss,  is  picpo.Mcmu-,." 

'I'lie  Mayseille  ICaglc  piiblisiicd  a  private  Iciti  i-  fioin  Mr.  Duane  to  a  gentleman  in  Mawn 
eounty,  Keniucky,  daicd  fhihuiclpnia,  (Jei.  17,  IK'iU,  as  follows: 

"  IJiar  Sir  :  I  hiivn  just  ncnv  riTcivi'il  your  loilrr  of  Itic  lOlli  instaiil,  cxprcssinir  yniir  approliulion  of  luv 
CLiiirse  its  Si'i'.rt'liiry  oi  tiif  Tnasnry.  I  liuve  iihviiys  lit'cii,  :iiiil  ;\iii,  npiiu-icd  to  tlii^  f.  S.  Hunk,  nml  to  ;ill  "■iicfi 
;trisU)cn.tic.  iiDimpoiiis ;  hiu.  I  ciinNi.Uiiil  tlio  roimmil  iii'  ihe  d'-posiU's  iiiiii('(  essiiry.  iiiHvisc,  viiidiilhc,  nrlii- 
tniry  nnd  imjust.  I  In  licvcd  Ihiii  tli,'  licv  tine  in  tht;  Scrretiiry  nf  the  'I'rfiisury.  niul  iint  to  the  I'rcsidcni,  dis- 
crfiUon  oil  tlu"  (iiiesiion  :  iind  1  would  not  mt  to  olilipr  the  I'ri'sidcnt  nor  iiny  liody  else  u  lien  I  lliiui;;lit  it  iiii- 
proper  to  ilo  ^o.  i  ncMT  .Hski'il  iiliri'  -I  !or<'pifil  It  ri'liiciiinily,  mid  w,is  rt'iiiovid  lor  ;in  lion('>t  di-i-iiiiri-'o  of 
my  duly.  IT  to  kctp  oilier  luid  $ii(M)0  a  yi':ir,  I  liiid  L'ivrn  up  my  .joiimiicnt,  1  should  have  lirou|.'ht  shiiiiie  upon 
Ihe  jiray  hMii"  ol'iiiy  liilher.  ioid  ui"(n  my  Muiiieroiis  chiiilreii  ;  so  that  I  am  content  to  return  to  hiindile  Im.' 
with  a  iramjuil  mliid.  \V. .(.  Dia.nk.'' 

"Mr.  Duane  was  disinis.Md  (say  Hlalr.  Van  Huvcn  and  Kendall,  througli  Ihe  Globe  of 
Niiv.  1!>)  lor  f'aiihle-^iu.'ss  to  his  Milcum  wrilieii  jiltdgcs,  ;ind  lor  the  exhibiliun  of  bad  teelings 
which  made  jiim  toially  until  l^r  the  sialiun  lo  which  he  liait  been  elcaled.  lie  was  nut  dis- 
missed iiii'iely  I'or  refusini.'- to  leiiiove  the  ficposites.''  Heniv  < 'lay  explained  the  thing  tmii't.' 
clearly  in  inie  of  his  spccdies.  "  A  snii  (said  he)  of  one  of  the  iaihers  ui  democracy,  bv  an 
admiriisiration  profe.->sing  to  be  demoi'iaiic,  was  expelled  fruiii  oilii'c,  iuid  his  place  supjilicd, 
by  a  fe.itlenuin,  who.  thniii<rhiiul  his  whole  career,  has  Ir'cii  uniloinily  opposed  lodcuiociac\ ,' 
-Mr.  Taney  was  read}'  I"  nbljo-e  \V;ill  street.  Uoyt.  Hiiiler.  Lnwrcnce  and  Cambreleiig.  i.;y  re- 
moving iniin)  millioiisi.t' dollars  I'rcim  a  bank  wlinse  paper  circulaicd  throughout tlie  I'nion  ami 
abroad,  to  weak  t'.-inks  whose  lolN  had  unl\  a  local  circuluiiidi,  and  of  wiiose  stock  the  rnieii 
held  not  a  itollar. 

Flattery  sent  Napoleon  to  .\[o:.e,,\y— it  induced  .lacKsoii  to  disini'<s  Duane,  to  cause  his 
characier  lo  be  (r;idnccd.  and  lo  cliiiir  to  Kendall,  Van  Hiircn,  Hlair  and  Butler,  who  had 
niocKed  and  sneeied  at  his  |mc|ciisjiiiis  ;is  a  candidtiie  for  the  presidency  in  IH-.'ll  and  'Jl, 
while  Ihe  Dutincs,  tiaher  and  son,  witc  tiijlirdiiu:  him  iheir  unboiight, ilisjnierested  and  powci- 
t'lil  siippfu't.  Ill  Aucrusi,  IKW,  Van  f-liucu  had  Ihrc"  Safety  Fiinil  (Minimis.sjoners — Amos 
Kendall  was  despaiidieii  fjoni  Wiisiiiniflon  as  ('oininissioner  tiie  fourth — James  (jJordoii 
Bennett  was  his  erony— they  ipiarrelled — Bennett  published  Kendall's  juiv.tte  oorrcspondeiici'^ 
with  him,  adding,  iliat  "  assuming  at  times  the  spirit  of  enthusiasm  for  libcrtv,  and  purity  oi 
•'piirpo.se,  you  [Kendall]  contrive  to  hide  purposes  of  the  deepest  avarice,  and  lo  conceal  the 
"mcbt  unshrinking  ferccity  toHiirds  those  wlo;  presume  to  cross  your  path." 


cf  the  treasurji 
remained  a  full 
jjliant  supplenc 
fls  Chief  Justi( 


as 


jesisted  Van  B 
tion  .'    No,  in 


Polk  and  the 
Banks. —  Vn 
and  Ten  Jk 
J.  Hoyt. — / 
in  Conventla 
Stocks  and  . 
liuren — beg[ 

The  history 
conspicuous  ac 

*  James  Kno> 
H'crwards,  to  reii 
»n(l  generally  to; 
01 1'ountenanee. 
Jiis  voliimc,  it  ni 
eiiiiy  liff!. 

The  Democrati 
Carolina,  Nov.  2 
years  okl.  SoiUL 
|iam3  was  Polloc 
^.-ideJ  ill  Maryl, 
jiiiJrew  Jackson 
Jl.at  "aciiizcii  u 
Ji'ss,  more  energ 
tut  live." 

Mr.  Polk's  fall 
JaiiDs  K.  was  in 
Jhmily,  had  to  loi 
;K.  is  die  oldest  o 
lion  near  Itis  lion 
%■  a  surgical  opi 

|>dl'.llOUS,    pL'l> 

|i;holar.    In  I  Hi; 

Was  admided  as 

Jfrved  as  clerk 

ti'sidoiicc,  and  in 

'Itauk,  he  kept  lii^ 

if'ter  Van  Bmen 

tlu  Tcmiesscans 

^ii'J  the  daiighur 

lut-d  and  bo:in 

Mutations,  (piict, 

hours.    Mr.  Poll 

fresbytorians, 

crii'ingnoducll 

at'ongre.ss,  and 

u  Sept.,  1837. 

n.lustrious,  and 

le  receivevi  a  vol 


SECURE. 

he  confidence  of 

posites  would  be 
und  told  him  he 

pets.*  Jacksou 
S,000  bait  which 

"  My  dear  Mr. 
rom  desiring  that 
ve  you  the  high- 
10  Russia."  "  I 
ind  disposition — 
»ne  blameless,  or 
?n  declaration  of 
r  views  as  to  the 
stated   the  same 

resolute  officir, 
ices  as  secretary 

■ral  Jackson,  "  His 
ck'.signin;^  men  took 
ty,  and  ihfs'.'  iiiloxi- 
bcar  coiiiradiction, 
■li\'<'  .'■■piiit  min^'lt'd 

iiid  iisotul. 

s  hill  a  piuvevur  fur 
iscs  oi'  ilie  bank,  lit- 
P.nilt'f,  Youiii,',  Van 
U'lv^,  Wetmoir  and 
indi'stim'  ass()c^iatf'>; 
Ilk.  or  at  till'  want  of 

rcnlleman  in  Mawn 

lur  aii|ir(ili:itiiin  of  iiiy 
.  Hiitik,  mill  li>  :ill  '■"I'll 
iiwiM',  vindiitlivc,  arlii- 
It  to  Iho  rrcsidiiii,  ilis- 
,\\u:n  I    llimciit  it  nil- 

111     llllllOl    <li-l'lliir|IO    r)t' 

vp  hnniijlit  ^lllllll^■  \l|Kin 
rotiirn  tn  liiiiiihlc  Im.' 

\V..I.  Ul  A.NK.'' 

oii-rli  the  Globe  ol' 

iliuii  olbail  t'oi'liiii.'s 

Ht3  was  nut  dis- 

ed  tiie  ihiiis^  iiMMt; 
I  di'iiiorracv.  b\  an 

1  his  |)ia<'i'  siipjilicd. 

IIOM'd  Icjdl'lIlUCIUi-'V.' 

I  ('amliivl('ii2;.  iiy  vf- 
ghoutlhe  I'liion  ami 
use  stock  the  riiion 

Diiaiie,  to  oaiist!  his 
mid  BulhT.  who  had 
icy  ill  lH-j:i  and  "Jl, 
iiiiTi'stcd  and  |:owcr- 
iiiiiiis.sioneri^ — Amos 
ilh — James  Gordon 
v.tte  coirc.spoiidf'iici' 
iberty,  and  jnirity  ot 
arui  to  r'onceal  the 


'I' 


JAMES  KNOX  POLK. 


123 


of  the  treasury  are  no  longer  required."  And  from  that  day  to  this,  Duane  has 
remained  a  full  private ;  while  Taney,  his  successor,  as  the  recompense  of  his 
pliant  suppleness  in  a  dishonest  cause,  has  ascended  to  the  seat  of  John  Marshall, 
as  Chief  Justice  of  the  Union !  Does  any  one  suppose  that  Taney,  had  he 
resisted  Van  Buren  &  Co.'s  spoliation  scheme,  would  have  received  that  promo- 
tion .'    No,  indeed. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 


Polk  and  the  Pels. — Po//c'.9  Early  Life. — Bank  Defaulters. — Griswold  on  the 
Banks. —  Van  Bitren''s  Pollcifin  1837. — ^Mechanics''  Bank. — Marcyh  Mortgage 
and  Ten  Million  Bunk. —  Van  Buren,  Lawrence,  and  Marcifs  Mc-ssnge. — 
J.  Hoi/t. — Alez.  Wells. — Col.  Samuel  Young — of  Irish  descent — a  Lawyer — 
in  Convention,  1821 — for  Clay — on  Hlarc  Representation — a  dealer  in  Bank 
Stocks  and  Scrips— for  Marcy—for  Banks — on  the  Watervliet  Bank — on  Van 
Buren — begging  for  Bank  Stock. 

_    The  history  of  the  pet  bank  experiment,  in  which*  Mr.  Polk  was  the  most 
conspicuous  actor  in-doors,  and  Mr.  Kendall  without,  would  fill  a  goodly  folio. 

*  James  Kno.'C  Polk,  President  of  the  United  States,  labored  indefatiL,'ably,  in  1833  and 
ffierwards,  to  remove  the  public  treasure  to  the  pet  banks,  put  down  the  United  States  Bank, 
>nil  generally  lofjive  success  to  whatever  measures  Kendall  and  Van  Buren  chose  to  propose 
iir  I'ountenanee.  As  1  sliall  iiave  to  auiice  ids  votes  aiul  proceediut;s  cm  many  occasions,  iu 
tiis  volum",  it  may  he  the  proper  time  now  to  ,i,'ive  my  readers  a  very  brief  sketch  of  his 
tiiiiy  life. 

The  Democratic  Review  oi"  1H3S  states  that  he  was  born  in  Mccklenburtjii  county,  North 
CaroliiKi,  Nov.  3,  171).)— he  is,  therefore,  like  Silas  Wright  and  B.  F.  Butler,  a  little  over  fifty 
yeais  old.  Some  accouuis  make  his  ancestors  Irish,  others  Scottish — some  say  their  original 
|iaine  was  Pollock,  others  that  it  was  Polk.  )t  appciars  that  his  branch  of  the  lamily  liaii 
jesiileJ  in  Maryland,  in  Pennsylvania,  in  North  Carolina,  and  finally  removed  to  Tennessee. 
jiiiJrew  Jackson  slated,  iu  IHIJ,  that  he  had  knov/n  James  K.  Polk  I'rom  his  boyhood,  and 
tl.at  "a  citizen  more  exiuuplaiy  in  his  nu)ral  deporiment,  more  punctual  and  e.vact,  in  busi- 
joss,  more  euergetie  and  nianlv  in  the  expressiou  of  his  opinions,  and  more  patriotic,  does 
lict  live." 

.Mr.  Polk's  (kiher  is  siili  alive — he  was  a  fainier,  and  removed  to  Teunes.see  in  ISOf),  when 
}aiu:s  K.  was  iu  liis  eleventh  year — it  is  also  said  that  he  acted  as  a  surveyor,  and,  with  his 
^imily,  had  lu  toil  hard  for  a  liviui;  in  the  valley  of  tin;  Duc'.v  river,  then  a  wilderness.  James 
;K.  is  the  oldest  often  eliildreii — aequirid  the  rudiin?nts  irian  F,iigll.-.h  and  a  classical  ediica- 
}ioii  near  his  home,  and  after  years  of  .suffering  from  a  \eiy  painful  complaint,  was  relieved 
V  a  surgical  operation.  He  gained  high  honors  at  the  University  of  North  Carolina — was 
|."ii!uous,  pLM'.- 'vering,  and  regular  iu  his  atlcmlanee — a  good  mathematical  and  elassieal-- 
icholar.  hi  \Si'.'.,  he  h:-:rim  to  study  the  law  with  the  celebrated  Feli.v  Grundy,  of  Nashville, 
Was  adinided  as  a  lawyer  of  Tennessee  in  l62^,  and  was  well  employed  in  his  line.  He 
irrved  as  clerk  to  the  Tennessee  legislature,  wa:s  ne.\t  a  member  lor  Maury,  his  place  of 
Itiiiloiioc,  and  in  1S25,  in  his  3!)ih  year,  cl.ijted  to  Congress.  If  he  was  opposed  to  a  national 
tank,  he  kept  his  opinions  to  himself,  for  i!ie  lirsl  two  years  in  which  he  sat  in  Congress,  but 
ifter  V'aii  Buren  went  to  Washington  as  sci  retaiy,  lu  wit,  in  Augu.st,  18-j;»,  he  began  to  give 
Ihc  Tennesseans  .some  hints  about  ••  the  monst;'r.''  Upwards  of  twenty  years  since,  he  inar- 
iioJ  the  daughter  of  Joel  Child  ns,  a  merchanl  of  Rudu!  ford  county,  Tenii.,  and  who  had  kept 
lihot'l  and  boanlingdionse  in  NorlVdk,  Va.  Mis.  I'olk  has  no  cliildn  n — is  said  to  be  imos- 
kiitatious,  ipiiet,  do  n-stic,  anil  religions — not  fon  t  of  show,  dancinu',  eiissipalion,  and  late 
ooiirs.  Mr.  Polk,  Mr.  Buchanan,  and,  if  1  mistake  not,  Mr.  Bancroft,  are  named  as  staid 
Pivshyterians,  like  Silas  Wiight.  It  is  greatly  to  Mr.  Polk's eirdit.  that  he  has  the  reputation 
of  li-in;;  noduellisf,  no^'ambler,  but  a  steady  opponent  to  fpicuJnlinii.  lie;  was  futirteen  years 
In  (Congress,  and  two  or  iliiee  of  these  years  Speaker,  having  been  chosen  in  Dee.,  1835,  and 
lu  Sept.,  1837.  No  more  thorough  going  party  man  can  hi;  found  than  Poll*— he  is  \ery 
liuhistrious,  and  while  oti  the  rtoor  of  Congress  is  reported  never  to  have  missed  a  vote.  As 
le  received  a  vote  ol'  thanks  at  the  cluae  ol'  tht»  scbiioa  of  1837,  for  lus  impartiality  us  Speaker, 


m: 


J^\- 


I  ■ 


124 


KLLCTIONKEKliNG  THROUGH  TREASURY  BANKS. 


I-,-  •►-• 


r-.  y  -'^^ 


!     te 


in,  :   . 


In  August,  1836,  the  banks  had  about  40  niilliont,  without  interest — in  April 
about  32  millions.      Of  these  32  millions,  the  Union  Bank  of  Tennessee  had 


Louis,    Mo.,   $1,471,157 — Girard  Bank,    Philadelphia,    $2,540,910 — Braiiclil 
Bank  of  Alabama,  IMobile,  $1,694,464 — Planters'  Bank  of  Missis.- ippi,  Natchez 
-112,649,596— Farmers    and    Mechanics'    Bank,     Detroit,  $702,3b0— Bank  of  I 
Michigan,  $960,364.     The  influence  for  Van  IBuren's  election,  exercised  by  tin 
state  pet  banks  and  the  national  pet  banks,  the  contracts,  the  60,000  fedeiaij 
offices,  the  millions  of  stock  thrown  into  the  market  as  brib(,'s  to  partisans, 
the  N.i'.  Legislature,  the  land  sales  made  to  suit  favorites,  the  custom  houses  I 
the  post  offices,  and  the  state  offices  and  intluence  going  the  same  way  with  tli.;[ 
federal — these  powers,  added  to  the  betting,  gambling,  and  electioneering,  wiili| 
the  men  who  ho])ed  to  get  offices,  get  contracts,  gel  some  advantagi;  or  other, 
through  Van  Buren,  surely  turned  the  scale,  and  with  the  77  7  presses  in  his 
favor,  made  him  president.     His  skill  lay  in  marshalling  the  powers  of  intriguv 
corruption,  and  intimidation,  and  he  succeeded.     In   Feb.,  1S34,  the  depo.sil<j| 
were  only  Hi,  millions,  of  which  live  millions  were  in  three  j>«.  Y.  banks.    TiiJ 
25  pets  had,  at  this  time,  more  public  money  free  of  interest,  than  they  had  bi^ 
in  circulation.     The  Ti'adesmen's,  Union,  and  Lawrence's  N.  V.  State  bank.l 
were  iiiade  pets  in  August,  1836 — and  we  find  the  (jllobe  bv  Blair,  some  ytwA 
after,   complaining  that    "  JilORE    THAN  48  MILLIONS  OF  .DOLLAi;,^ 
HAD  BEl'JN  LOST  BY  THE  BA.\K  DEFAULTERS"  during  the  war, n 
1R12.     Did  not  Polk  and  Van  Buren  know  that  just  as  well  in  1S3  1  as  in  IHIO'I 

I  infer  thai   lie  has  a  jrreal  coniniaiul  cl"  Icinpcr.     Hi;  is  a  ready  (li'l'.it^r,  ni;i ices  ion: ai:| 
aniuiiiled  .•^pccclies,  and  was  a  /ui.-d  vurr/dinj^  le;?islalor.     ]t  is  staled  thai  lie  is  ai)out  u  if 
inches  in   liei^^lil,   Ihnt,  his  euantennnee  bears  the   impress  of  anxiety  and  cnre,  tha' 
voice  is  nnmiisienl  hiU  stroni:,  and  thai   he  is  elear4ie;ideil.  f-rm,  ati  ntleiuive  !i>tener,  p 
posse'^'^od  1)1' a  '^vnd  ."^hare  ot'cdinmon  sense.     Home  say  hi'i  face  is  repuhivo,  olhers  ih;it,  i''.| 
iniere.stini,',  and  thai  in  feeliii"  a'ld  ninntier  lie  is  kind  ami  eourtcous.     Smi)  is  liis  jiicty,  t!'il 


Governor  Brian 
missed  prnvers. 
.»  15.  F.  Hntler. 


p:'porls  th;it  dnrin-^  the  four  ynrs  In'  was  n'   cojle'^e,  \\r  (Folic)  n'".-:l 

in  one  of  hi->  "ecr.  i  er.isijes  to  .Tes'^e  Lioyt,  about  the  removal  of  the  depci.o;  - 
dated  Feb.  'Ikh,  I  Ho  I,  hits  this  reniarlc,  ihat  "  As  lorsnpp.'sinu-  thai  Newbold,  George  GriMw! 
Stephen  Whiiiiey,  or  any  of  the  old  fjiieri'l  connnereial  men,  were  with  n-;  on   this  oceasi'  , 
for  any  other  reason  than  bee.itise  they  fonnd  it  ff;r  their  iiiieri'st  lo  .-^lo  \\lih  ii--,  1  never  Jori^n' 
'  iiiqle  instant  had  such  :i!i  nnwarr.-.ntahle  iilv-.i."     j\  17!. 

In  a  let!er  to  .lam"- G.  Fvinr,  dnied  Ts'ew  "\'ork',  Sej;l.  !),  I.SIO.  Georin'  Gri'-wi-M  li:;s  ili  ■; 
r''ni;.'rK'- :  "  f  r.ever  t  nilc  ray  part  with  the  oHieers  or  m^'iils  of  ihc  ^ovevnr.ient,  in  eonnsel!'!;: 

advisin'.:.  nf  rec.iinrnendin'.-  the  removal  ol' the  depositee Jn    October,  I S.'IO,  when  !■ 

iianl.'s  Wi.'.e  sniierin','  under  :ly'  opcr'ifion  of  ihe  di-lributinn  l;iu-.  and  v.-ere  <'n  the  pciii!  ' 
'rtspeadiu'j:  specie  |Mvnicnis.  ;,;id  in  lie  (^pinion  of  iho-e  \\-ho  Knew  all  iln'  facts.  "Worii'l 
QAVE  SU>!Pi-:NDJ.;r)  )7n    '..Ks^S  than  ONK  WiU:iv.  if  n(^t   relieved,  i  <lid  -o  to  Vv',:' 
iii:;loii,  aiid,  wilh  tli"  nid  ol  others.  prc\-;!iied,  on  the  secretnry  to  posijuine  the  p:;\  nn'nt  ot'dr'. 
ou  this  city,  .'ind  in   i:lher  v/ays  leiicved   ibc  ImnKs  from  /i  I'.'dl   (iT  nio'-c  tl;;in  a    uiillieii 
specie,  .{riiOllitlilll  of  which  wi!  ;  p;i,yiible  in  i 'n  (i.'iys;  ennlilin'.r  Ihcia  lorontinue  ;  pccu'  \k<.\-\ 
inents,  ;;nd  increase  !hei\'  lo;ins  t  >  merclKini-^." 

h  thus  ajipears  t!i;.t  the  b-inl'--  weiv  just  as  rcaily  lo  l^rcak  in  ( id,  I." .'{('>.  as  in  ?-"iiy,  bX.I 
That  W'lnld  ha\e  iiiierfeixvd  somewh.'it  wilh  Van  I'lU'cn's  election,  i:iid  lemlcped  il  ri'-ce'-sur 
f.r  Genra!  .laekson  to  malco  very  material  alterations  in  his  farewell  ad<lress  n".Kt  Mnich. 

Van  Bnren  called  a  special  meetiii'.x  of  f.'oniyros  in  the  fall  of  IKiT.  and  j^ave  iiidnlgon  f| 
t)  the  broken  banlcs  and  merrantil'  defaulters — ihat  i-.  t:i  tie'  Hiilish  and  other  foreign  Ir.id'' 
and  inLinufietnn'v-,  and  to  the  !c-n!c  of  i'lnijlaiul,  al  die  cxiicnse  ol'  Ihe  American  people  ;.:; 
their  inler'':N. 

In  Woodliiu'v':  I'M'ort.  .vcfomjianyin:.',-  lln'  pic-ideni's  nies;;a;;e,  and  dated  ;'lb  8ept,.  I*^.*?*. ' 
,'M'iid  that  w  ilh  i'e,';.i'f|  tut'i''  |ii:t  binks,  tlicii'  .'[iccic^  as  compannl  to  theirciicniation.  wartiic'ii' 
a ; '^'reat  in  May.   HI!?,  when  llry  si^pt,  a-^  in  Nov.  ]<U'>.  when  they  v.-ent  on— thnt  iV''! 
immediate  niennsj  ns  compared  with  iheir  iinmedlaie  liabilitic--,  wa'*  n^;  on"  to  two  and  a  hii'fj 


[iiaiiks  had  oliitel 


interest — in  April 
;  of  Tennessee  had 
ihattan  Bank,  N.Y 
anics'  Bank,  N.V. 
I  its  acjcncy  at  St 
2,r>io,9'lO— Brancli 
lississippi,  Natclit'z 

U2,3S0— Bank  oi 
0(1,  exercised  bvtiif 

the  t;0,000  feduia! 

i.'s  to  partisans,  Lv 
tlie  cuslom  houses 
same  way  with  tlii; 
electioneering,  wiiii 
advantage  or  ollu-i 

777  presses  in  hi 
:  powi'rs  ot'intrigu 
1S31,  the  deposit"  s 
;  i\.Y.  banks.  Ti:; 
,  than  tht'Y  had  bii!j 
N.  V.  State  bank- 
H'  Blair,  some  yen.. 
sS  OF  DULL  A  i^ 
"  durinc;  the  ware; 
n  ISol  as  in  184U;' 

t'liatrr,  ni;il>i's  liiir:;  ar; 
hat   111'  is  ah^'Ul  f)  !;'.";| 
■rirly  and  cniv,  fimt 
1  ntli'Miivi-  !i>ti'nci-,  p 
pubivr,  (ilht-rs  lliat  i"l 

i^llrh  is  his  [licty,  l' sil 

ciiKival  of  the  unpc^i!'! 
vlioJii.  Gei)r?p  Grisw,! 
illi  us  on  this  occu^-i' 
will)  II--,  !  rii:v(T  iuri^n-l 


Mnjiicnl,  ill  coiiTiscl!'!:: 
>1iib,T.  isili),  wiiPii: 
111  v.-.cTO  on  111'"  [ii'in! 
:iii  the  facts,  ■WOI'LlI 
'Vi'd,  I  did  ^'o  to  V7 >;■'■[ 
w  IIh-  |i;:yiiicnt  of  (lr"| 
love  tiiaii  a   millini! 

.'  I'ontinui'   ;  jii'i'ic   p;!V-| 

ISaC,  as  in  ?.l,iv,  l-:t*,| 
I  I'Oiidcird  it   Ml  1".'^-; 
iddivss  n'-xl  Maii'li. 
I.  and  •,'av('  indnl^i'n  !| 
lid  oiImt  forcip-n  i]"i:l'':>| 
'   Anii'i  ii'aii  people  ;;;. 

I.ili'd  r)tli  Hepl.,  I^X. ' 
•I'iicMlation.  \va«iic'!i' 
y  wont  on — that  ih'"' 
<  on''  to  two  and  a  Ici"' 


marcy's  mortgage  message;. 


125 


The  public  balances  in  banks,  Jan.  1,  1837,  were  'j'»-10,9b8,o23 — on  the  1st  of 
Jan.,  183S,  it  was  estimated  that  the  balance  was  $34,187,143,  but  of  that  sum 
Van  Buren  computed  that  only  $1,085,498  were  available. 

Perhaps  the  most  artful  and  dishonest  proposition  made  to  the  Legislature  of 
V.Y.  in  1834,  was  by  Governor  Marcy,  on  the  24th  of  March,  to  lend  the 
banks  five  or  six  millions  ;  borrow  the  irioneyon  a  mortgage  of  all  the  property 
in  the  state,  by  the  issue  of  state  due  bills  ;  and,  if  necessary^  charter  a  ten  mil- 
lion bank  in  the  city  of  N.Y.  The  pretext  for  doing  this  was,  that  the  U.  S. 
Bank  was  harassing  the  state  institutions.*     Of  course  this  was  untrue,  and  he 

and  as  this  was  greater  man  the  nsual  raiio  in  (lie  Itcsi  of  times  widi  lianKs  havin'.^  large 
ileposites,  he  assured  Congress  that  their  failure  was  not  generally  anticipated. 

He  admitted  that  the  hanl<s  failed  withoui  cause,  to  malie  gain  at  the  i)ul)lii:  expi'n^^c,  on  the 
lOiuiliions  due  to  the  nation.  As  to  the  merchants' iiomls  fur  duties  of  whicli  they  luid  gol. 
■  ix  months  credit  through  a  iiad  law,  and  reali/ed  and  sent  the  cash  to  Englaml  and  Franc, 
ton? before  that  term  expired,  to  help  foreii,'ii  trade  at  the  expense  el' Ameriean  credit  and 
I'urrcncy,  he  said  th;it  Van  Buren,  witlioui  aiiv  law,  had  driven  thi.'in  a  fiuther  credit  from 
May  to  Sept..  less  or  moi-e  (that  they  niitriu  he  enabled  to  export  the  niori'  specie).  I'he  goveni- 
iiieiit  was  hanivrupl — it  had  nominally  many  niillioiis,  but  Van  FUircii  and  l'(,>llv's  treasury 
'r,aiiks  liad  clutched  the  whoh'.  and  iieki  mi  with  a  death  grip.  'I'Jie  hanl.s  had  given  security, 
•^0  Woodbury  atlirms — so  the  Globe  boasted  when  Callioun  doubled  their  solvency — then  they 
.ould  be  insured  for  a  half  per  cent. ! 

Tiie  govTrninent  should  havt' borrowed  ten,  twelve,  fourteen  millions  of  dollars,  or  whatever 
Mini  in  liard  specie  would  have  saved  it  from  the  ileep  disgrarc  of  od'erina;  its  creditors  orders 
.'n  broken  bank's  in  payment  of  lawtiil  debts,  on  contract  or  otherv  ise,  which  it  knew  would 
K;paid,  if  paid  at  all,  in  a  currency  from  0  to  lij  per  cent,  below  real  money,  which  diflcrenco 
ihey  would  divide  as  plunder,  Mhile  the  honest  debtor  was  cheated  and  the  government. 
i!is2;raced. 

It  appears  that  while  the  rev-eime  was  raise  1  tVom  the  payments  of  many  merchants,  those  of 
ihcin  who  had  to  borrow  had  often  to  pay  two  per  cent,  a  monih,  while  the  bank's  and  brolccr.s 
had  the  u^e  ot  'J')  to  10  millions  without  inteicst.  .Some  years  ago  the  Alb.  D.  Advertiser 
^lidthat  •■  the  Mechanics'  Hank,  N.  Y.,  receiuly  I'ound.  that  more  than  a  million  of  dollar-s  of 
its  til  ml;  had  been  most  illegitimately  used.'  'I'lie  Alb.  AruHis  remarks  on  this,  that  it  mur^t 
r.''fiTt()  tiansuctions  of  \H'.M,  jiisi  before  the  hank's  became  haakriint,  and  that  it'  it  were  f^o,  it 
<lunved  ''that  at  a  lime  \vheii  ihc  bank  had  |)i~rliaps  two  millions  (if  the  publi';  money,  instead 
oi'  ?rantiii!r  proper  aecoinniodatioiis  to  the  regular  Ini-^incss  of  the  city,  more  than  a  million  of 
lollars  had  been  used,  .■rohably,  either  in  loans  to  speculator-^,  or  to  brokers,  who  shaved  the 
notes  of  merchants  at  0  and  .'J  per  cent,  per  month.'' 

^  At  tliis  time,  Vun  lltiren,  through  the  Arms,  exelainied  (Feb.  17),  '•  Let  that  man,  or  that 
n'^wspaper,  which  ailenipts  to  disturb  the  public  conhdencc  in  the  banks,  or  in  the  merchants, 
bemark'i:d  as  an  enemy,  and  treated  as  icli."  Such  was  their  reckless  cour.se,  that  the 
uiiule  of  the  sixty-nine  Safely  Fund  Ban'^  had  cmly  two  millions  of  ilollars  on  the  4th  of 
.March,  to  meet  nearly  thirty-live  millions  or  debts,  over  thirty  of  which  were  due  on  demand. 
Is  it  not  clear  that  they  wore  men^  machines  to  do  the  executive  will  ?  Could  not  the  servile 
Taney,  at  the  notl  tif  his  superiors,  have  brolfc  them  any  day  in  the  year  ?  They  had  not 
ono dollar  in  cash  to  sixteen  of  debts!  A  Safely  Fund  indeed!  Well  m'vihl  the  l>u(Ialo 
iJominercial  exclaim  of  Mai'cy  and  his  colleague.-;,  that  "To  humbu'.:  the  people,  to  use  the 
nnwer  to  repay  [larlisan  serviees  withou!  r.'icard  to  litue-s  for  station,  to  succeed  in  a  stock 
;;ai:ihlin'.:  operation,  and  to  make  honorable  men  the  innocent  means  of  boNteriiiLr  up  an  in- 
:?olv'ent  bank,  seems  to  be  the  end  and  jiurpose  ui"  the  se\'eral  actors.  Rut  th '  ma.-di"  is  re- 
moved, and  the  disguises  strip|)ed  otfby  tiieir  own  liniuis."  Turn  to  Stejdien  Allen's  instrtic- 
liuns  toil'iyt,  No.-Jll,  page'JII,  for  aTainmany  lianlv  of  the  Snfeiy  Fund  order;  and  .say 
whether  that  letter  iloi's  not  strip  the  mask  in  right  earliest  o(f  Van  I'nren's  llcceivcrGcueral 
of  the  Sub-Treasury,  who  had  llnough  life  assumed  the  garb  of  a  hard-nionev  democrat  ' 
Turn  next  to  f\i).  -Jlil,  jiage  •_>:)',).]  John  Van  Buren's  letter  to  Hoyt,  dated  Saturday,  Marcli 
IJ,  XH'Si,  the  d;iy  on  whicli  Alarey  wrote  and  i> .i(:;l  his  mortgage  message,  "vhich  he  withheld 
lioui  th' Icgislatui-e  till  \ronda\  the  'Jlth.  May  not  that  lucssagL'  hav(!  been  of  Olcotl  it 
Co.'d  inanufactiiie  I  Van  iluren  tells  that  it  was  got  up  to  "  charm  you  Yorkers—Lawrence 
will  run  like  the  cholera.''  Lawrence  ha  1  betrayed  his  consiitn.-nts,  was  dcei'ly  versed  in 
stocii  jobbin'.r,  had  become  rather  unpopulai-,  and  the  message  was  needed  to  gi't  him  elected 
(j.er  Verplanck  by  any  majority  at  all.  If  i\T:ircy  told  John  Van  ntiren  on  tie,'  ;2'.'d  about  his 
iiii'ssagf?  that  was  to  afiei't  the  public  stocks,  so  th;u  lie  miihi  eniplov  ilo^•t  to  buy  .•ft'].'), 01)1) 
worth  on  .Monday,  and  sell  out  'Mx  Alondtiy  week,  ^i'l^OO", or  ,';^l.,'>0')  riclier  through  the  secret, 


' ' ; ; 


~-V 


:»•;. 


"Tit 


^  ::i 


jf 


il 


126 


AVARICE  HA^  NO  COMPASSION,  GAIN  NO  BOUNDS 


1 K  •.'-■ 


i'  * 


\-^  ■: 


l-> 


knew  it,  but  he  was  the  confederate  of  Hoyt,  Allen,  Lawrence,  Van  Buren 
Olcott,  and  the  base  clique  of  stock-jobbers  who  then  (as  now,  1  fear)  controlled 
the  monied  allairs  of  the  Union.  Eleven  or  twelve  millions  of  dollars  had  been 
withdrawn  by  Taney  and  Kendall,  ♦Voin  the  United  States  Bank  and  branches 
and  six  millions  and  a  half  hud  been,  by  Jackson's  order,  lent  to  the  favorite 
banks  of  Van  Buren,  in  N.Y.,  to  lend  out,  but  no  interest  was  charged  to  them. 
They  had  the  use  of  about  ^800,000  of  other  U.S.  monies.  They  had  in  their 
custody  between  two  and  three  millions  of  the  funds  of  the  state.  They  had 
eight  and  a  half  millions  on  deposit  for  safe  keeping  by  individuals.  They  owed 
the^nited  States  Bank  at  least  a  million.  They  had  lent  out  their  capital — lent 
their  credit  in  the  form  of  bank  notes,  some  twelve  millions — and  also  lent  the 
above  twenty-one  millions  of  borrowed  cash — and  yet  they  growled,  grumbled, 
and  stormed,  insomuch  that  the  Bank  Junto  at  Albany  and  their  confederates  in 
ISew  York,  sot  Marcy  at  work  to  influence  the  gamblers"  or  stock  market,  and 
affect  the  elections,  by  a  moonshine  message  or  proclamation  in  which  it  was 
proposed  to  mortgage  the  farms  and  oilier  property  through  the  state  for  another 
five  or  six  millions,  and  lent!  that  also  to  the  Safely  Fund  Banks.  It  may  seem 
incredible,  but  most  true  it  is  that,  under  these  cireumstances,  did  Polk's  present 
war  secretary  present  the  state  with  the  prospectus  of  his  mortgage.  Morris. 
now  postmaster  at  .New  York,  was  in  the  Assembly,  hard  at  work  pushing 
through  the  annual  batch  of  Sandy  Hill  charters,  for  the  good  of  the  party  and 
gain  of  the  initiated.  The  Dramatis  Persona"  played  their  parts  well.  Our 
circuit  .judge,  Edmonds,  in  the  senate,  and  our  postmaster, Morris,  in  assembly, 
moved  the  reference  of  Marcy's  grave  suggestions  to  a  joint  committee,  and  wiih 
Angel,  Livingston  [C  Ji.]  and  two  or  three  dittoes,  fonned  the  committee. 

is  it  not  0(|urtlly  probable  lnai  lif  travc  <vjpii's  to  Olcott.  Allon,  Butler,  Corninjj,  Croi^wi'li 
Wfiijht,  LawrciK'v',  ;hiI  the  uMut  il'"aler.s  in  iiolitics,  ii>  (>iialile  lliein  to  take  time  by  the  fori' 
lock?  Van  BufcnV;  inc-'^as'e  !'>  Hoyt,  wiili  his  ■'  1  I'cjir  siiH-ks  will  rise  alter  Monday,"  s-huw'i 
hr-v  a  stocl.'-johhini?  band  of  liypocrilcs,  in  lutwcr,  made  lorluni's  ton  years .t?o.     Is  it,  not  verv 

Erihahle  thai  o;tr  Auoriiey  Gcncrnl  mad-'  mnnv  ihousMtids,  with  his  frictul.s,  by  doing  wiiii 
is  fath'T^s  me'-su^-es  when  Prcsifiont,  as  lv.>  had  with  Marcy's  when  Governor  {  Why  diXN 
ho  curse  and  I)laspheme  at  Itoyt  (or  not  havinsr  always  spare  cash  to  be  used  in  his'stock- 
jramlilinc;: !  Was  the  coUecforship  bi'siowcd  on  that  nnprint  ipletl  protli^ate  in  order  thai  th" 
Van  Buren  family  miLrhi  be  provided  for  out  of  .lesse's  siili-ireasury  !  If  J  arn  blameable  lor 
printing  t/tcf:  secrets,  us  a  warning'  lor  the  convoniioii,  pray,  Col.  Young,  is  not  Marcy  a 
thousand  limes  more  censurable  inr  telling  s/a/r.  seen/s,  that  our  cuown  lawyers  may  niak'; 
fortunes  oul  of  them  '!  The  Arirus  and  the  Mvoning  Po^t  of  18:}1.  like  Marcy's  message,  tHi 
ns  of  pr-vation.bankrupicy,  and  public  distress.  As  the  contractor  near  Patrick  Henry  couM 
only  cry,  "  money,  moiii'v,  beef,  iiccf."  our  Atuirney  fienera!  Van  Buren  could  only  think  of 
scrip,  slocks,  ami  hocus-|io:.-us.  If  money,  gain,  avarice,  were  uppermost  in  his  youihliil 
mind,  in  1831,  how  keen  must  his  scent  be  now  atler  the  dollars  !  In  Ihlidhe  was  borrowin? 
of  the  liiinks  and  speculating  with  Hoyl  sml  (Suiting.  See  page  'i^i.  In  June,  18.1(!,  ThonKi> 
W.  Olcoli  was  re-elected  President  of  the  Mechanics' and  Farmers'  Bank,  Albany;  Elbcr! 
Olcoll  was  its  cashier,  C.  K.  Duilley  its  Vice  President.  On  the  fjih  of  June,  18;}7,  this  bans 
which  had  got  iwo  millions  (ji'  the  ileposiics  to  usi.-  Jinlin'oi'sli/  ixfoir,  the  Presiili  nH<d  (lection, 
but  had  found  it  profnablc  to  stop  payment,  made  j.  Van  Buren  a  ('irector,  and,  I  think,  iis 
Aitorney.  •■  P»,ivelaiions  had  recoully  co  ae  lo  light,''  said  Mr.  Wells  of  N.  Y.,  in  the  Assem- 
bly, ai  Albany,  Feb.  "l^t,  I81(i,  "  which  na  us  into  a  side  view  of  the  piety,  linaiice,  and  politi- 
cal trickerv  oi'  the  Regency  ;  and  could  the  curtain  be  einiiely  litt<'d,  a  sight  wotild  be  wituc-s- 
.  d  wli''"li  would  increase'  a  hundred  fold  tlu'  abhorrence  with  whieh  ilie  people  now  view 
Albany  and  Albany  influence.  He  would  kill  ilie  Argus  in  its  old  age  as  he  would  strangle 
file  Atlas  in  its  birth.' 

I  don't  like  these  state  loans  and  national  loans  to  individuals  and  chartered  concprns. 
They  are  iinolher  word  Ibr  gills;  the  country  rarely  sees  its  cash  again.  "Of  all  creditors, 
the  State  is  the  unhvkiest."  Good  security  and  regular  instalments  to  be  paid  with  intereM; 
no  loss  lo  fall  upon  the  pul)lic.  It  reads  very  well,  but  has  a  false  quarter,  if  the  security  i*^ 
good  there  are  lenders  enough,  without  taxing  the  million  to  enable  the  party  uppermost  to 
accommodate  their  friends,  or  John  Van  Uurcii's,  or  loearn  their  thousands  by  future  Marcys' 
messages  and  mortgages. 


When  I  read* 
leneral  Van  B 
ncloaked,  1  c« 
,,)ce  published 

Coi.ovni,  Samu 
„.  what  1  once  b',. 
[eserve  erring  hu 
inuJ  as  the  Israel 
eir  tiino,  h-^"'^  ii 
(.  has  been  an 
■^Miiy  vcai"*  voted 
1  ciecie.t  Senator 
ii-slarci-y  princi] 
■ri'.,'Iu  and   Van 
ijvelv  empl^'ved 
.lut'bsil,  Vouii; 
d  qualities  are 
iiiiii's  an  1  L'tvat  < 
orrcct  judgment 
Colonel  .S.  Vo.m; 
or  Oil  both  ])  ' 
c,,-,  which,  like 
IV .is  adiniited  ar 
.1  ailini:iisi]-aiiur 
],iviic^  of  the  p^T 
hii.  Van  Buren 
aii.l  the  sain,'  i 
iwii  of  olfices  n 
ii!fil  with  a  si'ai ' 
radiiiu:  liir  hii'i'  l> 
On  llie  "Jjlh  ofSi 
(>-t'L'll!i''n  of  the  ' 
r  speaker,  an  I  A 
i'j,  as  a  'rcpirlili 
lii'st,  voting  for 
II  ire  enl'red 
'iir  hail  bvM'ome 
Mie  services  tha 
Miijikins,  suppoi 
iron  did. 
n  ISllt,  Cwl.  S, 
pjH'ii  ot'  Van  I5u 
»:\-  o|ip(isitioii  I  I 
\ses  di'iiounc.'d 
'xtyear,  (ISJin 
arwlasa  candiiui 
:',n'y,  and  assisie 
'iKigh  the  cau"u- 
naic,  at  Waslriir 
At  the  Stale  (J. 
[losed  the  idea  ol 
■.,  IxBcause  they  ' 
Mic  ni:n,  a  degr 
':U)r  is  in  dtiiy  In 
n  by  the  people  ( 
niii-i  Van  Bur'r 
'^1?  gieal  rneasui 
w  e.\eti--c  their  o 
'ji'ised  to  induce 
riv  of  Van  Btire 
■  Witt  Clinton 
;ep[  according  ic 
m%  the  nncheel' 
able  lo  sign  hio 


JNDS 

rrence,  Van  Buien, 
/^  1  fear)  controlled 
of  dollars  had  been 
Bunk  and  branches, 
lent  to  the  favorite 
IS  charged  to  them, 
They  had  in  their 
e  state.  They  had 
duals.  They  owed 
;  their  capital — lent 
— and  also  lent  the 
growled,  grumbled, 
heir  confederates  in 
r  slock  market,  and 
on  in  which  it  was 
he  slate  for  anothtr 
inks.  It  may  seem 
,  did  Polk's  present 
mortgage.  Morris, 
J  at  work  pushinj; 
od  of  the  party  and 
r  parts  well.  Our 
lorris,  in  assembly, 
ommitloe,  and  willi 
the  committee. 

er.  Corninar,  Cro^iWcli 
take  time  by  the  (ore- 
alter  Monday,"  .vhuwi 
ars.')?o.  Is  it.  not  ven- 
friends,  by  doing  wiih 
jiovernor  (  Why  dos 
I  be  used  in  his.stock- 
lii^'.ite  in  order  that  ih- 

It  I  am  blameable  lb:' 
oung,  is  not  Marcy  a 
N  lawyers  may  miik> 
'  Marcy's  message,  teli 
ir  Patrick  Henry  coulii 
?n  could  only  th"in\'  i>i 
rrnosi  in  his  youihlii! 
IMliCi  he  was  borrowin? 
Ill  June,  I83(i,  ThoiiKi- 
t'.ank,  Albany;  Klbofi 
'  June,  1837,  this  hant 
/ic  Pirfi(l< ntial  t/crtioii, 
reetor,  and,  J  think,  iis 
il'  N.  Y.,  in  the  Asscm- 
'ty,  fnianee,  and  poliii- 
^iglit  would  be  wituess- 

ih(!  people  now  view 
e  as  lie  would  stranglo 

id  chartered  concprns, 
tin.  "Of  all  oredilors, 
)  lie  paid  with  interest; 
ter.  h'  the  security  is 
the  party  uppermost  to 
ands  byfmurcMarcys' 


COLONEL  SAMI;EL  YOUNG. 


127 


When  I  read*  Colonel  Young's  strictures  on  my  publication,  wherein  Attorney 
eiieral  Van  Buren's  improper  conuuct  in  this  mortgage  business  is  partly 
iicloaked,  1  confess  I  felt  some  surprise,  but  the  following  correspondence 
iice  published  fully   explains  everything.      The  pali'tut  who,  while  he  was 

» Cii'.ovRr.  Samukt.  Yoln'o  has  some  valuable  qualities;  and  if  he  is  not  what  I  could  wish, 
(ij  what  I  once  believed  liini  to  be,  let  il  not  be  forgolien  that  ihe  Faiernosier  asks  heaven  lo 
re-crve  erring  lunnaniiv  Irom  leinpiation  ;  anil,  thai  iSamnel  Young  has,  for  about  as  Itinj 

■'^   ,o,.i:..,.  ..".I „    .1 :i  I ,1...: „ r<„.,„,...    .i.„  f\ 


jvL'lv  eiuplf'veil  in  discDnra^ing  ilie  propnsiijon  lor  a  sinieeonveniion  to  amend  ilieeuns;itu 
.iol"l'''-l,  \oiuig  oain,"  b.iLlly  llirward  in  the  loreiiiost  rank'  of  its  advueaies.    AVheiher  his 
d  q  lalilies  are  sliaiL'  I  (Uer  wiili  failings  iind  ineonsjsieneies,  wliieh   his  aeknowledired 
jiiii'js  an  I  L'r.^at  eiiergv  of  eliaraeier  scarce  ai.uiie  tor,  1  am  not  perhaps  in  a  position  to  form 
liTcct  jiidgineiil. 

Colonel  iS.  Vu  uig  siati  s  iliat  hisanee-tors,  (how  far  back',  or  whi'lher<m  the  father  or  molher's 
\oro.i  both?)  ueie  li(ini  Irclan  1.  In  his  yo.iili,  I  am  told,  lu'  was  empioyeil  in  larming 
;,<,  u'liicli,  like  W.  il.  Ci'uuMi'id,  he  i.'xclian:,'!  il  lor  ilii'  law.  in  the  August  term  of  !m07, 
rt.is  adiniited  an  Attorney  of  the  Siijiremi-  (Jonit  of  iliis  iSiaie — and,  beiny-  I'avorabie  to  ihe 
e:i  ailiniiiistraiiun,  ilie  council  of  appviininvnt,  [Clintoni-inJ  in  Mari'h,  IHOrt,  appointed  him 
f  the  p.^ace  lor  IJallsum,  in  Sarp.ioga  coiuuy,  with  .Inlui  VV.  I'aylcii-.     " 


|;^tiC'^  ol  the  p.^ace  lor  IJallsum,  ui  ^arp.ioga  coiuuy,  wiili  .lului  VV.  laylcii'.  Un  the  same 
Niili,  Van  Buicn  was  presented  with  the  olliceol  Surrogate  of  Columbia.  Young  was  thus,  at 
>,ni.l  the  sam  •  tlm',  an  atiorn/y  to  pk-ad,  and  a  judge  in  the  primary  court  of  his  town,  a 
lioii  of  olliees  not  to  l>e  eonimended,  any  more  than  Van  liiiren's  Aliorney-generalship, 

..    J      ...:.I.       r,      .       ,, Il.r,      l.,,.,nK       ..r      llw,      (    '.,,,,.1      .,1'       I.',.../., 1^.1      1I..I      hs.rol      n..r,. ,■:..,,     ..T      ..      .^ .  .  ,  .  .,  .   n  I  I  .      .. 


with  a  s.'ac  on  the  bench  of  the  Court  of  Errors,  anit  the  legal  practice  of  a  counsellor, 
fn'iiii:,'  lot'  hiri'  beture  his  own  i.otal. 

}ii  ilic  "ijth  of  Sept.  \hl\,  a  legislature,  friendly  to  Madison's  administration,  and  a  vigorous 

i-tvMiii'.n  of  the  war  with  lMii;km(!,  met  at  Albiiny;  and  ih'-  Assenfnly  chose  Samuel  Young 

r  speaker,  an  I  Atiroii  Clark,  since  Mayor  ot'  N.  V.,  their  clerk.    Yoimg  was  tirst  chosen,  in 

•j.  as  a  ■  republican'  nirnd)er  of  the  Assembly,  for  Saratoga,  and  gave  a  linn  support  to  the 

iii'st,  voting  for  Malisonian  elci'iois  and  a'-jainst  Clinton.     Lately,  in  Senate,  he  said,  that 

II  lie  ent'red   pid)lic  iile  he   hud  a  tlom'ishing  law  business,  with  toar  students,  two  of 

■III  liad  bi^cenie  distinguished  ji'.dges  of  the  Stale;  ;ind  tlial  he  had  nia^  no  more  by  his 

;ilic  services  than  he  wiuild  have-  done  it' he  had  refused  oliice.     He  was  the  .steady  friend  of 

flipkins,  supiiorted  Clinton  lor  Governor  in   IS17,  and  turned  against  him  when  Van 

iron  idd. 

In  18t'.),  Col.  S.  Yoiiny  was  a  candidate  foi-  the  wiTice  oi'  U.  S.  Senator,  and  received  the 
PjH'itof  Van  Huren,  who  well  knew  thai  he  would  not  lie  elected.  Both  of  them  avowed 
M' opposition  I  I  Iliiiiis  Kiu'j:,  the  Sentitor  whose  term  was  a.bout  to  expire,  whom  their 
NsesdeiKumcid  .'i- a  ledeiali-.i,  ilujugh  V;in  P»ui'eu  or  his  t'liciids  had  elected  him  in  1813. 
xt^'ear,  (fS;*!),')  Van  jjiircn  and  .Marcy  wrote  a  eainphlri  in  favor  of  King — Young  disap- 
.livitasa.  candiiuiie.  wleeled  into  line  with  linger  .Skinner,  Bi'iij.  IJutler, '\'ales.  Van  Buren  and 
!ioy,  and  a.ssisted  lo  elect  Ivin.:  lor  anoher  si.\  years;  and  at  tin;  ne.xi  vacancy.  Van  Buren, 
High  ihe  caucus  systimi,  and  the  aid  of  King's  I'riends,  was  s-Mii  lo  accompany  King,  in  the 
naic,  ai  Wasliiiigton. 

At  Ihe  Slate  Convention,  I.VJI,  Young,  whom  Hammond  calls  an  upright,  faithful  man, 
\>0)<\[  the  idea  of  giving  tin,'  black  popiiiation  votes  tor  governor,  senators,  assemblymen, 
■„  l)ee-  "  "  ■' - -•  ....,.!..  ,• .■..!„..     .-.1...  _ 1 

iiiio  1 

orisj _ ^ ,,         ,  ,  .,. 

n  by  the  people  of  their  justices  of  the  peace,  ainl  mayors  of  cities,  but  supjiorted  with  ability 

iiiiiM  V;ui  Buren,  the  presi'iu  .system  of  universil  suiir;    j.     In  IS'iti,  when  Clinton  bixtuj ' 

^^ 

ero 


I  the  idea  of  giving  tlii!  black  popiiiation  votes  tor  governor,  senators,  assemblymen, 

"ause  they  were;  ignorant,  and  iherelbre  unlit  lo  judge  of  the  conduct  or  character  of 

mn,  a  degra'.icd  race,  and,  as  yet,  incapable  o(  worthily  exercising  the  duties  which  an 

, .,.  is  ill  duly  bound  to  di>eharge  for  the  common  welfare.     He  opposed,  in  1«'21,  the  elec- 

1  by  the  people  of  their  justices  of  the  peace,  ainl  mayors  of  cities,  but  supjiorted  with  abili"- 

liiiM  Van  Buren,  the  presi'iu  .system  of  universal  suiir;    j.     In  IS'iti,  when  Clinton  broug 

■cgieat  measuies  agtiin  b  tore  the  jieojile.  Young  supported  both.     Young  and  Van  Burt 

'.■  exeiisc  their  opposition  in  IhJI  lo  several  popuhir  amemiments,  by  saying  that  they  we 
1  ...  .'...I .L,.   ., I.. :.. ,.  .' 1...1. ,.  ..'t.,,: „,„.,..■. I., . I       -un,,,  li....,  ,i;,i  •> 


IV  exeiisc  then*  op  ,    ,  ,    ..      .     , 

rji'wd  to  induce  the  peoph;  to  reject  the  whole  constitution,  as  amended.     Why  then  did  the 

ilion  of  Judge  Kent  and 


' -"  *" 'I  I ~ •  "^      If— —  7  -.' 

, to  induce  tht!  peoph;  to  reject  the  whole  coustitutio'ii,  as  amende 

'■V  of  Van  Bnren  ;ind  Young  then  oppose  the  common  sen>e  piopos''' 


li 


M 


i 


■.If 


I  t 


I  I 


128 


YOUNG  FOR  CLAY— HIS  OPKRAVIONS  WITH  THK  BANKS. 


,1    'I 


J   J, 


I    ,     *;»» 


:}       'i  , 


seeking  the;  public  approbation  by  the  most  ultra  denunciations  of  what  he  cailti 
a  corrupt  system,  stood  a  steady  beggar  at  every  new  bank  door  to  SOLICIT 
share  of  the  "  unclean  drippings,"  was  not  likely  to  favor  such  exposes  as  min- 
If  it  was  \'an  Buren  and  Butler's  turn  to-day,  it  might  be  his  own  to-morrow 

wJio  caiimii  ivad  cither  Dur  laws  or  consiiiutioiis — wlio  sees  in  the  recorded  votes  of  conpri., 
men  in  prim,  (nily  Micii  scratches  as  a  lieu  and  chickens  niiirht  have  imprinted  with  their i- 
on  the  jonriial  liciorc  him — is  a  vcn  uravc  and  scriixis  one — uiielher  the  mairs  slviii  is  u 
or  black,  or  his  liivih-place,  Allien,  ilic  C;irolinas,  Ireland,  tierniaiiy,  or  Lav.^  IsI.miuI.  ^v 
want  sjood  Lrovcnnneni.  Will  iunevanec,  and  ihe  picjudircs  iiihcrent  to  Mich  a  slate,  turn;; 
scale  in  our  eli'ciidiis,  and  sccinv  thai  iiles.siiia;!  Cm  the  contrary,  is  iLcre  not  a  more  i);^ 
semblance  of  ivamMinL,- and  hazard  jriven  lo  Ihe  system  which  accepts  Tom's  mark  ;il  il,; 
beini,'  iiK'apahle  ol' writin'^',  and  refuses  Dick's  si,;.Miatiire  al  •<.'(),  thonj.'-h  edutalcd  like  a  Cliini 
Calhonn,  or  Jelierson  I 
f'ol.  Yonn;^  addressed  a  letter  to  Hon.  Jes,•^e  Clark,  dated  Hallslun,  Sept.  2t>,  IHiM,  as  Ibllw 

'■UniuSjr— I  liiivp  rrci'ivi.'d  yours  or  ttio  ai';li  inst.,  ill  whicli  Jill  iiii|tiire  wlictlier  my  oiiiiiion  tn  rcforciui. 
tlli:  ilectornl  law  liiis  cliaiiiieil. 

"  Siiico  tliu  liisl  ;i(!itiitiuii  iiltlic  iiufstiiii  at  ilic  lu^r  elcclioM,  I  linvc  uirroriiily  onlcrtalnril  and  o.vprcsswl  tin  ■ 
nioii  in  r.ivoi  of  iriiiisrcrririi!  tlic  clinici;  (u  !'ii>i(li'iiti;il  t-.i  iins  I'om  tli(  Icr.i.-laturu  to  llii'  l)nlli)f  linxfs.  1  |ii;v..- 
tdlaiiii'd  .111(1  r\pr('s-.i-i|  !l;is  opiiilnn,  iml  niily  licivvirvf  I  liclievi'  lliitt  t^ni'li  a  law  wottlil  lii;  ccrrt'Cl  in  |iliiici|M- , 
bt'i'ansi"  1  iviis  s.iU.-nfd  lliMi  it  \vu'  i:allril  lor  hy  j)ii!iiii-  Miil.inriil. 

"  1  iia\i',  \\  iiliin  111!'  lasl  five  nr  six  wchIis,  rcccivcci  many  li  ilcib  tVoiii  x  ariuns  piiits  ol'  llir  Ptatr,  in.-iivi'; 
Faiin'  iiii|iii;y  as  ynii.s.  anil  sniiic  of  ilii'ni  a-Kin-,'  my  ii|iiniiiii  in  rul'i  rr'i.-i'  iii  llic  i  niiiliilalrs  liir  ilic  pn  .^iilciic 
havo  t\'\  ubjiiijiiii  ihiii  niy  stMiliniiMUi?  du  all  ihilcical  Miliji  ris  .-lionlil  Wf  known  ;  lint  1  liaw  Itll  t'ltsit  rcliiv: 
tu  111'  llic  nv:;an  oi  iIh  ir  piililicily. 

'"J'lie  in  'iiy  pii^rini;  sulii  iiaiunis,  Iiowcmt,  wliiili  I  liail  ici'civi  il,  inihiccil  iiic  ciglit  or  ten  day.s  .since,  In  r| 
a  Iclirr  tn  l'M«  aiil  llnii.-^on,  Ksi|..  MiiMnlii-r  111' As>i:nil)lv  I'mni   .Maili..iiii   L'oiiniy,  in   ans-wi-r  ti>  inio  from  hi: 
wliifli  I  :iia!c  uiy  npininn  as  almvc  on  t!i':  i  liTtoi-il  law,  and  alsn  iliai  1  prtl'cr   Mr.  flay   anion!!   llic   prc-iilr 


(■i'.ndldalcs, 


anil  ''i\  in::  i 


11  sliorl  iiiv  riason.-i  liir 


Ins  pn  liriMH- 


I  liavi'  aiitliorisi'd  linii  in  iiiakt'  .<U(-ll  iim 


peer  as  lie  may  d' rni  proper,  and  ul  conrse  I  ixpeii  lie  will  prorliio  lis  puliicallnii. 

"Iain,  «ir,  with  siiilimentsol'resneot  ami  Iriciid.-liip,  vnnis,  iVc.  S.V.'Ml  i;L  YOUM; 

On  the  •J!)ih  of  dot.  lH-27,  an  American  sysiem  comily  ci^nvention  was  held  at  Ballsinn,: 
"\'(iim,'''^  i'c- iilriirc,  ofwhit'li  he  v.a^'  a  jnc'iibcr.  and  chainn.ni  of  iis  corrc-poiidimc  eoniiii' 
ThisCoiivenrion  adnplcd  an  addrcs-^  iinanimonsiy,  in  which  Ad;iiiis  .•ind  ('lay's  ailuiinivir,: 


vas  hi;,dd 


V  laiPii'ii 


tiir  its  I'i'ieiidship  Iowa  1(1  domcsiif  manniacuiics  ;iiid  iiiuinal  imjinnuii' 


"The  Administral'oi!   [Adams'J  cnconraifcs  wiih  equal  and    impartial   i>iolcitioii,  il 


IV 


"interests  oi'iln;  North  and  the  tSoiitli 


T/i 


I  I'/iposifioii,  strive  to  trample  nnder  foot  the  inui' 


"of  the  INei'ih,  and  limii  their  encoura;jeineni  to  the  productions  ot  .-oiitlicrn  states  ami 


Mabor- 


laiiipi 


icriir' t!ie  pride   and  aristocrticv  of  southern  .Nal 


and 


prcierriiii,'  the  pi 


"ity  of  old  Kmrland  and  Seoiland,  to  that  (if  INew  i'JiLrland  and  the  other  free  Mtiles.' 


Alhanv  Ai'^ns  si 


■fh 


IS  convention  aiiprovmi:ly, 


Late  discussions  at  Albany  have  disiMivcrcd  to  the  (iiblic   more  id   ^'oim 


del 


lh;ii 


1  wa- 


L'cu'  rallv  known  lict'orc.  I\\'  a  rcvelaiinn  of  taets  lor  whii-h   I  dare  .sav  mosi 


lari 


who  had  lu'aid  his  denunciations  of  bank'  and  c;inal  eornipiion  were  imprepared.     So  liir 
being  a   pure  man  himself,  hi>.  the  terror  ol' corrii|it  bankei-s,  traliiek-im:  liiokcrs,  and  jiri,! 
corrupt  legislators — he,  whose  hi!;li  sens.- of  honour  in  refusing  lo  sit  with  Van  liiueif> 


lligaie   eonli,'dcralcs,  Senators    Hisliop  and  Kemble,  j^ood   men  admired  and  respecteii- 


dabbled   in   the  stoel 


some  ten  or  twelve  ol  the 


-ileired  btmks  of  tlie  state 


lahi'ii  I 


fhan 


of  the  spoils  like  Croswell,  Marcy,  (.Mcoii  and  CorniiiL';  ami  botiidit  and  sold 


iiousani 


Is  of  dollars  worth,  with   all   the 


iiceniiess 


'I   a  vcleraii 


U 


street  stoclv-jii 


Young's  exdamaiions  of  horror  at  the  wickedness  of  bank  crati,  taken   in  this  view,  nu\ 

one  verv  fv'rcililv  of  the  pimis  Ijiitlcr  lashing  most  vigorously  the  "greedy  specula   usaiidt 

{iant  monied  juistocraeics  of  the  state,'' ihionuh  the  ^^aiidy  F  till 'J'imes    |  p.  Itil)|,  said  Lr 

ejit,  the  l^resideni's  ehair  (d'  perhaps  the  iiiijst   int'amons  ei' , 

ci:,; 


eceu]iying,  at  th(>  sanu'  nvnn 
arrogant'  eonecrns  tliat   Van   Enreii   had  charlered,     'the  cry  of -slop  thiel"  by  a 


h;i 


IS  olicner  than   once  saved 


ih 


iii|l\,an(l  ilie  exchiniaiion  ol'  'mad  dot:' ctiiidenint 


innocent. 


Col 


onci 


ung  has  not  \-oicd  t'or  a  bank  cliarier  sine* 


IS-J-Jor 


its-':^    ii( 


lids 


a  h 


irge  amount  ol  stock,  in  the  tollow  in^j-  ban 


d;s. 


-Cilv    Hank'.    Albaii\' — Saraioi,'-,'!    coiini\- 


namely  llie  Waicr\liet   li;iiik — (Sc 
ik  — I  li'i  kimer   couiiiv    baiil- 


necn  o 
:— Kiieln' 


lank' — Coinme|vi;il  H.ank  of  Oswego — Steulien  couniy  bank' — I'liea  baidv — Lo(dipoil  b; 
It  is  possible  thai  he  may  have  had  an  interist  al  Sandy  I  lill  or  Untliilo  in  KSlil,     ltii|; 
(hat  he  has  voted  I'or  all  srirls  of  corrupt  (diarler.s — has  held  on  to  liieraii\e  oliices  iinlil  In  . 
thereby  ae(|uircd  a  large  ti'iiune — has  sjiceiilnted  in  lands,  in   lri,'islalion,  in   serip,  in  i. 
tiling — tinil  now  comes  forward,  late  in  life,  to  act  tiie  part  oi'  Calo,  the  censor,  w  ith  a  vies 
some  say,  to  the  occupancy  of  ilie  .se;;t  now  filled  by  Silas  Wrii'ht.     Mcihinks  the  di:rii>M.| 
of  this  session  of  ihe  |e:.qs|innre  have  destroyed  his  el  in  nee  ol'  that  promoiioii,  amomrlhc  k' 
I'liic  iiiinded,  and  pail ioiie  electors,     Sneh  men  as  Butler,  Van  iiuren,  and  Iheii   uju'.v|ii" 


Young  and  S 


[L  BANKS. 

3n.s  of  what  he  call., 
door  to  SOLICIT  J 
uch  exposes  as  min^, 
lis  own  to-morrow. 


>nlvd  vok's  (j4"  connfi^J 
iiiipiinleil  wiili  ihelri: 
the  iDiuTs  skill  is  «!:• 
Ill-  Lor.pr  Isl.-iiul.   ]\\ 
111  Mich  M  state,  linn : 
i!.i  re  not  a   iiKnr  t^J 
'rmii's  mark  at  -Ji 
i'(liirat(.'tl  likf  a  C'lii,'i| 

k-pi.'-^.),  IH'il,  aslbll.iv 
r  my  oiuiiiou  in  rfiwciic. 

rtaiiiril  and  rxprcaswl  m  ':, 

ihi'  bnllot  lin.M'S.    1  Imvi 

lid  III.'  ci'rrcct  in  piliici|ii' , 

Ills  ol'  Ihi'  fliiti',  iiiaki' ; 
iliilnirs  liir  till-  I'll  Mili'iii' 
111  1  Imvi'  It'll  ;;iiNii  rtlur  , 

Rlit  or  ten  days  since,  tn  \ij 
nii'^wi-r  to  line  I'rinii  hii 
•  Iriy  nnmnf;  tlip   iiri^iili 
II  111  nuikf  furli  umu; 

SA.All  KLYOl.V, 

ias  held  at  Baiision,  i^J 

riiiri.'v)iiilii.lin;:  coniiii: 
111(1  ( 'lay's  a(tulilli^l|^ 
1(1  iiiicinal  iiiiiir("i\ui,' 
Irtial  piiili'i'tinn,  the  ::l 
pk-  iuuIlt  liiot  llu-  inid 
Miuthrin  sialt's  aini  •■:;| 
11(1  inricniiii,'  llio  |ii 
(illicr  iVi'c  Male,-." 


il'  ^uiiiii,"*  real  rliaia  i 

I  1  ilaro  .say  must  |( 
iini'iepai'cii.     So  liin:! 
■k'iiiir  ImiiKi.m's,  and  Im  i 
sit  « illi  Van  IJiiK'M^  I 
uiri'd  and  respt'cli'ii- 
\s  lit"  the  state;  laki'ii , 

II  lioiurht  ami  sold  uij 
Wall  street  slocii-jui 
ken  in  this  view,  k\A 
eedy  speeiila  .iisaiKhJ 
u.'s  fp.  Kid],  said  Li;.[ 
:*  most  intanioiis  uf 
'•stiip  tliiel"'  by  a  ti:.:: 
mad  di'i!:'  ccindeiiint':  j 

;<.     lie  hdlds,  111'  h;i> 
iel  hank — t-^enecn  cuj 
(■(iiiniy    bank — Kmi 
liank — LiickpoM  bun; 
iliiilii  in  iiSli)!    itiii'i 
•aii\e  iifliees  nniil  In  J 
laiidii,  in   snip,  in  (■  f 
le  I'l'iisdr,  \\  itii  a  vii'v 

Alrlliillks  the   (li:-i'll>-l'| 

iniiiion.anKiDi^Mlii'  li' 
ei\,  and  their  iinexi' 


YOUNG  SOLICiriNU   UANK  STOCK. 


129 


My  Lives  of  Hoyt  and  Butler,  the  State  Printinu,  and  the  Texas  slave  ques- 
tion, are  working  miracles  at  Albany.  Like  the  diving  bell  to  a  wrecked  East 
Indiaman,  they  are  bringing  to  liglit  the  works  of  other  days.  The  knaves' 
league  is  broken  ;  the  old  regency  are  uncloaking  each  other.  Croswell,  in  a  late 
Argus,  pubhshes  the  following  note,  addressed  to  [iyinan  Covell,  Esq. ,  and  dated, 

^"B.u.LSTox,  lOlh  May,  1H33  Dear  Sir:  Without  the  pleasure  ot'  a  personal  ai'qiiaini- 
^  aiice,  permit  me  to  take  the  HI.  'rty  to  suliri/  ymi  to  siihsi-rihe,  in  my  name,  tor  slock  in  the 
■0'  CiKMUiing  Canal  Bank  to  the  aniDiint  ol  .■ii-jjDit.  1  wish  to  make  a  |)ermanenl  investment 
'■Cf  i'l  t^"'  Bank  to  that  amount ;  and  it  has  beensij^i^ested  to  n;r,  by  a  mulual  friend  nt'  ours. 
j;j-  thatyuii  would  ]iri)liably  be  willing;  to  do  the  kind  ollice  of  innkin;;  the  applieation  to  the 
^j-  commissioners  for  me.  Should  you  consent  to  i!o  this,  A.  B.  Dickinson,  l^scp,  will  hand 
Jjf"  you  the  money  for  the  .subscription  deposii.  Vours,  iVc.  S.  YOUNlt. 

"  P.  S.  I  liave  added  a  warrant  of  attorney  on  the  ne.\t  patre. 

"  I  hereby  authorize  Lyman  Covell,  Es().,  ii,;-  me  and  in  my  name  to  subscribe  for  shares  nf 
stock  in  the  Chemun'.<  Canal  Bank,  amoiuuin;:  to  two  thousand  live  hundred  dollars. 

S.  YOUNG." 

The  Argus's  correspondent  writes  Croswell,  that  "  ^Ir.  ovell  did  the  '  kind 
office'  as  solicited  bv  Col.  Young,  ,)fr.A.  B.  Dickinson  furnishing  the  money  for 

apologist  in  the  Sena'e,  will,  il  is  t'ondly  linpe'i,  surely  find  that  they  have  undervahied  i!ic 
sagacity  and  morality  of  modern  N.  Y. 

In  18o'i,  Young  was  chainuan  of  the  lierkimer  ciinvenlio!!,  which  nominated  to  the  pcoi.le 
as  a  patriot  governor,  I'le  cunning  and  corrujit  W.  L.  Alai'cy.  On  the  .same  year  he  publi.sji'.  I 
a  piiinphlet  against  the  U.  S.  Bank,  and  in  isli,")  (see  Argus,  May  1 1)  signed  an  address  of  ti.e 
mi^mbers  of  the  U^gi.slature  to  their  constituents,  in  whieli  Van  Biiren's  Safely  Fund  is  cf'l.'Li 
an  improveineiii — thai  that  sy.steai  and  its  vigilant  coaimissioners  hr.il  |)ioteet".l  th'^  banV  , 
some  of  which  would  have  faiii'delse  during  the  [lanii'  caused,  they  tell  u'-,  by  the  (T.  S.  Ban!:  - 
and  that  the  fund  would  soon  lie  as  large  as  to  jiidfct  the  people,  in  case  ihe  losses  were  n  •' 
very  wide  spread,  which  was  not  expected.  I  le  votC'.l  same  year  to  allow  everybody  to  t.et  no 
a  bank,  bill  acrainst  the  bill  of  I83l>,  which  modified  liie  l■e^training  aei.  [.Sei^  p;:ge  171  •> 
page  IdJ.]  Mammoud  thinks  that  tli  ■  exr'.'lleat  bill  ti  give  everv  school  di:  triel  c.  ].i!ili'i; 
library,  would  have  been  lost  butfor  S.  '^'oung  andL.  Beardslcy's  eiloils  in  its  tiuui'.  In  IS'. ». 
Young  and  Spraker  were  the  minority  ojipo^ing  a  repenl  of  thi-  1,'iw  prohibiting  bani;  iv  . 
under  S'J- 

In  his  Finance  Report  of  Irt.'V.),  he  tells  us  that  the  liank  note  issues  of  the  privileged  c  )'-\.  - 
rations  l(irm  a ''Stupendous  sy .stem  ol'  I'raud,  falsehood,  crime  and  siili'ering,"  and  says  run    ■ 
in'jrc  to  their  injury — yet   it  appears  lie  has  been  a  vi.'ry  active  builder  of  the  system.     |-; 
coiiduct  and  his  langu'.igt.' an;  stiangely  inconsistent. 

In  1813,  in  a  bill  to  incorporate  Thoiuas  Sinrnis,  &c..  with  .'i^'iJOO.OOO  capital,  as  a  mai'u;'.  ■• 
taring  company,  "doling  moved  to  make  the  eapilai  two  niillions.lmt  could  not  carry  it — V  ■! 
R(!iisselaer  moved  to  allow  the  corporation  to  do  !5AXIvl  NG  business;  and  when  nnoil:  . 
member  proposed  to  sirike  out  biiniung,  \'oung  vott-d  lo  relain  it!  In  LSI  I,  a  bill  to  i>\\i.u: 
the  Merchant.s'  Bank',  All)any,  a  charl'M',  for  the  city  only,  was  attem|iled  to  be  improved  e,- 
Voung,  who  moved  to  give  tiiem  powi.-r  to  bank  also  at  Ballsion  Spa.  lis  charter  was  to  I" 
a  million,  and  Young  voted  for  a  motion  to  oblige  it  to  lend  ji-",'iii), •''()()  to  manni'actnrers. 
Thai  same  year  an  eli'ori  was  made  to  incorporate  the  iS.  A.  Mining  and  Coal  Company,  a. 
a  bank,  and  for  this  also  did  Young  vole.  So  say  hi.s  brother  .'-'.'nalors,  for  I  have  not 
specially  referred  to  the  journal,     lie  voted  against  tlie  bill  in  1S18. 

In  1818,  the  New  Yorlv  Franlclin  Bank  charter  was  carrierl  forward  by  Young's  vote  cine 
step,  yeas  i:!,  nays  l-i,  but  at  th"  tin  li  passage  of  the  bill  he  voted  against  it.  The  AsscftiMv 
rejected  and  sent  it  back  to  the  Senate,  andth'Mi  sent  I'or  it  a.gain,  and  ^'oting,  ihiru<:h  he.  hmi 
professed  to  oppose  il,  voted  lo  Aiiuf.  it  hi'-'k  V)  Hum,  but  Van  Buren  dodged.  Young  support-.  ,1, 
b/ his  votes,  the  Chenango  Banic,  as  did  Van  lluren's  brother-in-law  and  slate  printer;  bui 
Van  Buren  himself  do  lg\'d  the  last  vote,  as  he  knew  the  bill  could  be  carried  without  him, 
others  assuming  the  responsibility.  Young  dodged  the  two  liiial  \otes  on  the  ( 'hei-i'y  Valh  y 
Bank,  Van  Buren  remaining  b,.tli  limes  as  a  nay,  tiiire  b 'iiig  enough  to  carry  it  wi'hout 
him,  including,  of  course,  his  lu'olluM-in-law,  Cantin  ',  with  ihe  yeas.  In  l»s'2l,  Yomi':  voted 
for  the  North  Uiver  Bank  charter.  When,  in  fSjS,  it  was  proposed  lo  enart,  that  if  a  person 
should  ask  iiaymeiit  of  its  notes  from  a  bank',  and  it  were  to  refuse,  it  should  be  liable  to  pay 
interest  on  .said  notes  from  the  date  of  its  lefusal,  with  costs  of  suit,  Bowne,  Van  Buren, 
Young,  Tibbets,  and  Roger  Skinner  voted  NO  ! 

One  of  the  corrupt  bank's  of  18;Jlj  was  the  Watervliet.  prcsidc'l  over  by  an  Olcott,  who  di.s- 
appeared.  Young,  while  denouncing  the  sys|,.in,  took  S'--,W)l)  stock,  and  Inst  it.  His  conduct 
in  this  was  like  .'oiin  lUiiidolph's,  who,  after  d'.iitig  hi-o  utmo.'^t  against  (he  U.  S,  Bank  charici', 


'V 


-if 


■';.■ 


130 


folk's  PLED0E8  ;    YOUNg's  speculations  ;    ms  POSITION. 


the  subscriptions  and  deposits,  Col.  Young  being  the  fifth  applicant  on  the  li!,t, 
hut  the  Colonel's  application  was  not  granted,  by  the  board  of  commissioners,  as 
appears  by  the  printed  statement  at  the  time."  Croswell  .sees  nothing  wrono' 
in  thus  collecting  his  old  friend's  private,  personal  letters,  and  publishing  them 
to  his  injury.  How  can  he  reconcile  this  with  his  abuse  of  me  last  Sept, 
and  Oct.  ? 


\i->- 


CHAPTER    XXV  II. 

FoIk''s  Pledges, —  VerjiUiDck^s  Resohitton. — ^lichacl  Hoffman — the  Naval  Officer 
— a  Sinecure — Duties  PoittirnI — Litrkin  yetlimj  Places — Votes  in  Congress — 
2'et  Bank  Loaus — Herkimer  Bank  Stock — Hoffman  and  Young — H-elutions— 
A  vote  for  Barker. —  E.rvcutire  Patronage. — Naval  Office  no  Check. — Millimis 
Lost. —  The  Jfcrchants''  Hntries. — Alderman  Pnrdy  —  Woodbury  and  Suart- 
tcout. — Polk''s  ( 'hoiec. — Bonds  how  lost. — Noah''s  Griff. —  I'olk  denounces  the 
Suh  Treasuri/. —  II  ilde,  d'orham,  and  Binneii,  on  the  Pets. — Polk  prevents 
Bank  Inquinj. — Adams  on  Tanetf, —  The  Cientral  Scramble. 

Col.  Polk  was  one  of  the  original  supporters  of  Jackson  — and  professes 
hostility  to  a  high  tariil'for  protection,  to  a  national  bank,  to  distributing  a  surplus 
of  (J.  S.  revenue  monies  among  the  stales,  and  to  internal  improvements  made 
with  funds  at  tiu^  disposal  of  Congress.  He  is  said  to  be  friendly  to  an 
amendment  ot  the  constitution  so  that  the  people  themselves  might  directly  elect 
iheir  presidents,  and  to  the  one  term  jninciple.  He  was  warm  in  favor  of  Texan 
annexation,  with  slareri/,  and  the  slaveholding  interest  of  the  south  believe  that 

ttjulc  sliariM,  ami  fxiilaincil  liis  fDmiiii't  thus — that,  if  ilicio  wore  to  Iw  classes  of  slaves  and 
iiiaslei's,  li(>  would  !"■  liiiiiiJ  in  llio  ninstcr  flass  it  lie  rould.  i'et  it  is  to  lie  inferied,  thai 
\  oiins^'.s  Icy-islalioii  ami  ■..'iiH'ial  comlucl  would  In'  soiiiru  hat  atl'i'ctrd  by  the  heavy  capital  !'•■ 
)iad  imosti'd  in  suppuit  ol' a  hystcsn  ho  j)iiMioly  coiidrintu'i .  His  aiixicly  to  rciDove  ti:r 
r-'iiry  Law  may  have  aiistri  inirily  from  a  (k'siic  to  withdraw^  liis  means  tiom  banks,  am; 
lend  ilicm  to  farmi'is  at  a  hi'.'li  laif  of  interest,  upon  mort','atre.  Ll«'  piirrhased  stork,  at  ,'i 
per  eeni.  lavniiiim,  in  tin.'  C>s\ve'^o  hank'.  It  failed.  'J'he  lobliy  au'ents  of  that,  very  »"t|uivocal 
foiieern,  the  Seneca  Cuumy  Bank,  says  Senator  Clark,  awarded  Wiuiis;  .ifi.rjOO  of  its  stoek. 
Did  he  sell  out,  or  how  '  lie  had  "JOt)  .'^liares  awarded  him  of  the  old  Hochester  IJauk,  woilli 
■•^K^OOO,  if  at  jJ50  a  .share.  In  ilie  Sarato;,'a  ( Wateifonl)  Bank  lie  had  3)5,000,  his  -wiles  pro 
jx'rty,  at  Icr  control,  ami  houiiht  at  I'i  per  ei-nt.  preniinm.  This  was  sold  out,  in  part  or  tiie 
uhule,  at ;")!  ))rcminm.  He  look  .f-JiOOK  slock  in  the  Lockport  l-Jaiik — it  broke  down — hesoM 
his  slock  at  M)  ])i'r  cent,  discount,  and  voted  to  repeal  the  charter.  He  was  not  a  borrower  in 
banks,  but  a  real  bankii' — and  when  the  banks  stop)  payment  in  IKiO,  hi;  was  manly  enough 
to  suind  ali'iie  in  Ihe  Senalc,  and  record  his  voh-  a'j;ainst  JVIarcy  and  the  Van  Buren  clique, 
who  wen;  for  ^-iving  their  knavery  a  le<rislative  jiiotection.  Vet,  from  1H13  to  1822,  while 
he  was  votiic.,' lor  pet  I'luutcrs,  w!ien  from  party  aiiplicants.  he  had  the  suspension  of  ISII, 
and  the  waruiu;,'  of  Clinton,  Tompkins,  and  llie  fathers  of  democracy  daily  belbre  his  cyt-, 
but  heeded  them  not. 

Youn,^  ii'iir  owns  ji.'j.OOO  in  the  City  Banlc,  j\lbiny.  and  larirc  amounts  in  tiie  Utica,  and  in 
throe  or  four  others.  His  connection  with  such  a  ))erson  as  Ha Iscy  Rogers,  whose  name 
occupies  no  very  high  place  in  the  cod(!  of  baidf  morality,  is  a.ufainst  him.  So  also  is  his  vole 
in  favor  of  skiving  to  a  new  incumbent  tde  ollice  of  state  printer,  which  the  patrons  of  his 
favoi'ite  have  so  lorn,'  and  so  shametuilv  abused.  The  adherents  of  Walker,  Polk,  Croswili 
and  Marcy,  fearini,'  that  Cassidy's  backers  might  be  opposed  to  their  declaration  of  depend- 
ence,  are  united  in  putting  down  the  corrujU  machinery  tiiey  can  no  longer  control. 

On  the  2(jth  of  May,  IKtU,  Col.  Y.  delined  his  jjosition  in  the  Albany  Atlas,  in  these  words: 

"  Tlip  Di'miicraiic.  I'lrty,  wuli  Mr.  Van  Birf;n  at  it."  Iicail,  wns  nvcrwlirlmcd  and  miliincrged  by  the  siiiR  «mi! 
"  ribiililry,  tin;  log-i  ahin  imutiiii  :ry,  and  Itic  liird  I'idt  r  iirli.Mirlii'iy  ori840:  'iiid  l)clieviiiji  liisci'Ursi:  tci  linv«  bfin 
"  C'irrcct  Riid  Ins  principles  snumt,  ami  anticijiatin^  a  piililical  rcgiirrectiiiii,  I  Inive  Kince  that  period  titiped  tl'Si 
"  hu  would  noi  In:  Id)  at  tin-  lintimn,  bill  wnnid  ri.se  willi  iliu  party  tVnni  under  tliu  I'nul  mass  of  wliiK  ruhbisli 
"  and  oppiobrium.  When  asked  my  opinimi,  I  liave  unit'oiinly  e.xpressed  my  prclerenci.'  liir  Mr.  Van  Buiien  as 
"  tilt:  next  I'l'vKiduiitial  caiididaic :  and  in  my  tsUniatiun  nu  man  ciiii  l>c  found  bcttvr  iiuulincd  ll>r  the  uAice 


POSITION. 

plicant  Oil  the  listt, 

commissioners,  as 

sea  nothing  wroni* 

)(l  publishing  them 

ot"  me  last  Sept. 


—IheNavulOjficer 
^otes  in  Congress— 
oumj — Kelulious— 
J  (J heck. — Milliotii 
jdbury  and  tSuart- 
L'olk  denounces  the 
:ts. — Pol/t  prevents 

^on  — and  professes 
stributing  a  surplus 
nprovements  made 
be  friendly  to  an 
night  directly  elect 
1  in  favor  of  Texan 
;  south  believe  that 

classes  of  slaves  and 
is  to  bo  inl'eried,  thai 
y  the  hcr.v  y  capital  li^ 
iiixicty  to  "remove  thr 
cans  from  banks,  am; 
puirliascii  stock,  at ,') 
ot  lliat  very  tniuivocal 
ns  .■if'i.rjOO  of  its  slock. 
itocliestcr  IJank,  avoHIi 
;S;r),000,  his  -vvilb's  pro 
old  out,  in  part  or  liie 
t  broke  down — he  so!'l 
was  not  a  borrower  in 
hi;  was  manly  enough 
lie  Van  Bureii  clique, 
lu  1H13  to  l&I'J,  while 
e  suspension  of  Ibll, 
•  daily  before  Jiis  cyi-, 

its  in  the  Utica,  and  in 
'  Rojrers.  \\hose  naiDc 
ID.  So  also  is  his  vote 
ich  the  patrons  of  his 
^•ltke^,  Polk,  Croswtli 
declaration  of  depeml- 
iger  control. 
Atlas,  in  these  words: 

iiilxncrged  by  tlie  sing  win; 
v'm^  Ins  ci'uref  l<>  liovi-  ben\ 
ce  tliiit  period  bo|jfd  tl'Si 
fiiul  iimsa  nt'  wIiIk  ruhbitii 
rici:  lor  Mr.  Van  Bube.nM 
uulifiijd  Ibr  the  office 


POLK,  THE  PETS,  AND  MICHAEL  HOFFMAN. 


131 


they  have  in  him  a  steady  friend.  He  professed  to  be  friendly  to  equal  rights 
for  adopted  citizens;*  but  thaty  like  some  others  of  his  previous  opinions,  may 
have  been  held  temporarily.  He  was  pledged  at  Baltimore,  be/ore  liis  ekclion^ 
to  hold  to  the  whole  of  Oregon,  but  he  oilered  England  afterwards  to  deduct 
from  that  whole  51  degrees  of  N.  latitude.  [\\  Diic..,  18:27,  he  was  placed  on 
the  committee  of  ioreign  affairs  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  and  five  years 
thereafter  (Dec,  1S32),  judiciously  chosen  by  the  Van  Buren  pet  bank  and  land 
jobbing  interest  as  their  leading  advocate  on  the  committee  of  ways  and  means. 
At  that  session,  the  directors  of  the  U.  S.  Bank  were  examined  on  oath  by  that 
committee,  and  Verplanck,  their  chairman,  presented  a  majority  report.  Mar.  1 , 
1S33,  with  a  resolve,  "  That  the  government  dep  ^sites  may,  in  the  opinion  of 
this  House,  be  safely  continued  in  the  Bank  of  the  U.  S."  Polk  presented  a 
counter  report  from  the  minority,  but  all  the  menjbers  save  46,  voted  for  Ver- 
planck's  resolution,  in  the  teeth  of  which,  Duane,  six  months  after,  was  ex- 
pected to  have  removed  the  public  monies  to  peculiar  institutions  more  favored 
by  those  in  power.  Of  the  46  were  VV.  G.  Angel,  S.  Beardsley,  Joseph  Bouck, 
fMichael  Holliiian,  Henry  Horn,  Henry  Hubbard,  John  Y.  Mason,  C.  P.  White, 
andJ.K.  Polk. 

*  A  l)ill  hid  l)r<!n  sont  to  tho  H.  ui  R.  I'roiii  tlic  HenalP,  for  crunliii;;  .'i  tinvnsliip  of  Innd  to  a  body  of  poor 
ejilei  from  Poliind,  wlicro  they  liti  1  stniualud  for  frceilom.  On  tlio  :iOth  of  June,  IHIH,  lii^t  dny  ot  session, 
I'liicknoy  iiiovlmI  to  liiy  it  on  lli<;  tiitpic,  itmt  i-i,  li)  crush  it.  Ainonii  tin'  yea*  were  J:iiiif<  K.  l'olk,  hi*  Attorney 
(JenemI,  John  V.  Mason,  hi»  I'.  .M.  U.,  C'itve  JohOMin,  with  S.  U<'»rdsli>y,  \vhorn  .1.  V.  Hiiren  ridiciilei.  The 
autocrat  Nicholas,  had  ho  liad  a  vole,  would  have  hcen  on  tlie  •<:\u\e  side.  Anioni;  tlii!  noes  wi-ro  .1.  Q,.  Adtinis, 
E.  Everett,  M.  Killmote,  U.  II.  Uillcli,  Dudley  Seldeu,  Aaron  Ward,  iind  C.  C.  Caniliieleng.  While  and  Law- 
rence did  not  vote. 

t  MicHAKL  Mori'MAN  of  Herkimer,  who  is  indebted  to  his  friend  Jnnic.s  K.  Polk,  for  tho  infliiential  office,  I 
n\!iv  say  sinecure,  of  Naval  Otticer  of  the  Port  of  New  York;  a  berth,  which,  like  the  llussinn.  embn.^sy,  has 
been  IniiR  useful  to  the  executive  as  a  means  of  rewardini;  political  services,  without  relerence  to  the  perform- 
ance of  any  particular  iluties  ;  is  MOW  far  advanctd  in  years.  Mis  place  has  been  worth,  in  lees,  fines,  salary 
ami  perqui-tites,  over  $16,0(10  a  year,  as  was  the  !rurve\or's  situation,  now  held  by  Purity,  but  it  Is  possililc  thut 
a  bill  before  Conpress  may  elfcct  a  reduction.  Vet  it  is  truly  MiiirvriioiN  how  ea^lly  ollicial  peo|)le,  in  tlie  chief 
silualinns,  contrive  to  pive  a  sort  of  mystical  interpretation  to  laws  apparently  plain  and  simiile — their  nlijeet 
while  in,  is  to  till  their  jKickets — and  Woodbury,  .Swarlwout,  Van  Bnicn,  Iloyt,  &,c.,  are  proofs  that  no  profes- 
siiin  of  ultra  ilemocracy  can  ensure  un  etl'ective  check  on  otTicial  protliiiacy.  1  presume  lliat  it  is  well  nnder- 
jtDod  that  Ilolfuian  holds  on,  conditioned  that  he  shall  devote  his  (xilitical  talents  and  e.vperience  to  the  good 
ofthi"  Kejency  leaders,  whose  denioeracy  consists  in  buying  over  and  ret  liniii;;  proinineat  political  men,  through 
'the  spoils,' bountil'tilly  divided  amotijju  llicni  for  tlieir  services  in  diiceivini:  and  duliiding  ;t  people  who,  if 
themselves  believe  in  tlje  doctrines  of  Thomas  Jell'orson,  have  too  often  followed  in  the  Ibotsteps  of  certain 
jrtl'ul  and  desiuninc  ixiliticians  who  do  not. 

JudL'e  llolfiiian  is  a  lavvyi  r,  by  trails  a  politician,  has  the  reputation  of  beinji  very  strict  on  "  constitutional 
questions  " — very  clever  in  getting;  them  up— always  looking  in  the  direction  of  ultra-democracy — ever  rowing 
Ills  boat  towards  Place,  Power,  and  OMicial  Plunder.  I'or  two  years  he  was  a  district  attorney;  and  for 
lonr  he  dispen-ed  English  law  as  a  substitute  for  American  justice  in  tlio  capacity  of  tirst  judge  of  the  County 
of  Herkimer.  An  additional  Canal  Commissioner  was  said  to  be  wanted,  just  in  time  to  secure  to  Judge  Holf- 
nmn,  for  two  years,  a  seat  at  the  canal  board,  with  a  liandsome  income.  The  atl'iirs  of  the  nation  required 
tot)e  set  to  rights,  P:'d  Congress  could  not  gel  the  jVavyU)  properly  regulated  without  at  least  one  .Admiral  ;  in 
due  time,  therefe.e. 'i>e  party  '  sent , lodge  Hoifiuiu  for  si.x  or  eight  years,  to  tin;  House  of  Representatives, 
in  the  p-— -  ''^'i  moral  atmosphere  of  Washington,  where  eight  dollars  per  day,  with  mileage  honestly  measured, 
Dallas  fashion,  liberal  presents  voted  Irom  Jonatlian's  i;.\chequer,  by  patriots,  to  themselves,  and  secret 
|iroMiises,  of  ottice  thereafter,  if  they  vote  right,  has  reconciled  many  a  hot  reformer  to  thu  discipline  of  a  party 
leuiler.  Mis  recorded  votes  then,  present  a  droll  contrast  when  taken  into  view  with  his  vast  an.xiety  ?iai0  for  a 
stule  convention,  to  atford  more  ch>cks  on  our  money-borrowing,  safety  fundb  ink-chartering  majorities,  for 
biith  of  which,  when  at  Albany,  ho  entertained,  us  he  said,  a  truly  virtuous  abhorrence. 

The  nation,  through  Congress,  in  IHKi,  hold  to  the  United  States  1{  ink,  the  right  to  liecouie  the  Treasury 
of  ttie  Union  for  twenty  years — took  ,SI,aOi).0Ui>  in  cash  froiii  stockholders,  In  payment  for  this  privilege— and 
the  Supreme  Court  Judges  of  tho  Union  declared  the  trans;iction  to  be  constitutional ;  whether  it  was  no  or  not, 
nothing  could  be  a  greater  violation  of  llie  puldic  faith  than  to  take  the  U.  S.  Bank  money  as  a  consideration 
fur  a  privilege,  and  then  lend  out  tho  whole  national  income  to  a  batch  of  trading  politicians,  under  the  prete.xt 
of  ile|io>itlng  it  in  tlie  more  favored  chartered  and  unchecked  hanking  monopolies  of  the  Van  Buren  school  for 
better  security.  In  March,  Iti'.a,  Mr.  Polk  joined  Michael  Hotfiiian  and  Campbell  P.  White  in  negativing  Ver- 
iilanck's  motion  that  tlie  money  of  tlie  nation  was  safe  in  the  Bank  of  the  United  States.  In  that  same  year, 
)lr  llolfinan  might  also  be  found  (as  Mordecai  M.  Noah  told  him)  liberally  partakin:  of  tho  unclean  drippings 
of  bank  legislation  and  special  charters.  His  county  lllerkimer;  had  to  be  mnnane.a  )\  ii  bank  in  the  Viands  of 
the  faithful.  Mr.  Ilolfnian  had  one  liundrcd  shares  (say  SUMIOU)  apportioned  to  aim,  with  other  HO  shares  to 
his  ftiend  Col.  tjamuel  Young— 100  more  went  to  .\.  Looiuis— 100  to  ,\.  .M  inn,  M.  C,  and  100  to  Diulley  Burwill. 
"  Under  cover  (said  Noah,  in  his  Star  of  October,  1834.)  of  charging  the  U.  S.  B  ink  with  bribery,  the  grossest 
corruptions  are  carried  on  In  this  state— tlie  very  legislator  who  votes  on  a  bank  bill  receives  the  assurance  of 
l«y  in  advance,"  Honest  .Michaid,  It  appears,  was  not  forgoium.  Al^cr  doing  his  tiest  to  lend  forty  riiilllonsof 
the  money  of  ihe  Union  to  the  pet  banks  of  party  leaders  and  gambling  bank  directors  with  no  security  at  all- 
after  partaking  liberally  of  chartered  bank  stock — after  viidating  the  obligation  of  contracts  lo  *.hc  U.  S.  Bank, 
and  aiding  in  tho  anti-hank  cry  of  Martin  Van  Buren  and  his  decoy-ducks,  who,  under  the  safety  (! ')  fund  sys- 
tem, chartered,  from  18'^J  to  ld37,  banks  on  the  special  privilege  principle,  with  some  30  millions  of  nominal, 


.i-'. 


^ 


132 


llOHMAN  S  81NECURt;,  rUl.NClPLLS  AM)  I'OLIOV, 


'*. 


'    -a 


'.."'■■' 


■s^' 


■■'1  ■'. 


I    /   '■ 


f: 


Polk  could  be  dependi'd  on — Stevenson  was  Speaker,  and  looking  up  lo 
Jackson  for  a  more  lucrative  ollice — the  latter  placed  tbe  tbnner  at  the  head  of 
the  ways  and  means  in  Dec,  1M3.3,  to  o])pose  the  U.  S.  Uank  and  Sub  Treasury 
and  uphold  Kendall  and  the   political  scheme  of  the  Treasury  banks.     All  tin. 

but  (ill  leas  of  rciil,  civpilal  in  this  staui— alter  this,  Mr.  Iloirmiiii  sat  iIowh  in  March,  184;i,  to  wriii' toCi,' 
Yoiinp,  that  he  had  jiisl  heard  uf  his  eilbrt  to  aavo  one  jilanli  Ihini  the  wrick  of  Iho  conatltiition~|mif  il  ln^ 
sell',  Voung,  Looinis  and  oliiers  Hr  aavinn  tlie  »talo  fniiii  lieiiitf  S('\vardi/.ed— talked  uf  feluii  debt,  hiuilirnpi  cu, 
paiiies,  the  corrupt  action  of  the  p;i.|.  the  lobliy,  llie  eliariereil  llherties,  and  their  nniljun  counsels— lielj 
with  a  death  urip  to  •  the  spoils  '  and  llie  party — la't  clulthinjr  a  two  yours'  rtKislership  of  tlio  land-otlice 
Micliipan,  reslu)^  for  two  or  tlireo  sessions  in  the  llouae  of  Asaenibly,  at  Albany  -and  has  at  liiijrtli  drawn  Hi. 
f  ID.nUO  to  «jir>.()00  a  year  prize  of  the  .\,iv;il  Oltice,  In  the  lucky  ^tate  lottery  of 'riionias  Ititchie  and  Janle^  i, 
I'lilk.  Who  can  dcjiy  the  fact,  that  the  Admiral  lias  acted  on  ilie  principle  of  rolatjoi.  in  (jitico  '.  Outufn;,, 
fat  berlli  lie  ;;oi;5  into  aiunln  r,  tuuililiuK  out  both  tnencU  i.nd  foc«,  when  in  his  way.  but  always  plpinif  si% 
deiiiocratir  lUiU',  always  ridin;;  soiue  |iopiilar  hi)l)liy.  'I'o  ilay  correspondinj  with  liyrdsull  "  as  I'reaiilein,. 
the  association  for  (-'onsiiiutioiial  heforiu  "— tomorrow  suiictioniiii;  Byrdsuli's  rnuioval  Irum  a  51,")iJU  simnj;. 
in  the  (^'ustoni  House,  because  he  was  tun  Calliounish  I 

That  the  Anti-Rent  pariy  <i)inplaiMed  of  real  and  serious  wrongs  is  now  ndinittrd  by  aliiiost  nil  classcj,  1, 
Holfniun,  like  Silan  \Vri;;hl,  was  slow  to  perceive  the  pith  of  their  complaints.  Ho  \oied,  in  Iri'i-*,  with  lluilc 
to  renew  the  .Mechanics  and  I'arnicrs' aud  other  unchecked  bank  charters,  hut  they  could  not  get  enough  i, 
join  them.  Van  Ruren,  Dlcott  and  the  parly  cliiels  ne\t  year  got  np  the  Saleiy  fund  innMistiirc,  and  ijIi.ij 
tlieir  parts  so  artfully  that  it  tool;.  I  think  ili:it  lloHnian  voted  against  the  bill  to  elect  t'aiinl  (.'oniini.^Mniic 
by  the  people,  anil  against  the  bill  lo  destroy  (ho  estate  Prison  Monopoly.  In  tlit^  distribution  of  the  pain  lu. 
of  Ills  de|)artiiient  lie  takes  his  cue  from  Wasliinglon,  to  suit  the  party  inltrests. 

When  Hoiliuan  eutc  red  ilie  '.115111111  lluu^e,  it  wa.s  asserled  ihat  the  pretended  check  on  the  Collector,  tht 
the  naval  ollice,  a  very  e\|ieiisive  and  useless  l.iice.  as  now  and  for  many  ye;;rs  past  perforiiied  liy  vtitu: 
actors,  ;iliis  much  the  Kieniug  I'ost  .■idinils.)  would  in  his  hands  beciuiie  n  rial  one — but  I  doubted.  The  Ic 
la  tor  who  volod  us  lloHiiian  dul,  f't  (.eor;;e  I'.  Itarker  tube  our  .Attorney  (Jener  il.  alter  llie  ;iiililic  t\posurBoti.,. 
frauds  of  the  HuiliiUi  City  Biiiil-.  (saying  uothiiig  id'hU  votes  in  favor  of  all  that  llotl'iuaii  calls  corrupt  in  - 
s«sasioa  of  IJIki.)  was  a  meet  yoke  felluw  to  Cornelius  W.  I.  iwrencc,  in  their  olticial  duties  of  cliecks  upun  ij, 
money  operations  of  the  Custoiii  House  o:  New  Yor!.. 

.Mr.  PulU  showed  the  tinceiiiy  uf  his  re-pecl  for  Ills  liiei'.d  .\Mdrrw  J  irksnn's  niiiiiiiry  and  priucipi',; 
choo^!n;;  lor  collector  heri',  a  pel  haak  pr;-iileiit,  wlioe  coniliict  in  failing  to  pny  the  public  cash  10  the  \mi 
creditors,  when  his  bank  had  iicen  trusted  with  plenty  of  il,  had  disgruced  the  goveriiiiient  which  euiployi  1.1.1 
frail  concern.  He  showiil  niiuil  coiisisu  iiry  at  lr.i-.|,  in  selecling  as  our  .Nav'il  ( 'ri'.'er,  or  coniiitroilir,  c 
Hoiriiian  who  had  voted  against  .Major  Dave/.lic's  motion  In  As.seiiibly,  foi  rcfuudui^  lo  the  oid  hero,  belliri'i: 
death,  his  New  Orleans  line  and  the  costs  thereof. 

Far  be  it  from  me  lo  undervalue  n  Coiivrniion  or  Hollinan's  support  of  II— the  people  can  cliooso  lit  ri;. 
scntulivcs  to  il,  anil  check  tlielr  action,  ton,  if  11  majority  ol  liiciii  should  prove  iiiiliscri.'et— but  1  dislike  r,i,.i 
P.ist  homilies  on  state  relbnu  emanaiiii'.-  irom  the  ii'iiuoni  Ilousi)  deok  of  a  t,lli.U()0  sinecuii^t,  v  ho  lea\v.  i 
own  depHrtnicnt  there  in  aa  bad  a  coiiditioii  as  he  found  it.  «  bile  lie  has  Itie  power  lo  render  it  useful  ami 
ciont  for  the  public  service,  lie  had  no  ear  for  1  specie  trea-ury  111  if-;ji-'4,  but  was  ready  for  the  ca.sh  s;,.i 
In  IfeJH,  when  there  wiis  iiolliiiig  left  to  lend  e\iept  depieiiated  b  ink  paper.  He  denounces  the  e.vpLi.ifiii. 
on  the  Erie  Canal  eiilargemeni,  but  sli 'idily  uplmlds  tiii'  men  who  propi'sed  that  lue.isiire.  in  llm  gre.it  iii  ■ 
meeting  held  in  Ihc  Capitol,  at  Albany,  .Nov.  .'1,  ]r'\\i,  Mr.  Iluiliiian  "  h-.inUij  (im-cd  tu  trn.st  lumsc/f  tu  i,p^:l. 
Executive  I'at.roii'i!,'f;J'or  he  rmill  nrrir  thin':  vfllte  siihjict  irif/ioul  tzc!tiii!rfi.iiiii^rj  ,,/ t/ic  nio^l  tiilcndc  iiilii 
tioii.'  Mow,  however,  that  President  Polk  has  discerned  his  merits,  and  given  him  Tliroop'j  oid  plate  ai.Ui. 
come,  it  may  he  hoped  that  iiis  "  iiiieii.se  Uidignalion  '  will  cool  down  a  little. 

The  Kvening  I'ost  imhI  I'ieb.  ian.  \\biri  t'unis  wu  Cilbi  tm.  diclared  that  llie  e.vpensive  machinery  of 
Naval  tJliice  hart  proveil  no  iheck  at  all  on  (lislMiie-t  Collei-lors.  from  J,s-,;'.t  ^ud  dow'iw.irds.  This  w.i>  i 
lectly  true.  It  is  true  .still.  Wx.  iiu'ludiu;;  llie  .Naval  OHicr's  sinecure  income,  cisii.il  e.v|ienses,  tlerlii'  1, 
ciaminers  at  Washington,  and  depuiies  t,i  il  1  the  bu  -iiiess,  ji  custs  tlie  nail. 111  .'SiiD.ilM  a  yeir. 

It  has  been  shown,  tint  in  the  iwo  I  ist  moinhs  id'  .Mr.  Iloyt's  term,  eiiiries  amounting  1 1  .1>(>3,JUJ  wore  ji" 
daily  as  presonti^d,  from  tlu'C  isliier'sollii-e.  b  liire  iIk;  clerks  bad  simui  or  entered  iliem  on  tJollecbii's  hook:—;! 
the  duplicates  of  these  sMiiie  entries  ueri' jii>.t  as  piiiii-lually  stolen  tVoiii  the  iN.tval  UUiier's  ollice  hi.iiTi 
and  his  clerks  had  enteied  liu  in  011  their  record,  or  1  luck-liMnks,  and  tliil.  had  imt  an  iicculent  cau-ed  iiii|ii 
and  a  whig  secretary  e.v;iiiiiiied  into  llie  matter,  Jes^e  llo\  t  would  li.ne  bn  1  Sbit.UliO  riilirr  by  the  Ir,. 11.; 
January  and  I'ebruary,  I  "I  I.  be  llie  thief  who  he  may.  1  believe,  thai,  alilmiigli  !(ii;t.(«Kl  were  111  lliii  t\;i; 
but  picked  from  L'ncle  ream's  pockels  In  these  ttM)  nioiuli-,  niiiiioii^  have  been  lo,-i  in  tbi'  sumo  way  of  it 
we  hai-o  yit  heard  Hor/»Hi',  the  sysieio  remaining  the  same — and  il  milliuus  of  d.illars  vanishe  I  in  van 
Ways,  under  Iloyt.  Swartwoiit,  Throoji.  Coe  U  Co.  ;«■)//  not  miiiimis  more  ihnipiienr  'tt  nuine  j'uturc  tune,  rch 
the  part  ie.i  wilt  omit  to  mnili,m  .'  I  bluiiMio  one— |ii'ole-v  to  suspect  no  one— Imt  to  such  g  ones  us  I  h  iVi 
.scritied  there  mii-t  b("  a  cliecli.  How  is  it  now  f  The  entry,  in  duplicate,  is  handed  to  a  Nav.il  ollice  Hi 
clerk,  who  e.Yamiues  il.  another  clerk  lolds  il,  a  third  clerk  endorses  il.  The  endorser  hands  ttio  emry  In  : 
Register,  wlmsu  duty  it  is  to  enter  it  on  his  great  boidi,  and  he  does  so,  hut  not  till  nrit  day,  nfter  ten  uVl. 
iiud  as  the  bundle  of  entries  of  any  one  day  \;  n"t  linked  up,  ami  miiiy  persmis  liave  access  tu  ihe  uMi 
nothing  would  be  more  easy,  us  far  as  the  iNaval  Ollice  is  emicerued.  than  to  abstract  any  two,  ten,  or  ih 
entries,  according  to  tho  sizi'  and  iiiiality  of  llie  daily  bundle;  and  if  mailers  slioiild,  at  11  future  time,  be  111. 
to  correspond  in  Ihe  Cashiir's  ollice,  wholesale  frauds  are  as  e:isy  idacniniplishuient  as  il  is  fur  ine  lo  tell  li  j| 
they  performed  them  in  .lesse'.s  time.  'J'lie  Irulli  is,  the  day's  record  should  be  coiiipleled  day  by  day,  »i;r 
by  iloirman  hiniselt',  altiT  persoii.al  e.vaniiiiation,  before  he  leives  the  ollice,  and  u  cjpy  tiial  evening  dispuii;;i 
to  tho  r.  S.  Tre.isury.  The  (<ntry  should  be  recorded  on  the  book,  iniiiiediately  alti^r  the  iiiurchanl  uf  his  cli;; 
hands  it  in— and  thi;"  could  bo  done  with  ease. 

What  is  tho  use  of  two  deputies  and  an  .\uditor  in  lloirmin's  olfico  7  Or,  ifthei/  art  wanted,  irhnt  is  Ihe  • 
nt  hiui .'  What  living  man,  that  knows  whit  his  to  b  •  dine  there,  will  say  lit  u  iloilrii  in  should  be  hiril 
$5,1X10  a  year  of  salary,  with  penpiislies  which,  even  in  Iloyt's  time,  were  eiiual  lo  $IO,OllJor  §Iv;,OUUniaii'.  1 
then  other  inon  hired  at  heavy  incomes,  some  to  loll  .-iliui!  in  idleness  and  read  newspapers,  and  others  hi 
Hoflinan's  work  .'  Klectinneering  committee--,  (uill's,  leti"r<,  spi'( dies,  and  caiicuse..  iii  and  for  tho  boiRii: 
the  Tammany  Htill  tavern  assnciation,  must  all  be  paid  for — lliero  is  no  real  democracy  thera  now — but  wliyi 
iipim  the  rnitcd  States  to  pay  llidfmiii  and  Piirdy  for  such  work  ?  Why  select  or  rebiln  as  clerks  in  thii  N;i''i| 
I  hficB  unlit  persons,  hecauso  they  are  .serviceable  tools  as  politicians'  And  why  mix  itu  Tammany  01 
chairiiiHnship,  with  the  duties  of  iho  ;;urveyot"hip  of  the  Customs  ! 


be  did,  with  fi 

numbers  alter 

ertions  made 

1  Polk.     Speak 

"  >'or  can  we 
itcservcil  on  our 
power,  esjifciall 
,ins,  biith  of  0111 
alter  the  siibstan 
ciery  fol'.v'  ''i<-'.v 
entailed  a  loii^'  ? 
weishts  that  Imrt 
laicr  day  wo  m  • 
VV'c  iiK-aiii  wi'H, 
ihan  llie  altcniai 
tjllie  ine.Koralil' 
we  remciiilii'r  al 
thruu;?li  the  (list 
ihar!,'e  of  iiitciT 
liberally  to  tlii' 
the  tippositioii  ui 
w'ruit  ritrlit.  iiav< 
lion  for  our  fate 

1  am  porsu; 
would  hesili'.l 
his  neglect  r 
SI, 250,000  fi 
than  lazy,  fun 
A  bri'jf  accou 
bivesot'  Hoy 
knowing  Woi 
life  lease  on  t 
by  the  nouiin 
not  by  chanc 
I  hiiih  station. 

♦L'mil  IKtl,  Sw 
m;i'iii5  to  have  lik 
i  Huyt,  hintlni!  that 
iliivs  after,  Ogden 
.Noah,  in  his  liven 
Hliii  leave  an  iiiipi 
liiliy  was  virreil'id 
notorious  driinkari 
mveil  jIH'd.dlHl. 
ilcf  .ulter—again  11 
liccn  two  and  a  h; 
land  speculator,  li 
Davis  applied  ne.v 

t  PoLK  .wn 
romiuitlco  ol"  \ 
eiicc  the  electiu 
H.  WiWo,  Hfii 
ofdifTeivnt  cnr 
direction,  was 
Polk,  Wrii,'lit,i 
Pulk  and  his  fi 
leiidoiv'  the  ha 
-that  if  their 
held  good,  the 
trol,  through  tl 
is  the  measure 
ing  thein,  and 
sc^aiul  docicf 


UlCV, 


POLK,  NVOUliilLKV,  OcsLLLiVAN  AND  IHL;  ILIS. 


133 


iind  looking  up  to 
rmcr  at  the  head  of 
i  and  Sub  Treasury 
iry  banks.     All  tin, 

liircli,  I'^-i;),  to  writi-  tod, 
cDiistitiuiou— puilid  l,in 

;l  ti'luii  (lutit,  liiiiikrii|>t  i'.,i|, 
mil  l.jiiii  cminsols— lii'lili! 

ir.-sliip  ul'  Iho  l;incl-iitlicci< 

inti  liiis  III  liMi^'tli  (Inuvnili. 

iiii'is  UitcliiK  und  JaiiiuN  k 

lUoi.    ill  ollico  '.      Olll  uln!!. 

ay.  Iml  ahvayi  pi|iini.'  sniji, 
LtyrcMull  "  a.s  I'rraiiUiiiii 
Kjval  Iruui  u  glJUU  siiuiu;; 

liy  iiliiiost  nil  cliinscj, Ir, 
\ciioil,  ill  Iri'i-*,  witli  Hui'r 
:y  could  not  \:el  ommgh  i, 
t'uilil  illl|iiisllii'C,  uilil  pl.r.ti 
I'liTl  L'aiml  ('oiiiiiiisMDiie 
lairilmtiun  of  the  paiiLiu; 

heck  on  the  Collector,  iht 
r-i  p;i>(  pcrl'ormod  liy  vitcu; 
!— liiit  !  iliuibtL'd.  The  lo;," 
trr  lilt'  jMihlic  (xpoMirBfil  i:; 
lldtl'iiiaa  culls  corrupt  in  : ; 
al  duties  ut' checks  upuii  t^. 

\':<  iiiiiiiory  'ind  priiicipl,; 
ihi-  public  caih  lo  Ihi,  pnti 
friiiiii'iit  which  cuiployi uii 
I  ( >ri;cr,  or  coiiiptroiiir,  i- 
lit!  lo  the  iiid  licro,  li<u>jri'i,,, 

people  call  cliooso  Ik  ri,i 
i>cri,'(;t— iHit  1  ilislikc  I'.w.i. 
IK)  hiiitciili^I,  V  lio  lea\i.-. 
L'r  lo  rtiiilcr  it  iiicl'iil  arnl 
■a<  rcaily  lor  tho  cuih  >;.:i 
deiiotliRcs  the  e.vp(.i,i;ii;i. 
ii(..i>iiri'.  In  llto  grual  rti 
tu  trHit  himm:!/  tu  .-pi; 
■„<  ('/  IIlc  must  inume  iitlf^ 
iiu  TUroop':i  old  platf  ai.u!. 

'vpi'ii>ivc  inacliiiicry  u 
low'iwanls.    'I'hi-i   w,i! 
a.ii  il   t;.\pi;iiM;i,  clorlii'  I. 
iI'M  a  yiMr. 
I  ruin;;  t  >  -Ijiy.OUJ  Were  ili.  ; 
I'll!  on  » Nillectoi's  book:—.: 
val  Dllii'cr'.s  I'llii-u  hri'.r, 
:  an  acciiii.'nl  c.in'-L'd  iai{!i: 
il.lHIO  riiiirr   by  lliu  ir.iU.i- 
jjiiJ.lK.Ki  wt'rc  m  ilii-.   »;i, 
I  ill  till!  sanio   way  c/  if 
iluUars  VMiii.shc  I   in    \;ih 
!)■  ■!!  .it/inc  future  time,  ict 
i\>  sni-li  (,'  oiu'^  in    1  II  iVi  ., 
dud  lo  a   Niival    nllitc  h 
rs'.T  h'.tiids   ilio  oniry  t"  : 
nrxt  day,  nllcr  Itn  o'cii 
111-,  liavo  accii.s.s  to  llu-  oiii 
slract  any  two,  ten,  or  ih 
Id,  ala  liituru  tiine,  bo  iii:.. 
iMit  as  il  IS  t'i>r  ine  lotill  I)  ]| 
uiiipU'ted  il.iy   by  day,  ui^ir 
c  ipv  lliai  cvuniim  (lisp:iti::, 
liT  ihj  inorcUaiU  ur  iiia  th: 

I  are  wanted,  irhnl  is  Ihf  ■ 
:loirai'in  should   be   hinil 

$liJ,01ll)or§l-J,UU0niou'.. 
'W.ipiipers,  anil  otlnis  Id  : 
e.i  Hi  and  lor  the  bciidil 
my  there  now — but  whyi. 

retain  as  ulerks  in  thii  N:r . 
y  mix  uu  Taminuny  ot  . 


[be  il»<J>  w'^''  spiiit  und  energy,     l.t-t  the  Di-niut  ratic  Ktviow,  in  its  cuiil(s.-.!uual 
numbers  after  Van  Buren's  defeat,  ex|)luin  to  llu'  million.^  tin;  results  of  the  ex- 


made  in  1H34,  '.3,  and  'tJ,  by  Kendall,  Whitney,  \' 


Ul 


and  J.  K. 


ertions 

Polk.     Speaking  of  Van  Buren  &  Co.'s  failure  in  ISK),  tin;  Review  says  : 

">'orcan  we  lay  oiii-  hamw  on  uiir  lii'ari>  ami  .viv,  on  lionur  l)iii;hi,  iluii  it  was  entirely  iin- 
ilcservoit  on  our  own  pail,  alter  all.  We  liai!  nm  been — no  piiriy  eniill  h;ive  been — so  long  in 
power,  esitci-ially  uudci'  all  ilie  exisiiiiy;  cireiiinsiaiiees,  w  iiliuiit  liaviie.,'  eoiitrae-fcd  sundry 
, ins,  both  of  oini.ssiiHi  anil  ei)iiiniissii)n — anil  uiih  ili>'  same  eeriaini)  tlia'  drags  the  shadow 
alter  tlic  sub.stance,  does  an  ine\  liable  reiiibiitinii,  lo  panics  as  to  men,  liiUnw  every  tank  and 
P,ery  lolly  ihey  are  ever  giilliy  ol'.  Om-  greai  bitmiler,  indei-d,  it'  the  Pi  i  Hank  e.xperiineni, 
ontiiiled  a  long  series  ol'eoiisei|iieiiees  wliieh  luadi'  il  eveiilually  one  ul'  ihe  hcavic>l  of  the 
,vi:ishts  ihai  bore  iisdown — a  incaMiu*  adnpted  ai  ilie  express  rejeriion  ofilialveryone  which  ala 
la'cr  day  we  su  juiilly  haileit  wiih  deliu'hi.  uhen  lirmi^lii  lurward  iiiiderdilli'ieni  paiiv  auspice-^. 
We  ineaiii  well,  lo  be  sine,  in  thai  mo>i  ill>laiied  olexpeiimen'"- — ;iiid  it  \\;i->  at  any  rale  belter 
ihan  thii  allernalive  of  "die  uiher  >-iae.  the  re-eharier  df  .Sir.  iiiddle,  li'ii  gimd  int  -nt  is  no  exf^iiae, 
lothe  inexorable  jitsiiie  ufthe  pniv  ideiireuf  eveiils,  to,-  u'lt  ai  puliiii.il  eiims.  ;f.V  And  when 
we  remember  all  the  praeiieal  niisehief  we  ditl,  stimulating  ihe  expaifion  of  the  curreuty 
through  the  distriluition  ol  the  vast  aeeumitlated  depo.siie^  among  tin;  banlcs — without  even  a 
ihaigc  of  interest  to  ihein,  ami  ul  one  lime  an  oilieia!  eniuinaui  inent  lo  them  to  apply  them 
liberally  to  the  '  relief  iif  the  iommunii\ — u  In  u  we  remeiubei  the  |)i'ophclii;  warnings  from 
the  opposition  of  the  very  coiise(|uenees  which  indeed  wi'ie  not  ^luw  to  ilevelope  themselves — 
w'nat  right  bavi;  we  to  (utnplain  if  we  had  ourselves  to  ^wallow  a  very  bitter  dose  of  retribu- 
lioa  for  our  fatal  ».'rror  ■' 

1  am  persuaded  that  no  iinpailiul,  well  iiilbnned  imlividiial  can  be  found  who 
wuuld  hesitate,  alter  in-piiiy,  to  blame  Iv.-vi  Woodbury,  Sec.  of  the  Treas.,  for 
his  neglect  of  duty  in  tii-  case  of'  Swartwout,  who  had  embezzled  sonic 
51,250,000  from  the  iVew  York  Custom  House,  long  before  that  lazy,  or  wor.se 
than  lazy,  functionary  thought  rtt  to  announce  his  knowledge  of  the  delinquency. 
A  brief  account  of  S.'s  defalcation  may  be  seen  by  n  firence  to  the  index  of  my 
hives  of  Hoyt  and  Jiutler — and  it  is  worthy  of  remark  that  I'resident  Polk, 
knowing  Woodluiry's  course  in  that  and  other  mutters,  hastened  to  give  him  a 
life  lease  on  tin;  bench  of  the  Su|)reme  Court-  -and  f  Mowed  up  that  appointmoi't 
by  the  nomination  of  the  most  intolerant  lawyer  towards  citizens  by  choice,  and 
not  by  chance,  that  he  could  find  in  I'enn.sylvania,  or  the  Union,  to  a  similar 
high  station. ■("     INIr.  I'olk's  clumsy  interference  with  the  deposites  was  the  indi- 

*  Until  IKM,  t^w.irt.voiit  li:.i!  cuilir/./.li'd  lull  lillb'  of  Ihe  piililii-  inoiiey.     Wlini  tlie  ilrpo^il;  were  seized,  ho 

I  wins  to  have  liken  a   leal'  out  .if  Van  niirrn's  bmik.    Dn  the   l."ilh  oV  No\eiiilM'r.  IKIr*,  Woiidbiiry  wrote  to 

Huyt,  hintlliL' lh:it  the  clerks  who  knew  and  i  oncealed  Swariwoiii's   iiiiMoiidiirl,  oiii;lit  lo  be   rrinoved.     Two 

I  il:ivs  alter,  Otfden  the  cashier,  and  I'lullips  |  Noah's  relali\  ij   ilir  assist. iiii.  rf-ii;iied  iheir  sinnlitiii-.     Iloinsl, 

.Niiiih,  in  his  livening  Star,  grieved  aloud  at  ."swar'-woui's  rolniiatiuii  and   I'rriuli   tour.     "  Tlnre  ar''  lew  men 

Hill)  leave  an  iiiiporlant  silnition  v\  iih  iiior,'  ol'llie  piililir  appioiiatim  ilian  Mr.  .Swart  wont"— said  iNoah.     Wood- 

'  Imry  was  mrrci/'«/ to  piiiilic   pilli'rcr'i.     I'or  eniinple.  "  II  :irri<,   Ihe  receiver  al   t'oliiiiibns,   iMississippi,  was  a 

nniorinns  drunkard  and  delaultcr,  but  kepi  ill  oilice  i  .vo  je.irs,  in   lull   kiiiwiick'i- ol' ibe  dfp.irlnient  until  he 

iiiveil  Jfllid.lMMI.     S>    Wise  tells  us, //iraHj,'/t  ^'l^  f;/ri/>c.     In  .Xti'jii.n,  hit.",   Woodbury   leIN    Harris  that  le-   is  a 

ild'.uller— ajjain  in  Ocloher— and  soon  till  .•si'pifinb.  r,  Hli'!,  when  llie  I'rllow   proposes  to   ;•',.■(■•»  alter  liaviii;; 

hern  two  .and  a  hall  vars  a  he. ivy  del'auller  !     .\  .Mr   (J.  0.  Ki'Vil  sinaeedi  d  II  iiris.  and  was  •■  iiiloiiiperate,"  a 

land  speculator,  like  tjiiller,  iiiiil  rtsiirncil  l\  tlefaiiller,  many  ilioiisaiid  dollars  in  arrear,  in  .Vuijusl,  IcJT.     John 

Uavis  uppliril  ne.vt,  as  "  a  warm  Irleud  ol'  the  ailniiiiisiratioii  " 

t  Polk  .\nd  ritt;  Piank.s — When  Polk  repuiled,  In  Man'li,  IKil,  fidin  Ihe  majority  of  his 
roininitlee  of  Ways  and  .Means,  for  seizing  the  ii'\emie,  using  il  to  i:oiriipt  the  banks,  intht- 
(Mice  the  elections,  and  U|>hiild  ■•  the  |)arly,"  a  minorily  iipnil  was  |iivseiiied,  on  the  llh,  by  II. 
H.Wilde,  Henj.  Gorliam,  and  llnraee  liinney.  'I'iicy  remind  (.'(.uigress,  iha!  a  partnenhi)) 
ofdiflferent  eorporntions  foi  piofu  and  loss,  or  iniiiiial  iruaranty,  wiili  indepeiulcni  boards  of 
direction,  was  a  stiange  coiuiivance  to  secure  llic  siin-kinildcrend  regtilaic  llic  currency — ilct 
Polk,  Wright,  and  Kendall's  scheme  bad  been  tried  and  failed,  and  would  tiiil  iigain—that 
Pulk  and  his  friends  were  correct  in  (|iiiitiiii,'  the  maxim  thai  "  ihe  borrower  is  .servant  to  the. 
i-'uder,''  the  banks  borrowing  the  public  money  w^inld  be  slaves  to  Jaeksiei  and  his  cabinet. 
—that  if  their  other  maxim,  "that  he  who  controls  a  bank,  eoni:::!.'  the  debtors  of  ihe  bank'' 
held  good,  the  deposile.s  htu!  Iieen  placed  in  banks  whom  Jackson'.s  advisers  intemled  to  con- 
trol, through  these  slave  banks  of  theirs— that  the  .scheme  would  deran','e  the  cmreney,  which 
is  the  measure  of  the  value  of  every  man's  property,  of  his  eontraew,  of  indemnity  for  break- 
ing them,  and  of  the  ])ui)lie  revenue — that  a  ilcrangcd  eurrencv  makes  laws,  \frdii-ts,  promi- 
ses and  decrees  of  cuttits  speak  the  language  dI'  deceit  and  falsehood,  gives  fraud  a  premium, 


I 


■■:'jl 


.1- 


i  \i 


.1  /., 


h  : : 


If         ,        '.5 


134 


POLK  AND  BLAIR  CONDEMN  THE  SUB-TREASURY- 


rect  cause  of  the  loss  to  the  country  of  $646,754  paid  him,  as  the  cashiers  oil 
his  choici',  for  bonds.     When  Polk,  Kendall,  Van  Buren,  and  Lawrence,  \iin[J 


and  strips  lioncst  labor  of  its  scanty  earninsjs,  payins!:  it  in  worthless  or  depreciated  rags,  uj, 
iler  pretunt;c  thai  ilicy  arc  as  <i:o.^,l  as  l;o1i1 — that  douht  and  uncertaiuty  wore  deeply  injurit: 
tiie  business  of  the  iiierchant  and  manufacturcn- — that  if  the  U.  S.  Bank  was  not  to  be  recliai 
tered,  some  bettor  plan  ought  to  bo  proposed  to  Congress,  for  as  to  Polk  and  Wright's 
scheme,  it  was  the  merest  delusion,  because  the  banks  selected,  and  the  vast  number  tl. 
would  arise  like  mushrooms,  wouki  only  promote  the  disorder.  The  state  banks  wanted . 
regulator — a  good  cunency  was  hopeless  if  the  U.  S.  Bank,  as  a  cheek,  was  removed,  andj; 
other  substituted  tlian  the  party  p(;litician's  orders  whom  circumstances  might  place  at i 
head  of  the  treasury — th;n  the  bank  hail  boon  accused  of  paying  money  to  printers,  but,  ivlifj 
traduced  by  the  oxecutivo  power,  by  many  presses,  and  by  speculators  in  Congress,  was  itiM 
tlie  duty  ol  her  direelors  to  apnea!  to  fads,  where  the  public  were  so  deaply  interested  in  it. 
result  ? — that  tlio  framers  of  tiie  constiintion  had  provided  the  Supreme  Coiut  for  the  trial  i 
aught  done  by  the  bank  that  was  long,  with  the  penalty  of  loss  of  charter  if  shown  to  befc! 
feited,  and  that  the  alldrnoy  general  might  prosecute,  and  the  bank  be  heard  in  defence 
the  couiitiy,  which  w  )uld  ii?  a  better,  more  manly  "■oiirse,  than  continued  slander  and  pa:^ 
abuse  to  mystify  the  i-;snes,  delude  the  millions,  ami  end  in  making  tlie  fortunes  of  bad  mc;, 
to  liie  injury  anVi  ruin  uf  thousands  who  would  be  made  to  believe  that  they  had  been  wrongi 
by  those  most  d''0|)ly  inti'restod  in  the  cause  of  ecpial  justice. 

The  Apostle  I'jiiii,  had  he  been  on  earth,  would  iioi  have  convinced  Polk,  Wright,  Van  B;. 
ren,  Butler,  Kendall,  AVhitin-y,  Lawrence,  rambrelentr,  Tallmadge,  Marcy,  Taney,  and  ihir 
confedora.es,  that  anythintr  le,-s  than  the  use  of  tlie  public  piu'se — itsphinikT — could  benelititj 
j)ublie.  The  )iarly  were  not  yet  reads'  lor  tlii'  Sidi  'i'reasuiy,  and  therolore  it  was  that  in  !l; 
year,  Polk  denounced  it  in  the  tiillowini;  jilain  terms  : 

"  Between  the  nspmiyJ/iiiilij  'A'  a  pii/'lir  rm  ircr  and  h<7n/,-  rorpurotinns  as  banks  do  exist, atxl 
"  are  likely  to  e\ist  under  Staie  .  utluirity,/At  /atli  r.  iipim  thr  itntuad  nf  safdij  to  the  public,  «re!, 
"  he  preferred,  linids,  when  lli:'i'  are  sal<',  rratm ineml  f/i(  niuiresto  the srr^^ia:  of  ihc  TrmsimiM 
"other  naSDiis.  The  iiiereaseu  taeiliiy  they  possess  over  indisidiial  collectors  and  receivers'ij 
"making  iraiislbrs  uf  piiblie  money  in  distant  ]>Mnls,  for  ilishurseiTients,  «•  t/uiiit  rhargc  to  the]ii\ 
"  lie.  Indeed,  this  is  ;i  seiviee  w  hieh  iii//iriihia/>.  to  the  extent  ot  our  larire  revenues,  ctnild  nJ 
"  perfiirnt.  Whilst  the  depositi^  is  in  Bunl:,  the  biiidc  may  use  it,  keeping  itself  at  the  same  tinl 
"  ready  to  ])ay  when  demanded,  and  it  is  not  withdrawn  from  the  general  circulation— a<s 
"  much  money  hoarded  andw  ithdraun  fiom  the  use  (il"tlie  community.  In  the  hands  of  nrf/ifl 
''they  must  eiiher  hoard  ii  by  keepimj  it  luekcd  up  in  ti  strom,'  box,  or  use  it  at  their  own  risj 
"  in  privtiti'  s|ioculaii(in  ur  trade.  Tliis  temporary  use  ol'm<mey  on  de|iosite  in  a  bank,  constT 
"  tutes  the  otdy  compensation  which  the  bank  receives  for  the  risk  of  keeping  it,  and  Ibrthc  «l 
"  vice  it  perliuins.  If  /•<  7 Inrx  be  employed,  they  can  perform  no  other  service  than  to  kup iX 
"money,  and  must  lie  p.iid  a  ''om[)eiisation  from  the  'I'ri'asuiy." 

Blair,  ot  course,  took  the  same  ground  in  the  Ulobe.  He  declared  '-Xhat  {\\q  Indqmuh 
Treaaunj  is  disorgiiiiizing  and  revolutionary,  and  siducrsive  of  the  fuiuiamental  principle-, 
our  gov(irnnient,  aiifl  of  its  entire  practice  Iroin  17'JH  down  to  this  day ;  and  that  it  is  as  paipl 
bleas  the  sun  that  the  v{\W'\  of  the  scheme  would  be  to  briiiir  the  public  treastiry  much  nearfl 
the  actual  cusio^ly  and  control  of  the  Pri\siilont,  and  expose  it  to  be  plundered  by  a  humlrel 
hands,  where  one  under  the  late  system  could  not  reach  it.  In  .such  event  we  should  feel  thJ 
the  people  had  just  cause  for  alarm,  and  ought  to  give  their  most  watchful  attention  to  .suclia| 
fllbrt  toenlarge  executive  power,  and  jiiil  in  ils  hand  the  means  of  corruption." 

On  the  i;?th  (if  Juno,  1H3I.  the  Senate  sent  for  cuncmrence  to  the  House  of  Representative 
a  rcsoltuion  it  had  agreed  to.  in  opposition  to  the  treasury  banks,  that  the  public  treasure  mx\ 
to  bo  lefl  with  iho  V.  8.  l>aid\  ami  its  blanches.     PoHc  nioveil  to  give  it  tlie  uo-by.     Yeas,  Jwl 

B.  .SiUherlaiid,  R.  II.  Uillet,  J.  Cramer,  A.  Vanderpind,  11.  Hubbard,  Polk,  Cambrekti.'l 
White,  &c.  .\ays,  .1.  U.  Adams,  Dixon  H.  Lewis,  Dudley  Selden,  H.  A.  Wise,  W.  iSladfl 
M.  FilliiKjro,  Iv  l''veiett,  Levi  Liticoln.  \e.     Where  was  Collector  Ltiwri-iico  \  I 

April  '1,  IKM,  Polk's  rcsolvt^  '•  that  the  stale  biinks  ought  to  N:  continued  as  the  places  of  de[ 
posit  for  the  public  money,"  Con-jress  preseribing  the  mo.!e  of  selection  and  the  .seeiiritiVl 
(never  done'),  was  carried  in  the  House  of  llepre-en.aiivo-^,  HT  to  1  \'i.  Yeas,  Polk,  CaiiilirJ 
Jeng,  Cramer,  Beardsley,  I'oekee,  (Jillet.  llamer,  Huhhard,  Richard  M.  and  Cave  JohtuviJ 

C.  VV.  Lawrence,  Maim,  . I.  V.  Mason.  Joel  I!.  iMiliierland,  Vanderjioel,  &c.  iS'ay.s,  Adair.T 
(J.  Q,.),  Seidell,  Slatie,  MeDutiie,  \\  Whitilc-ey,  Lveivlt,  Limolii,  iV.'. 

March  17,  IKtl,  Corham  |)rosenlod  a  meiiKirial  froni  many  iidluenlial  and  highly  respeclahlil 
inhabitants  of  Boston,  fir  the  iiii'ijijioralion  ol  a  national  bank,  and  the  restoration  of  the  depf»| 
sits.  Polk,  Byiuim,  Cave  Joiiasou,  Beardsley,  Vamlerpoel,  Uillet,  Mason,  &;c.,  argued  anl 
voted  against' allowing  the  names  of  the  iietitioneis  to  be  printed  with  the  memorial.  Thll 
lime  C.  W.  Lawrence  letl  )iis  leader,  and  with  Sutherland,  Sclden,  Wise,  Adams,  Ac.,  weni 
lor  allowing  the  people  to  see  wim  tlie  petitioners  were. 


ASURY- 


m,  as  the  cashiers  o 
md  Lawrence,  uniiei 


in 


Jriviii?  the  able  and  intrepid  Duane,  whom  Jackson  could  neither  bend  nor 
libe,  from  the  Treasury,  Taney,  f"'-  t  days  after  his  appointment,  ordered  the 
,        .     ,  'cesiJe"*'  of  the  U.  8.  Bank  to  deli  er  up  the  bonds  given  by  the  merchants  of 

■^lUy  woTe  deeply  mu^',    'hiladelpbia,  for  duties,  to  llie  Collector  there.     It  is  presumed  that  a  like  order 
las  "iven  in  iSew  York  ;  and  the  consequence  was,  that  instead  of  the  branch 
ink  here  being  a  check,  and  a  sale  depository  for  the  bonds,  till  paid  at  the 
_iaiik)  they  were  placed  in  the  hands  of  Swurtwout  and  his  reckless  subalterns 
0  manage  as  they  thought  fit.     The  result  is  matter  of  history.* 


ink  was  not  to  be  reclia;, 
to  Polk  and  Wright's  pt 
nd  the  vast  number  th; 
;'he  state  banks  wanted 
ck,  was  removed,  andi 
tnnces  mipht  place  at  iji 
nry  to  printers,  but,  wlit; 
rs  ill  Congress,  was  itnrj 
deeply  interested  in  th 
me  Court  for  the  trial  i 
harlcr  if  shown  to  be  to: 
e  heard  in  del'enee  belu.'j 
inued  .^lander  and  par; 
he  ibrtnnes  of  bad  mc- 
:it  they  had  been  wroiige 

IPotk,  Wright,  Van  Bt. 
Miircy,  Taney,  and  ihtr 


♦  It  has  ofiL'n  \y:e\\  foimd,  on  examining  the  aflfaii-s  of  a  broken  bank,  that  certain  of  its 
;li,jcrs  and  (iircetors  owe  it  far  larger  sums  than  the  stock  they  hold.  These  debts  they  con- 
jvc  to  pay  with  the  notes  of  their  insolvent  iiistiliition,  at  par,  buying  them  in  the  market 
jrJj  tD  5J  c.-nts  prr  dollar,  an  J  thus  ;,'-aining  by  th  ■  failure.  On  the  7th  of  June,  1834,  Mr. 
iaius  piojiosc  I  ri  ivsuh',;  reqii  -sting  the  nam  -s  of  the  Presidents,  Cashiers,  Directors,  Stoclc- 
jljors.  and  Hulieitois,  ui'  all  the  b.inks  tli:it  iiad  b.;.'n  selected  by  Roger  Taney,  as  tieasury 
jaivs,  when  th'-  U.  S.  Bank  was  di-^eanl.'l — th  •  amount  of  .stock  held  by  each  stockholder— 
jl  ihii  amiunt  oi'd.Mil  due  by  each  dii-eclor,  cashier,  and  president  of  each  pet  bank,  to  the 
ink,  at  the  tim.'  wh  'u  it  got  the  pulilic  Hvasure,  and  at  this  time.  This  would  have  .shown 
,i't!iei'  the  banivs  were  in  the  h  in.ts  of  bjrrjwing  spjculators,  whether  they  had  borrowed 
ji  ihe  public  iii;)iiies,  and  wheiher  th,>y  had  p.iwrover  the  banks  without  having  a  real 
iiert'st  in  th'ir  g  u)  I  inanag'ni^nt.  Nevin-^'s  letter  to  lloyt,  page  1S9,  explains  in  part  their 
iluiulcr — could  benetii  ifB(.;|...;ii3s.     Mr.  A  lams  showed  that  it  was  not  unusual  for  a  favorite  to  be  allowed  to  subscribe 


reliire  it  was  that  in  it, 

ms  as  banks  do  txist,  ae 
' safdij  to  the  public,  «r{! 
srrr^ia:  of  ihc  Trciisun  ;■ 
Dlleetors  and  receivers,! 
,  ((•  tlwiii  rh/irsrc  to  thep\ 

large  revenues,  cmild  h 
ng  itself  at  the  same  {■& 
;eneral  circulation— as \ 

In  the  hands  of /trfwc'. 
w  use  it  at  their  own  risi 
leposite  in  a  bank,  cons;. 
ieeping  it,  and  Ibrthe* 
?r  service  than  to  kupvi 

rd  "that  \\\n  Indcpcnd-' 
Hilda  mental  principles .. 
• ;  and  that  it  is  as  palpj- 
lie  treasury  much  neat*: 
|)liiiidered  by  a  hundm 
i!veiit  we  should  feel  ih: 
•hful  attention  to  -sudui 
irruption." 

louse  of  Representative 
the  public  treasure  on;: 
it  the  iio-by.  Yeas,  k«. 
jard,  Polk,  Cambrelen.' 
,  11.  A.  Wise,  W.  fSladf 
lawivnee  ! 

lined  as  llie  places  of  d* 
lection  and  the  .seciiriti'^ 
•J.  \'eas,  Polk,  CJauilire- 
M.  and  Cave  Johnsiii 
■puel,  &e.     rs'ays,  Adaic 

al  and  liighly  respeclaMi 
ic  restoration  of  the  depf' 
Vinson,  &c.,  argued  ati 
'ith  the  memorial.  Thi' 
Wise,  Adams,  Ac.,  wen' 


POLK  QUASHES  ENQUIRY— BINNEY  PROPHESIES. 


135 


Di  ~.')0,l);i )  of  stoclc,  be  cli'cted  a  pivsidenl  or  director,  and  never  pay  one  cent  into  the  bank 
rs;  but,  wh '11  ne  coul.l.  borrow  th;' credit  of  th-  bank  .and  olliei  men's  deposits.  Mr. 
screen.'d  th  ■  pjts,  (ipposed  all  inlorniation,  an  1  for  ihe  purpose  of  crushing  inquiry, 
!,r,-(',!  an  nuien  Inn-nt  ab')ut  th;'  I^  8.  Bank,  wliii'h  had  no  dejiosits  at  all  to  lend  to  any  one. 
amlindeng,  loo,  was  upposed  to  inquiry,  of  course.  Coulter  said  that  secretary  Taney  had 
oiforgotlen  hisoun  int.'iest  in  selecting  the  pels — that  he,  Taney,  was  the  Attorney  for  one 
!''  -in  (the  I'niiin  Bank,  Maryland)  iliat  he  was  also  a  large  stockholder,  and  had  moved 
It'll  posits  so  as  to  give  new' valui'  to  his  own  bank  shares,  and  increase  his  dividends — 
lat  this  conduct  was  a  violation  of  the  law — and  that  Taney  was  not  alone  in  such  works, 
s  the  returns  would  show.  Mr.  Adams  was  very  sarcastic.  He  suggested  to  Polk,  as 
lairnian  of  the  m/i/aniifl  nuaiu^,  to  add  to  the  pracdtnts  with  which  lie  had  befogged  the 
iaust',  by  proposing  that  it  be 

/Jf.<»/i'(u',  tint  ilx  tlKiiiks  I'l'lliis  lioiiii-  lie  aivt'ii  to  Uojcr  B.  Tanoy,  secrel.'iry  ot'  the  treasury,  for  his 
'ffiim  unit  pisiNTi'iiiisTK"  imlriolism  in  Iriiiisrcrrin'.;  iho  ine  ol'  the  pulilic  I'uiiiU  from  the  lUnk  of  the 
^•Liiiti'il  tiiiiii's,  will  r<;  ilii'v  will' iirij!il;ii)lt' Ui  the  [ii'uiilo,  lo  tht!  L'liiou  U'l'ik  of  BiilUinore,  where  they 
j'wxw  |)r((litiiliU!  II)  hiiiisell.  ' 

The  guiliv  usurers  were  in  tlie  majority,  but  all  was  kept  dark.  Campbell  P.  White  bor- 
iWL'd (»iV (/.■!:; 1 7-J,i)t)i)— the  Butlers  ,'S;!0,aO>)— J.  G.  Coster ft-JliO.OOO— James  M'Bride«i;7G,000;  all 
ih  and  liuieli  more  out  il  the  Manhattan.  Of  course  the  pidriul,  White,  wanted  no  inquiry. 
Wk  was  Ihe  leader  of  Ihe  greedy  usurers  in  their  -'general  scramble."  Is  it  thus 
iv  are  to  account  lor  his  pairoiuige  of  B.  F.  Butler'?  On  the  13th  the  resolution  was 
gain  debated,  and  Mr.  Miller  ni'/ved  to  dispose  ol  it,  as  delay  would  quash  inquiry.  Polk 
;,il  iiD—ilu'  Usurers  were  in  his  niajoriiy,  and  inquiry  was  thus  stilled  till  the  general  bank- 
iiplc, 


I8:n-H,  t<)ld  a  sail  tale,  a  day  loo  late. 


lloiai  e  Binney  ol'  Philadelphia,  in  his  speech  ;ic;ainst  Van  Huren's  Pet  Banks,  in  the  debate  in 
!ongre:..",  Jauuaiy  !)tii,  IKM,  had  clearly  loretold  these  results.     1  quote  his  remarks  verbatim. 

"Sir,  the  project  astonishes  me.  It  is  to  bring  a  second  time,  upon  this  land,  the  cur.se  of  an 
iireyii'laleil,  uncontrolled.  State  Bank  paper  currency.  We  are  again  to  see  the  drama,  which 
Iready,  in  the  couix'  of  the  |iivscnt  centurj',  has  passed  before  us,  and  closed  in  ruin,  if  the 
inject  shall  be  sui-eesslul,  we  are  again  to  sec  these  paiier-missilcs  shooting  in  every  direction 
itoagli  Ihe  conntrv  ;  a  lierangenii'iu  of  all  value;  a  depreciated  circulation  ;  a  suspension  of 
;^wic  payments;  'ihen  a  further  extension  of  the  same  detestable  paper;  a  still  greater  depre- 
Inlion;  Willi  failures  of  traders  and  lailuresof  Banks,  in  its  train;  to  arrive,  at  last,  at  the  same 
iiintliMm  whence  we  departed  in  1817.  SuIUm-  me  to  recall  to  the  recollection  of  the  House  a 
'wol  Ihe  niiire  striking  events  of  that  day.  The  hist  Bank  of  the  U.  States  expired  in  March, 
till.    Between  the  M  of  Janu;"y,  IHI  l",  and  theclose  of  the  year  1814,  more  than  one  hundred 

w  Ranks  wen'  estalilisiied  to  supply  this  more  unilbrm  and  better  currency.    For  ten  millions 

capital  called  in  bv  that  Bank,  twenty  millions  of  capital,  fo  cidlcti,  was  invested  in  these.  In 
he  place  of  (ive-and-;i-half  millions,  about  the  amount  of  circulation  in  notes  of  that  Bank 
lithJrawn,  iwenly-lwo  millions  were  pushed  out.  Then  came  a  suspension  of  spec'e  pay- 
I'HLs,  in  August  and  Sepieinbcr,  1811.    As  an  immediate  consequence  of  this  suspension, 

the  course  of  tiltecn  months,  increased  filly  per  cent., 


t1 


,i^,,. 


ii'culati 


ly. 


ii  '; 


♦  •  '.. 


i-'"*":^';.  •'■• 


136 


THE  GRAND  CATASTUOI'lU;  OF  1837, 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 


The  very  naino  ofca  politician  orsuiiesnian.  is  sure  to  cause  terrw  and  haired ;  it  ha^  aluj 
lonuected  with  it  I  he  ideas  of  treachery,  eruelty,  fraud  and  tyranny;  and  those  writers  m 
have  I'ailld'uUy  unveiled  the  invsleries  of  suae  treemasuiny,  have  ever  lieen  held  in  ^'itw 
detestation  fur  even  knowiuij  so  perle^'lly  a  theory  so  detestable. 

BiHKK's    VlXUiLATIOV    Ol'    NaTI.RAL    i?Or|i;Ty 


The  Catastrophe^  1S37. — Partnership  Law. —  The  Pets  versus  the  Subtrcasnt 
— Free  Buvking. — Kendall  and  the  Post  — Marcy''s  Restrainmg  Law. — C( 
on  the  Banks. —  The    Brokers''  Jianlis.  —  Jaekson.,   Blair.,   Polk    and   RhcJn 
against   the    >'^iibtrcas:iri/. — Cvlhuun  for  a  Bank.,   in  ISS-l. — Jackson  il/n,,, 
all  hard. — Ciuld,   nil  gold. — 'Silas    Wright   and  the    Soulless  I^xislencu 
Harrison  on   Carrenc;/. —  Tebbctt''s  .SSlJOU    Vault. — Jloyt  and  Allen  work, 
out  the   Art. — Ftagg''s  Practice. —  Van   Baren\s   'Specie  jSUxturc. — Pcd 
Paper. — English  Banking. —  The    Knaves''  League. — J^Ioi/t,  iMciVully^  i!(| 
above    all    Laio. — Bcnnttt    L.r plains. — Knowledge   is   Power. —  Cambnk 
Webb.,    ike. —  Walker   and  his  I'tts. — Corcoran   tS'  .liigtp. — Four   IluuiJn 
Stockjohhers  Sporting  with  Uncle  Sam\f  Strang  Bo.r.—l]JcJJujf!c'sJyotiv» 

En(.la.m/3  ropublicLiii  poet,  Juliii  iNliltoii,  thus  n-conls  in  his  '  Panuliso  LuJ 
the  laiiuMitaiious  uf  tlio  eldesl  of  liuiiuiti  kind:  "  Xovv  1  perceive  Peuctj 
corrupt,  no  less  than  War  to  waste."  Addison,  one  of  her  ahlest  whis;  sbiel 
men,  frankly  dechires  Ids  opinion,  that  ''  Tiii'  waste  of  War  is  not,  in  its:.. 
conrie(|uences,  .so  injurious  as  tlie  luxuries  and  ctHruptions  of  Peace. "  Jt. 
(^uiuey  Adams,  with  slili  Liter  experience,  and  certainly  very  superior  \)om 
of  observation,  anprovinc:!}'  quotes  Milton  ;  and  assigns  "  the  abuse  of  civiil 
and  the  iM!t;.vruAiM;i)  pursuit  of  inordinate  weallli,  especially  by  the  agiad 
of  hanks,"  as  the  proximate  causes  of  the  great  catastrophe  of  ly37.* 

or  lioni  forly-live  lo  siAMv-ei^dit  laiiiioiis  of  dollars;  and  the  fniil  of  this  more  uniform  cnnj 
cy  WHS  Iti'  Jtiiliirr  (i)  ii!iiiiiiicrii/j/r  Inu/cis.  iiii':/ii/iil(.i,  even  Jfinmr.'^ ;  of  one  liundred  aiid^i: 
five  hanlcs,"  with  rapiials  iiMiountim,'  to  ST^itM'OO.OOU  ;  and  "a  lo!rs  to  ilie  United  Stales,  alcn'  | 
the  ni\L(oei;ilion  ol  her  loans,  and  in  the  nv-iipi  of  hanlaiipi  j-ajier,  loan  lanoiint  e.xceedinu' 
niillioiis  olMollars.  *  ♦  *  Dms  Keinncky  wish  iom  e  ih'-' ri.'Unn  of  ll.(/:-e  days  ?  1  inij 
God  it  will  ItL' (Ic'lealed,  thai  llie  poor  le  .ii  and  lafonT-,  m  ti;e  laiiii  may  resJM  ii,  loral 
scheme  to  j^ei  from  every  one  of  tln'm  a  dollar's  worili  othilior  liu'  (ifiy  <  eiils,  and  lo  nialic  iiif 
the  eiiiiciicy  ol  liie  eourilry  as  nun'li  as  |uip(  r." 

.Mailin  \  ;.ii  linieii  and  his  di'Mul  K'.uli'i'  ^aw  il  all  pi-l  a--  eleai'ly  as  liiiniey,  hi, I  lli^  lui!' 
•MS  wonki  k'a\e  it'  noi  i^oiued  wiili  pliiiKter,  and  he  saiiaud  even  avaiiee  itself,     As  cuiiv 
Iboa,  Jaek'sou  and  \'aii  lanen  saved  a{.|ieManecs  lij-  aljU'-iiii^'  the  haiil.s  and  tjius  wc.iku  J 
tlieir  erjilit;   aul  in  fJolland'>  Life,  pruned  that  year  at  liarllonl,  hanks  and  jajier  iir 
are  mispaiin^dy  vilified.     "Winn  ijn^y  irll  wiili  a  eiash.  Van  liuren  started  the  sulj-lrra- 
while  his  insirunnTiis  dentnuin  ■(  the  i  aiilcs  lie  hiinsell  l;;;d  cndnwed  anil  made. 

*  TiiK  Ca'I'as'I'hopuk. —  As  I'arly  as  (.h"i,lnr.  IMh!,  die  ir-aiely  fuiul  liaiilc  sysii-ni  was  n„i 
IkiW  lip.     Van   lliiivu  and  Jaeks.ufs  pri  Imn.ks,  wiili  ihc  heiuireiis  ol'  oihur  banks  creak >, 
over  ill"  Unii'M,  had  inereaseil  the  i  i;eiil;ilioii  of  pajcr  as  mniu'y  bey(  ml  all  precedent.    L'. 
tiling' that  was  lor  saf;  n.ve  in  price — rvciybody  likes  m  .•ell  in  a  dear  markil,  and  tliriuj 
many  millions  oi'dolhiis  uorili  ol  foieii^^n  incicliaii'li.^i'  ua.s  unpolled  in  IMi.")  and  Ib^'M,  I 
the  aveia'.';e  ul  niore  lru;.^al  years — va.-t  impia'ts  l.ioii;.,l,t  a  .:;rcai  revenue— the  rcveiiiir  »■ 
handed  over  to  the  jiels  lor  sale  kee'i'lm.':,  and  by  ili-'in  lent  to  ihcir  inana;:;i'rs,  to  .•■peciilu:i  [ 
lands  iiiul  lo'.s,  Ol' tor  llie  aceomnuKiaiion  of  ilie  niciclKiiits  ;,t  i'l  lo  ril)  pi  r  ceiji.  iiiicrest,  'll 
public  land  sales  rose  iroin  one  or  two  millions  to  15  or  rill  in  a  year — the  stales  lent  their r.j 
lo  bi.nlcs,  III  i'oiids  payable  with  interest,  iliey   bei;an  e\ti,iisi\e  canals,  iiJboads  and  eilur 
proveiiien's,  ofn-n  wiliwii'  .sy.siein.  and  w  iiii  mean,  dislu/iie.-i  parasites  as  their  a^'ent- — the  l::| 
disposed  of  their  ca|iiials  lor  laiay  .-tocks,  Te.vns  scrip,  and  unsaleable  prepeily — every  !■ 
ti'ok  ereilil,  a'   boiiie  aid  aliroad — provisions  re.se — injllions  uiiiih  of  produce,  poiatui", 
Mcio  mipi'Med,  Ivir  iildieu  h  w;  luid  land,  u  ..■  lui.i  m  i  |ei.-iiie  iu  i.iilli\aie  it,    'I'he  idiifiiiy 


jiuu- to  '2,  beim 


FiiAOo  Axn  HIS  p.  M'lvrv  rrx'n  wn  rRr.i".  nvNK?*. 


J  J/ 


md  haired ;  it  has,  ahia 
;  and  those  writers  ii^j 
L^'cr  been  hvld  in  ^^r,. 


As  a  security,  noL  only  to  bankers,  but  also  to  nun chiint:;,  inaniiliictuicrs,  and, 
Jin  short,  all  persons  who  go  into  partnership  in  trade  or  denlingT,  a  complete 
Levision  and  consolidation  of  the  partnership  laws  would  be  invaluable  to  this 
Icommunity.  At  present  they  are  the  crude  provisions  of  the  common  law  ; 
■and  many  capitalists  are  alarmed  at  the  bare  idea  of  an  unlimifcd  partnership* 


or  N.\ti:h.\l  i^oi.itT.-  ■iiHided  with  an  ovcrslraiiicd,  disU'iiipcrcd  energy,  ill  diiTctccl.     Tl 


crsiis  (he  •Subtrcusnii 
traiiiimg  Law. — cJ 
Po/k   and  RitcH 
•^'1  • — Jac/ison  Muhh 
'oullens  iix/s/e/ictj,! 
and  Allen  icork^ 
jM'ixlure. — J,\ii . 
(loi/t,  MciYully^  iX 
Power. —  Cambni'l 
iiji/s.—Four   //(,;,(/,] 
-iMcDiiffif's  JVolm 

n  his  '  I'aradise  LuJ 
1  perceive  Peace i 
icr  ablest  whig  stiiiej 
War  is  not,  in  its  4 
)iis  vi:  I'eace."  J, 
very  superior  pouf 
"  the  abuse  of  civij 
iceially  bv  the  a!,'iiij 
jhe  of''ly'':j7.* 

lliis  luoir  niiiCorni  ciir.-j 
1  one  hundred  aiidM 

0  United  f-:ta:es,  aluD'' 
un  aniounU'Aceudin:;;. 

el'  iJ.o.'rC'  days  ?    1  ifuvl 

1  may  resi^  it,  ((irii;.[ 
>■  '"'ii^,;nidtoiiiokrir,] 

as  ih'iincy^  1)1,1  iij^i,.; 
•■11  iw  iiNdC  Asciiiiv 
idvs  and  tiius  wcikii. 
Itanks  and  j:a]ier  iimI 
Mfutcd  the  Mib-tin. 
and  made. 

:!aidc  s}>;cin  wm,  n:,,,| 
')'  oilier  li.idiscrcaii.', 
nd  all  I  reredeni.    tv.;l 
Mr  marliet,  and  ihnu| 
in  IK]')  and  l^:i(;,  Irv 
veiMii:— till'  r.  veiiiir  »| 
i;in:i;,';'ri«,  to  ^|).•(■ll|;l;l 
"  I"  r  cent.  imcM>i,  'i| 
•llic  ^lak.s  lent  ilicirr; 
,  r;.i)!oa(b;  and  oiliu  J 
>  ilieir  a^j-cnt-— ihel; 
'li'  |'ri')ieily— evny  i 
of  I'nj.tiice,  j:ulalui>, 
ill"-'  II.  _  TJie  uouiiti) 


live  111  debi,  and  C>'i)n:,'i'i>ss  bad  (jrilrred  many  nulliousol'  lisiiumni 


lent  to  1 


n:'  .-  tales — 


IliMin  the  [iiiblic  to  the  ban 


lariji'  Minis 


tr, 


m  the 


at  his  land-sales- 
and  west  to  ti 


ic  nati'inal  ;^'overnment  was 
i)aiiei'  irea.-iii'es  tcj  Ije  disUi- 


■:)()ll,('ilO,()!)0  wi 
le  sca-bo;ird  eilje; 


duo 
-and 


Itiic  IwnKs  and  comniereial  peo]ile  were  deeply  in  debt  tu  l-lurripe.     The  i'\-ppiuliiiiie  iilthe  i'ede 
I  sovermiii'Mi  was  Ijeyoiid  its  ineouie,  but  ii  lifd  ilio  puwiTcjl  jiled^^Miij;  pnbli'.-  (.'ledii  bv  placin^^ 
.tiea.siuy  nutes  cii'  due  liiils  inlii  liie  hands  dI' la\'uiite  liankers  to  he  Mild  lor  v;old  .in'cl  bilvi.r, 
Is  power  was  not  too  wisely  Uf-ed.     Some  six  or  eiL;hl  lianlii  is  and  creat  Iradiii"'  houses 


Sllil  il> 

liii  Eii'.'l 


mcl.  alloweil 


coiimiere.ial  jieople' of  j,a)(jd  and  iniiitlineia  re|.uti!  in  these  si; 


a's 


to  dtc 


|oii  lliein  iiii' vast  amounts,  in  payment  ul' gooil.s  lor  the  Amei  lean  maiia-l;  eha racier  was  no 


IX.S'IV  e.';-.e 


iilial  to  success  in  iili 


IllvC    11 


iiishiVMins,  and  the  vei\'  nature  ol' 


meieaniile  luin.s  witiiuiiL  eapii 


il 


or  experii'iHie  rose  ame;i)>. 


eoimiieive  was  ehan.'/eil 


l.si 


)eL-iilati\"e  L'i 


:  ml  il 


ini'  ill 


;  visionary,  iinslable  Itasis.     'I  he  En'.,disli  jieople  did  not  understand  the  prollii,'ale  Ljaine  wliieh 


IV;aii''n"'n  and  Ids  tdlies  were  play 
liicaii  iioiior  v,'as  unbouuded;    aiul 


:n  Aliens,  "Wri-rhis,  I'^hi'^^'s   IJiddles,  Wooilbm  \s,  Jaue 


in;r.      Tlieii' (•oidiijenee  in  Amerieari  iiisiiiiiiioiis  and  Ame- 
tlu^y  believed  liuil  the  iioyis,  Oleulls,  SwarUvouts,  Mare\> 


;na  M 


11, 


tiiifiu,  pos--e.s.se<l  f^rea'i  rmaiudal  skill,     in  ihe  end  they  ta.'-a.d  iis  i|iia]i;y,  to  Uieir  eosi. 


11.'-  new  eon- 


Tae  Kaiik  ol'  i'.nLrlani'l  had  been  unus 


tall 


V  linen 


in  l: 


%ij  aiid 


l.^IiO, 


]>ill  1 


irokers,  and  e^ 


in  ils  loans  to  joiut  .viijck 


peeiall)  to  cOiiie  scvcii  or  ei;_,iil  eoniaiLii-iat  llou.--e:^  laijjeiy  inkie.'.led 


the  Norlh  Aniei  ii/an  trade.     Siiddenh',  die  r''mitlance:s  Ircm    the   Unit'd  Slates  1 


sricen. 


The  IJank 


idi  11 


ow  hassiviv  iiiillie.ii.s  in  .•;iild  in  il:.  i  unLrs,  ibi,iid  it  eli'ro; 


an  to 


iit'h'ss  than  twenty  millions  in    Deeembvr,  iMliu,  \-.hilsi  it  otmiI  i:iie  handled  and  iiit,-  million:. 


Tlie  Diroete 


■k! 


h;;i  the  vasi  iniani'ial  im.eaine  enUaisied  lo  ine'ir  eaie  was  m  ilan^fer  l;v  tiieir 


iiwu  eareles>.ness;  they  called  iu  tllcir  loans  wiih  uunsiiai  haste;  and  lieiiij^  privately  advised, 

I  l)v  iiiti:-!lis;eiit  correspondents  oa  this  side  the  oeean,  oi'  ihe  totter!  ni.;:  con  Jitioa  ol  om-  ei  edit  .system, 

v>  tinkered  by  the  polilieians,  di:-eourai;;cd  the  purchase  of  Ihe  bonds  ol'nearivall  ihe  hoiiov.ini,; 

■mle 


.;  raised  the  rale  of  inleii  si  lo  Jive  per  cent.;  depressed  Ihe  \  alne  ol'  eoimnodilies  ot  all 
many  indli(.iii.s;  and  duis  ri. covered  kuiuc  tniity  or  Ibriy  niillions  of  ;  |-eeie,  deemed  chan- 


I  to  llie  sail  tv  ol'the  insiitution.  and  whieh  thev  had  too  he 


esslv  parted  wid 


I'jaily  iu  lS!i7,  many  hea\'y  taihires  to.ik  j;! 


in  the  eiU'  ol'  -\i w  'i  ..-rk' 


ii.n    ni 


w'li  our  Sakiv  I'lim 


III' 


1). 


It  r,.i 


Alay  iha 


ji">;ew  ^orl..  n  solvrd  lov.iibliold  ravnieniol' 


iluir  |usl  debts. — the  l)i-y  Doek  iJaiik  led  ihe  way,  and  in  a  i'rw  days  (t.'l)  dep 


01  real  or 


iiii;iu:niarv  wealth  wer.-  as  jianknip 


i  as  Van  Linrea".-.  old  lUiilalo.  or  iJialer  and  llovl'.s  Wasl 


:ien  aiul  Warren,     .\1: 
stale  banks  beiiar  reli 


icy  .iiid  Ills  associates  speed 


lilv 


di/ed  tip's  limns 


ioa^ 


li'oin  al 


itlier  elieeks  ihtiii  iho.-e  ol"  tludr 


fraud;  aiid 


paper  exejiancrcs  and 


isiisol'  p:.ili'ieaie(immissioiiers,,sv//(/ their  specie  for  i;.";poil:ilio!i,  ;uid  j 'a id  the  demands  of  1 1 


111'.'  v 

'..'overninent  on  thorn,  in  I'ai'i,  in  a  eiirieiic\-  w.ui 


W) 


11 


.1- 


li0.ve\'er,  ri.'diiecd  ilieir  loans  iioi; 
J'en-  to  '2,  lieim'  a  withdrawal  of 


hi !.. 


!l> 


inillio! 
lal  til 


and  ll 
millii 


)ier  eu 


ai. 


'fl 


e  ei 


IV  ba 


ma,, 


icT  iio.es  ill  eircnialioil  irom  1)  mil 


1 1 


I     I'Oil! 


se,  ilieir  l>rokers  did 


a  I  a rue 


biisine 


w  ilh  notes  of  everv  uraue  in  vtilue.  fioui  one  eeiu  lo  I'lie  iniiuhvd- 


sh  creditors  were  very  easy  with  their  debtors,  'j'lie  Bank  of  I'.n.rhind  allowed  Jame.s 
Mniu'ii  of  [dV''rpi)ol  to  draw  on  tliem  f  ii'  ii,:,!u  vU'  ten  millions  ol'  dollars  to  u|  hold  credit  here, 
iiiid  ol'lhat  Slim  1  ililnk  lie  did  ihaw  for  ab-.ui  one  half.    On  the  jlh  of  Dec.  l.'^iJT,  Van  Euron's 

LV  told  the  jiublie.  that  of  iliirlv  millions  iu  the  pet  btinks.  •rovernment  could  not  eum- 
■Treasur\' noie-;  were  p.'iiii  t.i  iliv  jmiilic  creditors  i;i  lieu  of  real 


tif 
inand 


Oils 


injnev,  ani 


1  ili. 


cii  niiHieo-  Ol 


SI?  iiutes  were  reeeivi 


d  !, 


\  iiie 


Cnstniii  Ibiiise  in 


;\  nieiil  ol  iioveinmem  oulics 


Bank  hill.^  were  refu.-ed. 

*Tin-;  Fni'K  B.\\k:>, — The  reader,  by  rel'ernai.;  to  llie  eorrespondetice  of  Tdw-.'^rs.  FlarT':r,  Cuf- 
llii<,',  C.  L.  LivniLC.stoii.  Marey,  lloyi,and  IMielps,  will  pereedve.  ihat  wiien  ciiaiteied  bankini;  liad 
bu'-ii  sold,  and  l)aileied.  and  btirijained  oft' to  lav  irili  s,  lo  make  presideiiis  and  f.fo\-eriiors  and 
>iioh  like,  till  tlie  I'abrie  of  Van  Ibiren  knavery  totiereil  lo  its  be.se,  a  new  leaf  v,-as  proiiosed  to 
be  turned  over,  by  makin;.,'  baiikin:^  free,  takinij  the  slock  of  Arkansas,  Alabaiu.i,  Pemi.syiva- 
iiia,  Michiuaii,  Illinois,  Indiana,  >.*ce.,  as  seeuiiiv,  or  bonds  and  moriijau'es  on  pri\al  •  piopertv 

I     II  ended, 

"   '  ■  L<raiitie 

jiany,  J. 

i  he  people 

id  t.'ikeu.  and  what  l.e- 


inthis  State.     How  hot  tlovl.  I'laii'u',  Culling,  "Xe.,  were  foi-  this  new  fciatetv  h'tuu 


like  the  firM.  bv 


;i\  ill','  i\ri  a  sprml'dm 


if  bro'aen  fiee  triule  banlcs;    some  of  t! 


sriieincH  of  wiiolesale  knaveiy,  like  ili"  IVoiih  Ameiican  Tiust  and  Haiilciir 
U.  Beers,  President;  others eqiirillydepn ate  in  eliaracter,  bm  on  a  iiiimie  se 
lost,  by  the  insol\-eni  banks,  from  5  to  •),')  per  eem.  on  the  notes  diev  had  t.'ik 
came  of  those  who  trusted  funds  with  llie>:i  mav  readily  be  truessed,     As  to  ihe  fe 


ner; 


free 


;»e 


fl 


Ii 


M 


i 


138 


FREE  BANKING.  MARCY  REPEALING  VAN  BUREN's  GAG. 


H- :  .  •■ 


<    J-  :'■' 


banking,  with  a  remedy  provided  for  neglect  or  dishonesty  which  is  no  remedy 
at  all.  Such  a  law,  preceded  by  a  commission  ot'  practical  inquiry,  is  tinM 
Wanted.  On  the  tith  of  March  last,  Mr.  Hard,  in  Senate,  expressed  the  opinion 
that  "  banks  had  cost  this  country,  by  their  expansions,  failures,  and  suLsiqutui 
revulsions,  five  hundred  millions  of  dollars."  Banks,  like  merchants,  are  vtry  um'. 
ful  to  society  ;  but  as  long  as  the  government  shall  continue  to  be  a  sort  of  patmt 
panic  manufactory,  and  the  laws  not  be  made  for  the  public  benefit,  we  sl,a! 
hear  continual!;'  of  the  stoppages  and  explosions  of  our  defective  fnianciiui 
machinery.  What  can  be  more  insulting  to  the  understanding  of  the  Amerir,:,! 
people,  than  to  behold  a  league  or  band  of  their  hired  and.  well  paid  oHicials 

trade  law,  the  Supreme  Court  have  decided  Ihnl  the  legislature  could  not,  on  thiir  o.ntlis.  c,: 
stitutionally  pass  it,  but  the  Senate  of  N.  Y.,  as  a  Court  of  Errors,  have  drnlaicd,  that  ;i^ ; 
Senate  they  made  no  mistake  at  all.  Then- was  no  other  bankiiig  in  this  stale  lor  the  li. 
twelve  or  (liurteen  years  of  its  independence  thim  free  hankint;'  un(ier  the  J'",ii:.'lisii  p!nlnei>l.i; 
law.  Levi  M'Keen's  was  a  free  hank' ;  so  \vas  Jjudli  I'arkei'.-;  KNcliiiiiije;  luu  they  did  i.,'. 
.solve  the  jijrand  secret,  staliilily  and  unit'ormiiy  of  vnhie.  Ann's  Kmdall,  like  Sir  U(jKrl  l\y. 
declares  that  "tree  banking  is  liee  .yainblin','."  On  the  eimiraiy,  Mr.  J'ryani  df  the  1  (v 
would  make  hanking  free  to  all.  He  is  a  lilicriy  boy  in  ri,i,'ht  earnest.  He  would  thiowii 
reins  over  the  horses'  necks,  and  trust  io  their  disfrdion  noi  id  upset  ihc  corch,  so  he  wor,! 
J'Lxperience.  on  the  eont-ary,  wonld  check  thi'  qiiadrujcds.  and  tlie  editor  of  the  Post,  if  he  v;; 
hut  look  at  the  results  of  free-bankin;^  in  IS.  Y.  since  last  he  reviewed  Kendall,  may  fnid  li,;; 
Ids  dwn  opinion  requires  reviewing  also.  Van  I'ureirs  idea  of  I'ree-lmnkinsf  needs  onfy  in  l  • 
Slated.  In  March,  1017,  he  introduced  a  bill  to  Senate  tor  a  new  Innkinp;  system,  yroVidir; 
that  not  more  than  five  persons  niii:hi  associate  as  free-liaidcers,  to  be  jiiintly  tind  severally  Vi. 
sponsible,  and  do  business  only  at  a  plaee  speeilitd.  la  'ase  ihe  b.u.k  stop  jKiynn'nt  oi' i 
notes  it  shall  pay  ten  per  ecu!,  interest  on  the  ainuinl  to  the  holders;  ii-.  jiariiiiis  mu'-t  nc 
wliile  (hus  as-oei'-.tt.'d.  bin  prain,  sell  nTclt.'indi/e.  or  deal  in  s''eiiriiies  or  Meeks,  unless  wht' 
'i'ey  have  Io  tai.e  them  ioi  debt.  'J'Jie  banic  to  n'pori  once  a  year  to  ihe  ci  inpiiolh  r.  In  r;,' 
t\:\y  private  banker  or  his  e.ishier,  clerk,  or  ai'ent  should  lie  coiivieicd  ol'liaud  in  his  lusinct- 
he"miq:ht  be  lined  from  a  cc.it  to  Jrl.OOO,  and  sent  between  one  day  and  fcven  years  to  stnii  - 
prison.     Why  did  not  this  last  elau.sc  apply  to  ehaiiered  banks  '! 

Governor  Alany  denounced  the  X.  Y.  Hcstraiiiinij  Law  ;,s  a  most  odious  monopoly  in  1>  - 
messae:e  of  IBIJ?.  Ot  rovrsr  \;\\\  Bmcn  had  been  liiendly  to  it.  On  releienee  Io"  Sci;;, 
Journal,  1818,  paije  17t),  I  find  thai  the  Ilcsirainin;;  Law  provicUd,  that  ni>  indivic'.ual,  as!-ocir,- 
lion,  or  body  corporate,  "  .shall  keep  any  otlice  cd' deposit  lor  the  purpose  oldiseouiiiing  ptrmi- 
" sory  notes;  or  for  carrying  on  any  hankin'j;  business  which  incorporated  banks  aie  autlini- 
"  ized  by  law  to  carry  on  ;  orissiieany  bills  or  promissory  nelcsas  (ri\;ite  hrinkcis,  iMdosc-pc 
"cially  authorized  l)y  law."  A  clause  in  the  bille.xi'uifited.laeoh  Hinkei's  luink  lor  three  ycnx 
from  the  monopoly  ;  <.n.l  this  was  opposed  by  C.d.  Yonns',  and  Messi--.  l^owtie  atid  (Iririnicr.i;. 
Ne:;t  day,  March  'i-llli.  Von  Riiren,  Voun;'x,  ewi  vbody  went  for  |^rivi!e!,'e,  and  the  hill  j  assoi. 

In  jM-it),  Jan.  ^0,  in  S,'iiate,  Mr.  Clay  assumed  il  as  a  faei,  that  wiili  liiis  i  (institution,  1  arl, 
paper  will  exisi,  and  cannot  be  put  down.  If  it  is  sioppeii  in  one  state,  another  will  flood  th,''' 
stale  with  its  paper  and  tret  the  profit.  He  insianced  states  wldeh  htid  oj-j-ost  d  iiajxT  in  eveiy 
shape,  hut  finding  that  iither  .stales  .supplied  it  to  tiieiii,  changed  their  joliey,  in  onlcr  iL: 
they  might  have  some  of  the  advantages  of  p;iper. 

Thiers  tell  us  that  the  Freneh  I'ei'.ublieans  di'-liked  bank  noies,  end  v.'rre  enraged  at  ih'' 
abolition  of  the  assignals.  '-'rhe  inleniion  of  ha\iiig  recourse  t<j  the  fin;  ncial  cimpi.nii.;;  ir- 
vived  all  ]irejudices.  The  government,"'  they  said,  '•  was  going  to  give  it^lt  up  agi.iii  to  ttock- 
jobbers ;  it  was  about,  by  establishing  a  banlc,  to  ruin  the  as>i'jnats,  and  In  desiioy  llie  prpn 
money  of  the  republic,  in  order  to  suliMitiUe  lor  il  a  1 1  ivati' )  aj  er  en  aled  ly  jo'  1  cis." 

The  Senate's  Committee  on  Banks,  Alb.iny,  Apiil,  JSl"),  iloeuinciii  ',17,  describe,  in  prrt.tl/ 
operation  of  the  general  banking  law  of  IH.'Js,  thus: — 'Ihcic  are  instiiuiions,  "  c;,lleil  laijk>, 
principally  owned  by  broker.s  in  New  '^'oik,  whose  soleorchiel  hiisiiu  v>  is,  to  oliain  bills  Iniii 
the  comptroller  and  to  put  and  continue  them  in  ciiculr.iion  ;  b;  iiks  w  hieli  do  not  h  nd  nu  iicv 
Among  these  they  mention  the  '  Farmers  and  Mcelianies'  Hank  of  ()£;(lcn^blirgh,'  which  h\u 
S208  73-1  of  their  notes  in  circulation,  and  had  not  lent  tlic  piuhlic  one  cent ;  the  Jtmcs'  IJai  k, 
Amenia  Bank,  Farmers  \;  Mechanics'  Bank,  Rochester,  ;iud  twoor  thiee  more  ;  in  all,  eight; 
capital  IftSTl  093;  notes  in  circulation,  ifi.Ma  ^lOfl ;  loans  and  discounts  to  the  public  only 
.•ShIT.IWO.  Would  it  not  be  as  well  for  the  republic  Ui  have  the  inteiest  on  this  eiiculaiion  tis 
the  few  brokers  that  now  get  it?  Probnblyeven  the  ;Jr37,I)'J0  lent,  is  cliiclly  lent  ..ythese  banks 
to  their  owners."  The  committee  a  isider  tlie  Wiiiie  Plains  Bank,  and  the  Warren  County 
Bank,  and  several  others,  to  he  of  liuc  character.  Thet-c  bunks  arc  not  lenders  of  nioncy, 
aay  the  committee — they  arc  borrowers. 


as 


I  condemn  an  m 
jtyrannical,  inn 
land  when  the: 
Ipillaged  for  ye 
I  wheel  quite  ro 
Ipropo-sition 
Wright,  Crosw 
the  sub-treasu 
Secretary  D 
banks  (of  our 
sury  Departmc 
demands,  that 
independent  of 
ponded,  »  tha 
partment  as  tc 
congress  or  th 
officially  expr 


I     *\VllATW\STH 

prfssionofiill  \m^ 
Bonlnn,  ill  a  leni'r-- 
I'  Gold  nnd  silver 
jSosaldBl.tir,  M:irc 
Were  not  ihfcmtr 
in  pill  icli  tlie  iKe"; 
Vni'iii,  fniiing  i"  J 
Wriiiim  In  1^37. 
(l.cliiriiii!  timt  "  til* 

by  llliiif!  ''*i'  I""!''' 
wlioli"  country  will 

"had  ll"'  'ii">'t  ''111' 
which  a  few  Immlr 
dollars.    InlKH.w 

•  p.'dient.  Troauc 
•nrdlsciiuiit.liowi 
"lioii.ioCleaislaiio 
"these  soulless  ex 

I  "need.    Now  lei 

"Itiisttlie  siil'ckii 

'■fpcinsiblc  ti>  ilt^ell 

Wright  at  Ihe  him 

miinev,  stomlily.  '<: 

1  holdngiipiis  ""' 

III  1  scutcheon  !    « 

"clliir  loiiioiliici' 

"di'i  pi'f  iiiio  iHJiii 

"country  furpene 

"  (if  u^iU^v■  it  is  nil 

rmlly  lieli'Vrd  tlii 

nviv  set  impiiliir  f 

Whi'ii  Van  Uui 

wit.-.    Tildii-lx  » 

liiild,  uol  tlie  spi'C 

('nihil  or  .lipiii'- 

B.ncn.    In  tlnw 

ch'  cK  upon  II  liiin' 

were  ecciisi'  null) 

.MliMi,  llie  n  ceivt 

pusitK  in  n  hii'k, 

in  New  York,  ro 

(ii«;  niso  in  pus 

Ulh  (if  Sepfiii'"' 

inbreak  hini  d^v 

Itclioii  of  ihe  rB> 

(IninE  iheir  verv 

nil  wiinl  it.    H' 

Allviny.nnrt  iwi 

Fur  Mllli'ins  pe 

;    tim  Fi  dinil  Oov 

*  of  coin  about  I  hi 
nmiuiil  ndvanta 

Van  Bunn  \ 
balanced  and  hi 
for  Vbu  Bureii, 


!N's  gag. 


THE  GRAND  JACKSON  REFORM — WHAT  WAS  IT  ? 


139 


'■T' 


which  is  no  remed 
;al  inquiry,  is  niucfc 
qjifssed  ihe  opinio^ 
ues,  and  subsequcui 
[^hants,  arc  vtry  uso. 
o  he  a  sort  of  patent 
ic  benefit,  we  sLai; 
deltctive  financiii 
Hi;-  oi"  liie  Aniciic,,, 
.\\eil  paid  oHkJal, 

lot,  on  thv'iT  oniiis,  c,  , 
ivi'  drclarcd,  ihat'i.r- 
in  this  sinie  ilir  die  i'  ,i 
If  K)i:.'lisli  pmlncivl 
lit,''-;  liin  ilirv  (li.l  1,:, 
ill,  like  >:irR(ilrrU-,,,: 
li'.  I'nani  (/f  ihp  i,,.' 
J  If  W(M'!((  tliiowiii 

Ih'  fd.-H'll,  Ml    ll(.'  M(.r' 

i-«iltl)t>  Post,  if  )-,,.  vi- ■ 
Krridall,  may  iii.d  U; 

Hiking:  iiwri.soiiryio! 
iJiy:  system,  providir 
.'lutly  and  Mnvrally  y. 
i.k  Mop  paymciu  vi  , 
it'-  jiariims  miM  r.r: 
orMi'ck-i,  iiiilr.'-s  w}j|.. 
'•  rcnipiioll,  r.  j,,  f!..,, 
lliatid  ill  his  liiviiKj. 
d  .'fvcn  yrars  lo  m.-ip. 

'dioiis  jiitmopolv  in  h  ■ 
11  ntricni.'f  iij"  fc'i'M,. 
Ill'  indivic'iial,  n'^njcir,. 
ofdiscoiiiifiiin^prrmi.'. 
.'iti'd  lianks  aro  auilint. 

V  li.inkrts,  indosc-rp. 
's  liank  /fT  thicc  yt,-.,. 
lowiip  and  UruinKrr 
V,  and  ilic  hill  ja.-M.i 
Ins  idnMiimion,  Iril 
:noihcr  v;i)|  flood  r),M 
JT""<  d  jiapcr  in  cvrn 

]<-|licy,  in  oi.lcr  ilu.': 

I  v.-(  re  cni-a,q:rd  af  il;.' 
uncial  I'lmi'i.nitb  \,: 
^clt  iipa,i,'aii)  l(ut(.fk. 
I  todoMioy  ihc  rrp,, 
I  l>y  jo!  lci-..»  '' 
,  docribo,  in  p.Tt.tl;. 
li'in^,  "call,-,!  iu,,i,. 

If',  "mi:, la  in  hills  In  )i, 
li  d(i  mi  Itnd  nu  lav 
'n^hl.Jpll,'  whicli  li;',: 
';  III!'  James'  Ihn  \; 
'  more;  in  all,  oigjit;' 
«  lo  the  pnhlic  onlv 
m  lliis  eiiculaiion  i,s 

V  lent  ..y  these  hinks 
llie  Warren  Coiiniv 

t  lenders  ol'  money, 


condemn  an  important  measure,  as  vile,  unprincipled,  infamous,  revolutionary, 
tyrannical,  innately  corrupt  and  base,  and  an  open  violation  of  the  constitution  ; 
and  when  they  have  thus  crushed  and  blackened  it,  and  left  the  country  to  be 
pillaged  for  years  by  other  means  of  their  providinj^,  to  see  them  all  of  a  sudden 
wheel  quite  round  about,  and  begin  to  puff  and  laud  the  same  old  and  repudiated 
proposition,  as  if  it  were  a  voice  from  heaven  1  Was  it  not  thus  that  Polk, 
Wright,  Croswell,  Van  Buren,  and  their  interested  allies  acted  in  the  matter  of 
the  sub-treasury  and  the  pet,  state,  local,  or  treasury  banks  l 

Secretary  Duane  replied  to  Gen.  Jackson's  recommendation  of  chartered  state 
banks  (of  our  politics)  as  being  thi?  best  sub-treasuries  for  the  parly  :  "  Trea- 
sury Department,  July  10,  1833.  It  is  manifest  that  the  welfare  of  the  people 
demands^  that  instead  oj  beimj  a  partner  in  cilhrr,  thnj  [the  people]  should  be 
independent  of  both  Unitid  States  and  local  banks.''''  To  which  Jackson  res- 
ponded, "  that  be  had  himself  asked  Congress,  so  to  organize  the  treasury  de- 
partment as  to  dispense  with  hanks,  but  that  he  had  not  been  attend(;d  to  by 
congress  or  the  people."  Sixtt.'en  months  after  that,  the  Gloue,  by  Blair,  thus 
officially  expressed  the  deliberate  opinion  of  Jackson,  Van  Buren,*  Wright  and 

*  What  WAS  THE  .Iackson  RnroRM  TO  CONSIST  IN- 7— It  Ih  to  oiiil.  sniil  Illnir,  for  Viin  Hornn,  "in  tlic  sup- 
pression of  all  paper  money  mid' r  $100." — "  I  wiinlil  invseir  Imiiish  all  p;i|icr  money  under  $100,"  said  T  II. 
Benlnn,  in  a  luiier. — "  Ristrirl  nil  Issnrs  of  hunk  liills  bcOow  S'O.  lo  ihwilli,'  i|iiotli  the  IJemociiilic  Review.^ 
'Gold  and  silver  roin  is  Jackson  rnnncy  ;  notes  wiili  pirtnres  on  tli'  iii.  |iromi>iM<:  to  pav,  llje  bank's  money." 
So  said  Bl.ilr,  M:ircli  "JO,  H.M.  Did  nut  the  plan  oi  1m37  preserve  iliu  Jiickson  money  exclusively  lor  the  rich  ? 
Were  not  Ihe  cmitradiitorv  plans  of  Van  Huron  and  I'lilk  tried  ?  Did  ilicy  do  more  or  liss  than  rob  tlio  honest 
MPiirlchtlie  base  and  arrfnl  1  Diil  not  thr  fr/oAe  pour  forth  hosaiinalH  lo  the  exclusive  gold  currency  of  the 
I'nion,  ending  in  Jesse  lloyt's  knavery  here,  and  naiiini.il  liankrnptcy,  repuiliation,  sliiii  pla^ilers,  and  Silas 
\Vrij;llt?  In  1^37,  the  Albany  Ue^'iiicy  i'sued  a  tnanif.^lo,  tbroii'.;!!  tlie  Ariius,  ileiouiiciiig  tiie  loro  foe,<H,  and 
d'Cliiriiig  tliat  "  they  never  entertained  the  visionary  project  of  an  exclusive  metallic  currency  ;"  hut  tlie  Globe, 
by  lllair,  liad  prophe.sied,  In  Id^i,  tliat  "in  smeo  m  'iiths  iVoin  iIjIs  time,  bink  rai^s  will  li';  abolished,  and  lliu 
whi'le  country  will  he  overspread  with  i:o!(|."  In  IKU,  Silas  Wriu'lit  alihorrud  the  bank  and  stale  divorce,  and 
"had  the  most  entire  coiirideiici'  in  the  toll  and  coiiiobte  succiss  of  the  Lpet  hank)  experiment,"  by  nii-nn?*  of 
wliicli  a  few  hiiintred  gamblin;;  leaders  tiilla|;ed  the  iisi  fnl  clause-  of  society  lo  lln!  extent  of  twiuily  imlliond  of 
dollars.  In  IH:i7,  we  hnd  Wrijht  cxrlaniiinK,  '■  What,  then,  can  ConiiP  ss  do  i  Wean»W(  r,  try  theyet  untii'dcx- 
''  p''dient.  rroduce  a  perfect  and  entire  separation  between  the  linaeces  ol  tiie  nalion  and  a>l  tlio  banks  of  Issue, 
"or  diiicount,  however,  or  bv  wlial  authority  existini;  ;  b'tweei  tlie  ii;.iioii:il  Ueasorv  and  th  ise  artificial  crea- 
'■tioiisofleaislaiion  upon  wliicli  wc  have  so  unt'orinnatily  aii'inplid  lo  d' pi  ml.  Welnve  tritd  the  laitli  ol 
"these  snnlless  exUtenees,  iii  all  theii  fomis  of  bein^.  niui  iliat  lUiili  has  always  filled  ns  In  tlii'  lioiir  of  utmost 
"need.  Now  let  us  try  the  laith  of  natural  persons,  of  moral  accon. table  agents,  of  freemen.  Let  Congrciu 
"irust  the  sale  ki'epini:  of  the  public  treasuie  with  citizens,  as  such,  and  not  as  iiank  cor|K)rators :  with  men  lo- 
"fpiinsible  to  itself  and  not  to  moneyed  inslitntions."  .M  this  hour,  (.March.  HKJ.)  tin'  state  otTS'ew  Vork,  with 
Wriglit  at  the  head  of  it,  n'ld  the  linied  Hitites  government,  wiih  I'o'k  at  the  helm,  tire  irnstinf;  t  n  inillioiis  et 
niiiney,  steadily,  to  the  artificial  cr  a'ions,  ilie  soiilbss  exis'euci's,  which  always  tail,  while  the  iidministnilion  is 
liold  tig  up  as  "the  great  salvation."  the  old  subtreasury  sclieiii"  of  if' 10  Are  not  sucb  iiien  abloi  in  the  iiiiliipn- 
,d  c  sciilciie<in  ?  (•■  iieral  llairison,  in  liis  inaiiL'iira.l,  said,  "if  llnre  i-  owf  nieasnre  beitrr  cal  niated  than  nn- 
"otlnr  to  produce  thai  state  of  tliinL's.  by  xvhicli  the  rich  are  daily  addinir  to  tin  ir  lionids.  and  lln-  poor  sinking 
"di'iper  into  |){!iinry,  it  is  an  excliisiie  inetallii'  cnrr.'nry.  Ur  if  there  i<  a  pr.icess  liy  'vliicli  the  character  of  the 
"cnniitry  for  generosity  and  nohleneisol  feelingmay  be  destroyed  by  tlie  gii  at  inerenseand  necessary  tiderntioii 
"(if  usury,  it  Is  an  exclnsivf  metnlic  currency."  Now  the  state  tied  U.  S.  uovrriinient  roniiniinlly  act  as  If  they 
really  bell'Ved  this,  while  thev  coiiii  nie.nevertlii'less,  lit-tily  to  vocilVrate  in  ftnorof  a  rlmn^e,  in  order  that  they 
m:iv  set  popular  fivor  ami  pick  up  votrs. 

When  Van  Uuieirs  Sub-Trinsiiry  I' itno  into  operation,  in  New  York.it  made  rare  sport  to  the  Wall  street 
wits.  Tibbels  a  coiisi.rv.iiive  bl.idvimith.  hanimired  out  an  iniinense  Inn  vault  or  safe,  at  a  cost  of  $H,000,  to 
liiilil.  not  llie  specie,  hut  tie'  bioik  not'  s,  while  the  s;iecie  was  in  the  b  inks,  or  payi'g  for  .Aineiictin  purchases  ill 
Ciiiiia  or  J.ipaii.  The  inn  vault  was  nil  a  den  piimi  to  blind  the  nal  itnuns  till  after  the  re  eh  ction  of  Van 
K'lien.  In  those  days.  Hoyi  a:i<l  his  ca-hiers  received  in  jiaynient  uf  dnli's,  in  lieu  of  specie,  the  inerclnint's 
chi  ck  upon  a  bank,  endorsed  "pnyalile  tn  specie."  with  bank  notes  of  specie  paying  banks.  Toe  checks  aim  the  iinn") 
wereocrasi'  n.illy  kenl  i  i  the  iion  vault,  hut  tie-  com  reinaim  .1  in  the  h  mk  vaults  ;  and  if  one  went  to  .Stephen 
.Mien,  the  n  reiver  general,  to  get  money  for  a  treasury  note,  he  too  paid  in  paper,  'I'ln;  ("ollecior  made  his  de- 
posits in  a  hank,  and  then  reported  to  Aden  lis  n  reiver  twice  a  week — the  divorce  of  bank  and  slate,  thcreliire, 
;n  .New  Vork,  ronsisted  in  placing  the  revi  niie  in  binks,  and  leieiving  no  specie,  or  as  litlleof  it  as  po-sible,  fordn- 
III  s ;  also  in  pasdng  lb''  pa|ier  dollars  tbrongh  the  hands  of  llnyt  and  .Mien  instead  of  only  one  of  iheiii.  On  Ihn 
nth  oi'Septenibpr,  IH37,  Rennett  said  in  his  Herald,  thai  Callii'iin  iniLlit  be  goim.'  ultra  wnth  Van  Ritren  in  order 
Inbreak  liliii  down  Oni?  tliinn  Is  clear,  Butler,  Hnyt  &.  Co.,  so  ninnag  d  lit e  tarilf,  the  miIi  trensnrv  ami  tli"  col- 
lection of  the  revenue,  ns  to  deceive  the  souh.  by  aepeaiing  to  follnw  mi"  line  cit'  ii.,licy  while  in  Iriitli  tiny  wern 
iln.ng  their  verv  iltniosl  auainsl  it.  A  sta^e  siili  ireasiiry  h  talked  of  now  at  Albany,  but  it's  all  talk.  Flagg  does 
n  'I  want  it.  Horace  Creeh  y  says,  "  the  Manlintian  and  Hank  of  ilie  State  here,  ihe  Karmeis  .itid  Mechanics'  ,i| 
Albiny,  and  iwoortlireeinore  pet '  monsters  '  bavetbe  haiidliiig,  keeping,  and  unrslricli  il  lending  ol  tlie  Poiiror 
Fur  Mllli'ins  per  nnnuin,  cidl'cted  and  disbursed  bv  oiv  Siali',  on  terms  fn  more  lax  than  ilmse  accorded  by 
Ilin  Fecleriil  Oovernnieiit,  AM  this  vast  niii'inni  is  resuliirly  coliech'd  and  disp'  rs  d  in  Hank  Noies — not  a  sliver 
nfcoln  about  ih>-  business — nnd  our  Coniptroilcr  and  tliu  Hanks  are  always  playing  into  each  other's  linnds,  for 
mniual  ndvanlaite." 

Van  Buren  wrote  finvernor Reynolds,  March  fiili,  1811,  praising  -'a  mixed  currency,  composed  of  n  well 
balanced  and  harmonious  rn  operation  of  the  stnndnnl  of  value  and  Its  paper  representative."  Benton  cnnviuied 
fur  Vail  Buruii,  lit  JWiO,  as  biiuy  "  n  real  liurd  inuiiuy  iiioti.''    JuckKon  says,  hi  lii^  letter  to  Mones  DuwMon,  "  1 


^i 


J**  ■ 


i 


V 


1 1 

r   I 

I         I' 

l 


140 


rOLK  AND  CO.  AT  YF.S  AND  NO.      BRITTSlf  BANK  REFOKM. 


the  I'Miy  tlioii  ill  powor,  relative  to  a  ronewal  of  Dnane'fl  proposition,  when 
formally  made  in  (^ongrcss  :  if^r^-"  I'Ik?  proposition  of  Mr  Leigh  '  to  dissolve  ^j^j 
^^  all  connection  between  the  treasury  and  banks,'  is  disorganizing,  revolu-^} 
^^  tionary,  subversive  of  the  fundamental  principles  of  our  government  <^^ 
^^  and  its  entire  practice,  from  1780  down  to  this  day;  it  is  as  palpable '^ 
^a^^-^as  the  Sun,  that  the  ellect  of  the  scheme  would  be  to  bring  the  public  ^§] 
{ji^  treasure  much  nearer  the  actual  custody  and  control  of  the  Presitlent -^-fj] 
^.-  than  it  is  now,  and  expose  it  to  be  phnidered  by  a  hundred  lnuuls,  «£;. 
g(^  where  one  cannot  now  reach  it."«-'^  When  1  say  that  this  is  the  delibo. 
rate  stiilement  of  the  Globe  of  Nov.  20,  1S;11,  by  authority — that  the  journals 
of  Congress  show  that  the  jn'oposition  (and  for  the  same  reasons  too,)  was  reject- 
ed  by  the  nearly  unanimous  votes  of  Jackson  and  Van  Buren's  friends — tli:it 
the  faithlessness  of  pot  bunks  was  as  well  known  and  tested  in  ls;^4  as  in  Is;; 
— that  Calhoun,  in  Senate,  March  21,  1834,  when  discusshig  the  (pieslionoi 
excluding  all  but  specie  from  the  receipts  of  the  government,  said,  "  J3ut  thos 
is  in  my  opinion  a  strong,  if  not  an  insuperable  objection  against  resorting  tn 
this  measure,  resulting  from  the  fact  that  an  exclusive  receijit  of  specie  in  th^ 
Treasury  would,  to  give  it  eHicacy  and  to  prevent  extensive  speculation  ami 
fraud,  reijuire  an  entire  disconnection  on  the  part  of  the  government  with  tin; 
banking  system  in  all  its  forms,  and  a  resort  to  the  strong  box  as  the  means  ci'g 
j)reserving  and  guarding  its  funds — a  means,  if  practicable  at  all,  in  the  present 
state  of  things,  liable  to  the  objection  of  being  far  less  saft;,  economical,  ami 
efficient  tiian  the  jiresent,"  adding  "  niy  impression  ir^,  that  a  new  bank  of  the 
U.  S.,  engrafteil  upon  the  old,  would  be  found  to  combine  the  greatest  advan- 
tages, and  to  be  liabh>  to  the  fewest  objections  ;"*  and  that  same  year  he  remaik- 

:ttti,  :in(l  ever  linvp  Iiimh,  (ippo-f  iI  in  ,i|l  kinds  ot'iidVPiiiiiii'iil  pnp'v  riirrciii'v,  li'l  it  be  ili'rivcil  iVniii  llic  cxcliriiiiT 
(ir  oiiirrwi-io."  V;iii  l!iir"ii  liciriii  liis  ri'i'jti  liy  tin'  issiw  ol'a  •■  yiniTinru'iil  pnpir  riirniicv,"  in  ll»'  rorm  uf  inr 
>^iiiy  iiNtr.-'.  VVIiili"  Vnii  liiirun  is  I'or  a  irrll  hnlanceJ,  ininil  riirr(iii-ii,J;n:t\-"m  .isks  lla«>oii  Wlierr  is  ilie  iisi." 
a  puppr  mrrfiicy  ■?  Neiilur  the  niiTiiianl  imr  lahniir  wants  ii.'  It  is  (iiio  <it' ilic  'jrc  ;itrst  liuiiilitiu's  in  sir, 
tlKit  tlirio  is  notsprrif  cuons!!!  in  ilic  wmlil  t(i  ansui  r  ail  llif  in  i'p>s:iiy  wimts  ill' tin'  cofiiiiiiiiiity.  I.odU  at  Cubi 
Tliric  I-  III)  prip'T  tli'ii'.  Ncivv  li'ii'  ar«!  cmitlictMi'jr  i>|ii"i"'~'. '""I'l  Vi''  V'an  liiinii,  in  Ins  inanciiral,  sa\rt  iliai  I. 
Iind  ("nnipliicly  acrrifl  willi  Jacksnn  in  i-fnliniriit,  anil  liail  partakni  lar^ply  <il'  liis  iiintiili  ni'i'.  Wlio  will  supjiO-i 
that  it  was  otlicrwisc  1     Yet  it  is  i'\  idoiit  tlit'ir  is  dcciilcil  oppositimi  iiere.     Who  was  sincere  ? 

•  What  is  Knolaso  aium  r  ?— In  May,  1^  II.  Sir  UoIh  it  d  el  said,  in  parliMim  ni,  ili.it  "  IIhtc  me  a  nnnibfro; 
pcnpli:  will)  iliiiik  lliat  tlii'  Iradi'  in  liaiik  noli  s  slimilil  lio  as  krkk  as  tin'  liadi'  in  anytliim:  i  Isi' ;  and  ih.it  no  tii'j  ■' 
danger  will  ari.-i'  I'idiii  a  I'lC'  maniiraitiiip  nl'  pa|)ir  nioni.'y,  h  stins  on  rnutii:d  rrrillt  and  rDnlidiMici',  tliari  rpiimhe 
free  niamifactiiii' III' any  oiImt  ailiili'.  liiil  (  xpfrirnci' trlls  afraiiist  iliis  opininii :  and  williin  tin-  last  halt' cc;; 
tiiry  llnii'  n.iliijiis  liavr  I'l'lt.  in  tunn  iidniis  I'orrc,  tin'  rvils  ansiiii;  I'mni  llii'  alin.-o  of  paper  nuim  y.  'rhese  ii.i- 
linns  ar.'  ridiire.  Britain,  and  ilii'  IniU'd  Stairs :  I'lain'r.  during  tin.'  lirsl  rtvniiition,  when  tlir  i.vcr  i-suc  of  ilu 
stall'  |iap'  t  muiii'v,  rallnl  nsnii/iKit.-i,  (•anscd  ri'arfnl  liaviii'  ;  Itniain,  durini!  llic  war.  wlirn  tin'  B.ink  Kt'slriciii'i 
Acl,  Iliijii^li ','iMii','.  in  iIm' liis;  iii?iaiiri',  an  iina.iMiral  cxpaiisuMi  id'  tiadi',  ai.d  a  tirtiiiims  piosppiily,  mtiiilcJ 
evils  on  us  undrr  wliii'ii  wr  air  .sulli'riiiu  ai  tlic  prosciit  nioincnt ;  and  tlir  United  Stales  nt  dill'rrent  pc'riiids,  bii, 
<s-|  iTially  w  iiliin  tlip  list  I'iiilil  or  ni  II'  years,  'i'lnii  evp  rnnio  niiulit  to  Iracli  evny  riiinincrci.il  iialion  tiie 
lis.sDii  wliicli  lias  1)1  en  laie:lil  ilie  p'opir  ul  tin  se  ((mnlrii  s  ihrDUjjli  m)  niiicli  Mitlrrina— a  le.-^nn  wliirli  prnclMini; 
cniplialiciilly  tlia',  iIidiicIi  imp.r  iiMiney  may  lie,  like  lire,  a  nccos'iary  aiiiiil  and  a  iiselnl  ^•l'rvalll.  it  is  also,  \\\, 
lire,  a  lerrilili'  rnasirr — as  a  rm  r  can  I'lilly  Inld  within  cinhankinents,  it  may  sirve  as  a  cDiivenieiu  niediuin  i'. 
transit,  lint  when  it  rises  as  ;t  Mood,  it  swerps  everyihiiii  valiiilile  away,  it'evposed  to  its  resislless  liny." 

Sir  ItoniTl  deliniul  inoney  tn  he  IJ.'ili  :||  loiii,  and  li.iiik  noies  to  hi;  proniissory  iinte.s  p.iyalili!  In  lliat  rniii  r:i 
dein.iiiil.  'I'lie  lut.er  he  deiiiii'd  to  be  a  siilisiimte  lor  money.  nperatitiK  upon  prii'i'S  as  money  does,  and  iieriiiriii 
ini;  siiuilar  functions.  H.nik  notis  eooiinini/ed  the  use  of  iiiitallii;  money— if  liy  llieni  we  ili-prnsed  witli  five  or 
L-ix  nnllinns  of  gold  ;;nil  silvi.r,  we  , send  Ilie  sperie  lo  other  lands  or  nsi  s.  'i'lie  IJank  of  Kncl.'ind  had  foiiiiil,;i 
liui.dred  yi.'tirs  ai;i),  tli  it  when  it  lossen'd  Ihi'  ipi.intily  of  iis  noti  s  i;i  ein  illation  ii  r^  I'lifn  d  the  exchanpes.  Tap  r 
moiieii  must  he  ronvirlihh;  into  cuiii  at  X\v  will  of  the  huldi  r.  and  iliere  nm^t  he  .s.)nie  ilierk  to  prevent  the  riMii;- 
winch  Unlimiieil  ronipelilion  and  the  ahsenr"  nf  roiiliol  had  lirnuht  on  the  rnileil  Slates,  iliroutih  e\ci>.- '  i 
issues.  When  prices  ri-c  and  speeulalioii  is  aciivi'  thecuiinlry  hanker  i-^MUs  more  ni'les,  \\  such  a  liinc  li' 
oimhl  to  lesseii  liN  issues,  fiir  Kohert  llioiiKht  llial  a  simile  hank  issuing  hank  notes  lor  Ilie  whole  kiiij;ilii:ii 
misht  he  renih'red  far  iiioie  inlscliievoiis  than  useful,  and  held  it  to  he  cood  policy  to  wuriv  willi  llie  tools  «' 
liaVf.  He  next  prorei  deil  to  st.ile  his  plan  nlaiive  lo  the  H.inlc  of  Kimland.  It  was  to  rclain  lis  privileges,  In' 
its  depailiiii'iils  of  issiiiim  iioie-  and  hankiin:,  were  to  he  m  par.ited.  It  iniKht  issue  |i.'ip<  r,  ha'-ed  on  the  l(iaii<  i 
iiail  iiiaile  and  woulo  m.'ike  to  yoveiiiinenl,  iiiclndini!  i'.\chei|iu  r  hills,  namely  SO'.I.OOOOIHI ;  uiid  a  weekly  accuiiiU 
of  its  noli  s  out.  and  specie  on  liainl,  tiiusi  he  puhlished.  lis  r.utes  would  he  a  lawful  lender,  thus  sociired.  al  all 
other  places  hut  the  hank,  when'  Ihey  must  he  alw.'iys  convertible  itilo  koIiI  uf  standard  value  on  deinnnd.  N'l 
new  b.aiik  lo  he  created,  with  llip  power  to  issiiu  paper  as  inmiey,  lint  e.Mslins  hanks  might  issue  notes  equal  I" 
llie  aveiUL'o  I'f  their  pri'vimis  circulation,  subject  to  a  weekly  piihlicalion  of  all  tin  ir  liabilities.  Joint  stock 
hanks  to  hi^  hound  hy  the  acts  of  ilieir  ilinclors,  hut  their  shareholders  are  to  be  made  freo  from  bein(?  lialil'' 
for  the  acts  of  individual  shareholders,  as  now,  under  the  Knglish  law  of  partnership.  All  biuika  of  issue  tj 
make  a  (lerlodical  publication  of  Ilie  names  of  all  ilnir  {jarlners,  that  the  puhlic  may  know  who  arc  re«pon 
Bible  fir  alt  their  trnnsiictions     F.very  new  bank  must  have  Uie  sanction  nf  governmrnt,  In  order  t"  r<<(fi«tra 


\-  A  \ 

thiit  slioul 
lie  afterwards 
government,  t 
j^.ftho  north  b 
irresponsible, 
irt  endeavorin 
the  superior 
Van  Buren, 
showed  to  all 
iheir  whole  c 

Gener.ll  Ja 
I'i'om  his  hi:i;h 
nijainst  the 


viuii'.s  th:-  tie 
•it  .some  time, 
bition.';  " 
convenient,  a 
iind*  Hoyt  dit 
Siiij;!'ested  s-U( 
ad'wn  would 


;  .11.  wilii  n  (lil'eir 
,:nnlil  ihinl;  'i'  to 

rilir  caUlii'  t.  .iiu 
.'I  yeirs,  v\illi  li.ie 

i'„ii|yo'ie  b:i'd.  to 
i,C'.ii''il  I'reiu  Ih' 
.;,.•  iilV.iir-  nf  III!'  I 

1  isai,  ill  t'oii-re 
.■i:i,ia  lo  laliil  ;i  c 

sii h  a-  ii  w.ll 

>l-ri'V  Ilk",  to  iiiiin 
,„,  |.|i,|  conmu't  till 
:r  iiiy  llian  illi;  Uiv 

*  DisimvRST 
iJdit'iilly.  lii^  c 
!■  nvt.-r  f  li'  ll""  1 
:is  JcS'C  HdVi  <\ 
M  rn'^'.  and  \w. 
fliv!  was  !ni<l( 

liiivii,  Wii-hi 
loiTUf''  liii''  It"! 
n stniuGTi^i'.  ti'Ui' 

iHU'.S,  sillll''  olil 

sevpvi^ly  if  111'  f 
I'iet  atiiii'tK'y  ;u 
.  mlipz/.lrment, 
,h'«i-'s!!!  Sc 
oiintli"  hiu'pa 
I -,10.  II'IKUI 
lilies  w.l-^  elm  I". 
— l,ui  iIk'  iiiiilil 
!;i-.  ini'-'eiiiiiiui'l 
wliieh  wriM'oi 
,;ti:'ii  •'  been  ni 
,!k'  (lisluinesly 
Henuen  shnll  t 
In  the  N.  V.  \ 
will  Jesse  lliv 
(iroposp^  h)  mj 
.N*onsei)«p !  T 
ihiiiifs  s:ii(l;  s 


>. 


RCrORM. 


VAN  ;u:rhn  .'".  I'i'.NAi.  LAWS  NOT  .'.fAKii  I'oi;  nnr.AT  uogi'KP. 


141 


f!  proposition,  when  I 
■igh  '  to  dissolve  5^'; 
•anizins;,  revolu-  ti^i 
<UT  government  <:^ 
it  is  as  palpable  «^ 
rlnrr  the  public  <=§]  I 
i'  tli(^  Presitlent -uyl  | 
lundred  hands,  'tj 
it  this  is  the  delibi". 
' — that  the  journals  I 
)us  too,)  was  reject, 
iiren's  friends — that 
in  1S34  as  in  Is;; 
s'ni;  the  ([uesfionoi 
:it,  said,  "  JJnt  tho,v 
against   resorting  to 
;ipt  of  specie  in  th^ 
ive  speculation  ainl 
overnment  with  tL^ 
box  as  the  means  of 
it  all,  in  the  present  | 
ft;,  economical,  and 
a  new  hank  ot"  tli,> 
the  greatest  advan- 
nie  year  lie  remaik- 


ilrrivnl  tVniii  I  lie  i'\(lii'(|iir 
r'^ncy,"  in  ilio  rorm  ui'  [„; 
hi\\>(iri  When'  is  ilie  iisii' 
ic  LT(  .■ili'si  liiiiiihiiL's  tir  s;r, 
i-'ifiiJiiiiiiily.     l.ooli  at  Cul);i 

Ills  iniiiidiiral,  s.ivs  iliai  I. 
liiliiici'.     Wlio  will  su|i(/o'. 

sinciTc  ? 

Ii.it  ■' there  are  a  minibrro; 
ins;  else;  aiiil  tli.it  in)  ttiu  ■• 
ul  roiirKleiiee,  iliaii  ImiiiiI* 
1  wiililii  111,.  Inst  h.iir  ccn 

p:i|)eriiuiri,y.  These  ii.i- 
when  the  iiver  i-^sne  of  i!i 
iheii  ihe  U.inU  Keslridi  ■; 
■tiii,iii..<  prnsperitv,  entaikj 
^s  at  ilill'ereiit  periiHts,  b:i. 
ry  eoiiiiiierci.il  iiiiijon  tne 
-!i  le.-srin  whirh  pnicliini:. 
'I'll!  ser\;iiit.  it  is  iil-o.  lu. 

■;<  "  t vciiient  iiieiliuiii  d, 

ils  resistless  I'liiv." 

'.<  p:iy;il)l(;  In  that  roiii  rii 

iiiniiey  does,  iirel  iierinriii 
ue  dispensed  Willi  five  o; 

"f  KimlamI  hail  ImiiimI,  ; 
h'll  Illeevi-Illll)(res,  |';ip  r 
lleek  III  pnveiit  the  riMiil- 
I  Sillies,  ;ljriiiii.'li  e\ci'>...ii 
li'les.  At  silcli  II  time  111 
•s  liir  the  whiile  kiii^'dmii 

tci  Work  with  llie  tuols  ». 
'I  relaiii  iis  privileges,  W. 
ip'  r,  liiisHil  oil  the  Idiiiis  I 
t'O  ;  ami  a  weekly  ncciiiim 
'iiiler,  tliii.s  secured,  at  ail 
itl  v:iliiM  1)11  (leinaiid.  A'.i 
liljht  issue  iKites  equal  I" 
ir  lialiilliirs.  Jiiim  .otock 
ide  f'reo  friim  being  lialil.' 
p.  All  biuiks  of  issue  tu 
y  know  wlio  are  respon 
mrnt,  in  order  to  i^^ristrn 


|J,  that  should  the  depo:;ite.s  not  bo  r>.'.sL>Jred  to  th.-  \' .  S.  Bank,  he  would,  (as 
lie  afterwards  did,)  'jp  for  a  prohibition  of  hank  notes  ia  all  thi;  dealings  of  the 
^nvernmt^nt,  the  reader  will  at  once  perceive  that  the  leaders  of  the  democracy 

|tf  the  north  lu^trayed  their  trust — that,  knowing-  that  the  pet  banks  were  unsafe, 
irresponsible,  they  Ica':;ued  themselves  with  thi-'in  ;  and  that  their  after  conduct 

I  in  endeavoring;  to  give  the  people  the  inferior  currency,  and  the  olficeholders 
the  superior  ;  liuflido  Bank  ra<jjs  to  the  larmer,  goldiMi  eagles  to  Wright,  Polk, 
Vail  Buren,  and  the  rest  of  tin;   lawmakers;  tliey  betrayed  the  people,    ami 

I  showed  to  all  men,  that  sordid,  selfish,  and  meanly  ambitious  motives  had  guided 

Itl^ir  whole  conduct. 

General  Jackson  condemned  the  sub-treasury  in  toto,  and  removed  Duane 
|Vom  his  high  olHce  for  advocating  a  bank  and  state  divorce.  "  It  is  considered 
sjaiiist  the  griiius  of  our  iVi't;   institutions."  said  .Jackson,  "  to  lock  up  in  the. 

jviuilis  th;-  treasure  of  the  nation  ;  such  a  treasure  would  doubtless  be  employed 
;n  .some  time,  as  it  has  been  in  other  coiuitries  whtMi  opportunily  tempted  am- 

Ibilioii."  "  In'iviiliial  ag.Mits  would  probably  be  f)und  I'ss  responsible,  safe, 
coiivenii'iii,  and  economical  "  than  tlie  banks,  ([uoth  Woodbury  ;   Swartwout, 

hiivl*'  Iloyt  dill  all  th(>v  could  to  prove  him  in  the  riglit.     "  If  Gen.  Jackson  had 

JMiL'-^ested  .^ueh  a  systein  [the  Sub-'J'reiistiry )  what  peals  of  yj'Y//it»/ic  hidig- 
■liitUin  would  have  burst  from  eloquent  senators  against  the  mitijicr  and  hpaiit 

;  'H.  ivilli  n  deriiip.l  rciriii  nf  irii'-t  i!re,l,  luid  a  reiiul.ir  audit  of  aeeninils.  In  ca^e  the  l^atik  of  Kiiglaiid 
.  :fiiilil  iliini;  til  to  ei.i-iiliiii'  iiniie  li;iiik  iioles  iliaii  IW  iiii!li.iii>.  ii  mii^i!  i'ik-m  fjei  tlie  (■clll^'c'llr  nf  tliree  iiieiiibnr=! 
rHie  caliM' t.  iiiid  till.'  pioliis  of  till'  exe 


il'  i"-!!!'^   Wnilld   iU    lo  t'le 


\{--  new  rl,;.|ler  \va<  lo  run  toi 


ye.ir:' 


wil!i  li:i(!i;y  111  I'.'irUaiiunt  I.i  iiil'Miir.^  :ifi.  i-  |i)  ye.irs  s!iiiii!d  ill"  pnlili''.   iiiiiid   settle  dnwii    in    favor 


r.iiilyn'ie  IiiimK  lo  i-;siie  hnnk  notes  i,.,tlie  l.iiiiidiiiii,     Nu  noles  i.:  I.  ■  i-v;iod  in  IwiLdaiid  iiiid T  X'j,  say  21  didlars.     1 


d  iVi.iu  llenrv  W'liiiiii 


liiiiilish  M.  I'.,  the  fdid  repiiit  of  tne  sei;!.;i  <'oiiiniitie<.'s  invi'stiuatinn  of 


iilt'.iirj  of  the  li.ink  ol  Kni>:ainl  :   it  was  veiy  volnmnion-:,  Iml  I   liavi'  Inst  il. 


H. 


ISiniley  aifiued  ahlv 


1^31,  in  l,'on;;re-.-',  t!:at  a  d.  raeiie,!  eiir.iiiey  j,  a  plain  \i  ilaiinn  of  lie'  rnis!it!iiioM;il   pledce.  that  the  olili- 

ri.ai  10  liiiiil  II  rihl'- let  iiinst  lei;  U"  inipidrd,  and  so  ;t   i ;,  lor  '•  VVIiiit  is  llie  wori'i  of  eiiyiliiiis  !     'Twjusl 

iiiiieli  a-  il  will  h  in;; ;''  and   it'  a  prniii^e   m   pay   ;i,  d.illar    is  not  tnei  liy  p.'iyiim  tlie  dollar,  any  l,-.w  inadu. 


>l"ri'y  Ilk",  lo  poeeil  III  ■  hanker,  or  throw  dillii'iil 


lie  wav  ol   c. 


dliTl 


on,  e;  a  ( 


lati  '11  of  the  fiinda- 


iMid  coMirac't  lent  Innds  s  leii'tv  as  tlie  1  .  ."->.     Tlie  r,ii;{lis:i  l:'\v  belter  pr  ivid'  s  lor  the  fiiUlliiieiit  of  tile  proaiis'.' 
lay  iliaii  fili:  law  I.er  ,  liiit  is  sii  -eptdde  of  ^iieal  u.iproveiiienl. 


♦  DisitnvRsiT  LwvciiVF.HR. — I' 


If  a  C 


■ti)i'of(Jusii)ins  lu  i;iko  a  sdIoidh  nr.ili  u>  ilo  lii.-j  dutv 


i.ltht'ully.  liis  eliirt"  duty  hcinif  i..  id'eivc  llie  nnx'utte  k'vied  iVoin  tin'  peupi..'  hy  law,  tiiul  paV 
ro"(.'r  i'li'  tlif'  iitilional  use.--,  t'.ir  liiiii  lo  take  this  oath,  and  tln'U  iuli  the  ticnsiuv  of  jr220,00(), 


■ic^' 


Ih 


id,  IS  liiiil  piTjiiry  ai 


id.nl  1 


o  a  worse  cniiie  iliaii  llioii. 


Till"  ihicf  lumtrers.  or  i.-j 


;,i  rn^-'.  and  lit! -ti-ajs,  W'c  diii  net  irii.-t  liiui.  We  liilcc  pii'fiiiiiioiis  a^^'aiust  all  such,  But 
i'liyt  was  li'ttOnil — maili-  imi  Irss  tlmn  li^lOdOO  lo,')0,Ol)0  a  \cai'  hy  his  i.flicf — htul  his  folatious 
:i  p!ni'''«  (ircinnlttiii'tii — loid  had  ili'Ti'iure  no  i-'r.ipiaiioii  to  l.ioii'ay  liis  cDUiiiiy  a^  lie  did.  Van 
Uiii'''ii,  Wiiirhi,  tiiid  llv'ir   rii'nd,>  oiilnT  iVatii 


1'0711PS  liic<'  It^lVI. 


(If  Ihoy  pf.,'!.ii 


:!.•,!  Ii'd 


o  su. 


u\l  ilic  Mih-iri'a,siiry  ael  .mi  liiai  it  wtinld  punish 
1  kii'iw,  liy  ;i  year  of  eli'se  imprisonment,  that  if 
ai-traiiCTi^r.  ti'iie  ;i-^  ^'o.'l  id  liivuy  and  deaio'^racy,  land  oaihese  slioios  io-d.a\-,  iLcnornni  of  your 
i.iws,  son)''  old  act,  that  had  iipver  Iven  onloired  au'ain.M  a  ntitive,  will  he  f  e.md.to  pniiish'hlni 
severely  if  he  ,q;ie"s  a  haii'-;  tiiradih  bcyund  ilic  line  tif  siriei.  neutrality.  When  the  wlii^'  dls- 
inet  aiiiiinfy  tuid  the  cecrelary  ofilieinvisiiry  ordi  rod  Hoyt  to  be  ciiininally  i)rosecuted  for  his 
I  iiiliez/hniK'nt,  hi-.;  old  friiiid  Jiuk'f  I'e'W  fotind  iliai  the  Itiw  did  nol  apply  to  eases  like 
.lessi's ! ! !  So,  toi,  SiMiator  I'lvosi',  of  llllnnis,  in  ConoTcss,  .hiii.  IHUjinoycd  for  an  inqniry 
ntn  the  lnw])a';s.'d  hy  the  whi^ConLiress,  Aniriel  K!,  IHM.  coiuintiinu;  the  ptinisliinErelauscsof 


I'ilO.     11.' had  wiini'sscd  a  trial  in  illincis,  in. It 


I.-IM.  wl 


ndi"5W:f 
— l.ut  Ihi 


chart^od  witli  I'lTihi-zzlin'^'  the  p.aipK-'s  c;, 


a  Rec-'ivorof  the  national  Re\-e- 


'J'h.'  lojhiw  was  miiltv — not  a  doubt  of  it 


i|iiiblili' that  eh'areil  him  was,  hr  had  Iv-cii  rciuovcd  from  oilici.'.     In  ^IfXtillv's  ' 


!;i-nii^eiiiulii('t  was  I'vldont.  WmiiKI  ;i  I  iou>e  of  (.'oiio"U'ss,  iho  iiiajoriiy  of  iho  members  ot 
'.vliich  w^ieciMiipoM'd  nt'  his  political  iViciuN,  havu  Itirned  hiiu  oli'so  disciciiiial'lv.  hiid  iiollii.s 
oIK'H"  been  more  "ejcar  and  iiiKpt'-slionablc"  iliai;  ."oik's.')!-'  10  ;  Vci  he  o-oi  dear  ilirou?h 
nic  dishonesty  of  ihi-  sysicni.  llow  diil  I'ricc.  Swtii  Iwniit,  and  hundreds  lilci.'  iho'ii  ,i,'et  clear"? 
Bfiincu  shall  tell  you.  Hisci.'^dit  Ncaisol'intimtiey  with  Vtiii  Ihticiupialilii's  him  as  a  witness. 
Ill  the  X.  V.  Herald,  Dec.  10.  IMliS  (Imiu;  before  Jcssc'.s  cxplosiiiii),  licnnct  says:  "When 
will  Jesse  lloyi  run  away  '.  Defalcations  ate  mieiiuie.  .Mr.  Van  liitren,  in  his  Message, 
proposes  to  make  dcfalcaiions  of  the  public  money  fVlony,  and  ptinishable  in  the  Slate  Pri.son. 
.Vonsense  !  NViiher  party  will  aaree  to  such  an  abstirdily  !  Never."'  1  tini  sorry  lu  sL-e  sueli 
things  said;    liil  uiid'e  so  when  1  lind  ilial  ilu'\  cjiniu-l  I"'  disproved. 


H^: 


S: 


■it 

~ir. 


i^. 


■■■|| 


Kl 


■"■y  .  11 


D 


lU'. 


142 


POLK  FOR  THE  PETS MARCY  AND  WALKER  SHAVING. 


H   '. 


s'     '•' 


I 


SI  •'  f  ■   •    ." 


I  ': 


who  desired  to  get  the  millions  of  the  treasury  into  the  very  hands  of  his  par- 
tisans and  parasites."  This  is  from  Van  Ijiiren's  echo,  the  Washington  Globe. 
Mr.  Thomas  Ritchie,  too,  chimed  in  with  the  chorus  of  olRcial  indignation 
against  the  sub-treasury.  Listen  to  Thomas  as  lie  talks  to  'Old  Virginie' 
through  the  columns  of  the  llichmond  Enquirer : 

''  We  have  olijectwl  to  ihc  Sub-Treasury  sclicini',  (so  calloil,)  ihnt,  in  llio  first  pla<'C,  it  will 
enlarge  the  Excciuivi'  powi-r,  alivady  too  c;ivnt  I'or  a  Republic;  'Jdly,  that  it  contributes  la 
endanger  the  scrm  ity  oi'  the  public  funds ;  and  thirdly,  that  it  is  calculated  to  produce  two  cur- 
rencies— a  baser  one  lor  ihc  jieopic,  and  a  iiettcr  one  tor  the  govcrnnieni.  Tlic  inore  we  rcfleci 
upon  the  matter,  the  more  we  read  the  s;-  •■■lies  (jlihe  orators  cm  both  sides,  the  more  finnly  \\-' 
are  satisfied  ol'  liie  strenijth  oi'  these  olij>Tiions."  "  It  is  ceriaiidy  Miliject  to  very  strong  ubjci'. 
tions,  not  the  least  of  wliii'h  is  llie  very  great  increase  oi'  patronage  to  which  it  inust  give  riM', 
and  a  patronage  of  tlie  ino-i  dangerous  inlluence,  as  being  so  immediately  connected  wiiii  tii. 
public  money."  "  But  1  can  see  no  advantage,  and  on  the  contrary,  a  f;  uiiful  source  of  inischit'i, 
in  maliing  government  olhccrs  die  keepeis  of  ihe  cash.  Place  abmu  them  what  guards  you 
may,  in  the  shape  of  coinmissidni'rs,  inspectors,  or  v.-hatever  else,  prndulimi.  ii^iU  hr  cndU$;. 
There  is  no  srcvritu  in  it,  riiid  it  wilt  involve  iiea\y  and  imnecessary  exjiense.  'i'lie  chi>'f  ariil 
overruling  objerMion,  iiowevcr,  is  the  endless  source  of  pnlronage  to  which  it  would  give  riw. 
Make  tlie  ma(diinery  as  simjile  us  you  may.  and  open  to  \  iew,  wherever  money  is,  lempuitioii 
will  creep  in,  cnuf  corniptinn.  in  ci-i.nj  fiirm'joUtJtrs  al  t'lr  /I'cl.^.'' 

In  I83't,  James  K.  Polk  was  the  organ  of  the  {'.  S.  Treasury  in  the  House 
of  Representatives.     LisU-n  for  a  moment  to  Mr.  Chancellor  Polk:* 

"A  corporation  may  bo  safer  than  any  iti(ii\idual  agent,  however  responsible  lie  mny  k- 
because  it  consists  of  an  assuidaiion  I'l'  iridividiuils  who  have  shiown  together  iheir  uggregateii 
wealth,  and  who  are  bound  in  ihi'ir  corporate  cliaraeter  to  the  cxiem  of  their  whule  capiui 
stoclv  lor  deposits.  In  aditiiinn  to  ihisilie  Secrciary  ol'  ihe  Treasiuy  may  reipiire  a.s  heavy  col- 
lateral si^curity  in  addition  lo  their  capiial  stock  fiaid  in.  loini  such  a  eorporaiion,  as  he  could 
from  an  individual  collector  or  n'eeiwr,  whidi  makes  the  i;ovi':'niarnt  dcpo-it  sati'r  in  th'' 
hands  of  a  bank,  than  it  could  be  w  iih  an  individual.  It  nitiy  bi'  well  iiuesti(m(.(l  whether  tJK' 
heaviest  seciirily  the  most  wealthy  individutil  cuuld  ufi'.e,  <'ould  make  the  imblii.'  deposits  safr, 
at  the  point  of  large  collection.  In  tlw  city  of  .New  York,  half  the  revenue  is  collected.  Sieve- 
ral  millions  of  public  money  may  be  in  the  hands  of  a  reeei\er  at  one  time,  and,  if  he  be  cor- 
rupt, or  shall  engage  in  speculation  or  trade,  ami  meet  with  a  reverse  of  forlune,  the  loss 
sustained  bv  the  irovernnii'iil  umdd  be  ineviltible."' 


*  Kxowi.i-.DO!-  IS  I'owKii. — To  show  what  chaiK^^s  th"re  are,  through  mu' gtimhling  systeiit 
of  jx>lilics,  to  defraud  the  millions.  I  state  the  following  case  from  the  Courier  and  Kiiquircru' 
Dec.  10,  1 832.  where  it  appears,  heaiied  '•  Stockjobliitig — Stupendous  Fraud.''  It  is  possible 
enough  that  John  Van  Buren  may  have  made  money  by  his  father's  and  .laekf-on's  Mcssagro, 
as  wetl  ,';s  by  Marcy's,  but  whether  Webb  and  Noah  had  l;oik1  gnnuids  lor  w  hat  they  afliriu 
as  to  jMuinford  an  i  ramhreleng  I  Icnow  not.  They  .say.  that  on  Nov.  'JD,  the  price  of  a  sliaro 
of  U.  S.  Bank  stoclc  al  the  b.i.nrd  of  brokers  was  11,')} — an,;  that  Jackst)n"s  mps,sag(;  lowered  ii 
ill  two  days  to  101.\ — that  ll.oOOsiiari'swfres'ild^n  tiwr.  lM'tv,e.'n  Wed.  .Ndv.OK,  and  next  Wed. 
morning;  equal  to  s^l. (!.'),'», (KK),  leaviu'/ a  nett  pidlii  to  the  Wall  street  stock' jobbers,  of  $:80,000 
nearly.  The  C.  &  E.  asserts  that  Cambreleng  and  Alumluid  knew  what  would  be  said  in  llu' 
ino.ssage — that  Mumf jrd  had  blasted  that  .lackson  gave  him  a  copy  of  his  mrssa.gc  on  Satur- 
day night  at  11 ;  aiul  il'so,  two  da\s  were  left  clear  lo  liie  u'amhKrs  in  the  secret,  for  the  inis- 
sage  appeared  on  the  We  Inesday.  What  a  melancholy  thins;  it  is,  that  men  who  are  elevated 
on  the  shouUl.'rs  of  the  people  to  hi:r)i  honir,  should  soolien  foig.i  tiie  noble  jtalh  Ijcfore  them, 
and  turn  round  to  wallow  in  iho  inire  of  sordid,  trrovelliiiu  seliishness!  The  U.  S.  Btmk  wa.'! 
hate  I  bv  t'le  lo"il  iuMitntions,  because  w  iiile  they  char;,'ed  the  heavy  discount  of  .•jjT  oil'  $100, 
the  nitional  institutitui  cvaeii'd  but  :>fG. 

Walker,  the  n'W  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  has  unreal  inllu  nee  with  Folk,  and  Alarov 
manages  the  one  ihr.jugli  ill.-  (jilier.  Huchanan  is  on  less  I'Miniliar  and  inlimati!  terms  with  the 
presid'iit.  lie  holds  oHice,  more  on  aei^ount  of  his  ability  and  standing,  ami  of  the  .slate  nl 
Pennsvlvania,  than  any  pers  mal  feelitm'  of  I'ricri'.iship.  When  Van  lluren  got  to  be  president 
in  18.37,  I  think  he  coidl  hav^;  passed  the  s:ib-lrea»iury  had  lie  been  in  earn"si — but  his  friends 
had  the  whole  revenue  in  their  luui  Is  as  it  w.is,  they  made  much  money  by  using  it  in  favoi'ite 
binks,  and  I  daresay  that  good  bonuses  were  secretly  given  in  some  form'by  dealers  in  it.  In 
1810,  when  the  t  Tin  was  nearly  out,  and  a  re-election  doubtful,  Van  Buren  pres.sed  the  new 
scheme,  early  enough  to  show  th.it  he  meant  to  hoax  the  country  in  that  too.  Polk  and 
Walker  talk  sub-treasury  fashion  also,  but  arc  in  no  ha.ste  to  ciilbrc'e  the  principle.  Walker 
tries  it  with  Corcoran  &"Riggs,  Washington—has  taken  every  dollar  of  public  money  from 


pTOpgate  T 
— Francis 
Writers  - 
Cruswell  I 
nue — Post 
Helping  tl 

I  HAVE  all 
hi.s  presiden 
I  have  no  roc 
to  cash,  he  v 
ce.s  there  wa 

the  banks  in  itii 
was  oni'e  greail 
tion  is  asked  he 
it !    They  miu 
nr  sained.     At 
laire's  time,  one 
,idl  Cori'oran  a 
•.'idw  lich!     Ol 
ii'ii  millions  of, 
pny  no  interest 
paid  with  the  n 
Ii'rand  all.  was 
.  t'lamblin;^  m; 
iiiPivhanis  and 
Ivtting,  stockjol 
\\\ii.  he'll  clear 
In  IKW  and 
.-ilternaiivc,  mil 
Kxi'i'uiive  a  iiK 
and  whii'h  had 
siiin.''    1  ipiiite 
Matey  and  VVa 
■"ill  el  them  kno 
!!■;  Woodbury  d 

"  Orbstks  .a.  11 
('r'Uind  lor  mi<n\  1 
ihr  ii'rritory  shu  c 
Huttli'.  Uiniiclr  re.M 
t!(JUsf.  iiikI  iillhnii 
nncMUiiiii  litM'iiiiJ 
iHiiil  socs  n  pnitiil 
lirclectldneiiriii!; 
I'llios  liiT  iiaciils  p 
||  Ihe  u'llliuvs  liy 
'.lir  |)Hsl  is  iK'Vimi: 

Boston.  .April  ' 
Hifliiii!;  to  cxiiros- 
my  sinrore  ri'tirut 
tii'iicr  ifwiinl  Itiai 
Mrni!i!lp  iicalnst  \m 
which  have  hltlic 
lieen  liJisi'il  cm  iiiji 
Is  Imseil  on  the  ri^ 
(tuite  ton  much  In 
imr  Bovcrninnnt  w 
the  Old  Worlil.  ' 
iiuriiwn  |irinci|jlei 
iween  the  enroun 
Thi!)  1«  nut  ttll.    \ 


AVING. 

'  hands  of  his  par- 
Viishhigton  Globe. 
oi!iciiil  indio;nation 
lo  '  Old   Virginie ' 

tlio  first  plai'C,  it  will 
that  it  contributes  to 
od  to  produce  two  cur- 
Thc  more  we  rclleci 
I's,  the  more  firmly  \\\> 
t  In  v'l'ry  stronj?  vhJQc. 
hich  it  inUKl  give  rix', 
•ly  coiiiveted  wiiii  li,.' 
Inl  soinee  of  inisrhiei, 
leiii  what  f^'iianls  you 
id  at  ion  iriU  fir  cnJless. 
!)cnse.  'i'lie  dih-f  ariii 
icli  it  would  fjivi'  riw. 
luoiu'v  i:?,  leinruUion 

isurv  in  ih'j.  IIousi^ 
•  l^'lk  :* 

responsible  lie  may  bo, 
rotlier  tli("ir  us;;^re(,'ateii 
of  ilieir  wlidlo  capital 
,'  ri'ipiire  as  heavy  col- 
or[)oralion.  as  he  cuiild 
t  dfp>'wit  safer  in  \hf 
|ue^tio^l.(l  whether  tiK 
he  pulilie  dei)0>.its  sali', 
lue  is  coliecied.  Sevc- 
iiue,  and,  if  lie  be  cor- 
se of  torlune,  the  lofvs 


li  t-ur  fi^auiMinR  sy.steii! 
mirier  and  Hnquireriu' 
Krariil.''  It  is  possible 
d  Jacki-on's  MessagPi, 
■<  lor  what  they  afliiiu 
2[),  the  price  of  a  slwn' 
I's  inpssui,'<."  lowered  ii 
S'uv.'2'.>,  and  next  Wed, 
i)cK-jol)]iers,  of  !ii8O,O00 
ai  would  be  said  in  llu' 
Ills  nirs,-a,<^c  on  Satin- 
the  secri'l,  tor  the  nit's- 
nu'u  who  are  elevated 
lolile  path  Liefore  tiiein. 
The  U.  8.  Banlc  wai 
'Count  of  j?7  olf  S'lOC, 

litli  I'olk,  and  Marry 
iitiuiale  icrins  with  the 
lu;,  and  of  the  slate  nl 
lien  trot  to  be  president 
arn"st — hut  his  friends 
'  by  usinpT  it  in  favorite 
111  by  dealers  in  it.  In 
iiire'n  pressed  the  new 
:i  that  too.  Polk  and 
he  principle.  Walker 
of  public  money  from 


THE  PET  BANK!?.      MCDUFFIE.      ORESTF.S  A.  BROWNSON.  143 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 

Profligate  Public  ExppndUiirr  of  Van  Biirtn^an  President — Orestes  A.  Brownson 
— Francis  Preston  Blair,  and  the  Globe — Van  Buren's  standard  for  Political 
Writers  -National  Debt— The  200,000  Blilitia  Plan—Log  Rolling— Edwin 
Croswcll  and  John  Van  Buren — Veto  Poirer  Suspended — Waste  of  the  Reve- 
nue— Post  Office  Law — Silas  Wright  and  Slavery — Electioneering  in  Ki/. — 
Helping  the  Press — Covetovsness. 

I  HAVE  already  alluded  to  many  parts  of  Van  Buivn'.s  public  conduct  tfuring 
his  presidential  ternn,  and  there  i.s  much  that  ought  to  he  noticed  for  which 
I  have  no  room  in  this  volume.  In  his  early  life,  and  in  matters  which  related 
to  cash,  he  was  covetous  and  mean — but  in  his  management  of  the  public  finan- 
ces there  was  none  more  profligate.     .Ili,s  conduct  in  *the  Canada  troubles,  to- 

ihc  banks  in  tiial  ciiy.and  f^'iven  :Tii500,000t(jthpni,to  spemilate  dm.  witlioui  iiilercst!  C'nrcnran 
was  once  <rreatly  embarrassed  in  money  maUers;  his  partner,  Ri'.'i^s,  i;  wealthy.  The  rpies- 
iion  is  asked  hei-e,  whether  1  hey  ijot  this  ;frT)OO.tHHI  to  dabble  in  the  slocks  in  Wall  .'direct  with 
ii  ]  They  niiirht  have  intdrinaiion  beforehand  (jf  changes  by  whii'h  vast  sums  iniijht  be  saved 
nr  sained.  A  cabinet  minister,  or  more  than  one,  niiicht  divide  the  spoil  v.'ith  them.  In  Vol- 
'aire's  time,  one  of  the  kiiiL''s  seeretari<'<  tnld  him  when  to  buy  and  sell  ^ocks.  Somebody  may 
loll  Corcoran  and  Ri'.,':^s  also.  What  a  pity  it  is  that  crises  must  he  created  that  knaves  may 
■.'r<iw  lieh!  One  nf  tiie  Baltimore  resulutions  was  aii'ainst  sui'iilns  revenues.  Why  have  we 
i.'ii  millions  of  a  surplus  lent  to  100  bank  dircciors,  who  are  chicily  ctmnin^f  stockjobbers,  and 
jiny  no  interest  lo  us,  while  (he  naiioii  is  payin;,'  inU'rest  on  debts  thai  uiivht  be  bought  up  and 
paid  with  the  money  .'  1  be<,n'n  t.)  liiink  thai  the  lialiinuire  Cinivcnti.  n  of  l^lt,  Walker,  But- 
icrand  all.  was  a  \  ile  trick  on  society  for  the  i,'ain  ni  a  lew.  At  pri'sciit.  50  banks,  wilha  host 
,l  samblins,'  maiiau'cis,  hold  eiaht  or  ten  millions  of  the  public  money,  not  to  lend  it  to  upright 
merchanis  and  manutiifturers,  but  to  sport  with,  lik'* 'uiy  licar  Jc.<se' and  Jiis  man  John,  in 
Iviiins;:,  stcickjtibbinir  and  clielione(.nimr.  If  Walker  hold  on  to  the  Tieasiuy  lor  a  year  or 
ivvd,  lic"ll  clear  old  .sc(i|\'s  ami  may  yive  way  to  some  oth'-r  victim  of  spe^'ulation. 

In  IKW  and  If^lO,  Senator  .VlcOutUe  said  that  •■I'le  Sub-Treasury  was  liic  only  rcmaininc; 
nliernaiive.  uidess  w(;  returned  to  thi' notorious  pct-ban!<  system,  whii'h  i^'ave  to  the  Federal 
Kxci'Uiivc  a  more  dan^'crous  and  I'orruplim;-  inllueiK'i!  than  any  other  schi'me  ever  su,?s?ested ; 
and  whii'h  had  been  condiMuned  by  experience,  and  '-Xlf  denounced  by  b;)ih  parties  in  siiccos- 
simi,''  1  ipiote  McUnltie  from  the  Suvtk  C'lro/ini/in.  and  bid  the  reader  rcMicmber  that  Polk, 
Marey  anci  Walkci',  talk  Mib-trca-^ury  now,  but  lia\estui'lc  to  the  (ii,shone.stireastM'y  peisof  18;<-1, 
nil  ol  them  knowing:  as  well  that  iheii  countrvwill  be  ))lnndered  v.hob'sale  iIirou<^h  their  means. 
a-i  Woiilbuiy  did  in  a  like  case  in  IhUb,  or  i)allas  in  1^(5. 

■  iiRKsTKs  .\,  ItRowN-iDN.— Sini'i" 'vrilinp  ttm  inllowiiift  IcMir.  Mr.  Krn\vii>.iiii,  ns  well  us  iiiy,'>ell'.  Ins  seen 
fr"i\iiil  Ciir  1,'iiriil  1i()|m>  tlcit  tlic  i'iuish  m'  iiiilioii.il  t'n.'rdimi  iiiialit  Ipc  |iri)iiiii'i'il  liy  [u.iico,  tlim'.Mnil  liis  (jot 
ihp  li'rritory  stic  ciivrieil,  witli  Uin  iiuivrnt  o!'  WriL'lit,  'I'lUliiiidtft'  miiiI  (  ;iI1iiiuii,  llio  l.iUri'  of  wtiniii,  w  Uli  Mc 
Miiltii',  Oliiuctl"  reiidy  lo  cut  (lie  cmiiii'rtiim  wiUi  lIu;  1.'.  S,  t.p  l'i'I  riil  ol  livilmn  ;it  Ilie  Clinrk'stnii  f'llstdin 
eiiHso,  luiil  altliipiijili  iii-kni'\vlti|i:i'il  in  Ilic  l.iniilun 'l"iiiii's  to  li(<  Hii'jliiiiil's  liniii--:!  I'lii-nil  in  tlil<  repiililir,  urged 
.iiimaiiliiiil  li«raiisi!  if  Kn^lisli  iiitliirmc  wcni  in  I'rt'Viiil  in 'I'oviis  it  '.vi.lllil  iiUiTti-ri' xvilli  iiiir  li'.ritt';  !  1  Knij 
lind  sors  u  prii'iil  .■mil  nmtry  spirit  in  Ilie  wi-slrrii  >,tniis  w  hirli  tlie  pciliiiciil  r;i<r,iN  in  \V.i>!iiin'ti)n  \vi>li  tn  liso 
Mr  clectioneorini;  piirpuscs  nt'.vt  elei'lioii.  I  :iiii  snrry  llnl  liur  Icni!,'  misaovcrniuriii  of  ( '.iii;i(!:i,  tlui  wiinliin  crii- 
cltiiis  her  nacnts  pr:icti:j<'.l  iin  sii  Mniiiy  uurtliy  iiiiil  Itiic  lir  irtiul  men,  itir  iiiaiilv  ■niis  of  IVeciliini  wlii)  wore  sent 
|r  ilio  tt'illiuvs  liy  tier  I'.oniniands,  h.ivc  rnilscil  reelin^'.s  in  'in;  wvfl  wliirli  I  inutd  now  desire  la  scu  allayed,  I'nr 
llir  past  is  tK'ynnil  recall. 

ttrcsles  .1.  liroictiftin  iif  JUiiK^achiisettit.  I<t  li'.  L.  ,\fnr.krn:ie,  when  in  liiiclicsli,r  Piison. 

UnsTON,  .April  ■'•J,  I84(i.  Dear  !sir :  'riioiiuli  |H?rs(inally  a  siriui^er  to  yon,  I  havi'  yet  fur  some  time  liecn 
HisliiiiK  lo  cvpress  to  yon  my  synipath)  w  ii!i  yimr  attachir.int  jo  ilic  causn  of  I'recituni  (or  tlie  t'lnailns,  and 
my  Miicero  re(;rel  that  yonr  atlachinrnt  to  that  cimse  shoidd  have  met  in  this  land  nf  professed  rreedoin,  no 
lic'iKT  reward  than  a  .tail.  I  have  a  fellow  feelinp  with,  I  uas  alwau  to  say,  all  Kelieis  ;  at  least  w  ilh  all  who 
Mrimcle  «i;Rinst  |>ower  and  seek  to  seciite  li)r  the  iicnple  n  portion  of  their  long  lost  lilierty.  All  povernnienls 
which  have  hitherto  cxi-tetl  have  been  founiled  in  opfiressiun  and  inalntiiined  hy  frntid  and  f.irce, — They  hnvi( 
lieen  luised  on  injustice,  anil  opposition  lo  then)  hi  the  cause  of  loiil  and  Man.  Our  own  uovernment.  in  theory 
is  luried  on  the  rijjiits  of  man,  tinindod  on  justice  ;  hut  it  has  hitherto  lii.'rn  adniinistrred  in  all  its  deparlaienis, 
i|ulle  tiK)  much  in  nccnrdance  with  the  inaxMns  nf  the  c»veruments  founded  on  the  opposite  theory.  Iii  fornilnit 
lUirEOVcrniiient  we  acted  from  imrselvns,  and  were  original,  hut  in  inana;iihn  it  we  liorrow  troni  the  practice  ttf 
tlio  Old  World.  We  read  it.s  literature,  study  its  politics,  its  jurisprudence,  its  philosophy,  and  lose  sijiht  of 
(iiirown  principles.  Hence  it  is,  that  thee  i.s  a  striking  discrepancy  lietween  our  theory  and  our  practice,  ho- 
iween  the  enronranemenlM  we  hold  out  1 1  tlie  friends  of  liherty  aliroail  and  iho  actual  reception  we  pive  them. 
This  U  not  all.    We  have  never  achieved  our  imlepcndonce  on  Eniilaml.    We  are  scarcely  less  de|iendent  oo 


,  ■>>•■■ 


fi 


•  •■»■ 


Ui    I",  r.  m.Aii!.     \'.\\  n('ifr,N*s  pt\ndari>  or  sTvr.F,  and  nncoRr^r. 


«■'•'■■'■-. 


•■  1'  ■* 


i<-'.::- 


r.,  • 

•'  t' 


\vin'<]s  llii>  I'luiii!.!  liniiiih',  .iiiii  ll.r  |)('<ii)lr  of  Moicn  iiiiil  'J'cxas,  is  flsi'wlioic 
biiiMly  uotircil.  Il  wouM  in-  iiin)u:  >iL)U'  I'oi-  nuy  cainlid  writer  to  praise  it.  >.o 
iii:ui  cDiiM  i'c  iiiori.!  olist'ijuious  tl  nil  Van  Huii'ii  was  lo  llie  south  while  in 
power,  yet  they  deserted  him  in  1S-1(I  ;  and  in  78-14  wlien  Ids  name  came  up  I'ur 
a  third  liial,  they  eondeseeiided  to  !;ive  him  ^jj-;,- twelve  votes.  In  truth,  they 
tlistrusted  him  ;  all  partii's  liav<'  dime  so  in  turn  rsO  man  protVssed  to  agree 
more  cordially  than  he  did  with  Jaekson,  in  iS'iS,  in  favor  of  one  term  only  ;  but 
in  that  also  tin;  result  proved  that  he  was  insincere. 

Jackson  h  li.  otlii'e  with  30  or-K)  millions  in  the  banks  of  Van  Buren's  selection 
— he  left  the  couiiliy  out  of  deht.  AllhouL;;h  the  hanks  suspended  cash  pay- 
ments, yet  must  of  iheiii  piid  in  iincurreiit  |)a()er.  The  revenue  was  onormous, 
I'l'it  \  an   Dur.'n   e\[)eiu!ed   it  all"    and    lift  a    public   debt,  March  4,  1841,  oi 

111.'  I!llli^ll  i'.miMii-  II  pu  ilriii  \M'  urrr  Ui  I'.nr  ilii-  iiv.iliiiiim  of 'Tii,    We  cl:ir<"  not  n«»iinip  in  retnrd  fn  the  Rti 
icsli  ilnviiniiii'iil  ill"'  I'Mir  111  iciii  lU.     \\i'  cmiiil  iiiciintr  l''niiicc'  :iiiil  cilitiiiii  jiislirc,  liiit  wi-  iliiro   MOl  clHiiil  ex 

(r|ll   ill  ill!  lipcilnUllil'  InMC,  CM  II   ulir 
IH  Ml    X\  ill   I'l 


n;:li 


.1  i;nt:l;iiiil.     Tlii 


lri:ilV  111 


li:i-.  iii'MT  lici  II  (Miriril  iiilii  rlli'ct,  niiil 


(.'i.' .1  lliil  an  11  ■>  I  Iniiii  i|  ;i  |iiirliiin  iiliiiii- i('riilor\  u  iiii'li  slip   \v;inlt  fur  the  |iiir|iii>>o  of  con 
iii'Clini:  licr  Nnrlli  Aini'ni.iii  Cilmiii'-i,  iiiiil  wliicli  if  uliliiiiii'tl  uoiilil  Kivi'  lirr.  In  I'asc  iil'  war  Willi  tliit  cmiiilry, 

III  iiirn.      Ami,  sir,  this  irrrimry   :-lii'    Will  ulilaiii  liiilt'ss  I  mil    airally  tlerei\t>(l. 


valiMil  liir  lliirlv  lliiiils.i 


III  1 1] III 
'Ilic  iiintirr  will  111'  M'lllcil  liy  a  i'iiiii|iriiiiii>(',  ami  wit  shall  MiinniU'r  to  her  tlir  iiii|iiirtaiit  advaiilaKP  she  ilesircs. 


Tl 


!!■  ir  i-iill  II 


I'tin  '  1^  111  III'  I. mil. I 


111  lUii*  rlii^r 


iiiniiirri'iiil  r.l.iliuiis  with  final  r?ril;iiii.  'I'lic  ('iiiiiiiii'i'iMiil  InliT- 
I  .t  i.r  Miis  ('.lUiitrv  i<  riiiiirnllfil  In  llii^laml.  anil  \M'  laii  )iaM  im  miiirmi  rsy  wiili  lirr  williuiil  ariiiini!  ttm 
\\  Imli;  liii^'iiirs-  put  nl  mil'  ciiiiiiiiuaity  :v'iii-l  im'  o«ii  K'uvrrniin'iil. 


Tl 


•illiiiii 


>ii  111  Ulili^'i  anii';aiii' 


III' 


IK  iiiir  L'livrriiiiiriil  ti  ris,  anil  hfincc  in 


ir.  il*  the  sccrot  nlymir  iiii|iiiMiniiii'iii.     Il  is  nut,  sir,  tliai  we  ilii 


pot  liivi'  l-'ircilniii.  lint  Wi-  ili)  nut  liiiiiw  Imw  l.i  .'iliiirt'i'iiili!    ils  (li;li!iiileis,  Imt  lliat  we  iin;  alraiil  nt  (iirriiilii 


r.li"laii(l      AVi'  IvuU'r  liatiiiiial  liuiioi  ainl  iniLi 


III  iiiir  I'liiiiiiHiiiily. 


I  al 


II  Miny  iliai  II  IS  ■ 


I'-ilvi's  a  liyr  woril  in  i1r'  Karlh  In  plrasr  tin.'  Irailiii!;  (Hiriiiin 


III)  W  illliilli  a  U   II'  W  :lll   I'.rul mil,  :illil  W  'il'ii  !i. 

I'lpalili'  111'  saviim  111.'  Vi'tMililii',  t'lul  ilii 


liiil  I  ali'iu  .( ili'^iiair  111'  it<  licini:  nllicrwisi-.     ( lllicrwiHt"  il  will  ni'i 


iiii'li 


1  (l('|iri'i' ill'  war.  is  ilic  only  thinu  which  M  iiie  seems 
I'r  11 1'lHiii'-  tile  lii'inr.     I'or  ymir  clliirls  to  si'ciiri-  tin;  iiiiltpinilehiK 


r  Ihc  r  iinil'is.  ns  oiip  111'  ilic  iVlinils  ol'  Ki'i'imIhIii.  I  (hank  ymi.  1  ilo  iml  tliiiik  ihi'  lime  liir  llieir  imlepin 
ilriii'i'  )ris  ciini''.  Iml  it  will  i'iiiih'.  TIim  ci.Ii.niiil  sysii'iii  iiiii-'t  In'  aliiiiiiliimil,  liir  piililiu  upininn  tlii'iiiii;lii>iit 
llio  Wnrlil  is  last  MTUiiii!  lo  llir  pniiil  llial  imi'  ii'ilmn  ^llall  cM'rcix'  ilnniiiiinn  i<\vt  iiiinllii'r  no  longer  linn 
l!ii!  oilier  ta'/.i:i.'  I'.iii-eiil^.     Willi  tv\  prayers  tnr  tlie  specily  arrival  ol'  ilie  tiliio  when  your  eoiiiilrv  men  >liall  In' 

ic,  Hilil  lay  lii'pi'  llial  y.m  will  liii'l  ere  Ilii- reailii--  yiai  \uiir  own  lieeiloni,   I   am,   sir.  Willi  t'leat  lesimi, 


Yours. 

*  Fra\<  is  !' 
I'niU'd  Si; 
■•! 


t).    A.    IlllOWNfiON. 


IM"   IM\ 

ill  ISU), 


■.iiri'iii 


)■•  Tiit;  (iMiiiK. — i\I;iiliii   Van    I'lireii,   iiivsidml  of  lliu 

II  s|i(il»('ll  (it'willl  ji'Tli'i't  Irci'iliiiii  liiiiiil'jhout  this  Vdllime.    Bcii;;; 

'■oiiipwliat  at  a  liiss  liu' a  siiirv.lih' ilnnnrraiic  siaiiiianl  til'  |>io|irii'iy,  wlieii  spfaidiii'  ol  un'ai 

ulio  liiiil  lull!  lii.;li  sitiKitii'iv.,  a  tVii'iiil  ailvisen  iip'  In  iiiUi-  tiie  Van   liiiirii  .staiul- 

alii,  A]>:i\  -Jl,  IMl.'),  Van   Dunn  wriii's  .1. 


iiion,  or  iii'i! 


Itivi 


livli 


II 


"tie 


Lii! 


■iiw 


I  lli.'Milc  \'ou  \-i'i'y  Un  My  I'll' >oiii' iiiilile  ami  inaiily  Ici;'T  ii|nin  the  Milijt'rl  of  tin' 
>tci'iift!n'  <.7/./'r-'i'.s(,-ililis'|i]ii('iii,';iiiil  repi'iii  with  iilr;isiiiv  wIi.'h  |  liavc  already  .•-aid  to  Mi. 


nan 
iilair,  tli:;t 


■1   Al'PlJilVn     IK  ViirU  I'll  1!SK  TlllMIiaiiH 


Cieiu'val  llarri:-<in  hi'caiii!"  pri'sidi'iii  in  ls|I.     In  1^10  his  clKiraelir  was  lici'.in'  ilio  pcui'li 


Tho   CHi'fic  sail 


mm. 


Mart 


isli): 


o;i 


fuli'in'o   in   il;o  vcrsutiiitv  er  siili:'i'i'vu'in'y  nl  a  we. 


•■  i..ii  ilitiH  [tiie  Siiiiiii|  bi'waro  luiw  tlK'\'  platv 


vain  (lid   man,   in  the  doiji 


01 


'I'll."  ei'ialiiiiatinii  of  wcakn'ss  ;iii(l  viinily  with  liiiciscori' and  ten,  is  iiu 
.\ii'.  Tyli't  iiiuuiii  his  olil  \\i';,thi.'r-lieaii'ii  juiny  [IFanisonJ.  in  ihi 


X]>inn;.'  aniDitioa. 
•.)  ca^^ily  Ljuvi'incil.  . 
':':p"etatiiin  til'  a:iiiilinii'  l:iiii  .i;  wii 
li'uiiiii^  rhar.'ii^t.'.M^tio,  h  ew;".'  djiy  p:!i,ip..'r("i  wiih  liaiteries,  iiiid  w 


A    \M 


i\  old  v'''iiih'in;.n,  wlmsc  vaniiv,  alw.-ns  in- 


io.se  o 


lis! i Hi 


lev   IS  unlv  in- 


treasod   I'V  the   iiiilieiili'.v  of  a'/i 


.\'.-;: 


Indv,  and  an  availaliie,  who  iive.-^  cai  a  siiieeiin 


(.M 


iri'h   I 


i)."l 


loiinv 


irri-oii,  il  irossiniiit 


liTl 


iiiii  111  a  ciiv,  till! 


I'UMidcd   to  I 


Old 

'('  a 


tarnier  li\'ir,i^ 


I"'  caliiii,  an. 


Whi: 


s  are  in; 


ill  a  1 

cihi,'  '^reiit  exi.'!". 


iia 


id  cider. 


lis  I  If  Tin;  oi.i)  oiiASSv, 


eriiil.'iir- 


Oi 


ce   niore 


!t  ail  Id  no  cfloi'i. 


(March  17,)  '"11 


'J'l 


us    IS 


.lilii 


Binvii's  .\ppnir*Kii  si;in(!:ird  (ird"!icai'y,  wlien  sp'.';ilcin'j;  ip  W'v  iiJinie  of  a  presidi'til 
iihout  a  •ri'ip'r;.!  in  the  aniiii's  of  the  n  piililii',  then  a  (•:iiii!idatp  for  tin'  sin'eessioii.  thronirh  ,i 
press  n;(id  ni.d  p;iiiip.'ii'.l  by  ihe  pi'ieiK 
and  bliunn  inc  if  von  ran  ! 


iv  Van   i: 


Ulrll  : 


.standard  to  inv  hon\; 


'Iliis  same  (lin.'ic,  approved  bv  Van  Pjareii  "  throiiprluiut,"  speaks  of "  Mr.  (\'ilhoini,  wli.- 
never  told  the  truth  when  a  filsflnmd  would  serve  his  linn."  ^yaiii,  it  deseribcs  (';jlhoun 
tlui:'':  "  There  was  nne,  !iowe\-er,  lirprolmli'  Sniril  ih.'ii  cniild  ntil  iiear  to  lotik  on  thebrifrhtaiiii 
anspici'ins  (liiv  [uf  Van  Jlmru's  in.-tallalion,  Al;ir.  H,  l.*^:!*.]  and  il  was  a  pleasure  to  all  tlui 
the  tiice  111  ;?-^rCATii,iNK  was  not  .scum  on  that  fieeasi'in  !"     Calhoun's  relative,  IMekcns,  thus 

sjcetehed  lllViir:  ''A  i,'alvaniy.ed  eoip.si- 'I'hat  liliieous  visn^-c  whereon  envy  and  ninli?- 

niiy  are  li!"iided  in  eadnverous  union.''  !i  n  oiild  .se^'in  tiiat  (Jnihoim  and  Pickens  had  alsi. 
approved  uf  tiie  Cd.ibe  and  il-  lan:.:iia!,^o,  llu'  wiilinul  their  aid  Rlair  and  Hives  hud  not  been 
oleetcd  publie  prinler>  in  iHj(». 

Blair  says  of  hiup  'Ml';  th;it  bilnie  he  was  •?!.  le'  set  np  in  lill-  w  iih  a  lucrative  ofliee,  a  cleik 


$7,417,799, 
came  huo  po 
instead  of  dc 
is  pay  in-,'  in 
u-je  it  chiefly 

in  a  court,  a  go 
lii.i  means,  mac 
lip  all,  and  en 
>oah,  &c.  here. 
With  these  he  .- 

'•■  f'alhouii.  Jacl' 
v^-ry  wealiliy. 
ilall,  that  Jacksi 
lieen  a  si)eeiUat(. 
;ire-sident,  [the  C 
I'nited  States  J 
Xov.  11,  1843,  t 
rceliinj,  with  ba 

!  Ueneral  iack.soi 
ihe  unbounded  j 

j  iirgan  at  the  sea 

j  aiice  and  jiower, 

I  and  banking  coi 
hilf  the  Icgislati 
presses  and  brib 

i  ii:ss  themselves 
li.id  the  truth  b 
Wlionce  woukl  i 
burgh  rascals,  w 

i  01  Blair  was  coi 
lireak  stones  or  \ 
No  lawyer  in  Ih 
Hi 


i-ti 
ea 


ri 


th 


n 


his  forume 
aiiii-baiik,  sub 
land  sales  for 
|i:id  Swariwoiit 
liilie  of  the  cur 
Blair  and  liivt 
Mill  more  sieai 
:  atlirms  that  Bl 
prices  higlie 
ing  day  of  the 
.iJopted  citi/en 
piace  in  Scotia 
and  in  the  even 
myself  heard,  1 
in  improving  t 
year  of  Van  Bu 

♦Till  200,000  M 
Joel  K.  I'oinsiilt's 
"(ifimr  princlpiil  i 
•■  culls  for  the  o;irl 
"cunnut  reciiiiinie 
'zulion  lit  the  mil 
irlclM  ;  111  Boiiie  _ 
10  organize  the  mi 
in  reserve ;  allo|;c 
cull  fur  uiid  iiKMeiii 
iricl ;  uiiil  when 
the  U.S."  ThisL 
inon  might  hiive  b 
instimce,  just  beh 
lire  turned,  iiitii  |x 
circulated  It  far  tii 
in  Virginia ;  he  n< 
UOO,  uud  bade  him 


nr.coRUM. 

KUS,   IS  f'lsi'Wllt'lt' 

i»  juiiiso  it.  .No 
south  while  in 
lanio  cuiiif  up  lur 
hi  truth,  they 
i-oli'ssocl  to  agree 
e  term  only  ;  but 

Buron's  fieloction 
xiuk'il  cash  pay- 
<«  was  enormou.s, 
arch  4,  1841,  ui 

10  ii\  rociird  to  the  I!ti 
\vf  il:ir<;  'Mil  Pl'iiiii  v\ 

n  iMirii'il  iiilii  rlli'rt,  ami 
iir  llir  puriMKO  of  con 
f  war  Willi  till*  country, 
i  1  Mill    i!irally  (leceiMil. 

I  lulvaiitiijic  she  desires. 

'I'lic  coiiiiiicro'ml  Inlrr- 
hiT  williniil  ariniiv,'  Iho 
mnt  li  rh,  and  honcc  ill 

11  is  iiiit,  sir,  lliMi  we  ilii 
L'  iiri-  alraid  ot'  (■iriMidiiii; 
liMM'  till.'  Iradiiij;  poriiim 

Ollirrwise  it  will  in'i 
ilni!  w  hiih  to  me  setiiis 
st'ciue  the  iiide|ieiideiir« 
lime  lor  llicir  iiicli'|iiii 
lilic  o|iinioii   thruiiiil I 

iiuotlirr  no  lons-cr  tinii 
our  foiiiitr\  men  >liall  W 

sir,  Willi  iireal  ifsiuci, 

().    A.    llltOWNSON. 

It'll,  invsidcnl  of  ilk' 

ll  llii^  Vdluilll'.     Hl'il:',' 

■II  s|K';il;iiii.'  of  i,Mi'iU 

IC   Villi    lillli'll    ^tallll• 

Van   I'.iircn  writo  .1. 

jII    lilt'    ^lll)jl'l•l    of  llii' 

iiliL-aiiy  siiiti  to  Ml. 

as  li('f>ii\'  the  pcoiil..' 
ivan-  Iiku  llioy  pltuL' 
<iii,  ill  llie  (lolagi!  of 
ri'M'ori'  ami  leu,  is  iioi 
.my  firariisuiij,  in  ilx 
e  vanity.  al\\a_\s  in- 
i)hsiinafy  is  unly  in- 
■i-(iii.  a  irossipiii:,'  oiil 
is  iircionilcii  to  be  a 
,  (iMaieh  17,)  " 'I'lu' 
etleel.'  'J'liis  is  V:,." 
a  jiresiJenl  in  t)l]iif, 
suecessii)n.  throiiirli  a 
.■-taiuiarci  lo  iny  i'ool;, 

if"  .Mr.  CaiiiniHi,  wlip 
it  deseritics  ( 'ailiniin 
lutilc  vn  thcbritriitiniii 
1  ]ili'aMire  to  all  llial 
rclalive,  Piekcns,  thus 
let^ii  envy  ami  ninii?- 
iiul  Pickens  had  alsi. 
1  lUves  had  not  been 

iicraiive  office,  a  cleik 


Van  buren'6  political  midwife,  f.  p.  blair. 


146 


57,447,799,  which  Tyler  increased  other  ten  and  a  half  millions.  Sinc^  Polk 
came  into  power,  he  has  luid  on  hand  a  continual  surjilus  of  eight  millions,  but 
instead  of  devoting  it  to  the  payment  of  the  public  debt,  on  which  the  country 
is  paying  interest,  he  lends  it  to  a  host  of  electioneering  bank  directors  who 
use  it  chiefly  in  stock  speculations.     The  profligate  expenditures  in  Florida,*  Id 

in  a  court,  a  good  wife,  a  fortune  with  her.  That  the  speculations  of  the  times  swallowed  up 
liis  inean.s,  made  liiin  a  bank'riipt,  and  that  he  surrendered  his  property  to  his  crediiois,  gave 
lip  all,  and  emigrate  I  to  Wa.shiix','ton.  Van  13urcii  gave  him  letters  to  Lawrence,  Hojt, 
>oah,  &c.  here,  who  got  up  a  sub.st?  '  lion,  and  buuglit  a  jire.ss  and  types  for  him  as  a  gift. 
Willi  these  he  .started  the  Globe  oa  liehalf  of  Van  Uiucn,  to  try  to  cut  out  Green,  who  was  for 
(,'alhoiin.  Jackson  and  Van  Buren  put  a  million  uf  dollars,  01  m;jro,  in  lii.s  way,  loid  he  is  now 
vjry  wealiliy.  In  Kentucky,  Blair  was  a  strong  C/(///maii ;  but  when  he  thougiit,  like  Kea- 
.lall,  that  Jackson  woulil  succeed,  he,  m  1825,  wlieeleil  round  to  tlie  winning  side.  He  h.ad 
liecn  a  speeulatur,  stuckjobber,  &c.,  and  his  last  ollice  in  Kentucky  was  that  of  a  stale  bank 
■iresident,  [the  Coniuionwealih  Bank,]  at  Frankfort.  A  son  u[  his  i.s  or  was  not  long  pince 
I'nited  fcitates  District  Aitorney  for  Mis.souri.  Theopiiilus  l-'isk,  in  the  Old  Dominion,  of 
Nov.  11,  1813,  opposed  Blair's  elaims  to  the  public  printing,  thus :  "  He  came  from  Kentucky 
r?ekin},  with  bank  curruption,  his  hands  unwashed  ironi  tlie  infanioi's  trniisaclion  that  cheated 
General  iackson  out  of  his  election  in  18*<il.  He  came  to  Washing.on  iwor  and  despised,  but 
:lie  unbounded  popularity  tjf  Jackson,  the  defection  of  Dull' Uieen  ami  the  necessity  of  an 
,.r"un  at  the  seat  of  Government,  brought  this  unlieked  cub  into  uo.ici-,  and  gave  him"  imports 
aiice  and  [wwer,  raising  up  a  brutal  jinnrttu,  whosi;  touch  was  conlaminatinu."  If  printinR 
and  banking  could  be  settled  j)ermanently,  it  woiilil  be  a  blessing  to  America,  for  more  than 
half  the  legislation  of  the  United  States  is  (le\-oted  exclusively  to  tlii?se  two  subjects.  Bribed 
iirosses  and  bribed  agents  were  the  means  whereby  Van  Burcn  compelled  the  people  to  har- 
ii.'ss  themselves  lo  his  car,  and  swipport  men  ami  measures,  they  would  have  nobly  spiUTjed 
Ii;id  the  truth  been  told.  But  wliat  really  independent  press  could  live  in  Wasiiingtonl 
Wli'.-'nce  would  it  finil  support !  The  villainy  of  Blair,  Hiichio,  Croswcll,  and  these  Harris- 
burgh  rascals,  wo'ild  never  have  become  known  tA  inf>,  had  they  not  fallen  out.  Hill's  expos6 
ui  Blair  was  complete.  The  petty  tliiel'  whom  the  Recorder  sends  to  Blackwell's  Island  to 
break  stones  or  pii;k  oakum  is  an  angel  compared  to  the  hired  lO'il  of  n  party  at  Wasliington. 
No  lawyer  in  the  Centre  Street  Se.ssions  ever  lie«l  more  for  his  t'-e  than  fJlair  has  done  for 
his  fortune.  His  okl  ma.ster.  Van  Buren,  approves  it  all.  So  doubt  of  it.  Be  it  Umk,  or 
aiiii-baiik,  sub-treasury  or  treasiuy  notes,  war  or  peace,  Texas  or  Oregon,  tariff  or  anti-tai'ifl', 
land  sales  for  ca.sh,  or  land  sah's  lor  creilil,  gooil  Oallioun  or  bad  Calhoun,  gooil  Swartwout  or 
li:id  Swariwout,  anything  or  iiiiiliing — your  hireling  is  evi'r  ready.  All  he  cares  for  is  his 
nine  of  the  current  iiliuiiler.  Hill  showed  that  Blair  and  Rives  got  enormous  prices;  and 
Blair  and  Rives,  in  the  Globe,  e.vpended  columns  to  provi;  that  their  predecessors  had  cheated 
>till  more  steadily.  Hill  names  one  job  thai  will  cost  ;*3.')3,0l);),  or  jr^a.KiO  jK-r  volume,  and 
ailirms  that  Blair  had  got  over  liii-iOOiOOO  since  Van  Buren  left  Washington,  for  printing,  at 
prices  higher  than  was  charged  in  any  odier  city  in  the  Union  ;  as  als»  Jr'lOO  for  every  work- 
ing day  of  the  four  years  that  Van  Buren  was  president,  or  over  :;>)00,000.  I  am  but  an 
adopted  citi;;en,  and  therefore  liable  to  be  slighted  here,  for  the  act  of  God  in  fixing  my  birth 
piace  in  Scotland.  Besides,  1  am  poor,  with  a  large  family  struggling  for  a  humble  livelihood, 
and  in  the  evening  ol'  lite — but  were  1  young,  a  native,  anil  pos.se.sseil  of  the  means  of  making 
myself  heard,  1  would  raise  such  a  dust  about  the  ears  of  these  mock  liemocrats  as  might  end 
in  improving  the  whole  .system.  Blair  may  have  cleared  5i!150,O0O  of  prolits  in  one  single 
year  of  Van  Buren's  term — I  mean  1838,  in  which  vear  his  receipts  from  the  public  exceeded 
:;300,000. 

*TiiE  20J,000  Militia  Sciikmk.— In  December,  1H,19,  Viin  Buren,  in  his  iiicssngo  to  Congress,  recomniendeil 
Jut'l  K.  I'liinsell's  |iliui  lor  u  new  mililiii  iirganizittion,  in  these  words  :  "Tlic  pre-ent  condition  of  the  defences 
•■(ifimr  principiil  sca-poris  Hnd  navy  yards,  its  represented  hy  the  Hccnmptiiiyiiii;  report  of  the  secrctarj'  of  wor, 
"Ciills  for  the  early  and  serious  iittentioii  of  ConjiresM  ;  iinil  tis  connecting  iL-^elf  IniiiniiU'ly  with  this  itulijecl,  I 
"  caiinol  recoinnieiid  loo  strongly  lo  vour  consideration 'I'll I'.  PLAN  submitted  liy  that  otliccr  for  tho  re-organi- 
'  zulion  of  tlie  militia  of  the  United  i^tates."  The  pl:in  was  tn  divide  tiie  UnilctI  StJites  into  ciglit  military  dis- 
tricts ;  ill  some  cases  thr>  e  or  four  .stales  to  form  a  district,  and  in  otberK,  sucii  as  New  York,  oily  one  state  ; 
to  organize  tlie  militia  so  as  to  have  a  liody  of  I'J.oUO  men  in  each  district  in  active  service,  and  as  many  more 
in  reserve  ;  altogether  'iOO.OOU  men  were  to  lie  armed,  equipped,  drilled,  and  ready  for  war ;  the  president  ml|!bt 
cull  for  uiiil  a.ssemble  siicli  nuiiiiiers  us  he  pleased,  twice  a  year.  Ill  sucli  pl.'ices  as  he  chose  wiiiiin  e.ich  tils, 
trict ;  uiid  when  on  service  these  men  were  to  be  "  subject  to  the  same  rules  and  articles  of  war  as  troops  of 
the  tj.  S."  This  plan  was  very  unimputar.  N.  Y.  state  was  required  to  furnish  IH.IXK)  active  men,  and  these 
iiion  might  have  been  ordered  to  assemble  Hiiywherc— (lie  3,0UO  actives  lor  the  8tli  district  down  at  linen,  for 
instance,  just  before  an  important  election.  Why  not  turn  them  as  the  66U(),0IXI  corps  of  the  N.  Y.  Cusinms 
are  turned,  into  iralitical  machines  ^  This  plan  the  tilobe  prai.sod  ami  fully  endorsed,  per  order— the  oppositiun 
circulated  It  far  and  wide— Van  Buren  found  that  it  was  hated— Uitchie  wrote  that  It  was  injuring  the  caus* 
in  VirglDla ;  be  next  wrote  Poinsett,  that  it  was  called  a  "  tyrannical  and  oppressive  "  standing  army  of  300,- 
UOO,  and  bade  him  explain.    This  was  in  M         In  July,  Van  Buren  himself  took  the  field,  and  in  a  very  lung 


•V 

\ 

-V. 


.^. 


If 


\  ■ 


l»-      -I,     •■    • 


••'•:>•■.  ■• 


1:-    'f 


V? 


3-     • 


,1 


I:.' 


146         )200,U00  iMlLIi'lA — TUK  ULOODllOUNDS EDWl.N  CR03\>  RLL. 

lUe  civil,  naval,  iiiiliUuy,  anci  iliplomalic  ilepartinenis  of  i\\v.  govi'rmciit,  in  Con- 
gress, ill  priiiling,  in  itjt*  custom-houses,  anci  in  tlie  Post  Ullicc,  were  never 
equalled  on  this  conlintMit,  under  like  circumstances.  The  GVoAe,  in  1839, 
ceased  to  delend  the  authorities  in  this  particular,  but  on  the  Ist  of  May,  tool; 
new  ground,  saying,  "  We  challenge  the  whoh;  corps  ol'  i'edeial  [opposilionj 
•'  members  to  point  out  on  the  record  ol*  either  house  ot'  Coi  gress,  a  I'kouigai,, 
*'  CORRUPT,  Locj-RoLi.iNi;  appropriation,  which  has  not  derived  its  principal  sup- 
"  port  from  that  party  in  the  House  which  is  now  raising  tlie  clamor  about  it  in 
*'  the  country."*     Air.  Jiiair  then  gives  ins  account  vf  wliat  he  justly  calls  ''  that 

liMttT  to  J.  n.  •"■'iri-,  i.f  r,liz;ilii'th  city,  plcnilfil  tlvil  h'n  "  knowlrdgc  nf  niilitiiry  afTiirn  unn  very  llmilnl,"  thiii 
it  wim  *' liiit //ifc'v  :li 't  lii<  :tltiMtiiiii  li  III  liri'ii  ilr.nvn  Id  this  siilijicl,"  tli  it  roiii^ctl'i  |i|.iii  w.i*  nut  i-iiiiHtiiii- 
tliiiiHl,  mill  tru/'tr  iinti  uki. ir  tiiiii  luHiiiit  ii<it  ii|i|)i'iiV):il  ill'  It  ill  liis  Di'iriiilirr  iiipk>mci!  !  fli  D' iirp  liiit  wiirils' 
"We  linve  dtii  riuiiiiillril  in  ue,  n  it  I  aIihiiIiI  tliiiiU,  witliiiul  ^llllllll' iiml  iiii<riirn  .itinn  iin  llii;  (iiirt  nf  tvcry 
ineeiilliillt  miiwl,  wlwitrvcr  in  >y  lii!  hit  iiolUienl  |ii';'r'jrriii:us,  llir  iiiiiiir-T  III  n"-|iri'l.ililu  i'IIi/.imis  .siiIimtiIh'jI  in 
stati'Kients,  tlint  I  liiiil  in  my  iiiii  ii:il  iiii.>s:i!.'c  ^■.v|lrl^•(-(■ll  my  a|i|iriili.'itiiiii  nl  «  plitn.  wliiili,  imt  iiiiiy  liiiil  ntvrr 
iM'en  Kiiliinillcil  in  nir.  hut  w\*  iii't  ivin  iiiuliiri'il  until  nmrii  iliiin  tliii'O  mnmiis  iilipr  ilin  iiii'-i>;i|!i«  was  Ki-iit  in 
Uonurens."  Ln'  k  nt  my  qiintMiii'ii  limn  hii  iiiessimi,'.  wlirrr  he  ^;ly«,  "  I  iiiiiimt  rrrniiimcnil  Ian  ntnivttty  to  yoiK 
ninslderiitiim  THK  I'l.A.N  -iiiniiiilril  "  liy  I'miisi'Lt.  Tli  it  w.i<  in  DiMinlirr,  l-'ll;!.  jNnw — July,  I.+UI— he  miji 
THK  PI-AN  u-.i<  mil  thmi  niiMiii'il.  iiiid  Inil  nut  lii'cn  >iiliiiiill!'il  ti>  linn  nt  nil :  I  : 

Kliiridii,  ns  ii  liTrilnry.  w^.-  iniilrr  V'.iM  Unirn's  r^iiici.il  inic.  lli;  !!ul  tins  ^.iiiu:  I'niniirlt  In  son. I  to  (^ulia,  fnr 
liliMiilhiiunils,  Ml  nn  iiiixiiinry  iniii'iln  to  hunt  (low  n  tin'  liiill;iii:>  .iiiil  puor  loilnrii  11C12M  '<  wliniii  ( |i|iru:<iiliin  hiiil 
driven  iiiiioii<!  Ihinn. 

.Iiifl  II.  riiiii^L-it.  W.ir  ;-ii(  Ti't  TV,  tn  Brii- Upiifrnl  /.  Tiiylnr,  ciimiiiimlinj;  Army  01' the  Hnutli.  I'lnriilH. 
"  Wah  DErAKTiKNT,  J.iin^irj  'Jii.  I- til.  Hir:  It  is  ninlrrMMiul  iiy  tlur  lirji  h  iniciii,  ;lthiiii!;li  nut  1  llii-i  Mly  in- 
fiirnieil  ol  llii' l:H't,  llinl  llir 'iiutiiirili'"' nl'llii' 1'vri'itiiry  III'  I'loriili  hiw  iin;iiiiii'i|  n  pnrk  "(  liliiuillinuiiili  iViiin 
the  lithind  ■>r<.'iiliM,  luiil  I  think  \<  in'opiT  to  (lirni't.  In  ihn  evoiit  nl  thox:  il  <i:t  liriiit'  rniii'liiyiil  liy  nny  ntficc-r  nr 
otikers  uniU"  yiinr  coiiiiiMnil.  tliii  llit'ir  MSI'  he  ninlincil  iiliiinriliir  to  tr:nkin(;  tin:  Inili.iii-i;  niid  in  orilcr  10 
iiionri!  thi.t,  nnil  |ii<'vi'i,t  ilir  pn-.-'iliility  i>l  their  iiijiirii<i:  nny  \tvt  uii  \\  h<it.s(ie\t:r,  th,>t  thvy  lir  mii7./ii>i|  wlim  in 
the  fleUI.  iiinl  hclil  wiili  n  Ic  i-li  \vhiii'lnlhnvin;r  tlin  iniik  nl'  the  I'ln-iiiy.  .1.  R.  I'lll.NSIiTT  " 

Mr.  Ailnlii-,  in  •^ln!.'rl'-«,  snhinitii  il  Ihi.'  Inilinviii};  rt'inliitinn  :  lli.iilcnl.  Thit  the  Scrri't.iry  nl'  VVir  I*  ilin.rt 
edttii«|Hirt  to  this  llnnsc  Uiu  iKitninl,  piiruicnl,  iinil  mnriinl  lilstnry  (il'thn  lilnndlinuinl.  shnwinv  fhe  inculiar 
fitnens  of  thm  cI.isk  of  wnrrinrs  to  lin  llie  n^sncintrs  of  the  tMlliint  niiny  nf  iht-  IJiiiifil  Siitos,  spi'tilylni;  tlit  uitT 
disrriliiinntion  of  liin  srenl  liniwrcn  the  hlond  nf  the  frii'iiiMii  mill  thn  lilnml  nf  iht;  >l;ivr  — liclwcnn  the  lilimd  1.;' 
tho  Hriiied  unrrior  nnd  Ih  it  nf  w.nni'n  .unl  rhililrcn-  ln'i  wcrn  the  liloml  nf  the  lihick,  whiu-,  iiinl  i-nlond  men- 
lietween  lh«  lilonil  of  sinniii'  .'•'('iiniinli-s  nnil  thnt  of  thn  .\iii!ln-Saxnn  pnnis  Chrittiiiii.  .\Nn,  11  htniiiment  of  the 
n.:iiit)«rof  hluoilliminds  ami  tin  ir  imiiliK  tors,  impnrtcil  liy  this  (iiivtTiiiiK'iil,  nr  liy  tho  iiuilmtitius  of  I'lnrliln, 
froiti  tlin  Inlnnil  of  Culm  mill  llie  cnst  nl' thnt  11. iiHiitiition.  Also  whether  .'i  liirth»r  imporlntniii  of  the  tninin 
heroic  r:ice  Into  the  Hi  He  nf  M  line,  to  awiiit  the  cnntii:i:en('y  of  n  i-nnlesii'd  Nllrthlnl^t^rll  li<iiind:iry  i)iiev|uin, 
is  coiitenipl.Ttcn.  or  only  In  >et  nn  I'Mtiiiplo  tn  h ■■  fnllnweil  liy  our  pnssilile  !iilv'r>nry  in  llw  event  nf  11  lonllin 
Whether  iiieii>nres  have  Ixien  taken  In  seeiire  eveliisively  toniirsehes  the  «'iiiplnyment  nf  this  niuiliiry  forri-, 
itnd  whether  hu  deems  it  e.vpiiiiunt  to  e\teiui  to  tliu  .said  hlooillmuniW  and  their  |Hi»ierily  the  lienelil  of  ili> 
pension  laws. 

♦  EuwiN  CiitiswKr.i,  .\M)  JiiiiN  Vav  Bi'UF.N. —  Allliodn'li  tlii'.';c  twu  pupils  nl'  the  cider  Van 
Btircn  ami  Hutlcr  his  jianiii-r,  an'  at  jiri'scnt  at  variauc;.',  llioy  liavi' many  pniuis  nl' rp.si'iii- 
blancc,  and  1  have  th'.'rcrui'  fj'iveii  a  lirit-'I'iKiiii'Li  o(  thfin  loi^otlii-'r.  Kdwint'ioswi'll  is  nearlv 
fifty  years  of  ajfe — the  -son  of  a  newsjjaper  oilitor  in  C'atskiji.  where  also  lie,  hiiii.-eir,  eoiuiucietl 
a  weekly  paper.  One  01  his  hrotliers  Iceejis  a  very  pieasaiu  hotel  there,  and  the  t'ainily  aiv 
wealthy.  Edwin  took  eharjie  ol'  thi-  Albany  Ar!,Mis  in  IS'Jii,  was  then  eh-cted  state  prinii  <:. 
and  has  kejit  his  position,  while  advoeatinij  rotation  in  oliiee  to  otiieis,  lor  twenty-two  years, 
except  about  a.s  many  iiKuilhs,  dniim,'  whieh  Tliurlow  Weetl,  who  hesie^jed  and  ttwk  his  tm- 
tress  by  .storm,  held  possession.  Kdwin  Cioswell  married  a  ilaii'^liieroi  Joiiti  Adams,  a  ii;",- 
yer  in  Cat.skill,  who  has  iieen  in  CJoii;^re.s.s  and  held  various  ollices.  1  lis  nepliew  antl  luisi- 
ne.ss  partner,  Sherman  ("roswell,  married  her  sister.  I'Voin  iMlrt  to  I^IW,  (Jiosweli  lolioweil 
Van  Buren's  lead  imjilicitly  in  all  thiiiirs.  in  the  matierofthe  siil>-ireasuiy,  he  siil;mitied,  as 
did  Marcj- — bm  the  ill-liiek-  of  IhK)  and  1811.  ihe  sjilittiiiijf  up  ol' ]iarties,  liiroii^'h  the  slavery 
question,  and  the  e.';posiires  made  in  my  l^ives  of  Iloyt  imd  Btitler,  have  helped  t  •  terminaii' 
an  intimary  that  was  founded  solely  on  frain.  There  seemed  to  he  a  ehanee  of  healing  diller- 
ences,  by  givinir  Wrif^lU's  editor,  Cassidy,  half  the  proiils,  mul  Sherman  Cro.-.well  the  oiher, 
but  it  lell  through  last  February.  1  described  Oroswell  in  IHIU  ;is  his  poliiieal  friends  do 
now.  O'.Sullivan.  in  the  IS'ows  o)  Feb.  'il,  s;iys,  "that  in  IKfT,  our  party  did  not  throw  olf.ill 
of  this  conservatism.  Edwin  Croswell  was  as  mueh  its  m.tster-spirit  then  as  nmv;  as  timid 
as  any,  as  unsound  as  any.  But  the  lx;st  oliiee  in  the  Union  was  lloatinf^  amid  the  anf(ry 
waters;  he  clun<f  to  il  with  a  lieaih-i^rip,  and  went  with  it  to  the  lH)ltom.  But  miw,  ^'orgn/  io 
rcpUiion,  because  he  can  <^et  no  more,  ho  summons  his  motley  hosts  of  Conservatism  to  tlit' 
rally."  Crosweil's  emoluments,  when  he  f,'ot  ofliee,  as  I^eake's  partner,  in  IHiiJ,  were  small. 
$10,000  a  year  sufficed  tor  printinjj  in  tiiose  day.s — but  the  e.'iix'nduure  j^raduaily  rose  to 
$70,000  per  annum,  all  items  inchuleii.  His  receipts,  from  first  to  la.st,  have  Ixen  estimated  by 
Flagg  and  others  at  a  million  of  dollars.  He  had  all  the  printing  of  the  senate,  the  assembly,  the 
executive,  and  the  state  departments,  including  laws,  journals,  legal  notices,  adverti.sements,  and, 
of  course,  the  private  sale  and  advertising  of  his  paper,  and  his  business  as  a  printer.    He  had 


enormous  an 
be  ,  that  Vai 
gating  every 
which  he  co 
ili  lire  of  ab( 

the  lion's  share 
&c.  He  dealt 
only  three  waf 
—the  gjvern.)r 
allow<''d  en  irn 
my  hands  whe 
liiirlyand  ocor 
rnicn  more  th^ 
Argts— anl  tl 
ox.'cutive  ollict 
[iiicc  nllowe  1  i 
tiye  of  the  Sii 
iviiicurrence  of 
presidents,  ma; 
permanent  p  -r 
i'i|iiivalent  at  h 
Gol.  Vouns,',  w; 
hi.s  own  princi 
ilil  character. 
li  'L'l^'in?  letters 
Wlv.'n  the  two 
cheats,  Croswc 
p'ared  on  the  ^ 
1814,  and  weni 

Aintmg  tho  c 
5-2a/^,0;)0— prii 
vised  statutes  ;j 
310,0(1).  (Bel 
ihi.s  city  and  tl 

Croswell  is 
',,-hi<;s  and  a  ji; 
dally  inav  be 
iiiid  capn/ik,  th 
iries  for  Texas 
money.  A  h; 
ilisTPilUnblc  ci 
Tammany  Hi 
liim,"  as  he  ca 

'•  Xcwspape 
it's"— and  Col, 
lor  adapting  it 
iiiKjii  its  obedi( 
Odngress,  A 
leadins  membi 
ti.ms  to  control 
ut  St.  Stephen 

Some  years 
iween  the  Eve 
for  SI, 000,  but 
the  Globe  dail 

The  Custoi 
in  nine  month 
dilation,  mi^l) 
Standarti.  Bell 
these  unclaiini 
Hoyt  was  triei. 
w  IS  to  merchr 
tlie  manly  intc 
be  possible,  pe 

John  Van  I 


viTiiient,  ill  Con- 
)|lice,  were  never 
Clobe,  in  1839, 
Iht  of  A  lay,  tool; 
oral  [opposition ) 
j;n'ss,  ii  luouiGAL, 
Its  principal  sup- 
;laiiior  about  it  in 
justly  calls  "  that 

UHH  vrry  llinitrd,"  ihiu 
pliii  w.t-*  nut  I'liMstiiu. 
! :  (1.  re  arc  Ills  wdfiIh- 
111  un   llu;   (iiirl  nf  tviry 

CillZclls    .SllllMtilltMl    III 

ill,  mil  iinly  liml  never 
ilii'  iiii'-s:ii:i!  win  M'nt  In 
iiiiiil  1(111  strvnuty  In  jniir 
ott— July,  l.<U)— lie  Hiiys 

rirlt  to  sen,!  to  V.\\\\a,  for 
wlioiii  (  |i|iri:d!t|iiil  h:i(l 

111'   lIlO    Snlllll.    l''lliri(l:l. 

Ilicpii!'li  i:iit  I  llii'i'lly  in- 
rk  III'  liliiiiilliiiiiiiil'<  tViiiii 
|iliiyi(l  liy  iiiiy  olficer  nr 
iiili.iiis ;  :inil  III  iirilcr  in 
icy  III'  iiiiizzii'il  «  lidi  ill 

.1.  R.  1'(ii.\si;tT" 
•ri'tiiry  nl'  VV  ir  li«  iliri  rt 
nil.  NJiiiwini;  !lic  |ii  culiiir 
liU's,  siH'cUyliii;  ilif  niiT 
.r  — liclwri'n  llie  liliiiid  cf 
V  lull',  mill  niliiri'il  iiien— 
Ahii,  II  Ktiiirmeiit  of  ilii' 
I!  iiillliiirUiu.'i  III  I'liirliln. 
iiii|Hirl;itiiiii  of  the  iiuiiie 
itrrn  liiiiinil;iry  iiiii'vticiii, 

llll'    fVI'Ilt    lit'  II    lllllllilt 

I  of  this  iiiuilnry  fiirr.', 
slnnly  ihi'  lic'iu'lil  of  ili, 

nls  of  the  eider  Van 
innv  points  ni'  resi-iii- 
iiu'ioswi'll  is  iieailv 
ic,  hiiiiseir,  coiului'U'd 
e,  ami  thi;  family  a:.' 

elected  .stati.'  printi  i. 
for  iweniy-two  years, 
,'eil  and  loolv  liis  Im- 

Joiiti  Ailanis,  a  la",-- 
lis  iiejilieu"  and  Imsi- 
W,  Crossvell  loliowcd 
uiy,  lie  suhniilled,  a> 
,  liiroiiirh  llie  slavery 
•  helped  t  )  terininaii' 
lire  ofheaiini,'  diller- 
[1  Croswell  the  other, 
IS  politieal  friends  tin 

did  nut  throw  nlf  all 

en  as  now ;  as  liniiil 

itii.^  amid  the  an;j;iy 

But  iio'w,  ^iirisrd  in 

Cotiservatisiirto  tlie 
in  lH-2li,  were  siiinll. 
ire  ;,'raduaily  ruse  to 
vc  Ixen  estimated  liy 
ate,  the  assembly,  the 

advertisements,  and, 
IS  a  printer.    He  had 


EDWIN  CROSWELL,  OR   iJIE  I'niNCK  01-'  PKINTKRS. 


147 


enormous  and  iniquitous  waslt"  of  the  public  money  ;"  but  thf  public  will  ivmrtn- 
be  ,  that  Van  Bun-n  had  in.ijoritit-d  in  both  iioust*-,  he  had  the  meuna  uf  investi- 
gating every  dishonest  charge,  and  he  had  sworn  befon;  God  to  veto  every  bill 
which  he  could  not,  on  full  inquiry,  deliberately  approve.  When,  in  an  expen- 
tli  lire  of  about  150  millions.  Congress  ofl'ered  for  Van  Buren's  approval,  uu.nejf 

the  lion's  share  of  the  plunder  levied  \,y  the  reifenry,  in  the  form  of  ehariers  for  bnnks,  stock, 
ic.  He  dealt  in  publie  lamlB,  he  borrowed  out  the  deposits,  he  sold  his  dwellin(,'-hon.se,  with 
only  three  walls,  to  Mnrey,  Fl.Tirtr,  Dix  and  Heardsl.'v,  for  the  use  oi  the  ijovernor,  at  $l!>,i)()() 
—the  fjjvem.ir  w.)ul(l  not  sei  his  foot  into  it,  anil  it  had  to  be  re.sohl  at  n  jjieat  lo.-s — he  wa.s 
allowxl  en  )rmous  priees  tor  his  printin'.r  work,  and  many  doeuments  have  p,is.sed  tliroui,'h 
my  hands  where  he  made  100  riai,'cs  out  ef  what  would  not  iiavi"  Inen  5i)  in  tiic  samety|)e,  if 
liiirly  and  economically  printc  1 — from  those  wh  i  had  to  irive  leu'al  ih  tiees,  a  tax  \  as  levieil  iif 
m  icn  more  than  tliey  could  have  been  as  fully  jiuiilished  lor  in  oihi'r  newspapers  than  ihe 
Argis — an  I  the  legislative  report  says, '•  This  uionopoly  was  so  p-rfoet,  that  if  any  of  thr 
ox.'cutive  ollicers  had  a  job  of  printing  which  a  in'.'ehanie  wo.il  1  oif-r  to  execute  at  half  tlio 
liric'J  allowe  1  in  the  coiiiraet,  th'j  wli>.'els  of  refreneSment  wer'  firmly  Mock  'd  In-  ilie  pieroLja- 
lio!  of  the  .State  printer,  seeur-d  to  him  by  a  law  which  could  not  bo  motlili.'d  wiihout  ihe 
(•incurrence  of  the  three  branehes  of  the  l:iw-makin^'  p.  iwer.''  Governors,  jiul^'cs,  senators, 
presidents,  mayors,  (h'inoerats  and  doorkeep'^is  chaiiLied  plaee-^ — ('roswetl  scenic  1  the  onlv 
permanent  p-rsonal  insiitmion  in  the  state.  I  h;ive  always  considered  Weed's  inroad  as  the 
i'i|iiivalent  at  least  of  the  batilc  of  New  Orleans — in.  xl'ilc  priiitinn.  That  cni,'ina  of  a  man, 
(Jol.  Vouns;,  was  loud  an  1  earn>'M  in  Crosweli's  support,  in  1h;{!I,  in  delianee  of  puiilic  opinion, 
his  own  principle  of  rotation,  aiitl  his  perfect  knowlcdfje  of  CrosweH's  cunnintr,  tricky,  mr- 
lii. I  character.  Cromwell  htis  paid  ^'oiin;;  olf  siin'c,  in  abuse  and  expv)sure ;  published  his 
ii'i'ijin;?  letters  for  bank  .stuck  ;  ami  is  now  cndeavouriiii^  to  keep  him  out  of  the  convention. 
■\Vli'.'n  the  two  stock-johbini:  ra.scals,  Senattirs  Bishop  and  Keinble,  were  expose!  as  public 
clieals,  Croswell  stuck  to  them  like  a  brother  to  the  very  last.  Bisiiop,  has,  I  think,  rcap- 
p.-ared  on  the  stasre.  I  am  told  he  was  in  the  Van  Buren  stale  conveulion  at  Syraeu.'se  in 
1814,  and  went  first  for  Bouck,  Wright  beiiijj  5~y  his  second  choice. 

Am  mg  ihe  oflicial  returns  and  estimates  of  Crosweli's  emolumciits,  are  le?i,slative  printing 
S-2W,0;)0 — printing,'  for  canals  and  olfices  jj^,0;)l) — puhli.shin:j  notices  jfl'JO.Otll) — printing  re- 
vised statutes  S15,000 — leifal  advertising  jjaO.OOO— piiblishing  eoniracts,  &c.  from  post-office 
SIO.OO').  (Benjamin  F.  Butler,  besides  his  private  practice,  extracted  from  the  merchants  of 
ihis  city  and  the  executive,  fees  etpial  to  about  $'70,01)0  in  a  little  over  two  years  1) 

Croswell  is  not  very  popvdar,  and  finding  he  could  not  keen  his  ortice  longer,  he  joined  the 
'.'ti'gs  and  a  part  of  the  democnii.s,  la.>-t  Maieh,  in  recommeiuiin:,'  thit  everything  printed  olti- 
I'ially  mav  be  henceforth  done  bv  contracts.  If  ihase  who  give  out  the  contract.s  are  honest 
andcapiiJ'k,  there  will  be  a  saving  by  this;  if  not,  not.  Croswell  is  a  Ai/»^fr  in  stale  politics; 
;'ies  for  Texas,  .slavery,  Polk,  Marcy,  and  Canada,  (3reson,  phiuder,  war;  anything  to  lualce 
money.  A  hard  money  loco-foeo  is  his  detc^tiitioii.  He  e.vpre.sseil  a  deep  regret  that  such 
il'frrdil-adlc  candidates  as  Slamm,  of  the  Globe,  and  R.  Townsend,  had  lieea  uoiuinated  by 
Tain'uany  Hall  fjr  the  As.>ioinbly,  iw  Oct.  IKH,  and  turned  up  his  nasal  organ  at  "the  fac- 
tion," a-s  he  called  some  very  worthy,  hone.st  friends  of  ecpial  right.s  in  this  city. 

'•  Newspapers  (says  Hammond^  are  to  political  parlies  what  working  tofils  are  to  mechan- 
ics"— and  Col.  Duane,  in  IHIO,  a.sked,  "  Why  should  we  censure  the  National  Intelligencer 
for  adapting  iuself  to  the  style  and  temjxT  of  its  congre.«^sional  ]ialriins  ?  Its  existence  deix-'v'-- 
upon  its  obedience  to  the  temporising  and  tricking  schemes  of  the  influential  inend)ers  of 
Congress.  A  pa [icr  published  at  Wa.shington  is  as  much  dependent  on  the  inlluenco  of  the 
leading  members  as  the  new.spapers  of  London  o.  the  court;  and  there  are  as  strong  inclina- 
tiiiis  to  control  and  render  the  press  subservient  to  views  not  piuely  public  at  the  capitol,  as 
at  8t.  Stephen's." 

Some  years  ago,  a  democratic  corporation  of  New  '\'ork  ^ave  a  SI  1,000  advertisement,  be- 
iween  the  Evening  Post  and  New  L'.ra.  The  same  iidi  '-malion  could  have  been  better  spread 
lor  .S1,(H)0,  but  it  was  a  fee.  So,  too,  the  public  admin  .-traior's  three  weeks'  notice  lately  in 
the  Globe  daily,  at  a  large  expense,  and  many  more  such. 

The  CustoiJi-hoiise  here  ha.s  its  favorite  presses.  Unclaimed  lyoods  are  advertised  once 
in  nine  months,  and  sold.  The  notice  of  sale,  if  published  thrice  in  the  papei-s  of  largest  cir- 
culation, might  be  ii.sefiil.  Hoyt  made  it  politieally  useful.  In  the  fall  ol  1840.  Mumford's 
Standard.  Bell's  New  Kra,  the  Uvening  Po,st,  and  the  Journal  of  Commerce,  eixch  advcrti.sed 
these  unclaimed  packages  for  ONfcl  MONTH, and  received  f>r  so  doing  over $1800.  When 
Hoyt  was  tried  for  embez'/lement,  the  Past  and  Journal  dispo.sed  of  his  case,  interesting  as  it 
w  IS  to  merchants,  in  a  very  lew  lines.  Is,  it  not  clear  and  evident  that  a  convention,  and  all 
tlie  manly  intelligence  and  sterling  honetsty  of  the  commoin\Talth  are  wanted,  to  secure,  if  it 
be  possible,  permanent  peace  without  ovei-wlielming  corruption,  as  its  accomponymeut  ? 

John  Van  Buren  is,  like  Croswell,  fond  uf  money,  but  he  has  the  art  of  a  seeming  frank- 


,'[ 


1/ 


<; 


\ ; 


148 


JOHN    VAN   laiM-.N,  OK  THE   rKINOli  OF  jt^'  I'OTIIKR. 


!*.•     . 


■',*'  :' 


¥  '  :  .,  •■ 


1  1^ 


votes  of  forty-four  miUions  which  the  executive  had  not  required^  his  duty,  his 
oath  required  him  to  examine  carefully,  and  if  he  did  not  see  cause  to  approve, 
to  veto  the  profligate  l)ills.  Van  Buren's  estimates  in  four  years  were  bU  mil- 
lions— Congress  voted  him  \A'.\  millions.     On  each  bill  he  wrote  "approved.''* 

iiess  and  libt^ralitj-  which  me  not  real.  I  have  made  my  readers  well  enough  acquainted  with 
him,  by  otlier  deseriptions  in  this  voUnue.  Utv^pectable  jounials  have  nominated  him  to  tlie 
presidency,  and  after  what  has  been  who  can  iell  wliat  may  be  '\  He  visited  London 
some  yeais  ago  on  prolessional  business,  andAvhile  there  swore  to  the  identity  of  J.  W.  Webli, 
by  his  writing,  so  that  througli  the  sharp  niactite  of  Corning  and  others,  he  was  arrested  fur 
an  American  debt  while  in  Bristol,  liis  language  in  ]nivat'j  life  maybe  judged  of  by  his  let- 
ters, whieli,  though  full  of  blasphemy  against  Uod,  Vice  Chanctllor  McCoun  protected  as  lite- 
rary properly,  so  far  as  to  enjoin  my  last  puiuphlet,  and,  as  far  as  he  could,  conceal  from  the 
honest  people  of  the  .State  his  true  eharactei'.  lie  was  uppoiiited  Altoinoy  General  by  that  ^ys- 
tem  of  nomination  which,  as  the  Post  admits,  is  comipi  to  the  core, aiul  managed  by  '•  a  lew 
corrupt  politicians,  who,  like  a  greedy  pack  of  hounds,  set  ujion  any  man  who  dares  to  export! 
their  profligacv."  John  Van  Buren  is  a  rowdv,  the  associate  of  rowdies — matched  in  mouth 
with 

"  Mastili",  blood-hound,  mongrel  giim, 

(Jur  and  spaniel,  hack  and  lym, 

iJobtail-tyke  and  trundle-tail ;"' 

and  the  rest  of  that  motley  turnspit  pack,  that  open  in  concert  most  hideous,  whenever  our 
state  Nimrod  provokes  the  scent  of  a  true  reformer,  ail  of  them  ready  to  bear  him  down,  if 
possible. 

John  Van  Buren  was  nominated  for  at!oiney  general,  by  %\  members  of  the  party,  assem- 
bled in  a  private  room.  The  vote  was  '17  to  '1(>,  so  he  had  but  one  of  a  majority  there,  which, 
if  added  to  14,  not  at  thnt  caucus,  who  supported  No.voii,  iti  thcolhcial  voic,  slmwsiM  memlx'i.s 
opposed  to  him,  10  for  him.  Yet  by  this  inl'amoiis,  clieaiing  system  this  man  got  \)'Z  votes 
and  a  .salary,  as  lirst  lawyer  of  Xew  York,  and  soon  aller  delivered  a  funeral  eulogy  on  Jack- 
son at  the  capitol.  He  entered  into  ,iartner^liip  with  James  McKown,  (i)rmcrly  and  nou 
again  Recorder  of  Albany — went  down  to  Hudson  to  .vssi.st  the  district  attorney  there  to  try 
pixir  Houghton  and  others — lailed  to  convict  him — made  out  his  bill  for  3f5()(),  and  Sikis 
Wright  ordered  payment — went  down  next  term  ;  assisted  to  try  Boughion  over  again  ;  had  a 
row  and  bo.\ing  match  with  Ambrose  Jordan,  Bonghlon's  lawyer,  Van  Buren  being  the  iig- 
gressor;  insulted  the  court;  botii  were  sent  'J-1  hours  to  jail  with  the  prisoners ;  the  jurors  and 
witnesses,  and  case  delaved ;  Boughton  was  convicted  ;  Van  Bnicn  asked  the  J  uiigc(l  /Imonds) 
what  would  Ik?  a  fair  additional  compensation,  over  and  above  iiis  s.M.vnv  and  the  5f'.^)0(t  lie  hail 
had  before;  Edmonds  replied,  ^I'j- another  ihourand  dollars;  this  shocked  even  a  Van  Buren, 
orperhapsGovernorWriLjht  refused  to  sanction  such  wholcsule  Builciizliig..so  Van  Buicn  made 
out  hi.s  bill  for  another  ^Ib^,  and  got  it.  He  was  the  real  '•  big  thunder"  aficr  all.  Wri{.',hi 
sent  him  up  to  Delhi  7ie.xt,  to  assist  the  district  attorney  there,  and  ordered  Flagg  to  pay  Inn; 
another  fjllO  I'or  that  triji,  as  an  e.Min.  Greene  poisoned  his  wife,  and  Wright  sent  him'tiuiv 
al.so,  to  help  the  government  lawyer,  and  gave  him  S'^.'iO  extra  lor  that.  These  'Uiuciurs  ;nv 
all  in  addition  to  very  lucrative  tees  of  ofhce  from  the  people,  with  a  s.ilary,  and  his  private 
practice.  The  statutes  define  ifr>  a  day  as  a  rea.sonable  coinpeustitinn  il  a  man  go  abroad— 
^  a  day  are  paid  to  a  Senator  at  Washington,  and  #;Ufione  at  Albany.  Wright  allowed  Vmi 
Buren  nearer  to  SIO  or  Sa''  a  day.  Unite  econoinicnl !  A  few  days  nj^o,  in  Assembly,  Mr. 
Harris  proposed  a  resolution  liir  ndojiti(..i,  stating  that  Van  Buren,  Cohin,  district  attorney,  a 
judge,  and  others  were  at  an  Albany  C'cuiniy  ('onveniion  on  March  IJlst,  he  ri'cw/Hg  101) 
ruirians,  who  licat  a  number  of  respectable  persons  violently  and  dangerously,  that  a  conmiil- 
tee  of  inquiry  should  be  appointed,  for  the  suke  of  the  impartial  ailmini'^tration  of  justice. 
Nothing  is  as  yet  done.  A  late  jirodiiction  on  the  attorney  general,  entitled  "  Tht;  Lash,"  con- 
tains more  truth  than  poetry  : 


(),  '  fHVdritc  Rmndson  iit'thr  Fliiipiro  Plate  I' 

O  son  orniiiKic,  whfrclbre  not  In-  creiil '. 

WV.nt !  cnn'iit  thou  |)iiiise,  iinil  shHil  it  (hen  lie  lolil 

Thou  Hre  not  worthy  of  thy  Calher's  liild  t 

Forbid  It.  tnll  .lohn,  prove  ihysvll'  ihy  sire'.s, 

The  world  it  l)rH|[i;iirl,  iind  li*;r  rliUilri-n  li.irs; 

8how  thnt  the  WHnd  the  preat  Maplciiin  swnv", 


Thee  licing  pond,  Klill  Icnsthenx  oiU  thy  days. 
Feeds  thee  with  pap,  ami  (sivi-s  thee  e>ery  Rood, 
Clotlies  thy  Icint!  Iiack,  and  In  tliy  lire!  adil.t  wuod  : 
.Nor  itlnp  tliDU  liere,  hut  cnuilatu  the  man 
Wlio.sciiniH  10  lie,  or  touch  the  llowing  can. 
The..e  aie  thy  laiill!! :  and  inioit  I  mid,  that  piny 
Taken  up  thy  tinio,  iind  leudii  theo  much  nrtray' ! 


♦  Extravagance,  he  said,  was  not  objectionable.  When  Jackson  vetoed  the  bank,  he 
was  reminded  thai  Madison  had  not  done  so.  His  r'-ply  was.  I  think  the  bank  uncoiisiitr. 
tional.  Who  had  equal  means  with  Van  Buren  to  inquire  into,  expose  and  check  national  ))iii- 
tligacy  1  No  one.  He  liad  ih.;  Ahole  anny  of  officials  at  hand,  to  aid  his  inveBligation.s,  bi  r 
■E  SHUT  HIS  EVES  ANn  MADE  Nf)NE.  lu  defiance  of  his  solemn  pledge  to  dctenri  the  cciisiiiii- 
t ion,  he  siiid,  "I  ai)pidve,"  to  the  expenditure  of  many  million.x,  for  the  most  wasteful  pui^- 


VAN 

What  says 
before  it  he 
.sign  it ;  bu 
.Il<:CT10iV, 
.saj^o  of  De 
him,  that  " 
ill  vvliicli  til 
interposed  j 
(jance.^^     V 


A  Hint  to 


Hdmum) 
."iclu'ine  by  \ 
cond.scatc'il  1 
el'  tlm  natioi 
till!  confisoat 
Uitioii  of  paj: 
worst  kill.!, 
circulation.'' 
marked,  a.s  i 
NOT  A  Ttrro 


sniulowiiiii: 


I'lj.ios,  and  till 
:i.it  boL'ii  very 
'.i'iiijcance. 
i.:ul  bjju  bii; 
'■\  niiv  act 
•y.""  When 
::ie  ploa  of,  '■ 
!'  wa.-i  fasiiiuii 
;-k'ntl),'is  of  w 
I)  to  (!:)  inciiil: 
!?.«■,  g'!s  p  ly 
I'r.'lilll    attci]:li 

lii.il  half  the  c; 
business,  and 
i:!,::,  soin^:  .'iJ'O.'jv 
111  order  that 
'(ilh  idle  ami 
i  iiid--b;it  Va 
lar,  li.it  is  |i;i 
"i«nl''  laiowii  i 
'■>;it  Woodbiir 
■.'<aip  practice 
(•ompiu'c  til 
'  ml,!  slaiidv'r  i 
iiig  a  .if',')  01' 
ll':WJ3ljbid 
i-io,  how  keen 
I'ther  son,  libci 
•'onipare  thesi 
iiavagiiiice,  ar 


IKR. 


VAN  liUIlCN's  rnOFLtGATU  EXrENDITURE  AND  PENUKIOUSMESS.      119 


(/,  his  duty,  his 
:ause  to  approve, 
ars  were  bU  mil- 
He  "  approved."* 

ugh  acquainted  with 
Dininatcd  him  to  tlie 
lie  visited  London 
atityofJ.W.  Weill), 
he"  was  arrested  fur 
judged  of  by  his  lot- 
)un  protected  as  litc- 
]d,  conceal  from  tlic 
General  by  that  sys- 
mana|,'cd  by  '•  a  lew 
who  dares  to  export: 
•—matched  in  mouth 


leous,  whenever  our 
to  bear  him  down,  if 

;  of  the  parly,  asseni- 
lajorilv  there,  which, 
c,  shows  IM  mcinlx'r.s 
is  man  got  '.)vi  voles 
eral  eulogy  on  Jack- 
n,  formerly  and  now 
atit)rney  there,  to  try 
for  3f50(),  and  Sila> 
in  over  again  ;  had  a 
Huren  being  the  ai,'- 
mers;  the  jurors  ai.il 
ihi"  Judge  (l/lmonds) 
V  and  the  jt'.^Od  lie  had 
1  even  a  Van  Bureii, 
J.  so  Van  Buien  made 
r'  after  all.    Wright 
redFlagg  to  pay  him 
Vright  sent  him  there 
These  ■Itniaurs  are 
ary,  and  his  private 
f  a  inan  go  abroai!— 
Wright  allowetl  V:,n 
go,  in  Assembly,  Mr. 
in,distrii't  attorney,  a 
:{lst,  lie  riiviii}(    101) 
(lusly,  that  a  comniil- 
iiilMiation  of  justici'. 
led  "The  Lash,"coii- 

ii'iis  nut  Uiy  Ai\yn, 
vi's  ihfti  ivery  Rood, 
>  ttiy  tlri'  Htldt  wuoil : 
lull!  the  iiiiiit 
tlx'  llii\\inK  inn. 
iiiisi  I  mill,  llmt  play 
s  tlieo  niiiel)  (\Flniy  ! 

vetoed  tlu;  bank,  lie 
the  bank  unconsiili:* 
id  check  national  pru- 
lis  investigations,  dit 
o  defend  the  eoiistilii- 
le  most  -wastcfnl  pm^ 


What  says  cl.uise  2d  of  §  7,  art.  1 ,  of  the  constitution  1  Tliat  every  bill  "  shall, 
before  it  beconu;  a  Iii,\v,  ba  presented  to  tiie  president:  if  he.  approve,  he  shall 
j-ign  it;  but  if  not,  he  shall  return  it,  v'ukUU  objeclions.''''  HE  HAD  NO  OB- 
JKCTlOiNS.  l']very  prolligate  vote  had  his  willing  signature  ;  and,  in  his  mes- 
sage of  Dec.  1S39,  this  faithless  sentinel  replied  to  the  public  murmurs  against 
him,  that  "  no  instunee  has  occurred  since  the  establishment  of  the  government, 
ill  which  the  I'.Kiiculive,  though  a  component  part  of  the  logislativt;  power,  has 
interposed  an  objection  to  an  appropriation  bill  on  the  sole  ground  of  its  extrava- 
(juncc,'^''     Was  not  this  calumniating  others  to  shield  his  own  misconduct  .•' 


CHAPTER    XXX 


A  Hint  to  President  Polk  how   to  stop  the  Speculatorsy  and  settle  the  Public 
Landfi  with  hardi/  and  happy  Farmers. 

Eu.MUM)  l>URivK,  in  his  work  on  the  French  Revolution,  condemned  the 
scheme  by  which  a  paper  circulation  of  2.")0  millions  of  dollars,  founded  on  the 
confiscated  lands  of  the  church  and  nobility,  had  been  substituted  for  the  moiiey 
Hi'  the  nation  ;  and  wisely  foretold,  that  "  drawing  out  at  discretion  portions  of 
the  confiscated  lands  for  sale,  and  carrying  on  a  process  of  continuid  transmu- 
Lition  of  paper  into  huid,  and  land  into  pa[)er,  would  produce  an  oligarchy  ofth« 
worst  kind,  aiul  leave  pov.'er  in  the  hands  of  the  managers  of  iliis  unstable 
circulation."  Ihirke  detested  these  Butlerizing  adventurers,  and  most  truly  re- 
marked, as  many  farmers  in  America  have  felt  since  his  day,  that  "  Usurv  is 
NOT  A  TTtroR  oT  ACMtici'r.TunR."  Heavcn  save  the  Republic  from  such  over- 
shadowir.g  Jjund  Companies  as  that  of  1835,  bv  Wright,  Butler  and  Van  Buren ! 

pj.->e.'i,  and  ihoii  turned  round  and  ollcred  a^;  an  apology  tliat  less  proiligaie  president.s  had 
imt  boon  vciy  paiiicalar  in  iheir  inquiries.  This  is  old  Briti-ih  lory  extravagance  with  a 
vengeance.  Gorge  IV.  could  not  have  played  lii.s  part  mo;,e  royally.  When  Van  Buren 
l.:ul  b:vu  bui  one  day  govern, -r  of  .\ew  Yoric,  lie  wrote  iloyt,  •'  I  cannirt  consent  lo  contribute 
l.vany  act  of  mine  io  the  preraleucc  of  that  great  jcilitical  vice,  a  desire  to  shun  responsilu- 
iiry.""  When  pn-.^deui,  he  .•huiil'd  oil'  the  obligation  oi'  an  oath  to  see  economy  practised,  bv 
!:ie  plea  of,  '■  it  is  not  fashidiialih'  lo  ])iU  lliiii  jiart  of  tiiecoustitulioii  in  force  id  n  lUcrnl  X)isi\'' 
I' wa.s  fashionable  lor  the  executive  to  win!:  at  the  prolligate  expenditure  of  Coiigre.s.s,  ihe. 
i.k'iub.Ms  of  which  vote  iliem-i'lvci.^lfi  n  day  in  place  of  $8,  in  various  Ibnns— and  though 
1)  lo  •);>  membMs  will  Ix'  ab.vent  for  inouiiis  ncielher,  every  man  of  ihem,  in  the  teeth  of  the 
!:i\v,  gots  p  ly  from  tlie  lir-t  day  of  ihe  s^'.ssiou  to  ilic  la.'^l,  just  a.s  if  they  had  been  all  in  Wash- 
i'l'^'tiiu  attei'iding  lo  their  duty.  >;ot  long  siiiee,  Mr.  liryant  meiuioiu'd  in  tlie  Evening  Po.si, 
iiLit  half  the  captains  and  couunanders  of  the  navy  were  at  home  on  their  larius,  or  in  other 
Msinc.ss,  and  li:ul  been  so  for  many  years;  whicli  meant  that  some  TD  men  w^re  receiv- 
l:ir:,  sum  '  .'ir'O.'jO:)  ;iiid  olhi'rs  .■jjlHilO  a  year  eacli,  for  nothing,  and  gelling  unlit  I'or  .sea  service, 
1 1  ;n.ler  th:it  government  itiighl  have  pairmiage.  and  be  enabled  to  jirovidi'  i'llliinuial  families 

litli  idle  and  alllueni  livings  at  tli>'  puolie  expense.  Tin's  is  jar,  fur  worse  ihan  even  in  Eiig- 
i.iiid— iMt  Vau  f'.uivii  sought  nut  to  puivide  a  remedy.^  '•  Every  jiublie  default  -r'is  mil  only  "ii 
iar,  b.it  is  puni  •ludile  for  perjury,''  sa\-s  Dr.  .M;iyo  of  Va.  Of  liie  enormous  emlK/zleiiieiits 
nmili'  known  in  Vau  Bureu's  tiiii  ■,  was  there  rvcii  one  ra.seal  punished  !     Poin-le.xier  tells  us 

Kit  Woodbury  was  eheeked  by  the  President  when  he  ventured  to  threaten  or  interfere  willi  the 
■!i;iip  practice  of  .)es>e  lloyt! 

Compare  this  sickening  public  prolligaey  willi  that  ingraini'd  avarice  and  meanness  whivli 
'  uiM  slander  in  Uviduals,  call  them  (',■  x  aiyl  impn^tors,  and  groan  in  spirit  for  the  ri.sk  of  lo.s- 
iiig  a  i)!.')  or  ;;i!lO  loan!  [page  ISl],  selling  an  albnney  a-dunuing  after  a  few  shilling.s— and 
Ipage  Q'JIJ  bidding  lloyl  s  brother  cliarge  an  aeeomit  with  Ij-one  cent!  .rolm  Vaif  Buren, 
ijo,  how  Keen  he  looks  after  the  smallest  ilill'erence  in  money  !  while  S.  T.  Van  IJuren,  an- 
niher  son,  liberally  bestows  a  lif.'i  bill  to  .set  the  New  Era  afloat  as  a  democratic  journal! 
t'ompare  lliese  with  the  violation  of  an  oath,  the  ^  'iprobation  of  wholesale  proflij^'acy  and  ex- 
tiavagance,  auel  acipiit  Van  Buren  if  you  can. 


1 


"-< 


:  rvr—jr* 


I  * 

I 


I ' 


■ '  ■  V 

■■  I 


n'' . 


>'.:* 


150   POLK  AND  GREELEY,  OR  THE  WAY  TO  LAY  OUT  NEW  STATES. 

*  President  Tolk,  in  his  message  of  last  December,  acknowlcilges  the  evils  of 
the  land  sysloin.     These  are  his  words : 

"  It  hiis  been  I'ouml  by  experience  that,  in  consequence  of  combinations  of  purchasers  and 
other  causes,  a  very  small  quantity  of  the  jiublic  lands,  when  sold  at  jiublic  auction, '•ommands 
a  higher  price  than  the  minimum  rate  established  by  law.  The  sctllers  on  the  public  lands 
are,  iKuvever,  but  rarely  able  lo  secure  their  homesand  improvements  at  the  jiutjlic  sales  at 
that  rate;  because  these  combinations,  by  means  oi'  the  c;ipilal  they  command,  and  their 
superior  abi lily  to  pui chase,  render  it  impossible  lor  the  sculcr  to  comjete  with  them  in  the 
market.  By  pu  tin?  down  all  competition,  these  comliinatimis  of  capitalists  and  speculutors 
are  usually  enaliK'd  to  purchase  the  lands,  including  the  irnprovemems  of  the  settlers,  at  the 
minimum  price  of  tlie  Government,  and  either  turn  ihcmi  out  of  their  homes,  or  extort  from 
them,  according  to  their  ability  to  pay,  doubh-  or  quadruid'.'  the  amount  paid  lor  them  to 
the  Uovernmciii.  It  is  to  the  enterpris-  and  perseverance  ot'  the  hardy  pioneers  ol  the  West, 
who  penetrate  the  wildi-rness  with  their  families,  sulicr  the  damrci's,  ilie  ]jriv;. lions  and  hiird- 
ships  attending  the  seitltiuent  of  a  new  country,  and  prepare  the  way  lor  the  body  of  cini- 
grants  who,  in  the  course  of  a  lew  vears,  usually  follow  them,  that  we  are,  in  a  ijrciii  degree, 
indebted  lor  the  ra))id  extension  antt  aggrandizement  of  otir country.  lOxpeiience  has  pioVcMi 
that  no  portion  ofoiir  population  are  more  jialriotic  than  the  hardy  and  brave  men  of  the  iron- 
tier,  or  mure  read}- to  obey  llie  call  of  (heir  country,  and  to  difeiid  her  rigliis  ;iiid  her  hoiior, 
whenever  and  ly  \vliaie\('r  enemy  assailed.  They  should  Ik-  pro;ecled  lioin  the  grasping  spe- 
culator, and  secured,  at  ihe  miniiimm  price  of  the  pubic  lands,  in  the  luiinblc  Homes  wlmli 
they  have  improved  by  their  labor."* 

*  President  Polk,  if  he  were  sincere,  would  see  that  a  remedy  \\as  jirovidi-;!.  Congress  is 
with  hhn.  (ireeley  tells  u^,  in  his  'Pnh.iue,  that  "The  dillicuUy  is  not  that  the  Public  Land* 
are  lou  dear,  but  thai,  cheap  as  they  are.  tiiove  w  ho  mod  nod  Lands  kdiiu./  :s(t  Hum,  v/iLle  l/icfc 
V'hit  hare  no  moral  rii^ht  In  anii  mini  mid  dn  nhtnin  f'rre  Thiiusand  lo  Filhj  'nviinand  acnx  cw.ii. 
There  are  lens  ol  thousaiuls  of  worthy,  willing  citizens  now  in  ihe  iNi  w  Sttiii's,  v  hose  worldly 
goods  are  limiied  to  a  wife  and  three  oi'  lour  children,  an  axe  and  two  or  ihr.  ■  hoes,  a  cow 
and  a  pig,  «ith  rude  and  scanty  apparel,  k'itehen-ware,  \,c.  'I'he'-e  men  have  lut  aim  catuiji 
raise  the  .5-iilO  re{]iiired  to  buyltiO  acres  of  Public  Land  ;  they  ihink  ihey  cannot  make  it  In- 
hiring  out  or  working'  other  men's  land  on  shares,  and  thoti;:h  we  think  liiey  mi-^dit,  wilii 
health,  Irimaliiy  anil  good  luck,  we  know  the  process  is  at  he.-t  a  dillicult  and  leihous  one. ' 
When  shall  we  liiid  such  jiai riots  (!)  as  Henton,  Calhoun,  Ca.-s,  Allen,  (>ambieleng  atid  Polk, 
etli'ctually  interfering  with  this  rascally  system '( 

There  are  tlioiis;it\ds  of  citizens  re(i nesting  (Jongress  ^"V  "  that  the  further  uilc  or  LTantinz 
jQ-'of  the  Pkiiim.k's  ]„amis  may  be  imuicdialiiii d.ipixd ;  tliat  poilionsol'  the  laiiils  may  Ik;  laid 
•^i*  out  in  Farms  and  Lots;  aiid  thtit  any  landless  person  may  b<;  allowed  to  take  jiossession 
^f^and  live  upon  any  one  of  the  farms  or  lots  so  laiel  out,  with  the  right  to  fiansicr  his  or 
'^;^  her  possession  to  any  person  not  possessed  of  other  land."  I  am  in  lavor  of  this  plan,  be- 
cause il  is  a  real  ren.iMiy,  A  free  ])eople,  thus  settled  in  tiie  west,  would  yield  a  ricli  letuin  ol 
prosperity,  and  their  commerce  would  .strengthen  the  older  slates,  and  be  a  new  bond  of  unioii. 
I  honor  Messrs.  Windt,  l%vans,  Treadwell,  Devyr,  and  their  worthy  cmiiriules,  for  their  jier.sc- 
\'eranee  in  keepin^rlhis  real  remedy  lielbie  the  people;  aiiddceplv  regret  that  (.io\-ei  nor  Wriiihi 
and  liis  advisers  dirl  not,  ai  an  early  day.  interpose;  their  be^t  I'lloris  to  redress  the  wrongs  di 
the  anti-renters.  Had  iJiey  done  that  many  moiiihs  a'.'o,  the  state  jirisons  wutdd  have  had 
li'wer  tenants,  and  Messrs.  'NVriglit  and  Van  Buren  would  not  luive  lound  it  necess;iry  to  olj- 
jcet  to  a  state  eonvi'iiiion  on  account  of  the  agitated  conditinu  of  the  public  mind, 

f iorace  Gividey  thus  sums  up  the  principles  td'  the  friends  of  land  lefoiin  : 

"The  Heforini'rs  demaml  that  all  numopoly  of  and  .speculation  in  the  Lands  yet  Puhlio 
shall  be  stopi)ed,  henceforth  and  Ibrever.  They  do  not  ask  meivly  that  landless  men  of  to-dav 
shall  be  provided  Willi  a  Ifoine,  but  that  the  best  possible  jirovisioii  shall  be  made  for  fuliiiv 
gi.merations  also.  Now  this  proposal  to  give  every  lanilless  man  KJII  acres  of  Public  Lriiid 
(lUtright,  and  leave  all  the  lands  subject  to  unlimited  sp<'culaiion  and  iiiuiiopoly,  would,  if  sue- 
ce.s.sfLil,  atlbrd  a  litih-  jiresent  gratification  and  possibly  relief  at  the  expense  of  inlinite  mise- 
ries and  privation  in  fiiiure.  Nearly  all  the  Landli'ss  are  needy;  many  of  them  are  improvi- 
dent ;  not  a  few  are  dissipated.  To  <dli'r  each  ;i  quarter  section  of  l^ublic  Land  as  ;i  free  gilt, 
with  liberty  to  sell  the  fee  simple  to  .my  one,  would  be  simply  enabling  the  s|:eeiilalor  to  nh- 
tain  at  second-hand  foi-  a  few  dollars  what  ikjw  costs  him  hundreds,  and  thus  lo  monopoli/i- 
Counties  insieail  of  Townships.  All  this  ground  has  been  gone  over  once  in  the  easeol  Mili- 
tary Bounty  Lands,  which  cost  the  siddiers  an  ani|ile  coUHideration  in  fatigui',  privation  tiiul 
blood,  and  were  in  good  part. sold  by  them  for  a  twentieth  part  of  their  value.  Ten  years 
after  they  were  granted  or  drawn,  not  one  of  llio  .soldiois  in  ten  hehl  an  acre  of  the.-c  lands— 
probably  few  of  lliem  held  any  at  all.  To  give  everybody  who  chooses  a  quarter  section  out- 
right ol  the  National  Domain,  v  ith  liberty  to  dispose  ol  it  and  come  again,  is  in  eflect  to 
squander  that  great  Inheritance  more  waslefuUy  than  hitherto," 


let: 


AN] 


The  r.ompilei 
stiention  to  pan 
so  marked — urn 


ler 


nil 


fNo.  1.1 
To  J.  Ildvi 
s:l  ilie  inembei 
Willi  Id  make 
I  prcsiinif,  how 
iiif  .sliigf  left 
iii.ng  has  been 
5"ir,  pniy  lose  I 
l.'^ee  that  no 
r.l  hazarded 
I  ilioiiirlii  when 
i.'i"  warfire 
Tul  mere  ainbii 
'iidiirercncp,  at 
iiivlricnd.s  and 
"F  INTRHU 
ii'iii  in  which  I 
iiilier  eireumstii 
omiin^'  an  aciiv 
Charles  wi 
Mrs.  Batler  n 
■  and  poor  help  w 
I    I  have  been  1 
only  to  .say  thai 
[In  anolher  h 


Politics 

[No.  2.1 
[To  saine.j 
Itirop,  and  alfof 


STATES. 

ijges  the  evils  of 

of  purchasers  aud 
auction,  commands 
n  Uio  public  lands 
the  i-iubiie  sales  at 
lomnwnd,  and  their 
I-  with  them  in  the 
sts  and  specuiutors 
the  settlei>,  at  liie 
ines,  or  extort  I'rom 
It  juiid  tor  them  to 
ioneer.^  oi  the  WeM, 
rivi. lions  and  hurd- 
^T  the  hody  of  eini- 
e,  in  a  iiwiil  degree, 
ixMicncc  lias  pruvou 
■five  nii'nol  the  iron- 
,dus  iiiid  her  hoiini, 
nn  the  t,'rasping  spe- 
umlile  nuMKs  wlui'li 


iwidc'd.  Congress  is 
hat  the  Public  Lands 
/  _>:((  till  III,  vhdc  Ihck- 
'iVt-m.-iiitd  aires  cwh. 
Stali'-i,  \\  hose  worldly 
or  thtV'-'  hoes,  a  cow 
have  n.it  aim  cunii-ii 
■y  eannoi  make  it  by 
nk  they  inii,dit,  witii 
dt  and"  tedious  one." 
aaibreleng  and  Polk, 

ther  Vi'/r  or  'jrantins 

le  lands  may  Ix;  laid 
■ed  to  take  jiossession 
l\\i  to  (raiisier  his  or 
avor  of  this  plan,  he- 

ield  a  rieh  reltun  dl' 
a  new  ln.iul  of  union, 
trades,  for  their  |!er>e- 
llial(-u)veriior\Vrit;lii 
redress  the  wrongs  ol 
ous  wuuld  have  iiail 
id  it  neeessary  to  ob- 
ilie  mit'id. 
orm  : 

the  Lands  yet  Fubli': 
nulless  men  of  to-dav 
ill  be  matle  for  fuliiiv 
iu'res  of  Public  Land 
nopolv,  woidd,  if  siic- 
pen.^-eof  infniite  misr- 

of  till  in  are  improvi- 
se Land  as  a  imt^  K'". 
;  the  speenlalor  to  ob- 
id  thus  to  moiiopoH/i' 
lee  in  the  easeol  Mib- 
fatigue,  privation  and 
dr  value.  Ten  years 
1  acre  of  lhe^e  hinds— 
J  a  quarter  section  out- 

aguiii,  is  in  efl'ect  to 


THE 


LETTERS  AND  CORRESPONDENCE 


or 


MARTIN  VAN  BUREN, 


AND  HtS  FRIENDS,  FAMILY  AND  PUPILS. 


The  compiler  has  made  use  of  CAPIT/\.LS,  s.mali,  CAriTALS,  and  itnlim,  to  draw  the.  rflader's 
atlention  to  pariiculnr  words  or  pnsaages  in  this  correspondeiioe,  where  the  mnuiiscript  wag  not 
w  marked — and  w  here  the  originals  were  thus  distinguished,  he  lias  copied  them  hteruliy. 


Butler  to  Iloyt. — Pfnder — Politics — Princijile, 

[No.  1.1  Pandv  Hir.r,,  March  17th,  1819. 

To  J,  IIovT,  Albany — Dear  friend :  The  staire  lo-day  was  looked  for  with  great  an.\ieiy  by 
ail  llie  members  of  my  hoastdKild.  as  we  enterinined  siron^'  ho|vs  that  Pcnilrr,  the  bla(di  dnnisi'l, 
would  make  her  appearanee  on  the  "Hill"  (as  die  eitizeiis  denominate  this  great  metropuji.'j.) 
I  prt'sanie,  however,  that  ssiie  is  either  not  to  he  Imd,  or  at  least  had  not  arrived  at  Albany  when 
lilt'  stage  left.  I  wish  you  to  call  at  Levis  the  Barber's,  Lodge  street,  and  inipiire  wlii-tlier  any 
iiiing  has  been  heard  of  her,  or  ut  the  letter  that  was  written  her.  And  if  she  should  present  lier- 
S'it',  pray  lose  no  time  in  sendiui:  her  on  as  spi'edily  as  po.ssible. 

I  see  that  nothing  of  iinportanee  was  done  by  ilie  Council — neitlicr  .fudge  nor  Attorney  Clene. 
rii  hazarded.  1  suppose  y()a  are  over  head  and  ears  in  tlie  ocean  of  political  controversy,  and 
I  iliouKlit  when  I  was  with  you  last  week  that  it  would  give  me  some  pleasure  to  lend  a  hand  in 
III'' warfare  ;  but  upon  l)etler  reileetion,  I  think  myself  as  well  otf  where  I  am.  Leaving  to  other 
and  more  ambitious  spirits  the  iruidanee  of  the  storms  of  parly,  I  can  look  on,  if  not  with  perfect 
inditVerence,  at  least  with  ealni  .^Jecurity,  For  the  prosperity  of  the  old  Republican  Party,  and  of 
iiivfriends  and  patron."— FO (I  THE  SUCCLSS  OF  PRINCIPLE  AND  THE  OVER'i'HROW 
OF  INTRHUIE  AN'U  CORRUPTION,  my  wi.shes  will  be  ardent  and  sincere,  but  the  situa. 
ihiii  in  which  I  am  placed  will  prevent  me  from  conveying  them  so  fully  into  action,  as,  under 
iiilier  eireumstance.H,  1  should  probably  do.  I  have  nothing  to  gain, and  would  lose  much  by  be- 
(naiing  an  active  partizun. 

Charles  will  leiive  here  on  Friday  or  Saturday. 

Mrs,  Butler  and  her  sister  are  in  good  henJih  and  spirits,  ana  as  well  pleased  as  gloomy  weather 
ami  pour  iielp  will  allow  them  to  be. 

I    1  have  been  here  a  fortnight,  and  liavo  not  yet  received  a  line  from  you.     Pray  write  me,  if  it  is 
only  to  say  that  you  are  in  msr.  Yours  truly,         BENJ.  F.  BUTLER. 

[In  umlher  handwriting.] — Mr.  Iloyt  do  try  to  get  Pender ;    I  am  tired  to  death  of  cooking. 


Politics — Providence — the  Pleaching  of  the  Gospel  at  Sandi/  Hill — Salvation, 

[No.  2.1  Sandy  Hiu,  March  27th,  1819. 

[To  same, J    Dear  Friend :  I  have  written  no  less  than  six  letters  already  to  go  by  Mr.  La- 
Ihrop,  and  all  of  them  pretty  long  ones ;  you  may  therefore  suppose  that  I  have  bestowed  about 


,— firnr 


U^l- 


152 


butler's  call  to  the  unconverted  nOYT — SANDY  HH.!.. 


I'' 


'*,.;- 


\  ' 


r. '  ■       ' 


k  '• 


as  much  time  on  inj'  correapondenta,  as  the  ordinary  business  of  the  day  will  permit.  Yet  I  can- 
not sutler  him  to  go  without  bearing  my  thanks  for  your  constant  attention  to  my  concerns,  and 
your  endeavors  to  promote  my  interest  and  happiness.  Your  several  letters  were  perused  with 
muen  pleasure,  I  shall  expect  them  to  be  continued,  but  at  the  same  time  hope  you  will  not  im. 
pose  too  great  a  ta,\  upon  your  time  for  the  sake  of  keeping  me  advised  of  the  various  occurrences 
of  the  age.  You  know  what  I  mean  precisely.  Men  of  business  have  not  ihe  leisure  to  be  very 
constant  coiT'Jspondents,  nor  can  it  be  expected  from  them.  You  have  really  a  fine  state  of  po- 
litiea!  confusion  at  Albany.  I  think  the  situation  of  the  Governor  [Clinton]  is  daily  becoming 
more  desperate 

I  think  that  I  am  not  unmindiul  of  the  advantages  of  the  situation  in  which  I  am  placed,  nor 
altogether  destitute  of  gratitude  for  the  blessings  which  Providence  has  conlerreJ  on  me.  1  ac- 
kaowledge  thra  the  Bounty  is  great  and  the  return  small — But  such  is  man — unworthy  of  any 
thing,  and  owing  all  that  he  possesses  to  the  goodness  of  his  Creator ;  he  despises  while  he  enjoy.s, 
and  t'onjeis  while  he  receives.  He  expects  the  sun  to  rise  and  his  wants  to  be  supplied,  but  liu 
seldom  asks  lor  either,  much  less  frequently  thanks  HIM  from  whom  proceeds  "  every  good  and 
every  perfect  gift."  And  were  it  not  that  he  causes  the  sun  to  shine  on  the  "  evil  as  well  as  on  tho 
good,"  gives  to  all  "  their  meat  in  due  season,"  and  cares  for  those  who  earn  not  and  think  not  ot 
him,  there  would  be  nothing  to  cheer  and  sustain  a  great  portion  of  the  human  race. 

I  am  more  and  more  pleased  with  my  duties.  They  require  industry  and  attention,  but  they 
give  me  more  leif^ure  than  I  had  while  in  Albany,  and  furnish  me  more  easily  with  sufficient  to 
provide  for  my  household. 

T/ir  only  (Ufiniltii  hrrr  is  THF,  WANT  OF  the  .«tated  PRF, ACIIINO  OF  THF,  (JOSPl-  L. 
Had  we  a  faithful  arc!  rminctahlf  ministrr,  mid  vrre  the  jienple  more  (Uixiniix  for  anil  attentive  In 
religion,  I  should  hare  nolhins  tonnk  for,  but  the  continuance  of  health, to  make  this  jd  nee  delight- 
ful.  The  contract  between  All)any  aiul  Sandy  Hill  in  this  particular  is  great.  You  do  not  at  all 
estimate  as  you  oui^ht,  the  peculiar  privileges  yon  enjoy.  They  arc  remarkably  trreat — they  are 
perhaps  superior  to  those  of  any  other  place  of  its  size — to  the  Christian — the  Scholar — the  Phi- 
lanthropist, their  value  is  inestimable.  But  there  are  deeper  and  more  solemn  con>iderations  con- 
nected with  them.  The  fiospel  U  either  a  "  savor  of  life  unto  lilc,"  or  of  "di'atli  unto  death." 
And  how  can  thosn  "  escape  who  neglect  so  great  salvation  V 

Remember  nie  to  Morton  and  Birehard.     Tell  them  I  should  like  to  hear  from  ihrm. 
What  a  bungling  piece  o(  work  Mr.  Loomis  has  made  of  my  speech.     Ii  has  mortilied  nie  c.t. 
cessively    to  see  so  many  stupid  l)luiidiTs  issued  to  the  world  uulh  my  name  prejixed.     Pray  tell 
my  friends  that  1  lay  no  claims  to  the  bantling  in  its  present  dress. 

Yours  truly,        BF^iNJAMIN  F.  BUTLER. 


(To  J.  Iloyt)— Banking-— Elections— Van  Burcn—Bnral  JJfc  at  Sandy  Hill. 

[No.  3.1  SAxnir  Him,,  May  4th.^  1819. 

Dear  friend  :  I  received  voursofthe  Istto-dav,  and  seize  this  moment  of  writing  vou  BGCAUSK 
I  CAN  DO  IT  IN  .MY  PRIVATF.  CAPACITY,  and  without  reference  to  my  of/icinl character. 

For  the  last  forinighl  I  have  had  various  concerns  to  attend  to,  which  have  rendered  it  impossible 
for  me  to  say  more  in  my  epi.^tles  than  necessity  required — such  ns  Cardeniiig  and  Banking- 
working  about  the  dooryanl  and  Paying  Specie — Mending  Fences,  and  SKJ.NING  NOTKi^, 
&e.,  &.r..  interspersed  occasionally  with  Law  and  Politics. 

In  the  meantime  i  have  received  several  communications  from  you  for  whicli  you  are  entitled  to 
my  thanks,  altho'  some  of  them  took  me  considerable  time  to  decipher.  Pray  write  more  legibly  fur 
the  future.  Were  it  not  that  I  have  long  known  your  "  pothooks  and  trammells,"  I  should  he 
obliged  to  send  some  of  them  to  the  Delphic  Oracle  for  hia  learned  investigation. 

The  Election  Returns  are  so  far  unfavorable  to  the  hopes  of  Mr  Clinton  and  his  friends,  and 
/  presume  his  destiny  is  fixed.  The  federalists  here  put  no  candidates  of  their  own  in  nominii. 
tion  ;  and  will,  he  exception  of  some  intelligent  men  in  the  western  part  of  this  county,  sup- 
ported the  Cliiitonian  ticket  and  carried  the  election.  I  voted  for  Senators,  and  olfered  to  vote 
tor  members  of  Assembly,  but  after  a  long  discussion  of  my  and  various  arguments 

and  opinions  from  lawyers  and  electioneerers,  the  board  very  gravely  decided  that  I  was  not  yet 
naturalized — in  which  I  tliink  it  probable  they  were  right. 

The  Chancellor  has  really  assumed  ^i  great  deal  in  deciding  against  me.  Please  obtain  acdpy 
of  the  decretal  order — not  of  his  opinion,  for  I  suppose  that  would  take  you  a  week  to  copy — and 
Bend  by  some  person  at  your  convenience. 

Upon  what  around  did  he  admit  ynu — ns  of  right,  or  ex  gratia  '!  I  am  glad  that  he  has  done 
it,  and  hope  you  may  find  it  the  harbinger  of  good  fortune. 

What  think  you  of  the  New  Insolvent  Law?  Do  you  intend  to  proceed  under  it?  Or  have 
you  not  philosophy  enough  to  live  poor  all  your  life,  with  a  millstone  on  your  neck  ? 

Did  I  understand  you  that  A.  H.  V.  B.  was  to  remove  to  Albany  ?  If  so,  when  does  he 
come,  and  how  will  it  affect  you  ?     He  can  do  no  business  of  consequence  nt  Hudson,  neither  ii 


he  qualified  f 
what  is  the  st 
cuils  or  not  ? 
the  Registers 
accustomed  t 
and  domestic 
however,  hati 
a-if  about  the 
I  want  ver 
dered  the  coi 


Here  are  pi 
pers — fine  bic 

Our  place 
luouiitains  wl 
month  of  ,Iun 

There  are  ; 
of  the  sunnne 
for  a  week  or 

There  is  bi 
the  horrors  loi 
place.  I  real 
the  practice. 

I  believe  I 
agency  or  int( 
had  done.     Y 


[No  4.] 
by  Mr  Skinna 


had  a  demon 
was  mnnfull 
receiving  this 


Washingtc 
Baird,  in  cum 
collect,  add 
and  forwardec 
ford,  but  is  i 
the  deloy. 

[No.  5.] 
I  have  no  tir 
ceived  the  ke 
him  of  this 

[No,  C] 
various,  rejjei 
and  will  not. 
judgment  be 
direction. 


[No,  7.1 
you  by  Mr. 
— Do.  check 
the  checks,  ii 
to  put  the  wl 
Inriiest,  I  lin(r 
i-f  nnl  pay:ibl 
Albnny  on  tlj 


HILL. 

permit.  Yet  I  can- 
1)  my  concerns,  and 
I  were  perused  with 
ope  you  will  not  im. 
■  various  occurrences 
he  leisure  to  be  very 
ly  a  fine  state  of  po- 
]  is  daily  becoming 

ich  I  am  i)laced,  nor 
lerreJ  on  me.  I  ac- 
-unworthy  of  any 
pises  while  he  enjoys, 
)  be  supplied,  but  liu 
ds  "  every  good  and 
evil  as  well  as  on  tho 
not  and  think  not  ol 
an  race. 

d  attention,  but  they 
ily   with  sufficient  to 

OF  TIIK  (JOSPI-  [,. 
,v  for  null  attentive  tn 
ike  this'i'liire  delighl- 
t.  You  do  not  at  all 
tably  trreat — they  arc 
he  Scholar— the  Phi- 
in  considerations  con- 
"ili'.'ith  unti)    death." 

I'rom  llirin. 
has  moriitit'd  me  ex. 
\i:  prrjij-ed.     Pray  tell 

UN  F.  BUTLER. 


Samly  IJill. 

T„  May  .lih.  1810. 
ritiiiK  you  F?EC  AUSF. 
9  my  nfficiiil  ehnractn. 
rendered  it  impossible 
'niiift  !iii(l  I^'inkinc— 
SKi.NLNO  NOTMS, 

liieli  you  are  entitled  to 
•  write  more  legibly  for 
ammells,"  I  should  In; 
;ation. 

n  and  his  friends,  and 
their  own  in  nomina. 
t  of  this  county,  sup- 
s,  and  olfered  to  vote 
ind  various  arguments 
Jed  tiiat  I  was  not  yrt 

Plense  obtain  ncdpy 
I  n  week  to  copy — and 

1  glad  that  he  has  done 

ed  under  it  1  Or  have 
our  neck  ? 

If  so,  when  does  lie 
J  at  HudBon,  neither  i» 


BUTLER   ON   BANKING   AND   RURAL   LlfK. 


163 


he  qualified  for  that  of  the  Attorney  General's  department.  How  does  tiie  business  get  along,  and 
wh;it  is  the  slate,  generally,  of  your  ejectment  suits  ?  Are  any  of  thein  to  be  tried  at  these  Cir- 
euils  or  not  ?  1  .sonietiiTies  wished  after  niy  removal,  that  I  could  take  a  peep  for  a  moment  in 
the  Registers,  and  engage  again  in  the  service  of  the  Sovereign  People — and  so  long  had  I  been 
accustomed  to  themanai^ement  of  the  Attorney  Gcncral[M.  Van  BuKn]'s nffaiii^ ]iublir,  inimtc, 
und  domestic,  that  I  olten  thought  liiat  no  one  could  attend  to  them  but  myself.  Mij  new  avocations, 
however,  have  now  become  fanii  liar  and  pleasant,  and  Jean  attend  to  them  without  troubling  my- 
Bcif  about  the  bonds,  mortgages,  or  ejectments  of  the  State. 

I  want  very  much  to  see  yo  i  up  here.  The  warm  weather  has  brought  on  vegetation,  and  ren- 
dered liie  country  quite  inviting.     Here  we  have 

"  Fluwcrs  ill  the  vulley,  sjileiidor  in  the  lieuin, 
Heulth  ill  the  gale,  and  freshness  in  the  stream." 

Here  are  pleasant  walks  and  shady  groves — rivers  and  cataracts — larks,  robins,  ami  grasshop- 
pers— fine  blooming  damsels  and  healthy  yeomen. 

Our  place  is  delightfully  romantic — you  may  stroll  on  the  banks  of  the  Hudson — view  the 
mountains  where  it  takes  its  rise — and  listen  to  the  incessant  roar  of  Baker's  Fall's.  In  all  the 
month  of  June,  I  shall  look  for  you,  and  hope  my  expectations  will  not  be  fruitless. 

There  are  a  dozen  or  more  of  my  young  friends  whom  I  should  be  happy  to  see  in  the  course 
of  tlis  summer,  and  if  anything  on  my  part  can  induce  them  to  desert  the  sultry  streets  of  Albany 
lor  a  week  or  two,  I  shall  hope  for  the  pleasure  of  their  society  at  Sandy  Hill. 

There  is  but  little  Law  Business  doing  here.  If  I  was  dependant  on  that  I  should  have  had 
the  horrors  long  ago.  Perhaps,  iiowcver,  it  may  be  as  good  here  as  at  Albany,  or  at  smy  other 
place.  I  read  more  than  I  did  while  with  you,  and  shall  continue  in  the  professiim  even  if  I  neglect 
the  practice.     [Here  follow  instructions  about  Mr.  Van  Bureii  and  his  matters.] 

1  believe  I  have  never  told  you  that  Porter  discharged  Van  Rensselare  without  my  knowledge, 
agency  or  inteifereiice,  directly  or  indirectly,  and  I  knew  nothing  of  it  nr.'il  he  told  me  what  he 
had  done.     You  can't  say  this  is  not  long  enough.  Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 


To  Jesse  Hoyl,  on  Banking,  Impede,  Law,  fijc. 

[No  4.]  Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  Sandy  Hill,  May  8th,  1819.  Dear  Sir:  I  send 
by  Mr  Skinner  a  package  and  letter  for  Mr.  Barker,  which  send  as  usual.  I  hear  that  he  has 
had  n  demonstration  (as  Paekenham  and  Co.  would  have  said,)  made  upon  him  this  week,  which 
was  manfully  repelled.  My  secretary  being  otherwise  engaged,  deprives  you  of  the  pleasure  of 
receiving  this  interesting  epistle  in  her  "own  proper  handwriting." 

Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  Sandy  Hili,  May  15th  1819.  Dear  Sir:  I  send  by  Mr. 
Baird,  in  current  and  imcurrent  notes,  $1100 — J.  &  F.  Baird's  check,$1100 — which  latter  please 
collect,  add  to  the  cash,  and  send  all  to  Mr.  Jacob  Barker.  I  wrote  yesterday  per  Mr.  Baker, 
and  forwarded  a  package.  Was  it  received  ?  The  keg  of  specie  was  left  by  accident  at  Water- 
ford,  but  is  exj)ecied  to-day.  I  am  in  no  want  of  it,  and  shall  suffer  no  inconvenience  from 
the  delay.  Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER." 

[No.  5.]  "  I  send  you  by  Mr.  Blin,  $3500,  in  current  notes,  to  be  forwarded  to  Mr.  Barker. 
I  have  no  time  tn  write  him  by  this  conveyance.  Please  drop  a  line  mentioning  that  I  have  re- 
ceived the  keg  of  specie  and  placed  the  amount  to  the  credit  of  the  E.  Bank,  and  also  advising 
him  of  this  remittance." 

[No,  G.]  May  29  —  "I  sued  S.  S.  L  *  *  *  by  bill,  sometime  since.  He  persuaded  me  by 
various,  repeated,  and  pressing  solicitations,  to  give  him  time  till  Ist  of  May.  He  has  not  paid, 
and  will  not.  Please  draw  a  cognovit  for  $63,50,  the  amount,  obtain  his  signature,  and  let  the 
judgment  be  forthwith  entered.  I  send  narr.  and  note,  and  Charles  will  do  the  labor  under  your 
direction.  B.  F.  BUTLER." 


To  Jesse  Hoyt,  on  Banking,  and  various  kinds  of  Currency. 

[No.  7.]  Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  Sandy  Hill,  .Tune  2d,  1819— Dear  Sir :  I  send 
you  by  Mr.  S.  M.  Hitchcock  two  sealed  packages  containing  in  the  two,  Current  Notes  $5150 
•—Do.  checks  on  Bank  of  Albany  ,$42")— Uncurrent  notes  ,$1750.— $7325.  Please  collect 
the  checks,  make  up  cash  in  a  package,  and  send  all  to  Mr.  Barker.  Perh:ip.=)  it  would  be  best 
to  put  the  whole  Into  one  envelope  without  disturbing  the  packages  that  I  have  arranged.  The 
lariiist,  I  had  on  hand  a  week  ago,  but  have  not  been  able  to  send  it  till  now.  One  of  the  checks 
jx  not  payable  until  the  5th,  but  perhaps  you  can  get  the  money  in  time  for  the  Boat  which  lenvea 
Albmy  on  that  day.  Yours  very  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 


t^ 


z; 


154     T  HAVE  NO  MONEY  BUT  WHAT  IS  TOO  GOOD  FOR  THKM — JACOB  BAUKEK. 


BUT 


J* 


I 


■     i," 


[No.  8.]     Sandy  Hirx,  June  3ii,  1819. — Dear  Sir:  I  send  you  $9G,25  to  be  applied  as  fol- 
lows—N R bal.  ofiny  ate.  $;J3.28—  l].  &,  E.  E.  do.  ;$1U,U6. 

[Ne.tt  he  names.  "  Stafford  &  Spencer,  bal.  of  my  ate.  §40 — L.  &,  L.  Vankleeck  &  Co. 
$40"  —  whicli  two  last  sums  he  erases,  and  remarks  —  "  Tlx'-se  I  believe  I  sjhall  not  send  till  next 
week,  as  I  hanc  no  money  but.  what  is  TOO  GOOD  FOR  THEM."]  Draw  accounts  in  full  /or 
ever  and  ever  from  the  bcgiiming  of  the  world  to  this  day,  and  I  will  pay  no  more  debta  of  its 
contraciin<^,  9,!)1.  The  Attorney  General  for  costa  received  3d  May  (capias  not  served)  §43. 
Plear.a  take  receipts  from  all  the  above  creditors  ot  mine.  B.  F.  B. 


To  J.  TInuf,  on  Law,  Charles  Butler,  Col.  rUclier,  Barker,  tlic  Niagara  Bank,  and  Van  Burcn. 

[No  9.]  Sandy  Hii.l.  .Tune  5th,  1819. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  have  yours  of  the  31st  iilt.,  Ist  inst.,  and  also  one  by  Mr.  Gilford.  I  shall  en- 
deavor as  soon  as  possible  to  send  you  some  papers  in  these  Chancery  causes.  1  do  regret  ihi.t 
I  did  not  know  that  .Mr.  V.  U.  was  about  atlendinf^  the  June  term  ot  the  Court  of  Chancery,  i 
mighi  have  had  all  my  business  in  train  for  it.  1  wish  you  to  tell  .ludge  BeeUman  that  the  logs 
are  nearly  all  sawed,  and  will  be  probably  carried  olf  by  Ilitcheock  ne.\t  week.  If  he  wishi^s 
any  thing  done  now  it  naist  be  directed  by  the  Tuesday  mail,  or  there  will  be  no  hold  on  the 
property.  Is  it  your  opinion  that  the  writ  de  proprietatc  probaiula  cannot  issue  until  the  alian 
plaint,  or  that  it  may  issue  upon  the  lirst  writ  in  replevin,  or  the  first  plaint  '  I  suppose,  a.s  1 
wrote  you  before,  hy  my  Dunks,  that  it  issues  torlhwith  on  the  plaint  before  the  plaint  is  returna- 
ble, but  not  until  the  alias  writ  of  Replevin  I  Please  look  at  Fiizherbert's  Nat.  Brev.,  Dalinn's 
Sheritr,  &.e.,  I  am  sure  your  library  will  tell.     I  shall  send  a  witness  and  only  one,  for  I  can  t'liid 

no  more,  in  the cause,  viz:  .lohn  Sheldon,  next  week,  if  they  can  examine  him  in  i\Ir, 

Van  Buren's  absence.    *  *  *  * 

I  have  not  been  in  court  but  little,  either  Common  Pleas,  or  Circuit — having  had  a  great  deal 
to  do  in  the  Bank,  and  in  my  Law  Busines.s.     I  want  a  clerk  very  much,  ami  as  soon  as  Charles'.s 
company  will  be  convenient  shall  send  lor  him.     11  ho  gets  over  bisfnolish,  hair  brained 
piojec's,  I  shall  keep  him  with  me,  for  I  think  he  ought  to  bo  under  the  eye  of  some  person  who 
can  manage  him. 

He  has  some  talents,  but  is  rather  overcharged  with  false  jiride,  siiucamisli  sensibility  and  ill 
guided  ambition.  I  have  been  obliged  to  tell  him  very  plaiiilv  what  I  thought  of  his  style  ni' 
writing  and  modes  of  thought — the  fiisi,  iike  the  latter,  is  irolliy  and  bombtistio — indeej, 
precisely  like  a  boy  oi  18  ot  some  genius,  but  that  iinlutored  and  misdirected.  I  hope  you  got  my 
package  by  lliteheock.  I  have  now  ,330(11)  in  current  notes,  rteeived  since  Wednesday,  wh' 'ii 
I  would  send  by  Colonel  Pitcher,  who  conreys  this,  l)iit  he  starts  from  here  <ui  foot,  and  goes  on 
a  nfl  from  Fort  M  lltv.  and  though  an  honest  man  might  be  robbrd  or  Knocked  overboard.  I 
shall  keep  it  till  ne.\t  week  Seixl  the  enclosed  letter  to  .lacob  Barker  by  first  mail — to  niy 
father  put  in  the  P.  (.),,  Monday  evening.  I  forgot  it  to-day.  That  to  Goodenow  send  by  a 
privale  hand. 

/  am  unaUc  to  say  anything  noio  ABOUT  THE  NIAGARA  BANK— on/;/  that  if  Mr.  B., 
[meaning  .lacob  Barker],  could  be  fiire  of  lift,  he  coiiltl  make  if  u  prujitnhle  concern  —  but  has, 
in  my  opinion,  irons  enough  in  tiie  tire,  already,  lor  one  tnan.  Bin  then  he's  A  HOST  himself. 
//  he  sel.s  lie  .iloek,  ynii  must  stand  ready  to  interiiose  a  cbiim  f,r  the  management  of  the  tn.fi. 
ness — that  is — if  you  would  be  willing  to  accept  such  a  pliice.  He  would  reepiire  some  one 
that  he  could  lepost!  coiilidence  in  to  fake  charge  of  il.  Though  I  have  no  idea  that  he  will  get 
it.  "  Doiille,  double — toil  and  troulde,"' appears  to  be  the  order  of  the  day  in  the  commercial 
and    fiiiancKii  world — where  it  will  land  us  1  am  unable  to  say.  *  *    ♦   ■ 

You  say  inv  Chaneerv  business  is  attended  to.     Hnw^     Can  you  tell  nii-  wheiher  Mr, 

or  Mr. has  seen  the  Atio.'iiey  (ieneral  about  the  Factory  eausf.  and  what  was  the  Attor- 
ney GeneraTs  opinion  as  to  their  issuing  e.xecutimi  ?  F  am  so  tinich  [lerple.xed  wiih  tin.viety  and 
apprehension  about  my  unfinished  business,  that  I  would  gladly  resign  the  whole.  'I'he  Attorney 
(leriiral  [Mr.  M.  V'aiihureii]  IS  never  at  home — :nid  uiitii  he  is,  I  am  so  Uw  t'rom  him,  that  I 
cannot  have  that  dnect  and  constant  communication  which  the  interests  of  uiir  r/;cH/,«  demand. 
One  thing  I  most  earmsily  desire  of  you.  jiiul  that  is  to  forwunl  lof  all  noiices,  papers,  &,c., 
that  may  lie  serred  on  Mr.  V  B.  [Van  Burenj  as  my  asent.  He  would  tiever  think  of  it  him- 
self, and  my  clients  might  be  kicked  out  ot  court  before  I  knew  it.  i  shall  make  no  more  com- 
plaints about  your  bad  wriiiny,  tluiugh  your  serawis  are  mo^i  iiilumous,  utter  the  catiers  I  have 
cut  in  this  epistle.  Yours  truly.         B.  F.  BIJTLER. 


To  Jesse  Hoyt,  on  a  Banker's  Ways  and  Means. 

[No.  10]  Washington  anp  Warri  n  Bank,  Sandy  Hill,  .Tunc  9th,  1819. 

Dear  Sir  :  I  am   almost  wholly  destitute  of  Washington   and    Warren   notes,  and  shall  un- 
doubtedly have  occasion  for  some  before  I  can  be  furnished  with  a  supply  from  New  York  by 


Mr.  Barker, 
the  packages  t 
purpose  of  foi 
ih'jusa  id  five 
elianging  unii 
should  receive 
will  not  interft 

P.  S.     Ill 

yi)U,  to  be  left 
i)nny  but  a  fe\ 
he  does  I  slial 
hy.  Upon  re 
.Martlini:,  end 
your  order, 
iroin  me,  whe 
If  the  checl 
ling  I  do  not 
a'  Hadley,  Sf 
to  guard  agai 


To 

[No.  11. 
Dear  Sir; 
ARA  BANK 

ded  he  shouh 
"  1  am  hap 
you  have  thoi 
of  my  acqnni 
INTECiRir 
and  esteem, 
tauce  with  bii 
who  siirpas.sc! 
the  place,  but 
I  hi'  bifiiness  r, 
1  have  knowi 
vunalion  of 
ile.spairor  dis 
Id'-lhwith  to  e 
riiald  do  bett 
thought  this  1 
term  of  ,-ttadi 
ail  eniph>yine 
to  the  practii 
fur  fi.lelity  ai 
roiisider  him 
Viiu  an  aecur 
siiy  ihat  I  fee 
lliiin  to  see  h 
il  may  he  lie 
that  1  am  hi^ 
they  esteem, 
conliritiation 
(«i)  This 
atory  to  u  de 
by  mail. 

[No.  12.] 
ings  ill  curre 
notes. 


:on  BARKEn. 

to  be  applied  as  lol. 

L.  Vankleeck  &  Co. 
'hull  not  send  till  next 
vv  accoiinis  in  full /or 
no  more  debts  of  its 
jias  not  served)  84'! 
B.  F.  B. " 

i/hA-,  and  Van  Bvrcn. 

M„  June  Sih,  1819. 

(Jitiord.     1  shall  fn- 

^es.     I  do  regret  tlii.i 

lotiit  ol'  Llianccry.     I 

eekinan  that  ilie  logs 

week.     If  he  wiglies 

1    be  no  hold  on  ihe 

issue  until  the  alias 

lit  '     I  suppose,  as  I 

the  plaint  is  returna- 

■(  Nat.  Brev.,  Daltiin's 

ily  one,  for  I  can  find 

examine  iiiui  in  Air. 

ving  had  a  great  deal 
il  as  soon  asCharles'.s 
hair  brained 
:  of  «ome  person  who 

lisli  sensibility  and  ill 
loufrht  of  his  style  nf 
1  bombastic — indeed, 
I.  ]  hope  you  got  my 
ee  Wednesday,  wh*  ii 
'  oil  toot,  and  froes  (jn 
iiockeil  overboard.  I 
by  first  mail —  to  my 
Goodenow  send  by  a 

—onbi  that  if  Mr.  B., 
Ir  cnnrern  —  but  has, 
es  A  HOST  himself. 
uagcinent  of  the  tiini. 
Id  reipiire  some  out' 
I  lilea  that  he  will  gc  t 
ay  in  the   commercial 

■  whether  Mr. 

I  what  was  the  Atior- 
.\ed  with  an.xiciy  ami 
hole.  'I'lie  Attorney 
tar  liom  him,  that  1 
I  (/")'  rlicnts  demand, 
noiii'o,  papers,  itc, 
I'ver  think  of  it  liini- 

make  no  more  corn- 
er the  capers  I  have 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


-L,  June  9th,  1PI9. 
notes,  and  shall  un- 
from  JMew  York  by 


BUTLETt,    fiAKKE.^,    IIOVT   AM)    VAX    BL'REN  S   OI,D    BUFFALO    BANK. 


155 


]VIr,  Barker.  If  you  have  authority  from  him  to  obtain  from  the  Mechanics  and  Farmers'  Bank 
the  packa(.'eH  from  those  Banks  which  draw  on  Mr.  Barker,  which  I  presume  is  the  case,  for  the 
purpose  of  forwardint;  to  .'^'"w  York,  you  will  plea.se  send  me  by  first  safe  conveyance  One 
ih-iusa  id  five  hundred  dollars  ii.  the  common  notes  of  this  Bank,  which  will  an.swer  me  for  ex- 
clianging  until  J  can  hear  from  iMr.  B.,  of  all  which  you  will  advise  him.  If,  however,  you 
should  receive  from  New  York  a  supply  of  our  notes,  in  sheets,  or  otherwise,  for  this  Bank,  you 
will  not  interfere  with  liie  packages  at  the  M.  &.  F.  Bank. 

Yours  truly,        R.  F.  BUTLER. 

P.  S.  If  I  send  any  papers  by  Mrs.  Coffin  and  her  son,  I  shall  direct  them,  if  they  do  not  see 
yim,  to  be  left  at  Wi^vvall's  store.  Tliey  will  stop  ai  Troy  for  the  nisjht  and  may  not  be  at  Al. 
iinny  but  a  few  minutes.  I  iiear  that  a  Mr.  Clark  from  this  villai^e  starts  for  Albany  to-day  ;  if 
he  dors  I  shall  send  by  liim,  and  he  would  be  a  good  person  to  send  me  the  W.  and  W.  notes 
hy.  Upon  reflection,  I  enclose  a  check  on  the  M.  «&  F.  Bank,  for  $!4o0,  drawn  by  Abraham 
.Martlinir,  endorsed  by  Uriah  Marvin  and  Jeremy  Rockwell,  and  also  made  payable  by  me  to 
your  order.  Plea.^e  present  and  collect  it,  and  keep  the  amount  until  you  receive  a  package 
i'roin  me,  when  you  will  forward  it  to  Mr.  Barker. 

If  the  check  is  not  paid,  please  give  notice  thereof  by  mail  instanler  to  all  the  parties.  Mart- 
liiig  I  do  not  know  —  neither  can  I  learn  his  residence,  Marvin  you  know  —  Rockwell  lives 
at  Hadley,  Saratof,'a  County.  I  intended  to  have  sent  the  check  to-day  by  a  private  hand,  but 
to  guard  against  accident,  think  it  safest  to  forward  by  mail,  being  the  first  post  after  its  receipt. 

B.  F.  B. 


To  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  Alhcny,  on  his  fitness  to  he  Cashier  of  the  Buffalo  Bank. 

[No.  11.]  [per  Mr.  Thurmaii,  from  Sandy  IIu.l,]  June  11,  1819. 

Dear  Sir:  1  have  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Barker,  mi'utioning  the  subject  of  the  NI.\G- 
AR.\  BANK,  and  requesting  viy  opinion  of  a  certain  friend  of  mine,  for  CASHIER,  provi- 
ded he  should  conclude  to  purchase  the  stock — to  which  I  have  replied  as  follows  : — 

'•  I  am  happv  to  hear,  by  your  letter,  that  in  the  event  of  your  cnijas^ini;  in  the  Niacarn  Bank, 
you  have  th  )Ui;ht  of  MY  FRIKNl)  IIOYT,  for  Cashier.  /  knoio  of  no  person  within  the  circle 
of  mil  acquaintance  whom  I  could  recommend  with  equal  confidence  for  that  situation.  HIS 
INTl^GlirrY,/lv\lj  AND  INDUSTRY,  would,  I  am  confident,  insure  him  your  approbatioi: 
and  esteem.  Tlieie  can  be  no  doubt  of  his  being  amply  qualified  for  the  task.  His  acquain. 
tauce  with  business  is  tieneral,  and  extensive,  and  for  perseverance  and  activity  I  know  of  no  one 
who  surpasses  biiii.  His  experience  in  Mercantile  business,  would  alone  have  ipialified  him  for 
llie  place,  but  in  additition  to  that  he  has  the  advantage  of  some  considerable  acquaintance  with 
till'  liutincss  of  hankiusr,  from  ids  employment  last  year  in  the  Mechanics  and  Farmers'  Bank. 
I  have  known  him  lor  several  years  ;  intimately,  for  about  diree.  After  the  anfurlnnate  ter- 
iiiiniiluin  of  his  Mercantile  concerns,  instead  of  spending  his  time  in  idlenesr;,  or  gining  way  to 
ilcspairor  dissipation,  which  is  commonly  the  case  in  SUCH  CIRCUMSTANCES,  he  resolved 
to'-thwith  to  enter  into  employment  of  some  kind  or  other  ;  aiid,  as  nothing  ollered  by  which  he 
rmild  do  bett'-r.  be  coininenced  the  study  of  the  law.  All  his  friends,  (and  I  tun  in irst  the  rest,) 
tiioiiglit  this  n  Very  forlnrn  hope,  for  siii'h  had  been  his  previ  lus  active;  life,  and  so  long  was  his 
term  of  stadii,  that  1  considered  it  tibsilutely  impossible  for  him  to  confine  hiiiiseli'  to  so  irksome 
an  einpl'iyineiit  as  a  clerkship  in  a  law  oHiee,  without  any  prospect  of,,  snjedy  admission  either 
to  the  practice  or  the  profits  of  the  profeS'^ion.  He  was  for  nearly  three  years  in  mv  ofTiee,  and 
fur  fi.lelily  .'ind  ntleutioii,  ])eisevcraiice  and  application,  the  rem  best  clerk  I  ercr  mi't  with.  I 
consider  him  perfectly  competent  to  examine  {n)  into  the  affairs  of  the  Bank  of  Buffalo,  and  give 
you  an  acciir^if  and  iudicioiis  .account  of  every  thintr  that  relates  to  it.  It  is  needh-ss  for  me  to 
say  that  1  I'eel  a  deep  interest  in  his  prosperity,  and  that  nothing  would  gi\e  ine  <rreaier  pleasure 
tliati  to  see  him  |.liced  in  such  a  situation  as  would  give  him  a  coinpeient  support  ;  but  peril  ips 
ii  may  be  iieeessary  to  satisfy  yon  that  my  opinion  of  his  merits  i"  not  overrated,  I  acknowledge 
that  I  am  his  friend,  and  I  know  that  friends,  like  lovers,  are  a  little  blind  to  the  faults  of  those 
they  esteem,  but  I  belii've  I  may  safely  reltr  you  to  any  person  acquainted  with  Mr.  Hoyi,  for  a 
contirination  of  what  1  have  said." 

(rt)  This  is  in  reply  to  a  suggestion  about  sending  you  up  to  investigate  the  business,  prepar- 
atory to  a  decision  on  the  subject.     1  have  sent  my  brief  in cause  to  New  York  last  week 

by  muil.  Yours  truly,         B.  F.  BUTLER. 

[No.  12.]  June  11.  T  send  you  by  J.  L.  Thurman,  Esq.,  a  package  for  Mr.  Barker,  contnln- 
ings  ill  current  notes,  .$2,200.  I  have  received  yours  by  .Mr.  Clark,  with  ,f  1,300  iii  W.  and  W. 
notes. 


f.i 


156 


THE    IMMORAL    TENDENCIES   OF    MONF.V   CHANGlNii. 


i 
1 

) 

lil:' 


,         f-.      . 


-. « 


.^:   '■ 


^j>-' 


To  //ol/^  on  Zaic,  Strawberries,  Sturlrninl,  and  Mvk,  OIcdII. 
[No.  13.]  Pandy  lliir.,  June  15ili,  1819. 

Dear  Friend  :  I  nin  very  much  indebted  to  you  for  your  elaborate  and  very  learned  opinion 
Upon  the  qui'stion  in  replevin.  From  the  arqnnintance  with  the  subject  whieh  you  display,  1 
doubt  not  that  Sir  Thomas  lVloore'.s  famous  question  would  have  received  n  prompt  ansvver  from 
you,  nitlio'  it  pu/zled  a  very  erudite  professor  in  one  of  the  Kuropean  Collcf^cs.  When  are  yuii 
coming  up  to  Sandy  Ilill  ?  The  country  is  very  pleasant,  and  will  continue  so  for  some  time; 
but  in  about  a  lortnii;lit  we  shall  have  strawberries,  &,<;.,  in  alumdiince  ;  and  during  that  season 
("hould  like  to  see  our  friends.  If  Charles  is  at  Albany  he  can  come  up  with  the  bearer,  Mr. 
^^lurtevanI.  Yours  truly,         B.  V.  lU'TIiKR. 

F'.  H.     If  you  have  any  money  to  send  me,  I  would  not  advi.se  you  to  send  it  by  Mr.  S. 

{Before  Mr.  Butler's  postscript  I  find  a  postscript  by  Mrs.  Bulhu-,  wherein,  among  other  thiiij,'s, 
she  says — "  1  repeat  the  (juestion  '  When  are  you  coming  up  •"  We  want  to  see  you  very  much, 
and  hope  for  the  pleasure,  before  many  weeks  expire.  If  you  ever  have  the  hoiuir  and  i)lea.«ui- 
of  seeing  Mrs.  Olcott,  I  wish  you  would  present  my  love  to  her,  and  tell  her  I  often  tluticr  my. 
self  with  the  hope  that  she  will  come  up  to  Sandy  Hill,  and  see  how  country  I'olks  live.  \W 
have  a  plenty  of  pork,  and  soon  shall  have  new  potatoes  and  green  corn.  JI.  B. "  Mrs.  B'a 
anxiety  to  have  the  Albany  Banker's  wife  li"  at  Sandy  Hill  is  explained  by  the  subseciuent  run 
by  Olcott  on  Butler,  and  their  c     ry  corr^       idence. — W.  L.  iVl.J 


To  Jltiyt,  shi        .  .'   •(  of  meeting  n  run  for  >Spccir. 

[No.  U.]  Was  u  ui.  i  Wurreu  Bank,  S.WDv  Ifii-L,  ,lune  21,  1819. 

Dear  Sir:  My  h  tter  of  yc'^ferday  i.i»ormed  ..  ■.  'hat  T  Wiis  tiiga:;ed  in  a  running  tight  with  u 
squadron  from  Commodore  Wiswall's  tiect.  I  scml  'ou  by  -Mr.  B.  Wing,  $i)()0  in  Troy,  L.vn- 
singburg,  and  Albany  bills,  which  I  wish  yoi-  if  possible  to  convert  into  specie.  1  do  not  know  thai 
1  shall  need  it,  but  it  will  be  sufficient  with  what  I  have,  to  teazc  the  enemy  li'r  the  whole  vveok, 
if  he  should  maintain  his  ground  for  so  long  a  time.     Mr.  Wing  will  wait  for  the  .•specie. 

I  should  suppose  that  so  small  a  sum  could  easily  be  procured,  especially  if  you  divide  the 
amount,  say  ^500  for  Mechanics  and  Farmers'  Bank  and  !$2()()  for  the  others.  1  do  not  wish  it 
lifped  that  I  am  in  want  of  it  to  meet  a  demand  on  the  Bank.  /  wis/i  yon  1o  sini  to  the  Laid- 
that  you  want  SMALL  CHANG  RJ ;  and  for  that  you  will  give  them  current  bills.  If  you  can 
obtain  $600  it  svill  answer  the  purpose,  and  if  small  money  is  not  to  be  had  anything  else  will 
answer. 

//  you  are  unable  to  obtain  the  amount  of  $600  in  Albany,  you  will  please  select  the  notes  of  tlip 
two  Banks  of  Troy,  and  direct  Mr.  Wing  to  call  at  those  Banks  with  their  respective  notes,  ami 
request  them  to  furnish  him  with  small  money  for  change,  and  if  they  rehuse,  to  demand  specie. 
(Give  him  written  directions.)  The  other  money  in  the  package  you  nniy  keep  to  be  sent  to  i\Ir. 
I3arker  when  I  remit. 

I  shall  write  you  by  the  Wednesday  mail,  and  shall  also  enclose  a  letter  for  Mr.  Barker,  which 
it  would  be  desirable  to  have  sent  by  Thursday's  boat.  You  will  probably  ensure  ii.s  going  thcrp 
if  you  call  at  the  P.  O.  early  on  Thursday  morning  anil  rrquent  them  to  open  the  Northern  Miiii. 
I  believe  that  generally  they  leave  it  until  after  the  boat  has  left,  which  is  verv  injurious  to  me. 

Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

[No.  15.]  SANnv  IIii.i„  June  21st,  181!). 

Dear  Sir  :  By  the  enclosed  (which  please  read,  and  after  that  wafer  and  send  by  Wednesday", 
boat,)  7/««  «)/// /cHjH  the  situation  of  affairs  here.  If  Commodore  W.  reported  anything  disad- 
vantageous, please  correct  it.  I  did  not  olFer,  as  before  to  Allen,  lo  pan  him  one  hill  at  a  time; 
but  on  Saturday,  offered  him  a  large  amount  of  sijecie,  which  he  declined  waiting  for  me  to  count. 
If  you  think  that  you  can  get  the  specie  for  my  notes,  which  will  lie  cliiclly  Troy,  &.C.,  please  sn 
iiilorm  Mr.  Barker.     Mr.  Bacon  is  the  person  who  brought  tl;e  ,^70(). 

Yoms  truly,        D.  F.  BUTLER. 


On  seeming  to  pay  at  a  Bank — Gilchrist  outwitted, 
[No.  IG.]    Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  Sandy  Hill,  Wednesday  morning,  June  2.3,  IHlfl. 

[To  Jacob  Barker,  Esc].,  New  York.]  Dear  Sir,  »  »  *  *  »  I  have  redeemed  in  the  whole  $781), 
during  the  two  days  past — all  in  large  bills.  I  have  now  on  hand,  about  $300  in  small  chaii!.'i', 
$000  in  dollars  and  five  francs,  and  ,$200  in  gold.  With  this  force  I  can  with  certainty  sustain 
myself  until  .Saturday  morning,  and  by  that  time  I  have  no  doidit  I  shall  have  a  further  supply  oi 
specie  from  Mr.  Hoyt.     *  »  *   »  * 

I  enclose  you  a  copy  of  Mr.  Olcolt's  letter.  This  is  a  new  proof  of  the  svavering  policy  o'"tbnt 
Bank,  and  of  the  little  reliance  to  be  placed  on  Mr  Olcott's  proft  f-sions  or  engagement.'--,  for  lie 
olfered  of  his  own  accord  to  me  last  spring,  thai  I  might  ut  any  time  draw  on  you  at  n  feic  days 


BUTLER  KEUUKES  THE  AVAIUCIOUS  BILL-IIOLUEUS — <  UK  I'AY  IN  SPECIE. 


157 


aitl. 

June  15tli,  1819. 

very  lenrned  opinion 
■liich  you  displny,  1 
prompt  ans'-vor  tVoni 
;;c's.  Wlifii  are  yuii 
e  so  lor  some  time  ; 
1  during  that  season 
iiii  the   bearer,  Mr. 

D.  V.  biiti.i:r. 

J  it  by  Mr.  S. 

uiiionj^  otlicr  tliiiij,'s, 
J  see  you  vi;ry  much, 

honor  and  pleasurt' 

r  1  oi'teii  duller  my. 

itiy  lolks  live.     We 

II.  13.'     Mrs.  Bs 

the  subaecjuent  run 


,L,  .lune  21,  181!). 

niniiiii';  tight  with  a 

,$900  in  Troy,  L.'.ii- 

'.    1  i!o  not  knw  tiiiit 

ti>r  the  whole  week, 

r  the  specie. 

illy  il'  you  divide  tl;p 

eif.     I  do  not  wish  it 

It    til  sail  to    the  Lank 

nt  bill;).     If  you    ean 

lad  nnything  else  will 

select  the  notes  of  tlic 
■  respective  notes,  and 
ise,  to  demand  specie, 
leep  to  be  sent  to  .Mr, 

or  ]\Ir.  Darker,  whicii 
■nsiire  its  troin;,'  there 
n  the  Nort/irni  Mtiil. 
erv  injurious  to  nie. 
H.  F.  BUTLER. 

,  June  :21st,  181!). 
send  by  Wcdnesdiiy'- 
)rted  anyihiiig  di.-iail- 
m  our  hill  at  a  time; 
litinji  for  nie  to  coiuii. 
y  Troy,  &.c.,  plca.si;  ^o 

D.  r.  BUTLEH. 


)rninR,  Juno  2.?,  IHlft. 
ed  in  the  whole  ,$780 
300  in  pniall  chaiiL'i', 
with  certainty  sustain 
ve  a  further  supply  oi 

•averinfj;  policy  o''thnt 
r  enfiapenients,  for  he 
on  you  nt  a  fnc  days 


*igf^t,  if  I  chose  80  to  0').  *  «  »  *  #  I  have  this  morning  had  two  small  sums  of  our  notes 
presented,  the  one  for  ^15 — the  oilier  for  $91 — both  from  Albany  ;  and  both  enclosed  to  Mr. 
Baird,  with  a  reijuest  that  lis  would  present  ihem  immediately,  and  that  the  credit  of  the  Bank 
was  completely  down,  which  was  the  caiue  of  their  sendiiii;  thinn  up.  I  shall  pay  these,  because 
the  money  will  go  down  by  the  mail  to-day  and  may  quiet  the  apprehension  of  some  persona  who 
would  otherwise  send  up;  but  I  shall  request  Mr,  B.  to  decline  any  further  commission  of  the 
kind ;  and  if  any  more  such  appear,  I  SHALL  PUT  THEM  ON  THE  SAME  GROUND  WITH 
THE  OTHERS. 

As  the  calls  this  week  havt-  assumed  tlie  character  of  a  run  on  the  Bank,  you  will  undoubt. 
ediy  see  the  necessity  of  giving  me  a  supply  of  s])ccie  as  soon  as  possible. 

Yours  truly,        H.  F.  BUTLER. 

P.  S. — Since  writing  the  above,  Wiswall  has  shown  niu  his  money  ;  he  has  now  $-1800.  Gil- 
ciirist  has  demanded  his  bills.  /  told  him  I  was  ready  to  pay  in  specie,  but  commenced  paying 
Wiswull,  he  presenting  his  bills  first.     Gilchrist  lias  re.solved  not  to  wait  and  returns  in  the  stage. 

Olcolt  on  pretended  Banks  and  Bankers. 
[No.  17.]  [Mr.  Olcott  to  President  Butler.] — "  Mechanics'  and  Farmers'  Bank,  Albany,  June 
21,  1819. — Dear  Sir  :  We  send  by  the  bearer,  Mr.  fJilchrist,  Fifty  three  hundred  dollars  of  the 
Bills  of  your  Bank,  for  redemption.  You  are  probably  aware  of  the  determination  of  the  Banks 
in  this  cily  to  take  no  drafts  from  country  banks  on  the  city  of  New  York  ;  and  least  you  may 
think  the  nu  asure  unfriendly  or  oppressive,  I  would  mention  that  our  object  is  to  prevent  country 
Banks  from  placing  funds  in  N.  Y.,  to  speculate  on  their  own  depreciated  paper.  That  they  do 
operate  in  this  way  we  have  <;()od  reason  to  suBpect ;  otherwise  why  do  they  place  funds  nt  so 
great  a  distance  from  the  only  spot  where  they  PRETEND  TO  REDEE.M,  or  give  specie 
value  to  their  bills.  I  should  be  glad  to  make  an  exception  of  your  Bank,  did  not  our  circum- 
stances require  a  prompt  and  speedy  return,  and  I  trust  I  am  not  mistaken  in  the  belief  that  you 
will  give  our  agent  every  facility  and  accommodation.     With  great  regard,  &,c.'' 

To  .lease  Iloyt,  in  which  Mr,  Butler  deviates  a  little  from  the  truth. 
[No.  18.)     [per  Mr.  Hitchcock.]  Sa.ndy  Hill,  June  22,  1819.     Tuesday  evening. 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  finished  my  second  day's  work  with  VV'i.swall.  Have  also  sent  you  to-dny 
$900  in  current  notes  to  bo  converted  into  specie,  by  Mr.  Benj.  Wine.  I  recjuestcd  you  to  pro- 
cure it  peaceably  from  the  Banks  there,  but  I  now  wish  that  you  would  convert  it  into  Mechan- 
ics and  Farmers'  Bank  notes,  and  demand  the  specie  from  them  if  they  are  imwillin;;  to  advance 
it  promptly.  Mr.  Uluott  has  to-day  sent  up  between  $5000  and  $6000  by  Mr.  Gilchrist.  H  u- 
rived  here  in  the  stage  a  little  before  two.  Mr.  Olcott  writes  me  a  very  friendly  letter,  at,  .ig 
that  they  will  not  take  drafts  on  New  York,  and  that  tln-y  mean  to  make  the  country  Banks 
keep  their  funds  at  home.  His  messenger  also  refusjs  to  take  our  notes  payable  in  New  York 
or  those  of  the  E.\chaiige  Bank.  Bv  the  by,  I  must  be  hard  pressed  before  I  part  with  the  latter 
for  any  one,  fri.nd  or  foe.  I  have  twld  Mr.  Gilchrist  that  I  ws  Rt]ADY  TO  PAY  SPECIE, 
and  would  pay  specie  nt  ALF,  TIMES  DURING  BANKINti  HOURS  ;  and  that  fwonldpay 
imlhinq  else.  Whether  he  will  remain  or  not  I  do  not  know.  If  he  does,  he  7nust  wait  till  I 
am  through  with  Wiswall.  I  send  $9")0,  in  current  bills  by  Mr.  Hitchcock,  to  be  added  to  thn 
,$900,  and  managed  in  the  same  manner.  I  did  not  mean  to  call  on  Mr.  Olcott  for  specie,  hut 
since  his  message  to-day  I  intend  to  pay  him  specie  and  to  make  him  furnish  it  besides.  Yon 
need  not  tell  him  sn,  howewr.  I  vin.it  have  SO.ME  specie  by  Mr.  Wing,  nnd  shall  rely  on  you 
for  it,  five  or  six  hundred  dollars  carries  ine  safely*  through  the  week. 

Yours  truly.        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

You  may  send  a  copy  of  the  foregoing  by  Thursday's  boat. 

Let  the  papers  in  Mr.  Hitchcock's  care  be  sent  up. 


"'f 


Jesse  Ifoyt  instructed  to  proclaim  thai  the  Bank  could  and  irould  pay. 
[No.  19.]  W.vsinxiiTON  &  Warre.x  Bann,  Sa.vuv  Hilt,,  June  23,  1819.  Wed.  9,  A.  M. 
Dear  Sir  :  Road  the  enclosed  letter  to  Mr.  Barker,  seal  and  send  il  as  soon  as  possible,  and  if 
the  specie  for  the  J<)<li.')()  is  n<it  already  on  the  wav,  hasten  il  as  speedily  as  possible.  TELIj 
ALL  PERSONS  THAT  THE  BANK  HAS  NOT  STOPPED,  AND  WILL  NOT  STOP 
PAYMENT,  AND  THAT  WE  PAY  IN  SPECIE.  I  iircsume  the  rumour  of  the  failure  of 
our  Bank  in   Ali)any  must  have  arisen  from   the  reports  of  Wiswall.     J.rl   no  one  know  the 

*  His  loltor  wn-i  wrilton  on  Tne^einy  eveniiip— four  diiys  of  the  week  were  yet  to  come— Ituller  was  reiidy  to  onv 
Gilchrist  sviecic.  and  '  niilliiiip  else  '— tlio"  he  imd  trnrcelv  niiv  to  |inv.  niul  was  di'|>endin3  (,n  (i  lew  huialrcd  dollars 
orsmnll  rhninje  tneiirry  him  snfely  through  tlie  week,  (it"  course,  his  stateinenl  to  (;ilclirlst  and  others  thnt  he  wa» 
nl)le  to  iiav  anil  woiiM  ilo  so,  wns  nntrue.  Mr  (iih'hrist  in  now  in  i\ew  York.  a.  r.,orcliiiiit,  I  hclieve.  He  tell', 
thai  so  far'  w;is  Mr.  Untler  from  pnvinp  that  he  threatened  to  put  him  out  of  his  ollire.  Of  ciuirse,  lie  ]e\\  Sandy 
Hill.  WhethRf  the  Wi.swnll  protracted  jinyment  wns  another  pious,  le-jnl  and  linani:iiil  trick,  is  ii  uncstion  eiisler 
aiked  than  answered. 


^:.-^;:--C?;: 


.)  •■. 


«■";'•     >' 


1'*^     BUTLRr's  COUHAGE,  CrNNINCS  AND  CUHRENCY— PLENTV  OF  CHAMPAIGN- 

amount  of  my  call*,  nor  of  my  fundi.     If  any  apecie  coincs  from  Mr.  Barker,  forwnrd  it  by  ex. 
prrtt.  Yours  truly,        B.  F.  Bi:  I'LER. 

To  IT"yt,  tfuwing  the  PrenilenVt  nice  sense  of  honor, 
[No.  QO  ]  S.\.\DY  Hill,  .luiie  24,  1819.  Thursday  morniiiK,  10  minutes  before  10. 

Df.ir  H>iyi  :  The  iiUelliKence  by  Mr.  Wiiit;  is  une.xpected  and  unpieiisnnt.  I  am  soriy  you 
did  nut  send  the  spfcie.  hi  the  abaince  of  all  instructions  from  Mr.  Barker foi  a  fonniglit,  I 
coui'ider  it  my  duty  to  continue  paying.  If  1  stop  1  may  as  well  stop  next  week  na  this.  1  can 
hold  out  through  lhi^<  week.  My  courage  is  undaunted,  spirits  not  [at]  all  depressed,  und  if  1  diu 
"  I  dji'  with  harne.'^s  on  my  back,"  fighting  as  long  as  possible. 

(Favoured  b/  Mr.  Boyd.)  Yours  truly.        B.  F    BUTLER. 

P.  rf.     Thvu^  nrc  thousands  of  men  and  of  paper  here.     Mr.  Boyd    hod  agreed   to  take  my 

draft  on  .Incoh  Barker,  at  10  dui/s'  sight.     VVhile  he  was  gone  to   Baird's  for  the  money,  Winn 

arrived  eipreis.     I  could  have  given  it  afterwards,  but  CONCLi VING  IT  DISHONORABLE/ 

TOLD  HI.M  IN  CONFIDENCE  WHAT  1  HAD  HEARD,  and  refusrd  to  give  him  the  draft. 


To  Hoyt,  saying  he  would  stop  i/  his  master  so  ordered. 
[No.  21.]  Sandy  Hill,  June  25,  1819,  10  o'clock  A.  M, 

Dear  Hoyt :  I  have  not  yet  stopped  payment,  and  shall  not  (unless  Mr.  Barker  directs  me  to  do 
so,)  until  J  am  ubligtd  lu  gice  vp  the  ship.  Yours  truly,         B,  F.  BUTLER. 

[No.  22.]  Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  .Sandy  Hii.l,  June  26,  1819. 

Dear  Sir  •  I  endow  you  a  letter  for  Mr.  Barker,  which  please  read,  and  then  copy.  Send  one 
ropy  to  New  York  for  !VIr.  Barker,  and  keep  the  other  on  hand  for  him,  as  he  may  be  ut  Albany  be- 
fore the  one  sent  to  New  York  can  reach  him.  You  will  perceive  from  the  within  what  my  situn. 
tion  is.     Would  it  not  be  folly  for  me  to  stop?  Yours  truly,        B.F.BUTLER. 

P.  S.  Keep  the  situation  of  my  funds  secret. 

The  Banker  borrotring — the  Bank  tDill  pay.    President  Butler  to  Mr.  John  Baird,  Albany. 

[Favored  by  Mr.  Hoyt.j 
[No.  23.]  Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  Sandy  Hill,  June  2fi,  1819. 

Dear  Sir:  Availing  myself  of  your  ifriendly  offer  to  loan  nie  for  the  use  of  this  Bunk,  four 
Thousand  Dollars,  I  send  you  by  Jesse  Hoyt,  my  private  note  for  that  sum.  which  he  is  authorized 
to  till  up  with  such  terns  ot  payment  as  may  be  agreeable  to  you,  and  also  'wenty.six  promissory 
notes  amounting  to  more  than  Ten  Thousand  Dollars,  which  I  am  able  to  assure  you  are  as  good 
paper  us  this  state  can  afford,  to  be  placed  in  your  hands  as  collateral  security  for  the  prompt  pay. 
nient  of  the  loan.  It  is  desirable  to  conclude  this  arrangement  without  delay,  which  is  the  cause 
of  mv  addressing  you  ut  Albany.  You  may  rely  upon  it  that  the  Dank  can  and  teill  continue 
its  REDEMPTIONS.     I  am,  dear  sir,  your  friend  and  obedient  servant.        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

To  Iloyt  on  a  legal  tender  for  the  Albany  Dutch. 
[No.  24.]  [Favored  by  Caleb  Baker,  Esq  ]  .Sandy  Hill,  June  29tb,  1819. 

Dear  Hoyt : — The  enclosed  will  show  you  how  the  "  world  wags."  One  of  those  persons tli.nt 
I  told  to  wait  until  their  turns  came,  was  THE  YOUNG  PATROON,  who  had  4  or  $500  token 
for  rents  due  liis  father. 

If  you  know  him — as  I  believe  you  do — I  wish  you  wotild  FALL  IN  WITH  HIM,  and  ask 
his  opinion — /  know  it  will  be  favorable  although  I  did  not  pay  him,  because  he  sat  within  viy 
roHuter  and  read  the  papers,  AND  DRANK  WINE  WITH  ME  FOR  TWO  OR  THREE 
HOURS  BEFORE  THE  BANK  CLOSED,  and  saw  every  inan  who  had  come  from  a  dis. 
tance,  or  was  poor  and  needy,  paid  in  specie  without  a  moment's  delay. 

Now  if  his  opinion  is  friendly,  I  dare  say  it  will  passcurrent,  AND  BE  A  LEGAL  TEN- 
DER in  your  DUTCH  metropolis,  and  it  would  answer  for  CIRCULATION,  &,c.  Let  me 
hear  how  everything  goes — and  what  is  said  and  done  at  Albany. 

Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

Seal  and  send  the  enclosed  after  reading  it.     If  the  loan  with  Baird  was  concluded,  and  you 

*  Mr.  Biillcr  wns  tlic  Prosiilent  of  a  Bnnk  chnrtered  liy  the  I,ci;i!<lntiire.  a  Inwyer.  flie  student  unci  pnrtner  of  At- 
tornny  General  Vnn  Huron,  unci  trnnJarted  the  iHinineiii  niid  knew  or  |iret«ridcd  to  know  the  condition  of  the  insti- 
Intion,  whnee  nntei  he  si<rncd  luid  promined  to  [,uy.  If  it  wns  diahonornble  to  (Wnieive  his  friend  Royd  on  Thnrsdiiy, 
a<  nhove,  wui  il  Iinnnrnhje  or  honrit  to  nunre  linird  on  Sntnrday  "  thiit  the  liiiiik  ran  and  will  continue  it.4  re 
demptioni."  \Va<  it  lioneM  to  dweive  the  YoiinK  Pntroon  on  Tiiesdny,  or  to  get  Mr.  Ilovt  to  pliice  in  the  Albnny 
Onily  Advertiser  the  titinc  of  nrtfiil  iintrntlii  dated  nt  Snndy  Hill  on  that  day.  and  which  Sir.  Butler  applauds  (loyt 
for  publiihinir,  as  being  "  well  timed  V  I  cannot  conceive  the  idea  of  more  direct,  clear,  systemiitic  and  well  un- 
deritood  fraud  than  ii  exhibited  unblushingly  by  Messrs  Uutler  and  lloyt's  transactions  recorded  on  these  page*. 


Btl 

expect  the  s- 
there  will  n 
TONS  OF 


Mr.  Hoy 
timed,"  say 

[Washing 

ners :  The  I 

its  publicatic 

[No.  2 

The  run 
sided.     The 
that  the  I^i 
arc  delightc 
were  more  c 
in  paying, 
came    with 
and  retire  to 
silver  and  w 
of  sold:     '\ 
dcnunciatioi 
goods  you  CI 
lesH,  as  you 
the  pre  fere  11: 
the  '  body  pi 

[No.  25, 1. 
Bank  ban  ni 
the  brokers 
I  .shall  comr 
June. 

[No.  26.] 
not  go.    1 8 


[No.  a 

To  f.'sse 
I  sen  I  yo 
ventured  it 
to  run  the 
the  bearer. 


♦  President 
issued  nftcr  ,V 

The  fnllMW 
AX  Ol'KIOI 

'  fbr  thf.  T 
iniftiin  mill  VV 
to  n  tow  pron 
pecteil  siispen 
tiispirioM!, 
pro|ihecics  m 
wns.  the  rapii 
ei|'iivalent  llii 
fir.1t  gliock,  a 
VVmhiiinion  i 
compelled  to 
pleisiint  iiail 
brokers  and  i 
oank.  It  hai 
matt  farlhin 
dejits  arc  per 
one  be  n  los<3 

It  is  true  tl 
under  fluLrisI 


AMPAIGN. 

■,  forwnrJ  it  by  ex. 
F.  BI.'TLER. 


inul»!>  before  10. 

I  mil  bony  you 
!rfi>i  a  roiinight,  1 
>Hk  ns  this.  1  can 
re88<>d,  und  if  1  dio 

F   BUTLER, 
jreed   lo  take  my 

the  monpy,  Winu 
jHONORABLE,* 
give  him  the  dnijt. 


0  o'clock  A.  M. 
er  diret'ls  me  lo  do 
F.  BUTLER. 

June  26,  1819. 
II  copy.     Send  one 
ny  lie  ut  Albany  he- 
itiin  what  my  oitun. 
F.  BUTLER. 


i  Bairtl,  Albany. 

.Tune  Qfi,  1819. 
\of  this  Dank,  four 
lich  he  is  authorized 
enty.six  promissory 
jre  yoii  are  as  pood 

for  the  prompt  pay. 
I  which  is  the  chupc 

and  teill  continue 
B.  F.  BUTLER. 


rune  29th,  1819. 
>f  tiiose  persons  thnt 
id  4  or  $500  taken 

rn  HIM,  and  ash 
•  hf  sat  within  my 
WO  OR  THREE 

1  ciiine  from  a  (lis. 

V  LEGAL  TEN- 
ON, &c.    Let  me 

.  F.  BUTLER, 
loncluded,  and  you 

int  nnil  imrtner  of  At- 
comlitiDii  of  the  insli- 
11(1  Riiyil  (in  TIniradiiy, 
1  will  continue  its  re 
o  pliice  in  the  Albany 
Rutlcr  applauds  (loyt 
itemiitic  and  well  un- 
ited on  these  page*. 


BIITLF.n,  VA:(   BL'KK.'M-lKE,  fJUI.LS  THE  I'KOPLE  TlIRnUGlI  THE  TRESS. 


1 60 


expect  the  specie  on  Thursdny,  you  may  perliapsask  Caleli  Raker  to  flay  for  it.  If  not,  tell  him 
there  will  nut  be  A  LOAD  until  next  week.  UK  AND  EVERY  BODY  EL«E  thinks  J  har>« 
TONS  Of  IT  on  the  wmj. 


Hotjt  and  Butler's  pious  but  well-timed  falsehood. 
Mr.  Iloyt  got  his  friend  Butler's  letters  published  as  puds  at  Albany.     '•  Your  extract  wa»  well 
timed,"  says  Butler,  (July  3d.)     Here  i.-;  the  extract. 

/•V«m  the  Albiniji  JJaily  Advertiser. 

[Washington  and  Warren  Bnuk.j — Wednesday,  3  tlh  June,  IHID.  Mtssrti.  Weliuters  &  Skin- 
ners :  The  following  isaii  extract  from  a  letter  (hited  O"  ^aiidy  Hill,.TiiiK'  29,  1819  If  you  think 
its  publication  will  be  of  any  service  to  comtnunity,  you  will  pleii.=e  to  yive  it  a  place  in  your  paper. 
[No.  25.]  Sam.v  Hii.l,  June,  29,  1819. 

The  run  upon  the  bank  still  continues,  but  the  ninrni  in  this  part  of  the  country  iy  wholly  sub. 
sided.  The  nipenrancc  <•/  IJr.  Barker  in  good  health  and  /spirits  anions  us,  salisffd  the  people 
that  the  fVashin^lon  and  ]Varren  Dank  would  sustain  no  loss  by  his  trniporary  suspension.  All 
arc  delighted  with  thr  accomiiunl'tting  disposition  of  Mr.  Dutlcr  thr  President.  When  there 
were  more  calls  than  \v:  could  .satisfy  with  liis  own  hands,  he  called  in  his  nei;,'hhors  to  assist  him 
in  payiii;^.  And  when  then;  were  more  than  nil  could  attend  to,  he  rei|Ui.'sft.'d  those  jiersons  that 
came  with  the  bills,  to  lay  them  down  and  take  iis  many  dollars  iti  specie  ns  they  left  in  bills, 
and  retire  to  give  room  for  others.  Many  caine  and  snw  the  enunter  loaded  down  with  pold  nnA 
silver  and  went  away  sntistied  that  all  was  well,  and  that  Sandy  Hill  v.ms  tint  without  its  '  grains 
of  sold.'  You  may  tell  your  Albany  bank?  that  they  had  better  bf-  n  little  more  sparini;  of  their 
denunciations,  lor  their  own  vaults  may  have  to  atone  for  the  sins  of  their  keepers.  Sell  all  the 
goods  you  can  for  these  notes.  But  you  had  belter  not  send  up  until  the  alarm  has  proved  ground- 
less, as  you  may  be  trod  on  in  the  crowd.  When  you  do  send,  however,  you  will  always  have 
the  preferenct!  over  brokers  in  being  wailed  upon,  lor  we  do  not  nmch  admire  those  leeches  upon 
the  '  body  politic'  in  this  part  of  th',-  country," 

[No.  25,  «.]  Steam  Boat  Riehmoml,  June28,  1819.— Sir:  I  left  Sandy  Hill  yesterday.  The 
Bank  has  not  stopped  payment — it  will  nut  stop  payment ;  which  please  promulgate  to  prevent 
the  brokers  from  tp(  culaiing  on  the  fears  of  the  holders  of  the  bank  of  Washington  and  Wnrren. 
I  -shall  connnence  ijiscountiiig  again  (at  the  Exchange  Bank,)  within  GO  days  from  the  23d  of 
June.  JACOB  BARKER. 

[No.  26]  30,  June,  1819. — Dear  Hoyi :  If  the  original  arrives  in  lime  for  the  mail,  this  need 
not  go.     I  shall  want  the  specie  for  Schuyler's  note  if  [jaid.     Vours  truly,         B.  F.  BUTLER. 

President  Dutler  deceicfs  the  Ptople,  and  denounces  Chartered  Monopolies. 
[No.  27.)  [Per  Mr.  L.  Clark.  |     S.VNnv  Hill,  July  1,  1819. 

Tk  f-sse  H.ivt. — Dear  Sir  :  The  enclosed  yon  will  send  by  the  first  boat,  niter  reading  it,  &c. 
I  sen  I  you  25  Ti.mf.s.      You  see  how  bohlly  we  come  out.     I  have  deliberated  long  before  I 
ventured  it — but,  as  it's  a  pirl  of  my  "  l)iid!»et  of  ways  and  inean.s,"  have  at  length  concluded 
to  run  the  haz  ird.*     If  the  specie  lor  Schuyler's  note  could   be  obtained,  you  could  send  it  by 
the  buirer.     Send  the  papers  on  Saturday.     Tell  mo  what  vou  think  of  my  bulletin. 

Yours  truly,         B.  F.  BUTLER. 

*  President  lluilcr's  Miinilosto.  rpferroil  to  in  the  above  letter,  as  a  part  of  bl»  "  budget  of  v.'iiys  aad  means,"  and 
issued  nfler  Mr.  Hurkcr's  visit,  wn«  ii»  t'.lliiws  : 

\From  the  Sandy  Hill  'I'iinc.i.  ./ii/y '-'.  18111.) 

The  fiiM'iwinir  (^oinniunicatioii  nn  the  utibjcct  uf  the  Uunk  at  tliia  place,  may  be  relied  ujion  ua  cuining  FUOM 
AN  Dl'FICI.M.  SolMtCK. 

'  fhr  tke  Times  \  W.xshinoi  cin  and  Waurkn  D.vnk  — The  oxpitenicMl  in  relrition  tn  the  pnper  of  the  Wash- 
instiin  and  Warri'ii  (tank,  be^inniii;  tcisulisiile,  pfchii|is  it  iii-iv  tint  be  ill  timed  to  reiiUL'st  llic  ntlention  of  the  piiblu; 
toa  few  prominent  imiiils,  coiineclcd  with  the  iiper!ition»  nnd  cliiriicter  of  tbtit  institution.  The  sudden  niul  unex- 
pected suspension  of  paynienl  at  the  lixchaiiffo  Hank,  toijuthcr  with  other  cinsc.s  produced,  very  naturally,  strong 
tusiiirions  •  f  the  Milvencv  ol'ilie  VVusliiiiKtoii  and  Wurrcn  Itank,  which  were  preatiy  iiicron.'ied  by  the  malicious 
prophecies  nnd  slandennis  reports  of  persons  who  re;,'arded  its  snrcpss  with  jciloiisv  nnd  hatri-d.  The  consequence 
was.  the  rapid  and  vexations  return  of  its  notes,  acconipanuid  with  denninils  for  specie,  or  fir  such  hank  pa|ier  ns  is 
eipiivnlent  thereto.  .Mr.  Darker,  foreseeing.' this  result,  and  feiriii;;  that  the  bank  iiii;;ht  not  be  able  to  wilhstnnil  the 
fiml  shock,  allliote.'li  (lonlident  of  ultimate  success,  very  fairly  assured  the  public,  in  hi*  adilress  to  thcni,  that  the 
Washi  i(.'ton  nnd  Wnrren  notes  would  all  lie  paid  leithin  .licty  (/'i//.«,  witbout  promisinj;  that  the  hank  would  not  bo 
compolled  to  siis|ieud.  fir  n  short  period,  the  piyoiCTit  of  iis  n  ilcs.  It  was  fmnd,  howi.'ver,  that  a  course  (o  iin- 
pleisant  and  diilressinj  was  unnecessary,  nnd  that  the  hank,  hij  rraortitig-  to  I'M  /e/ral  riakt.1.  so  far  <t.i  it  respects 
irokera  and  other  hanks,  woild  be  able  to  ride  out  the  gale  and  tint  too  without  pre-sjnir  those  that  owe  the 
Dank.  It  has  continued,  and  loill continue  its  rcilcinptions,  and  i.i  abundantly  able  to  fxiii  all  //.'  drht.i.  to  the  "  utter- 
most farthing"  The  debts  due  to  the  bank,  amount  to  more  tliun  donlile  tJirir  iioios  in  circulation,  and  tkost 
dcMs  arc  perfectly  secure — there  is  perhaps  scarcely  one  that  will  not  ultiiii.i.tcly  be  c(il|pi:f.l.  How  then  can  any 
one  be  it  losdr  by  the  bank  1 

It  is  true  that  the  Bank  has  not  e.xtended  to  siicculators  nnd  haiil;  a/rnit.i,  tint  prn-int  ncconimodation  wlileli, 
under  tluurialiing  circuinatunccs,  would  probably  nave  hern  alfurdcd  •  and  it  i.<  al-o  trtio  iba!  t  hi'"  been  "n^'ngod,  anil 


I 


.1  w 


j  ■  *■•'•■■ 


160        BUTLER  DADGEHS  BROKERS,  BULLIES  TUE  BANKS,  AND  OBEYS  BARKER. 

To  Iloyt,  on  hit  preparations  to  badger  the  Board  of  Broken. 
[No.  28.]  Sandy  Hill,  July  3>l,  1819—11  A.  M. 

Dear  Hott  :  All  goes  on  well.  Coleb  urrived  lust  night  with  the  reinforcement.  Yuur 
"extract"  vat  weil  timed.  I  wixli  you  would  keep  the  Alhany  nierchjints  bnck.  It's  ratlu-r 
bad  friendship  to  pel  our  biliH  togethur,  and  post  iheni  up  here,  soy  3U  days  eouiuT  thiin  tluy 
would  otherwise  come.  At  the  worst  ihey  would  go  into  Brokers'  hands,  WliiClI  Iri  THl' 
DEST  PLACE  IN  THE  WORLD  FOR  MF-.  I  have  received  a  very  begging,  coaxing  letter 
from  Mr.  Olcott,  but  at  ll^i»wairt  money  it  not  half  paid,  I  don't  trouble  myaelf  about  it. 

Yours  truly,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


To  Iloyt,  at  Albany. — Ought  nut  the  Public  to  wait  awhile ,' 

[No.  39.]  [Sent  per  Mr.  Hand.]     Sandy  Hill,  July  7,  1819. 

Private  and  Secret. — Df.aii  Hoyt:  I  have  paid  since  the  Run  comnienced  $9000  and  ovor. 
You  know  how  much  1  hnd  ihtn.  I  HAVE  A  GREAT  DEAL  MORE  NOW,  and  am  in 
every  retpect  belter  off.  The  reinforcement  from  Jacob  Barker  puis  me  nut  [of]  d.mger.  Havt 
paid  very  liberally  SINCE  IT  ARRIVED.  BUT  SHALL  NOW  HOLD  UP.  The  pubii,. 
have  been  paid  over  .$ (iOOO— the  Brokers  $3000.  OUGHT  NOT  THE  PUBLIC  TO  WAIT 
AWHILE?  U>  have  CROWED  full  enough  for  the  present,  therefore  had  better  mile  no 
more  for  the  papers.  I  shall  add  a  note  to  "  Equal  Rights,"  which  will  gill  the  Mechanics'  ami 
Farmers'  Bank  to  the  quick.* 

Finished  last  Saturday  night  by  trying  the  replevin,  at  Glen's  Falls — got  home  1  o'clock, 
Sunday  morning.  Jury  equally  divided,  G  and  G — Sheriff  in  our  fncor.  Skinner  and  me  boili 
summed  up  ;  suited  myself  and  everybody  else.  Noticed  anew  fur  Tue.'day,  13 — cleiir  case  ; 
■hall  certainly  succeed — want  tlie  lease  from  Van  Rensselaer  to  Caldwell,  as  they  gave  parol 
evidenve  of  it.     Send  it  up  in  time. 

Paid  Saturday,  the  3d,  901 ;  on  .Monday,  379  though  the  Bank  wat  shut ;  on  Tuesdny,  817. 

Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 


To  Hoyt,  on  Laic,  Chancery,  and  suffering  the  People  "  to  fret  a  Utile." 
[No.  30.]  Sanhv  Him,,  July  10th,  1819. 

Dear  Sir:  My  present  business  i.")  chancery.  The  enclosed  bill  I  drew  in  great  haste  last  nigli! 
and  this  morning.  I  want  it  presente<l  on  Monday,  and  the  motion  made  and  urged  on  ilip 
OTound  of  the  preoi  injury  to  the  Bank  if  those  notes  should  be  put  in  circulation.  Whethrr 
Barker's  nasignnient  to  this  Bank  is  good  or  not,  ice  are  entitled  to  the  injunction.  Whetli»r 
the  bills  are  his  or  ours,  the  Farmers'  Bank  have  no  right  to  use  them ;  and  if  they  do,  we  sufllr 
•9  well  as  J.  B.  [Jacob  Barker]  I  want  the  bill  copied,  and  a  copy  sent  to  Mr.  Barker  for  Mr. 
JVelli'  examination. 

If  you  get  the  injunction,  show  it  first  to  the  State  Bank,  and  tell  they  follow  next — then  serve 
it  on  Farmers' Bank — then  show  to  Lansingburgh,  and  tell  them  they  shall  have  the  same,  n/d/ 
had  better  keep  the  billa.  That  is,  if  you  think  it  best  to  inform  the  others  before  I  have  made 
out  bills  against  them. 

The  M  business  I  have  neglected,  and  never  can  attend  to  it.     Serve  the  petition- 

give  the  notice — fill  up  the  proper  day — make  the  motion.  You  and  the  Allorncy  General  [Mr. 
Van  Buren,]  draw  the  infi  rrogatories  and  examine  the  witnesses.  /  c^kho^  and  must  rely 
wholly  on  vou. 

The  Bank  is  safe,  and  I  mean  to  keep  it  so.  I  WILL  RATHER  SUFFER  THE  PUB- 
LIC TO  FRET  A  LITTLE,  than  hazard  the  safely  of  THE  INSTITUTIO.N  by  paying  out 
TOO  FAST.     I  have  paid  this  week  ,$2500— $C00  of  which  was  Walker. 

Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

JOr  I*  now  engaged  in  the  payment  of  small  specie,  J^  to  persons  of  timt  descriptinn  ;  but  it  tmift  nlwnys  be  re- 
raemticred,  thai  the  Farmers,  .Michtmics,  Trarellcrs,  and  Tradumen,  icho  have  presented  its  hilts,  have  been  paiJ 
in  the  most  prompt  and  liberal  manner.  It  mtist  also  bo  borne  in  mind,  tbat  tbe  pressure  <if  tbe  times  would  of 
itself  be  a  suffinent  c.vRUse  lor  ninny  tilings,  which,  at  ii  more  propitious  moment,  would  be  deemed  incoini-tenl 
Willi  the  rules  of  fair  iind  hnnurublo  business  ;  and  above  nil,  tbiit  the  course  pursued  in  this  pirticuhr  instnni'c, 
is  adopted  for  the  express  purpose,  not  of  injurinjf,  but  of  indemnifying  tbe  public.  THE  HANK  IS  Altl.E  To 
I'.VY,  and  intends  to  pay  its  notes,  but  it  fuppiisea  that  the  honest  yeomanry,  who  compose  the  "  bone  and  gristlr" 
of  the  land,  are  entitled  to  every  accommodation,  in  preference  to  greedy  speculators  and  arrogant  monied  aristo- 
cracies. TTiosr  too  nhii  have  "poisoned  the  chalice,"  have  no  reason  to  complain,  if  xcith  retributive  justice,  it  is 
"presented  U>  their  tips  ;"  nor  even  if  Uiey  are  compelled  to  taste  a  portion  of  its  contents. 

*  After  the  VV.  and  W.  Bank  hnd  shut  its  doors  for  several  yenrs  nnd  hovght  in  its  own  unsnienble  pnper,  it  openpil 

them  Rjain Jacob  Barker,  Jesse  Hoyt,  Fitzgrcene  Iliilleck,  nnd  B.  F.  Butler  beiiip  still  coniiectod  with  it     (m 

the  Wth  of  December  1621!,  Mr.  G.  R.  Biirkcr,  cashier,  wrote  from  the  Bunk  to  Mr.  Butler,  as  follows  i—Denr  Sir— 
This  will  be  hnnded  you  by  J.  F.  Sliirrill  who  goes  to  Albany  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  some  specie.  I  want 
MOOO.  and  »end  you  that  amount  in  bilis.  Mr.  [JacobJ  Barker  savs  he  hns  written  Mr.  Olcoit  on  the  subject.  I 
rhould  not  trouble  wow,  but  want  the  business  done  correctly,  nnd  fear  to  trust  it  alone  with  Mr.  Shirrill.  1  send  a 
draft  for  {jjiSOOO;  w'hich,  if  Mr.  O.  preferM,  you  will  please  linnd  hira— but  I  should  prefer  his  taking  the  notes.  IT 
you  have  to  e'lte  him  tho  draft  you  will  please  dei>osite  the  notes  io  the  M.  and  F.  Bunk,  to  oiircredit,  which  will 
make  a  specie  deposit  of  thnt  amount  in  Albony.  G.  R,  BARKER,  Cathier 


ys  BAUKER. 

icri. 
1819—11  A.  M. 

•inforceracnt.  Your 
Its  bnck.  It's  rntlier 
lys  guuiuT  tliiin  tlu'v 
..  WHICH  Irf  THi; 
gging,  coaxing  leiitr 
myself  about  it. 
,  U.  F.  BUTLER. 

He  ! 

IiLL,  July  7,  1819. 
-ed  $1)000  nnd  ovi  r. 
3  NOW,  and  am  in 
\  [ol]  d.inger.  llaxe 
,D  UP.  Tlie  piibli.. 
'UBLIC  TO  WAIT 
had  better  write  no 
I  the  Mechanics'  ami 

■got  home  1  o'clock, 
■^kiiiiuT  and  rue  both 
day,  13 — cleiir  case  ; 
I,  as  they  gave  parol 

t ;  on  Tiiesdnv,  817. 
B.  r.  BUTLKR. 

a  Ullle." 

r„  July  10th,  1819. 

I  great  hnslo  last  nigli! 
and  urged  on  liie 

irculntion.  Whether 
iijiiiictinii.  Wholliir 
i  if  they  do,  we  suflir 
)  Mr.  Barker  for  Mr. 

low  next — then  serve 

II  have  the  aanie,fl;i(/ 
•a  before  I  have  made 

Serve  the  petition — 
.tlorncy  General  [Mr, 
nniiot,  and  must  rely 

fFFER  THE  PUB- 
TIO.N  by  paying  out 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


Iiiit  it  must  nlwnys  lie  ro 
d  its  hillg,  have  been  vaitl 
re  i>r  llie  times  would  of 
III  lie  flaemeil  incniiai-tent 
I  thii  |)trlit;uhr  inatnnie, 
K  HANK  IS  AriI.E  T(i 
ae  the  "  bone  and  jfrhtlr" 

I  arrogant  monied  ariito- 
i  retributive  justice,  it  is 
s. 

nsnienble  pnper,  it  opened 

II  connected  with  it  dn 
r,  as  follows : — Denr  Sir— 
\ng  loine  specie.  I  want 
Olcolt  on  the  suhject.  I 
th  Mr.  f^hirrill.  I  send  n 
r  his  tnking  the  notes.  If 
,  to  our  credit,  which  will 
11.  BARKER,  Caihitr 


BTTTLER  S   PIETY,    PASSION    AND    rElll'LE.XITY — l^ENT    AND  CLINTON.         \^l 

P.  S. — If  Schuyler's  note  was  payable  c,  I  would  take  Washington  and  Warren  gladly,  but 
by  his  own  act  he  has  made  it  payable  in  Albany.  Now  let  him  pay  what  they  will  take,  ex- 
cept I  will  take  it  in  j  Piattsburg  and  ^  current — J  B'jrlington,  ^  current.  If  he  has  our  noten 
let  him  present  them.  If  not  pnid,  write  Baird  that  it  must  be  done  forthwith,  or  he  will  bn 
SUED — Baird  will  make  him  pay  it. 

Chancellor  Kent  scolded — Clinton  declared  to  be  raving  mad — '•  Fair  and  Proper  calls." 

[No-  31  ]  Sa.><i)v  Hir.i,,  July  14,  1819. 

To  J.  lioyt. — Dear  Sir  :  Send  the  enclosed  by  the  boat  to-morrow— all  goes  well.  The 
Chancellor's  decision,  in  my  opinion  is  disgraceful,  partial,  uiijiiatifiahle — (inier  nos.)  I  pay  from 
$700  to  $1000  daily— chielly  in  H^ii-cic— satisfying  all  FAIR  AND  PROPER  ealU. 

I  yesterday  tried  the  Replevin  over  again,  and  after  a  prodigious  hard  conflict  obtained  the 
inquisition.  This  secures  the  estate.  "The  lease  did  not  arrive  in  time  for  the  trial,  as  I  had  it 
at  Lake  George.  Got  through  summing  up  at  11  o'clock — Jury  out  till  after  1,  A.  .\1. — tough 
bitsiness  I  can  assure  you.  After  Bank  hours,  rode  through  sun  and  dust  to  Lake  (rcorge — lii 
miles — tried  the  caus»— up  till  ii,  A.  M. — up  again  at  ^  past  4— home  before  l)ank  hourd. 

CLINTON  IS  RAVIN(i  MAD,  BESIDE  BEING  A  FOOL,     But  1  have  no  time  for  more. 

Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

Capt.  Coffin's  letter  contain.^  cash.  Let  me  know  whether  the  Comptroller  found  the  account 
of  public  monies  received  by  the  Attorney  General  [M.  V.  Bur«n]  during  my  agency,  correct.  I 
furnished  it  last  mail.  (Sent  by  Mr.  Bacon.) 

"  From  Grave  to  Gay—from  Lively  to  Severe." — "  Orator  Puff  had  lira  tones  to  his  vice." 
[No.  .Sa.]     Jesse  lloyt,  Es.].,  care  of  Jacob  Barker,  Esq.,  New  York.* 

Sandy  Hir.r,.  July  21,  1819. 
My  Dear  Sir:  I  condole  with  you  moat  sincerely.     I  comtneiid  you  to  Him  who  is  able  to 
bind  up  the  broken  heart — who  alone  can  give  you  consolation  in  your  distress — whose  will  is 
righteou.'*,  and  whose  mercy  is  unbounded.     1  HAVE  NO  TIME  FOR  MORE. 

Yours  most  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 
Postscript.     I  have  of  this  date  written  to  Jacob  Barker,  E8q.,stuting  my  situation  and  pres- 
sing him  to  furnish  me  one  thousand  dollars  at  least  in  specie,  to  reach  mc  by  the  30th  inst.     If 
niy  letters  are  not  received,  please  inform  him  of  this  postscript,  and  add  that  it  is  absolutely 
neressarv. 


To  IloyI,  on  paying  in  a  slow  way  ! 

[No.  33.]  SARvrooA  Springs,  Aug.  d4th,  1819. 

Dear  Sir:  .  »  «  »  «  Your  jrother  [Lorenzo  Hoy t,]  has  charge  of  the 
Bank  during  my  absence — Mr.  Barker  left  us  this  morning  for  the  south.  «  «  »  *  *  The 
Bank  will  go  on  paying  daily,  IN  A  SLOW  WAY,  uiml  Mr.  B.  [Barker]  is  able  to  give  me 
some  liberal  assistance — and  in  the  meantime  I  shall  take  it  slow  and  easy  tor  the  future,  without 
laboring  as  I  have  done  for  the  two  months  past,  which  have  been  in  every  respect  the  most  la- 
borious and  pcr|)lf.\iiigof  my  life.  I  felicitate  myself,  however,  with  the  rellection,  that  I  have 
relieved  MANY  HUNDREDS  of  persons  who  would  have  been  almost  ruiifd  if  we  had  stopt 
as  Mr.  Barker  advised  me — that  I  have  kept  up  PARTIALLY  the  credit  of  I hr  paper  O"  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  Bank,  which  in  the  event  of  stopping  would  have  been  at  .'iO  or  60  per  cent 
discount — and,  that  in  all  that  I  have  done,  I  have  been  actuated  by  a  sincere  desire  to  promote 
the  interests  of  my  employer,  nnd  the  welfare  and  preservation  of  the  community.      *    »     »    * 

In  haste,  your  friend,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

Preserve   the    Bank  ! — Bntlrr'.i  character   loierred — Hoyt   exhorted  to   repentance — Sabbath 

Keeping —  IVisdom's   IVays. 
[No.  .34.]         [To  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.]  Sandy  Ilir.r,,  Nov.  16,  1819. 

My  Dear  Sir :  Yours  of  the  11th  is  just  received — I  enclose  a  power  of  attorney  which  I  pre- 
sume will  answer.  Your  letter  of  the  .'jth  was  received  last  week ;  but  being  called  away  for 
the  two  next  days,  and  considerably  engaged  since  my  return,  I  had  not  found  it  convenient  to 
acknowledge  its  receipt.  I  shall  tint  pretend  to  deny  your  right  to  complain  of  my  silence,  but; 
at  the  same  time,  I  must  retort  tli  'liarge  ;  and  I  presu  le  you  will  admit  that  there  is  full  as 
much  ground  for  it  in  one  ea.se  as  ii.  he  other.  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  multiplicity  of  your  con. 
cerns,  nor  of  your  industry  and  perseverance  ;  and  I  hope  most  sincerely  they  will  be  rewarded 
by  that  success  to  which  they  are  justly  entitled  ;  but  I  believe  you  cannot  have  had  so  perplexing 
and  arduous  a  tour  ot  duty  as  mine  has  been  for  the  last  six  months.  Indeed,  I  am  certain  that 
no  poor  wight  ever  labored  more  sincerely  for  the  public  good,  or  receirr.d  more  of  public  censure 

♦When  if  became  evident  that  Mr.Harker  would  neixher  purehnse  the  "goodwill  "  ot't  lie  broken  Bnnk  of  Ningnm, 
at  Bnffiilo,  nor  sustain  the  Washington  and  Warren  Bank,  Mr.  Hoyt  reinovod  I'roni  .Mlmny  to  New  York  to  prac- 
tice law,  having  taken  out  licenc«ia,  as  an  attorney-at-Iaw,  and  as  a  sulicitur-lii-chaiiccrv. 


t.' 


t" 


l\ 


II 


u  -•  ■  ,;■ 


iJ  I. 


my  r 


.'  ■;■•■ 


I: 

R. 

i't 
,1 


lljl  -: 


■,  t 


162      IIIS  GAME  OF  PILLa'gE  GAINED,  BUTLER  mEACUKS  TO  BKOTHRR  JESSE. 

and  abuse.     For  the  ln«t  seven  or  eight  weeks,  however,  we  have  had  comparatively  quiet  titnts, 
and  I  have  had  some  liisure  for  law  reading  and  law  labor. 

You  aro  right  in  supposing  that  the  late  catastrophe  (for  I  consider  it  the  end  oi  that  dramri) 
in  the   Exchange  Bniik,  is  a  conunon  misfortune.     Tome  especially  it  is  a  great  one.     I  hud 
cheerfully  suffered  the  depreciati  .i  o/OUR  PAPER,  that  Mr.  B.  [Barker]  niijrht  in  the  meiin- 
tiine  bend  all  his  efforts  to  the  Exchange  Bank,  and  in  the  resumption  of  payment  there,  hoped 
for  the  most  auspicious  results.     The  matter  is  past  niendinc;,  and  no  doubt  it  is  all  t()r  the  best, 
]Ve  eniitinue  paying  daily  in  a  small  way,  more  to  rcliroe  the  siiffcriiign  of  community  thnn  for 
any  other  purpose.     The  credit  of  the  paper  is  very  low  in  this  country — hardly  any  one  takea 
it  nt  par — and  were  it  not  for  the  small  payments  of  which  I  spuke,  no  one  of  my  neighbors 
would  have  any  conlidence  in  the  ultimate  solvency  of  the  in.'^titutioii.     Some  few,  inferring  from 
what  has  been  done  and  what  is  now  doing,  that  the  intention  is  TO  PRESERVE  THE  BANK, 
are  rather  disposed  to  thiidi  favorably  of  the  concern  ;  but  their  numbers  are  not  great.     Fortu- 
nately, however,  by  our  redemptions  and  collections,  we  have  got  in  nearly  all  the  pnpcr  in  cir- 
culiition  in  this  part  of  the  Stale,  and  there  is  now  bui  little  more  than  half  as  much  out  as  there 
was  when  the  (roubles  commenced.     The  most  interesting  and  gratifying  part  of  your  letter,  wns 
that  in  which  you  gave  us  reason  to  look  for  you  here  in  December.     We  shall  rely  with  cer- 
tainty  .in   your  coming  up;  and  if  a  cordial  reception  can  make  your  visit   a  pleasant  one,  you 
will  niost  assuredly  find  it  so.     Indeed,  1  can  say  most  truly,  there  is  no  one  of  my  quondam 
friend.*  that  1  amnu)ri'  an.\ious  to  see  than  yourselt'.     By  the  bye,  my  character  is  so  depreciated 
at  Albany  (;i '('ordin';  to  re|)ort)  that  but  few  of  my  old  acquaintances  would  acknowledge  or  re- 
ceive me.     ."-^onie  of  them,  I  hear,  have  the  kindness  and  condescension  to  compassionate  and 
pity  me,  while  others  consider  me  full  as  bad  as  Jacob  Hurkcr,  «hich  in  these  daya  is  conijidered 
a  pretty  severe  .specimen  of  invective  and  reproach.     .So  be  it. 

They  cannot  rob  me  of  free  nature's  grace, 
They  cannot  shut  the  windows  of  the  sky, 
They  cannot  bar  my  constant  feet  to  trace 
The  woods  and  lawns,  by  livinc  stream  at  eve  ; 
Of  fancy,  reason,  rirtnc,  nought  can  me  bereave. 

I  am  sorry  to  observe  that  you  are  obliged  to  turn  casuist  in  order  to  reconcile  your  Sundau 
labors  to  your  own  sense  of  duty.  You  may  remember  what  Sir  .Mathew  Hale  said  on  that 
subject,  '•  That  he  tried  both  plans,  and  from  experience  could  say,  that  no  man  ever  gained  any- 
thing in  the  end,  or  furthered  his  business,  by  attendinti  to  it  on  tlu>  Sabbath." 

I  know  that  you  have  had  many  and  severr'  misfortunes  to  contend  with  ;  but  I  tiiink  there  is 
n  better  method  of  consolation  to  be  foinn'  than  the  ow  you  have  adopted.  No  doubt  the  poii;- 
nancy  of  di-^tress  is  often  lessened  and  destroyed  by  the  hurry  of  business  and  the  active  employ, 
meiit  of  the  mind,  and  th  reiore  thos-?  reniedips  should  frequently  be  iidopted — but  no  true  con- 
solation can  ever  be  derived  iVom  anything  tint  requires  the  neglect  of  a  reliiiious  duty.  The 
ways  of  wisdom,  and  of  wisdom  only,  "  are  ways  of  pleasantness" — iier  paths,  a. id  hers  only, 
"  are  paths  of  peace.''     Mrs.  Butler  joins  in  nflectionate  remembrance. 

Truly  yours,  B.  F.  B. 

Pious  rxhortniions  to  Jesse  HoyI — Trnuhlc  at  the  Bank — The  Attorney  malies  his  debut. 

[No.  ."3.")]  Sa.vdv  FIii.L,  Dec.  17,  1819.  My  Dear  Sir:  *  *  la  private  paragraph  omit- 
ted.] *  *  lam  .sensible  you  have  had  many  difiieulties  to  contend  with — many  privations  to 
endure — many  alllietions  to  submit  to — hut  that  all  has  been  riiiht  and  jiixt,  however  severe  and 
jiainful   it  maj*  have   seemed,  is  no  less  the  acknowleduuient   of  REASON,  than  the  dictate  di' 

lEVELATION.  The  former  assures  us  that  the  BEING  ^lio  formed  and  upholds  the  natunil 
world,  so  full  of  order,  regularity,  and  excellence — who  supports  his  eic  ainre.-<  with  every  good  of 
life — "  who  makes  all  nature  beauty  to  the  eye  and  music  to  the  ear,"  must  be  Righteous  niul 
Bi'nevnlcni  ;  while  the    latter  repn'sents  him   as  viiulicating  the  myisterirs  of  His  Providence  by 

siiyina, '•  VVlrit  i  do  imw  thou  knowest  not,  but  thou  shall  know  hereafter.'' 

We  have  been  much  troubled  by  visitors  at  the  Bank  for  the  10  days  past.  The  Court  oi 
Counnon  Pleas,  which  sat  in  the  viUage  a  part  of  two  weeks,  has  just  Jidjourned.  You  canhani- 
ly  conceive  how  much  I  was  vexed  and  molested.  Every  man  who  owned  a  dollar  of  our  paper 
made  a  p'>int  of  briniiing  it  along.  I  made  my  debut  as  an  attorney — was  employed  in  Iw" 
onuses  which  I  tried  and  artrued,and  had  very  good  success.  There  is  but  little  law  business 
do'iig  in  this  county.  Such  complaints  you  never  heard  from  lawyers,  of  the  dullness  of  the 
times  nnd  the  scarcity  of  money.  Most  truly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


Butler's  Pious  Sympathy — Hallcck  initiated  in  W.  {(  W.  Banking. 
[No.  36.]  Sandy  Hii.l.  .Tan.  3.  ]82(>. 

Dear  Hoyt :  We  regret  very  much  that  Mr.  Halh  ek  has  made  his  visit,  and  is  returning  with. 
out  you  J        »        •        »        «        *        nnd  our  hopes  that  He  "  who  tempers  the  wind  to  the 


tHE  J 

ehom  lami 
your  future 
with  US  a  \ 
nius  and  a( 
pleasure  yo 
tell  you  all 

To  Jess 

[No.  .1 
Dear  Frj 
lage  (the  m 
*  *  *    la 
Mr.  Van  Bi 
that  burn"  i 
have  been 
THE  ONL 
write  less  fr 
Not  that  I  d 
I  have  a  i 
nient  of  Mr 
person.     I  I 
been  urged  i 
friend  of  ou 
no  moss,"  ai 
follow,  I  ha\ 
the  removal, 
even  with  tli 
first  in  a  sm 
men.    At  !• 
perhaps  it  m 
does  not  wis 
have  not  alrf 
Mr.  Barker's 
last  saw  you 
great,  and  th 
die  with  poll 
Since  my 
lie  in  that  ca 
terference  in 
in  the  politi(; 
Education 
sinister  view 
State — there 
others  what 
I  have  rec 
ary  I  have   1 
name  lime  pi 
I  have  adv! 
'•^s.s  about  it. 
This  letter 
lisin,  than  wl 
Please  preser 


To  Jesse  Ui 

[No.  38 
My  Dear 
that  drove  oj 

^Mr.  Fill  O 
steiiml>o«t  Vicf 
R.  Ilnrkor.  Hrin 
i  winli  voii  to  I. 
make  Biiitiibln 
niinnot  eippct 


::  ■* 


[IKR  JESSE, 
irntively  quiet  timts, 

end  oi  that  dratnii) 
a  great  one.     /  had 

inijrht  in  the  niean- 
lyment  tliere,  liopcd 

it  is  all  tor  the  best. 

coininunity  ilian  for 
nrdly  an>  one  takes 
me  of  my  neighbois 
e  fow,  inforrinn  from 
LIVE  THE  BANK, 
e  not  great.  Fortii- 
■  all  the  piipcr  in  eir- 
as  much  out  as  there 
,rt  of  your  letter,  was 
'  shall  rely  wiih  cer- 

a  pleasant  one,  ynu 
one  of  my  quondam 
cier  ispo  depreciated 
lI  acknowledge  or  re- 
3  compassionate  and 
se  daya  is  couaidered 


iconcilc  your  Sundau 
nv  Hale  said  on  that 
nan  ever  gained  anv- 
h." 

hnt  I  tiiiiik  there  is 

No  doubt  the  poit;- 

nd  the  i.'^.tive  employ. 

ed— hut  no  true  con- 

reli'iious  duly.     The 

paths,  a.id  hers  only, 


rs, 


B.  F.  B. 


1/  inakeri  his  debul. 
ivatt)  parafiraph  omit- 
-many  privations  in 
/.  however  severe  ami 
N.thim  the  dictate  of 
id  upliokla  the  natural 
e,<  with  every  good  of 
u,-4i  he  Righteous  and 
of  His  Providence  by 

:r." 

past.  The  Court  oi 
rned.  Yon  can  hard- 
1  a  dollar  of  our  paper 
was  employed  in  two 
hut  Imle  law  businesH 
of  the  dullness  .if  the 
B.  F.  BUTLER. 

U'liikinf;, 

nii,i>..Tan.  3.  1820. 

and  is  returninir  with. 
empers  the  wind  to  the 


THE  JTTLirS  C.TtSAR  OF  SANDY  HILL  MIGHT  BE    COCK  ROBIN '  IN  NEW-YORK.    163 

Bhom  lamb"  will  enable  you  to  sustain  your  misfortunes  with  dignity  and  patience,  and  make 
your  future  lif'  more  happy  than  your  fondest  wishes  could  anticipate.  Mr.  Halleck  has  been 
with  us  a  week,  and  I  must  really  say  that  we  have  been  greatly  delighted  with  him.  His  ge- 
nius and  acquirements  render  him  a  most  agreeable  and  instructive  companion.  I  envy  you  the 
pleasure  you  must  derive  from  a  full  and  uninterrupted  intercourse  with  such  a  man.     He  can 


tell  you  all  about  our  Banking  concerns.* 


Most  truly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


To  Jesse  Hoyt.— Butler  would  he  the  Julius  Casar  oj  Sandy  Hill — is  a  Bucktail — Self. 
[No.  .37.]  HuDso.v.  Feb.  7th,  1820. 

Dear  Friend  :  The  release  for  Mr.  Youle  is  enclosed.  We  have  no  Commissioner  at  our  vil- 
lage {the  men  Jit  for  it  being  chiefly  Bucktails,)  and  I  therefore  brought  it  with  me.  »  »  *  *  » 
*  *  *  I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  your  letter  and  the  pamphlets.  One  of  the  latter  I  saw  at 
Mr.  Van  Buren's  last  week,  which  he  had  from  you.  "  For  thoughts  that  breathe  and  words 
that  burn"  it  is  almost  without  a  rival  in  modem  political  publications,  I  must  confess  that  I 
have  been  guilty  of  considerable  negligence,  and  frequent  violations  of  punctuality.  You  are 
THE  ONLY  PERSON  to  whom  I  evKf  write,  except  on  business  topics,  and  perhaps  1  should 
write  less  frequently  than  I  now  do  were  it  not  for  the  occasional  necessity  of  the  correspondence. 
Not  that  I  dislike  the  employment,  or  have  forgotten  the  friend — neither  is  the  case. 

I  have  a  tolerable  prospect  of  getting  a  livelihood  l)y  my  profession  at  San<ly  HilJ,  the  appoint- 
ment of  Mr.  Skinner  and  his  consequent  desertion  of  the  bar,  having  left  room  for  some  other 
person.  I  have  taken  his  oflice,  but  whether  I  shall  fill  his  place  remains  to  be  seen.  /  have 
been  urged  to  hold  myself  in  reserve  until. spring  and  then  remove  to  New  York  with  an  old 
friend  of  ours,  (M.  Van  Buren),  but  I  prefer  remaining  where  I  am.  "  A  rolling  stone  gathers 
no  moss,"  and  though  I  certainly  would  not  have  gone  from  Albany  had  I  known  what  would 
follow,  I  have  too  much  pride  to  keep  always  on  the  move — and  upon  the  whole  do  not  regret 
the  removal.  Besides,  I  doubt  whether  it  would  be  advisable  to  locate  myself  in  New  York, 
even  with  the  aid  of  wealth  and  talents.  The  sayivg  of  Caisar's,  that  he  would  rather  be  the 
first  in  a  small  village  than  the  second  at  Home,  is  a  fair  expression  of  the  sentiments  of  most 
men.  At  New  York  I  could  never  hope  to  be  even  the  SECOND — where  I  am  [Sandy  Hill] 
perhaps  it  may  not  be  too  presumptuous  to  aspire  to  higher  honors.  I  believe  Mr.  Van  Buren 
does  not  wish  to  jiave  it  known  that  he  removes  to  New  York  in  the  Spring,  therefore,  if  you 
have  not  already  heard  of  it,  yon  will  please  consider  what  I  say  as  inter  nos.  I  am  fearful  that 
Mr.  Barker's  misfortunes  will  prevent  you  from  realizing  all  the  prospects  you  indulged  in  when  I 
last  saw  you.  Pray  inform  me  all  about  it.  You  know  that  my  interest  in  your  welfare  is  very 
great,  and  that  nothing  would  give  me  more  pleasure  than  to  hear  of  your  success.  Do  you  med- 
dle with  polities?     Or  are  you  a  silent  spectator  of  the  conflict? 

Since  my  resolution  to  get  all  the  law  business  I  could,  and  to  present  myself  before  the  pub. 
lie  in  that  capacity,  1  have  thrown  off  the  restraints  I  had  before  preserved  with  regard  to  an  in- 
t-^rference  in  County  all'airs,  and  have  engaged  with  some  warmth,  but  pure  intentions  (as  I  hope,) 
in  the  poliii(\al  warfare. 

Education,  habit,  inclination  and  principle  all  conspire  to  make  me  A  BUCKTAIL.  I  have  mo 
sinister  views  to  gratify — no  resentments  to  satiate — no  other  object  but  the  well  being  of  the 
i<fl/c— therefore  my  endeavors  shall  be  to  confine  myself  within  the  golden  ule,  of  "  doing  to 
others  what  I  would  have  ihcni  do  to  me." 

I  have  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Barker,  stating  that  the  bank  was  unable  to  pay  me  the  sal- 
ary I  have  hitherto  received  any  longer,  which  is  what  I  have  been  compelled  to  look  for  for 
wmc  linir  past,  and  which  will  render  my  prospects  rather  gloomy,  owing  to  the  largo  amount 

I  have  advanced  for .     Were  I  troubled  with  nobody'.s  debts  but  my  own  I  should  cure 

'•:'ss  about  it.     Still  I  think  I  can  in  time  "et  a  living  by  my  profession. 

This  letter  is  filled  with  nothing  but  SELF  from  beginning  to  end — a  lamentable  proof  of  ego- 
tism, than  which  nothing  is  more  imsulTerable.  Do  you  never  expect  to  vi.sit  us  at  Sandy  Hill? 
Plpuse  present  to  Mr.  Halleck  mv  best  respects,  and  believe  mc,  dear  sir,  yours  sin-erely, 

B.  F.  BUTLER. 


To  Jesse  IToyl — on  Imw — Jacob  Barker,  Judge  Edmunds,  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  ejection  and 

Judge   Van  Ness. 
[No.  38]  Albany,  March  17, 1820. 

My  Dear  Friend  :  I  have  been  here  for  three  or  four  days.  My  business  was  to  meet  one  of 
that  rfroi'e  of  steers  which  broke  into  the  enclosure  of  the  Court  of  Chancery  ,«onie  lime  before  I 

*JiIr.  Fit!  Orrcne.  Ha'hek  to  Mr.  A.  l/oi/t,  at  Mhnvy.  New  York,  Mny  1,  180iV— Denr  Sir— I  send  by  the 
sleiiml'oiit  Victnrv  vvliirli  lei\ve»  here  this  iifVorndon  iit  ,'j  o'clock,  n  ho.x  contiiininj;  bonk  notes  inlilrosscrt  to  George 
R.  Unrkor.  Hiinrfv  Hill,  which  we  shnll  ho  miidi  ohiised  by  your  forwiirdini,'  to  him  liv  the  very  first  (ipimrluniiy. 
1  wt«h  voii  to  keep  ri  inemnriindiim  of  all  the  expeiines  you  nre  lit,  niid  Iho  viirioin  triiiisiictinns  y"ii  nttend  to,  and 
make  (iiitnble  uhiirire  Iherel'or.  It  is  nil  tor  iiccount  of  cor|i!.rntion,s  "  which  hiive  no  sonU,"  whose  stockholders 
ciinnot  expect  confidential  servicei  of  thin  kind  to  he  performed  without  piiyinp 

Your  aiiured  friend,  F.  G.  HALLECK,  fur  Jacob  Barker. 


4 

A 


M 


rn  ■   r  ■ 


hi  ? 


E    r 


I--!/*-   V 


1?    '.; 


If!  '. 


It.  ' 


J64    ALBANY  rOLITICIANS — LAW  &.  LAW  rAKTiNKUSIlirS — VAN  ISL'UEN  &  BUTLER. 

Iftft  you.  I  Imve  doiiu  nothing  since  I  have  been  here  but  hear  and  talk  politics.  They  seem  U> 
engross  the  whole  soul  of  every  person  I  meet  witii.  For  myself,  though  I  feel  some  interest  and 
take  something  of  an  active  part  at  liome,  yet  I  must  confess  I  am  heariily  sick  of  the  eternal. 
ding  dong  which  is  kept  up  at  this  place  by  the  more  noisy  of  boili  parties,  and  shall  get  home 
as  soon  as  possible.  It  is  but  seldom  that  1  hear  from  our  friend  Mr.  Haiker,  for  the  very  sub. 
Htamial  reason,  as  I  suppose,  that  he  has  nothing  to  conmiunicaie.  Do  you  think  he  will  be  dis. 
charged  in  April  ?  And  can  you  form  any  sort  of  esiimntion  as  to  the  ultiinnte  result  of  his  af- 
fairs  t  Please  give  me  all  the  information  you  have  on  his  concerns,  and  yonr  own  im  evnmxtcd 
with  hilt,  in  which  you  know  I  take  a  deep  intcrent. 

Since  forming  my  connection  with  Mr.  .Mussey,  1  have  considered  it  imporlani  that  I  should 
be  admitted  as  a  Counsellor  as  soon  as  possible.  I  have  been  gone  all  winter,  while  f  ought  to 
liave  been  preparing  for  the  examination.  If  1  can  prepare  myself  you  nuiy  look  for  me  in  May. 
I  do  imt  yet  ijrecisely  know  what  are  Mr.  Van  Kuren's  e.xpeciations,  nor  do  I  believe  he  doe.s 
himself.  It  is  very  probable  that  he  will  spend  part  of  the  summer  in  settling  up  his  affairs  in 
this  part  of  the  state  and  in  Colmnbia.  Mr.  Edmonds,  who  is  now  with  him,  has  had  sonir 
conversation  with  him  on  the  subject  of  business  at  New  York,  but  I  hanc  no  (ipinvhcnsions 
that  he  would  form  a  ronnictiov  tcith  so  younf;  ii  practitioner. 

T  am  sorry  for  your  s;ike  lo  hear  such  peer  aecoimis  of  professional  business  at  New  York, 
We  have  sometliini,'  to  do  at  Sandy  Hill,  and  I  think  our  o(iic<'  has  its  share.  If  I  can  once  get 
myself  into  suili  ;i  luii  of  business  as  to  [irovide  for  my  family,  I  doubt  whether  I  ever  engage  in 
any  other  pinsuil.  'riii.'  more  I  hrcoiiie  ae(|uainted  with  tlir  law,  the  more  my  attachment  lo  ii 
increases.  AVe  have  a  greiit  many  lawyers  in  our  county — many  of  them  great  upoutcrs — some 
of  them  very  resj)eetalile  in  iioint  of  tidents.  The  popular  i)rejudi(H'  against  the  jirofessioii  i^ 
also  very  great  iimoiig  us.  It  is  rarely  (^ver  that  a  liiwyer  is  nominated  for  the  Legislature — bin 
perhaps  that  may  arise  as  much  from  the  state  of  parties  in  our  county,  where  both  have  been 
ah""t  cniwil  ill  strength  for  many  years — as  from  any  other  e;uisc.  Still  I  think  my  prospects  as 
good  there  aj  they  would  be  elsewhere,  and  as  yet  I  am  content  with  my  location. 

I  never  knev  nnrty  ^irit  so  very  warm  as  it  now  is  in  this  (|uarter,  and  probably  the  Election 
■will  bo  a  v'-i-y  sharo  one.  The  aeeoiiiits  t'roin  nil  |):iris  are  v<-iy  favorable  to  the  eleetinn  nl 
Tompkins.  (  >;i  sioer  it  very  certain,  'i'hc  old  liirntenant  (Jovtrnor,  iis  I  understand,  begins 
to  regret  ibat  ,';_  lias  suffered  himself  to  be  linked  with  Clinton,  but  cannot  unbind  the  knot, 
The  Legivhitiire  .ire  doing  not  Mug  of  any  eonscquenee,  since  the  eoinniiltees  from  the  two 
Houses  hav:"  reported  on  the  necounts  of  the  Vice  President.  [Tompkin^.] 

The  Ccrimittee  of  Iminiry  intended  to  report  next  week,  but  as  Judge  Van  Ness  has  not  yet 
returned,  I  do  not  believe  they  will  be  ready.  That  concern  looks  very  dark  for  his  Honor.  If 
lie  is  innocent  he  has  been  very  unwise  in  the  course  he  has  Jidoptrd.  If  he  shall  be  convicted, 
ultimately,  what  a  degrnding  circiimstanee  it  will  be  for  the  jiidicinl  character  of  our  Stale  I  h 
was  once  our  pride  and  ornament — but  how  are  the  cuntidence  and  resjieet  of  ihi'  public  to  lir 
preserved  when  its  members  a.-e  nusperted,  much  less  when  they  arc  arraigned  for  "  hi^'li 
crimes  and  misdemeanors  '"     In  trntli,  your  very  sincere  friend,  H.  F.  HUTLER. 


To.T.  Hoyt.     Van  Ihtren  and  Butler,  Counsellors  and  Attorneys  ai  Law — Albany — Protndencf 

—  iVorth's  Points — Vandrr   Ileydeu. 

[No.  .TJ.]  .Vi.nA.NY,  May27,  18120. 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  have  been  he'c  two  or  three  days  for  the  purpose  of  spi'ing  Mr.  Van  Diiren. 
You  may  have  heard  that  it  w;.s  iny  "neiiiion  to  remove  forthwith  to  Albnny  ;  ifiiui,  I  tiikc 
this  occasion  to  inform  you  that  /  hnr:  agreid  to  resume  the  law  biiainess  with  Mr.  Van  Burcn. 
and  shall  locate  myself  in  this  i)laee  as  speedily  as  possible  after  the  1.5ih  of  ne.xf  inonlli.  1 
think  I  have  every  prospect  I  could  desire.  Mr.  Van  Ruren  says  he  will  not  abandon  his  pro- 
fession ;  and  if  he  remains  in  it  he  can  get  as  much  bu.siness  as  we  can  attend  to.  He  offers 
me  one  half  of  the  (Chancery,  as  well  as  the  other  husinen.f,  which  you  will  reenllect  is  much 
better  than  our  former  tcrmn;  and  as  our  (^hanccry  Suits  null  be  !he  ninst  numerous  iiiiil 
profitable,  it  appenrs  lo  me  that  I  cannot  but  succeed.  My  ii(Jmi.ssion  as  (,'(iiins"llor  will  iilsu 
enable  iiie  to  attend  to  sninll  niotions  in  term,  iiKpiesls  at  circuits,  vtc.  \-.c.,  which,  as  my 
acquaintance  is  very  general  throughout  the  state,  will  be  something  townrds  the  current 
e.vpenscs  of  the  year.  With  the  n.-i.sistance  nf  PliOVIDKXCi;,  /  nni  fuUij  resolced  nei-ir 
again  to  abandon  or  withdraw  from  my  profession,  and  to  pursue  such  n  course  of  study,  industry 
and  perseverance  as  shnll  make  me  n  lawyer  in  time,  if  it  is  possible  i  )  ninke  a  lawyer  out  (if 
such  materials  as  1  am  composed  of  It  is  with  urent  reluetnnee  that  I  leave  Siindy  Hill; 
the  situation  of  that  most  clmrining  village,  the  kindiies.'i  of  its  inhabitants,  from  whuiii  I  have 
received  every  aiteniion,  and  ABOVE  ALL  n  sincere  desire  to  cnmphi  with  the  wishes  of  our 
friend  Mr.  Barker,  all  iiiduend  mc  to  remain,  but  I  am  sfitisl'ied  that  I  ongli!  not  to  pnss  by  tlio 
present  opportunity  of  esialili:iliiiig  myself  in  tlie  prdjrssion.  I  wrote  .Mr.  limker  from  Samlv 
Hill,   but  liavo   'tot  had  llie   plea.Muie  of  hearina  from   him.     Please  inform  him  thai  I  leisli 


lEN  &  BUTLER. 

.ics.  Tliey  seem  to 
el  some  interest  and 
sick  of  the  eternal. 
and  shall  f;et  home 
er,  for  the  very  sub. 
think  he  will  be  dis. 
inte  ri'sull  of  his  af- 
tr  iiwu  us  cunnectcd 

orlani  that  I  should 
er,  while  F  onght  to 
look  for  nie  in  May. 

0  I   believe  lie  does 
ling  up  his  affairs  in 

him,  has  had  gonii- 
!'«  no  (ipprrhensioiis 

iiesa  at  New  York. 
?.  If  1  can  onre  gel 
her  I  ever  engage  in 
my  attachment  to  ii 
ural.  spout  CIS — some 
in^t  tiie  profession  y. 
the  Legislntnre — but 
liere  both  have  been 
hink  my  prospects  as 
iieation. 

probtibly  the  Election 
Ic  to  the  eleetinn  ot 

1  understand,  begin? 
not  nnbind  the  knot, 
littees  from  tho  twu 

Vnu  Nesn  has  not  yet 
irk  for  his  Honor.  If 
lie  shall  be  convicted, 
ter  of  our  State  !  It 
L't  of  the  public  to  hi. 
iirrniffncd  for  "  high 
H.  F.  nUTLER. 


-Alhii  II  ij — Pro  iiideiice 

Ny,  May27,  1820. 
=eing  Mr.  Van  Diircii, 
kibany  ;  if  nut,  I  tiiko 
irith  Mr.  Van  Bnnii, 
ill  of  next  month.     1 

not  abandon  his  pro- 
attend  to.  He  offeiK 
Dill  ri'.cnlli'ct  ifi  much 

most  imincious  mid 
IS  Couns'dlor  will  also 
.  \'-e.,   which,  as  my 

towards  the    current 

fidhl  risolccd  ncvfr 
urse  of  sindy,  indusiry 
make  a  lawyer  out  of 
t  I  leave  Sandy  Hill; 
its,  from  whom  I  have 
'!!th  thr  mislipfi  nf  our 
■j}n  not  to  pass  by  the 
r.  liiiiUer  iVom  Sandy 
form  him  (hat  I  wish 


BUTLER  TO  (^UlT  SANDy  HILL  BANKlNli  AND  POLITICS  FOR  LAW. 


165 


to  resign  on  the  l^ith  June,  and  to  leave  the  next  day  if  1  can.  Every  day  I  procrastinate  is 
an  injury.  JVe  have  so  little  time  allotted  us  in  this  world,  and  that  little  is  so  uncertain,  that 
it  becomes  important  to  take  it  by  the  "forelock." 

I  have  just  seen  a  poem  by  G.  A.  Worth,  entitled  "American  Bards,"  which  I  have  skimmed 
over  with  deep  regret.  2'here  is  not  a  line  of  merit  in  the  whole  book.  It  would  seem  that 
genius  declines  and  degenerates  in  the  woods,  for  Worth,  when  in  New  York,  was  a  fine 
writer — brilliant  in  prose,  and  more  than  tolerable  in  poetry.  Even  in  the  notes  there  is 
nothing  of  that  vivacity  and  elegance  which  distinguished  the  Correctors. 

Our  friend  Van  Der  Heyden  is  looking  out  for  the  Clerk's  Office,  for  the  ne.xt  Assembly.  Do 
give  him  all  the  help  you  can.  Horace  Merchant  is  to  be  his  deputy,  so  that  the  objection  of 
Clark,  that  he  is  a  raw  hand,  &,c.  ite.,  is  wholly  obviated.  Clark  reports  him  as  a  federalist. 
Please  contradict  that  falsehood.  Van  Der  Heyden  is  a  fine  fellow  and  a  man  of  talents^ — and 
deserves  eueouragement,  not  only  on  that  account  but  also  for  his  filial  and  fraternal  ailection. 

I  shall  get  to  Albany  in  time  to  take  the  "  laboring  oar"  in  tho  Ilart  cause,  and  also  in  the 
Flatner  suit,  in  both  of  which  I  shall  probably  be  solicitor.  And  as  for  politics,  I  give  you 
notice  that  I  intend  to  leave  you  and  the  other  ehanipions  to  fight  it  out,  having  neither  time 
nor  inclination  to  buckle  on  the  armor,  though  I  may  poscibly  always  carry  a  small  sword 
about  me.    Present  my  beat  respects  to  your  sister  and  brother. 

Yours  aft'ectionately,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 


To  J.  Iloijt. —  Van  Burcn  Sj  his  Clerks — Lorenzo  Hoyt — Barker's  last  offer, 

[No.^  40.]  Ai.BA.N  X-,  .Tune  24, 1820. 

Dear  Friend  :  I  thank  you  for  your  kindness  in  attending  to  my  Houek  cause.  The  letter  en- 
closing the  [wrong  or  wing]  bill  and  the  decree,  came  to  me  charged  ©111  postage  I  mention 
this  for  no  other  reason,  than  that  y<iu  may  be  informed  of  the  carele.ssne.ss  of  the  person  by 
whom  you  sent  it.  The,  letter  to  Judge  Piatt  I  will  deliver.  He  is  on  the  tour  of  the  Northern 
circuit — holds  the  Washington  circuit  this  week — the  Troy  circuit  ne.xt  week,  and  I  shall  very 
probably  see  him  on  his  return.  I  have  been  here  three  or  four  days — found  every  thing  in  an 
elegant  state  of  eoiil'usion,  but  have  got  pretty  much  arranged  for  business.  Take  it  all  together, 
we  have  the  pleasantest  establishment  in  the  city,  if  not  in  the  state.  We  occupy  the  whole 
lower  floor  of  the  Secretary's  houi-e.  Mr.  Van  Buren  has  the  front  room,  with  the  library.  I 
keep  my  office  in  the  back  room,  which  is  cool  and  pleasant,  besides  being  better  adapted  for 
study  than  the  other.  We  have  two  students  besides  Lorenzo.  A  young  man,  a  brother  of 
Caldwell  (Gourlay's  son-in-law)  who  has  been  18  months  in  our  office,  and  i.',  a  sedate,  attentive, 
and,  I  e.xpect,  useful  clerk — and  a  son  of  the  loud  talking  Pugsley,  who  is  a  wild  fellow,  and 
whom  I  keep  on  condition  of  good  behaviour.  So  far,  he  has  not  forfeited  his  engagements.  If 
Lorenzo  remains  with  Mr.  Van  Buren,  1  will,  with  great  iileasure,  poy  panicular  attention  to 
him.  He  is  digging  away  at  Blackstone,  which  1  shall  permit  him  to  continue  until  I  get  my 
books  from  Sandy  Hill ;  then  I  shall  set  him  about  reading  a  course  of  history,  and  studying  the 
latin  grammar.  At  his  age,  a  knowledge  of  general  history  may  be  easily  acquired.  The  mem- 
ory, which  is  the  principal  facnliy  eoneerned  in  its  acquisition,  is  then  vigorous  and  unburdened 
by  the  various  knowledge  and  the  distracting  cares  of  riper  years,  ffc  is  a  very  fine  boy,  and  I 
think  will  do  well.  Hi'  has  not  the  genius  nor  the  energy  of  his  brother,  but  at  the  same  age  is 
miir/i  his  superior.  (You  may  think  this  no  great  compliment  to  yourself,  but  pray  remember 
that  you  are  one  of  those  whose  talent.s  were  buried  mi  bales  of  cotton  and  hogsheads  of  rum, 
until  dragged  from  obscurity  by  the  "  strong  arm  of  the  law.") 

iVhrn  Mr.  Barker  was  at  Siindy  Hill,  he  offered  to  arcede  to  the  terms  I  proposed  when  at 
XfW  York, or  even  to  double  them  if  necrssari/ — but  1  was  not  at  Uhrrty  to  receive  the  benefit  of 
his  good  wishes.  I  now  consider  my.self  pretty  permanently  settled  at  Albany  ;  and  I  think,  at 
all  events,  I  shall  never  leave  the  law  for  Hanking  or  any  other  pursuit.  I  now  feel  the  some  ardor 
and  loudness  for  my  profession  that  a  lover  does  towards  his  mistress,  after  having  been  sep- 
arated from  her  society.  (By  the  bye,  they  f^ay  you  can  nnderstaml  the  force  of  this  simile,  and 
feel  it  too,  when  absent  from  New  York.  How  is  thia?'i  Do  let  me  see  yon  this  summer. 
And  believe  me,  most  sincerely  your  friend,  B,  F.  BUTLER. 

To  Hoyt.     T,aw—(.'hniircry  Practice — Mr.  Van  Burcn  and  his  morlsnge — the  Albany  folks. 
[No.  41.]  At,ba\y  .Tuly  19,  1820. 

Dear  Fu'Exn,  *'«***  We  are  boardin!"\t  Mr  .Tones,' directly  opposite  our  office, 
(Gilbert  Stewart's  house,)  where  wo  have  vi^ry  pleatawt  lodgings.  Our  departure  from  Sandy 
Hill  was  s'l  sudden,  that  we  left  all  our  furniture  in  the  houiie,  and  for  the  present  shall  continue 
to  boMrd  out. 

As  to  businr'ss,  I  have  emmgh  to  keep  me  very  Inmy — chiefly  in  Cliancery — old  and  new.  It 
woulil  be  well  enough  were  it  not  so  long  b(  tore  the  cash  was  realized.  But  it  nmst  come  some 
dny  or  other.  I  think  my  expectations  will  not  !)o  di^iappointed.  At  nil  events,  as  I  told  you 
b?foro,  I  am  for  the  Law  and  notiiing  elgo— and  I  regret  now  that^Mr.  "/an  Buren  ever  thought 


if"  ■ 
5  '• 


■M 


i;r 


11 '. 


I!  I 


■»". ' 


y  ■'• 


tS 


160       THE  AMET5ICA\  ERSKINE,  MODEST  LAWYER,  AND  MILD  JT'Dr.E — ALBANV. 

of  leaving  his  profeasion,  whinh  you  know  waa  what  put  it  into  my  liead  to  leave  him^  I  think 
I  shall  iHiikc  my  debut  at  Auijitst  turni  in  the  argument  of  some  motions  and  cn«s.  Thoii.^h  a.-s 
to  the  lust  I  am  ratiier  squuamisli.  Mr.  V.  B.  is  certainly  very  desirous  to  assist  me.  He  has 
several  iicavy  causes  ia  wiiicii  !\e  insists  on  my  speaking. 

Hike  Albany  aUo.il  as  little  u'  vou  do — and,  with  'he  exception  of  ii  few  persona  who  are  <.';i. 
thy  0)  »«.(■/■/»,  havi    •cry  little  t(.  -^u'  to  the  goodly  inhabitants  of  this  renowned  metropolis.     I 
think  the  ea.sr"ni  j.mto  the  most  (^sngrecable  of  them.     They  are  generally  bigots  in  iinlitic!", 
and  ver»  i  <"  ^j  prejui'me  anil  fm-y, 

I,.irnir/.o  ifia  very  fine  youth.  1  have  got  him  at  the  Latin  Grammar,  in  which  he  mal.c?  tol- 
er  lb'.'  progress.  1  shall  pay  particular  attention  to  him.  I  have  paid  ,$1.2:1  for  the  order  to  the 
Regisier,  so  that  you  owe  me  25  cents.     My  compliments  to  Mr.  Barker,  &c. 

Yours  truly,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

[No.  43.]     To  the  same,  Albany  .Tuly  2G,  1820. 

Dear  Friend  :  I  am  about  filing  a  bill  to  foreclose  the  mortgage  held  by  Mr.  Van  Buren 
agaiast  the  Kane  property,  to  which  Judge  Livingston  and  Messrs.  Blackwcll  and  McFarlano 
must  be  partie.s.  To  avoid  co.^ts  in  case  they  should  disclaim,  it  is  necessary  to  tender  thom  re. 
lea-ie:;.  I  herewith  send  you  (he  releases,  and  if  it  is  not  too  much  trouble  must  call  oi;  you  to 
present  them  to  the  gentlemen  above  named,  with  an  explanation  of  the  object  for  which  they 
were  prepared.  I  do  not  believe  they  will  execute  them,  tho'  they  would  save  trouble  if  they 
should.  They  will  never  get  anything  from  the  mortgaged  premises,  nor  from  any  other  of 
Kane's  property,  and  might  as  well  release  it.     Nothing  new. 

Yours  most  cordially,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

To  Hmji,  vn  struggling  at  the  Bar — Judges  like  to  dine — Van  Buren  the  Erskine  of  America. 
[No.  -13  ]  At.danv,  August  9, 1820, 

Dear  Sir — Yours  of  the  5th  went  round  by  the  way  of  Troy,  so  that  I  did  not  rei  rive  it  until 
this  day — but,  ns  1  had  no  opportunity  to  make  the  motion  on  Monday,  no  harm  results. 

I  took  my  place  in  such  a  position  as  I  supposed  would  ensure  me  a  hearing,  but  unfortunately 
there  were  some  tedious  fellows  ahead  of  me  who  took  up  so  much  time  that  when  my  neighbour 
ne,\t  above  me  was  reached  it  was  just  on  the  stroke  of  three  ;  and  you  know  how  eager  our 
Judges  are  for  the  comforts  nf  a  good  dinner.  If  I  had  not  received  yours^  I  should  have  pro- 
cured an  order  to  stay  proceedings.  I  hope  you  will  not  fail  to  stay  widi  us  at  .Toni's's  while  at 
Albany,  I  shall  not  be  able  to  accompany  you  to  the  Springs — neither  time  nor  funds  would 
permit.  'I'he  truth  is,  I  am  poor,  and  I  mean  to  economize,  and  *»**»*[  should  like  to 
join  on  a  tour  anywhere  except  to  the  Springs,  of  which  I  had  enough  last  year.  There  is  a 
great  deal  of  business  this  term,  but  a  great  part  of  it  is  small  business  such  ns  Certioraris',  &c. 

Your  New  York  classmen  are  a  troublesome  race — perfect  snarlers  and  marplots.  Mr.  V.m 
Buren  stands  higher  throughout  the  State  than  he  ever  did — witness  the  toasts  at  the  various 
celebrations.  But  if  I  were  in  his  place  I  would  trouble  myself  but  little  about  the  carpine.s  of 
such  men  as  you  name — they  can  do  nothing  without  him.  What  would  have  become  of  the 
opposition  if  it  had  not  been  for  him  ?  I  will  say  more — if  I  was  Van  Buren.  1  would  let  politics 
alone.  He  can  be  and  will  be  the  Erskine  of  tho  State,  which  is  an  ambition  more  laudable 
than  the  desire  of  political  preferment.  He  yesterday  opened  a  cause  in  the  .'•Supreme  Court  in 
the  most  concise,  elegant,  and  convincmg  argument  I  almost  ever  heard.     Believe  me, 

Yours  truly,        B.  F,  BUTLER, 

To  Iloyl. — Law  tedious — Judge  Spencer  uncourtcuaif — Jhiller  too  forward, 
[No.  44.]  Tmi.''..-ay,  17th  August,  iH'iO. 

My  Dear  Friend  :**«*»  The  C^art  gels  along  very  slowly  with 
the  Calendar.  There  are  -iOO  causes,  and  they  begin  tliis  morning  at  71.  I  have  done  nothing 
morn  than  oppose  a  motion,  in  which  I  was  successful — hut  to-morrow  expect  to  make  some 
provided  I  can  get  a  hearing.  I  attempted  it  last  week,  but  His  Honor,  the  Chief,  [meaning  it 
is  presumed,  Ambrose  Spencer,]  in  his  mild  way,  told  me  to  wait  until  my  se.viors  had  been 
heard  ;  and  as  I  was  the  youngest  Counsellor  at  the  Bar,  perhaps  this  was  right ;  but  it  cxi.-ited  a 
great  deal  of  observation  among  the  bar,  and  is  generally  spoken  of  as  not  i^eri/  liberal  nor 
proper. 

I  really  don't  know  how  it  is;  but  I  am  considered,  by  some  persons,  ax  pof^ses/ted  of  a  re- 
mnr'^ahle  degree  of  forwardness,  i^c.  if,c.,  merely  because  I  am  unwilling  to  rcuiain  forever  at 
the  foot  of  the  professional  ladder.  However,  if  my  life  is  spared,  I  shall  grow  older  every  day, 
and  therefore,  sometime  or  other  will  be  entitled  to  a  hearing. 

My  'auses  on  the  Calendar,  which  are  three,  will  not  be  reached  this  term. 

Most  truly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

Fifty  Dolla-  Fees  scarce — .Fudges  Woodworth  4{  Spencer  talked  about. 
[No.  45.]  To  Jisse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Wall  St.  ALn.4.Nv,  Oct.  12,  1820. 

Dear  Sir—l  am  happy  to  hear  of  your  succesa — and  liupo  it  may  continue— $50  and  $100 


TTIE 

fe>"-  are  not  v 
blill  continue? 
h's  slow  leng 

— bir  I  have 
Piou,  'i/  way, 
the  ^it..ides  of 
riii  unothci 
Woodworth  i 

[No.  4C. 
Dear  Sir : 
Two  very  sta 
Air.  Sharp  ag 
The  votes  to. 
not  meet  ye 
ha.c  not  beei 


To  Jesse  Ht 

[No.  47 
Dear  Sir  : 
have  been  pr 
No.  98.  on  il 
tions — anon; 
argued  by  M 
any  iniportai 
before  the  C 
two  hours. 

I  was  sorrj 

ters,     I  hope 

that  indnsir), 

Wc  [Van  I 

,/m/THt:h;: 

that  my  pres 
nir.kinE;,  as  1 
reap  the  ben 

There  is  e 
cateil  the  do 
.\RUSIVE 

I  don't  ihi 
ing  without, 
tlicoHice  of 

I  hope  to 


[To 

[No.  4f 
My  Dear 
as  the  exc'iti 
very  strikinf 
given  me  ai 
friends.     Tl 
an  tci:  ran  d 
hope  a  few 
expres.«ions 
were  rather 
sometimea 
liealih,  happ 


[No.  •! 

Dear  Ho^ 

unable  to  w 


\  LEAN  v. 

re  him     I  think 

les.  Tlion,7h  as 
iist  me.     He  has 

)nf>  xDho  am  <•  •, . 
1  metropiilis.     I 
)if»<)ts  ill  j>.i',itic.'', 

ch  lie  mal.ct  lol- 
thn  order  to  the 

F.  BUTLER. 

July  2G,  1820. 

Mr.  Van  Buren 
and  McFarloiifl 
tender  thorn  re. 

ist  cnll  o\:  you  to 
t  for  wliich  they 

vo  trouble  if  they 

roni  any  other  of 

F.  BUTLER. 

kine  of  America, 
lugust  9,  1820. 
ot  ret  rive  it  until 
rni  roHults. 
hut  unforliinnfely 
icn  my  neij^hbour 
w  how  eager  our 

should  hnve  pro- 

•Toni's'g  while  at 
nov  fiiiuh  would 
I  shoiild  like  to 
year.  There  is  a 
IJertioraris',  (fee. 
rplots.  Mr.  Van 
ists  nt  the  various 
tut  the  carpinss  of 
■0  become   of  the 

would  let  politics 
[)ii  more  laudable 
F'lipreme  Court  in 
ieve  me, 

F.  BUTLER. 

oncard. 

Au^'ust,  IP'JO. 
very  slowly  witli 
lave  done  nothing 
ct  to  make  some 
hief,  [rneanini?  it 
SENIORS  had  been 
;  but  it  e.X(;i'ed  a 

rcc//  liberal  nor 

OKsesHed  of  a  re- 
rt'iiiain  forever  at 
'  older  every  day, 


F.  BUTLER. 

ihnut. 

Get.  12,  1820. 
—.$50  and  $100 


.■;t- 


TTIE  ORGAr.'I^iLu  ConPS,  liUCKTAIL  COUNCILS,  AND  ENVIOl'ii  LAWYERS.  167 

fe»-  nre  not  very  plent-     .  [-m  part  of  the  country,  at  Irr'   v      .  iin  young  lawyers.     Our  circuit 
biill  continues.     juJ^^.  ^.  ■■•  ■  Iwoi-'H   v..  person  and  la  buaines.s — "  Like  a  wounded  snuke.  dragq 
h*'<  slow  length  along."     ile  nas  f^iven  very  i;e:ierul  dissauafaciion  ihis  court.         *         *        » 
*•         ^  i'iic  ciiy  has  been  full  id  furmers,  dec,  these  two  days — at  a  cattle  show 

— but  I  have  seen  nothing  of  it  myself  Chief  .luaricu  Spencer  delivered  a  spee';li  on  the  oca. 
pion,  'iy  way,  as  I  suppitue,  of  preparation  for  the  period  whcu  '.-;  mill  be  compelled  to  retire  to 
thi  ifi,idcs  of  private  life.         «         *         *         In  hastf ,  yo  .ri.-,  iruiy,  B.F.BUTLER. 

'Ill  another  It  aer,  April,  1819,  Mr.  Butler  tells  Mr.  iJoyl,  that  "  'i'he  appointment  of  Judge 
Vvoodworth  is  imiversally  reprobated  here  ;  without  any  e.\eeptions,  except  the  Clintonians.''] 

[No.  40.]  To  ITiiyt,  on  Noah  {<  on  Caucus  Nominations.  Ai.uaxv,  Nov.  7,  1820. 
Dear  Sir :  At  tin;  ciiicus  last  ei'ening,  Gri  Republican  nienibt'rs  of  Aseeinbly  were  present. 
Two  very  staunch  republicans  absent — not  yet  arrived — so  th;it  wn  fhall  not  lose  a  single  man. 
Mr.  Sharp  agreed  on  lor  Spetikt r.  Mr.  Vanderhcyden  for  Clerk,  4.^) — to  23  for  A.  [Aaron]  Clark. 
Thf;  votes  to-day  will  bo  unanimous,  and  every  thing  will  go  as  ii  oiigbt  to.  The  Council  did 
not  meet  yestertbiy.  Mr.  Noah  will  attend  to  your  letter — he  takes  great  interest  in  it.  I 
hfi.e  not  been  able  to  see  cither  Mr.  B.  or  Mr.  D. 

In  haste,  most  truly,  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

To  Jesse  Hoyt,    Henry  t^  Campbdl  defeated — Van  Buren  !j  Batlernot  very  busy Clinton's 

alm.iire  Megsagc. 
[No.  47.]  [per  Counsellor  Caines.]      ^  Ai.banv,  January  18, 1821. 

Dear  Sir  :         *  '■         '         *         *         Wf  liave  had  a  very  tedious  .Session.     Tlie  Court 

have  been  principally  occupied  with  non-enumerated  business,  and  have  been  able  to  reach  only 
No.  98,  on  the  Calendar.  Tlu'rc  was  no  business  of  interest  except  some  pretty  important  mo- 
tittus — anoiig  oihrr.-',  a  motion  to  (juash  all  our  scir.  fa.  proceedings  in  Otsego,  which  was  fuUv 
argued  by  Mr.  Canipbill  antl  Mr.  Henry  for,  and  myself  against  it.  This  was  the  llrst  cause  of 
any  importance  I  ever  arttued  in  the  Supreme  Court,  and  this  was  the  most  interesting  matter 
before  the  Court.  I  made  out  tolerably  well.  I  believe,  and  was  heard  very  patiently  for  near 
two  hours.     Till'  motion  will  not  be  decided  until  ne.xt  term. 

I  was  sorry  to  hear  troui  you  in  no  sombre  a  strain  as  that  which  perva(4ed  one  of  your  late  let. 
ters.  I  hope,  however,  that  with  the  new  year  your  prospects  will  rtn-ive — and  I  ha.-e  no  doubt 
that  industry  and  merit  like  yours  will  eiiinmaiid,as  it  certainly  deserves,  success. 

We  [Van  I?nren  &  Biitlcrl  are  dtiMic  hardly  anv  busine,ss — what  we  have  is  in  CHANCERY 
,;„(/  'I'HE  EXI'ENSES  ARK  SO  HEAVY  AND  THE  PROCEEDS  SO  LONG  IN  COMING* 
that  my  present  hopes  nre  ronjined  to  u  Inn'  suhsistenre.  The  only  coii.'^olation  is  thar  I  arn 
nirkimx,  as  I  think,  stnne  pro_L>re>H  in  protessional  kiiowledL;e,  of  wliich  one  day  or  other,  1  inay 
renp  the  benelit.s. 

There  is  ev  ;ry  pro.-pict  of  u  sloiniy  scssitm.  Tln'  Oovernor  [De  Wilt  Clinton,]  has  eoimnun;. 
caied  the  docimients  relative  to  THE  ORO  ANIZED  CORPS,  aeeompiuiied  WITH  A  VERY 
AnUSIVI'j  MES.'^ACiE.     This  business  trill  injure  hini  greatly  throughout  the  Union. 

I  don't  think  I  shall  be  an  epplicant  for  any  iIiIul;  this  wint>'r — eortainly  mif  if  I  can  ">  *  a  liv. 
uig  withont,  which  I  hope  may  be  the  ca;<e._  Mr.  Esleeck  is  the  mt;t(  prominent  candidate  lor 
tli!,'otiice  of  District  Attorney,  and  feels  contidontof  success,  and  will  probably  be  appointed, 

I  hopi!  to  see  yon  soon  nt  Albany,  when  we  shall  e.xpect  you  to  stay  with  ns.         *         *     '    # 

With  sincere  regard,  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

[To  J.  IToiit].     The  Pnrktail  ('nunrll  eery  unpopular — Albany  near  a  rebellion. 
[No.  48.]^  Ale,\.\y,  Fel.-y  20, 1821. 

Mv  Dear  Friend —  ....  .  I  hope //<?  CoM/ic;/ will  .soon  finish  nil  thev  have  to  do 
as  the  e.vciieinint  produced  by  iheir  labors  is  very  great,  and  the  difliculty  of  pleasing  everybody 
very  strikintrly  illustiiited.  You  will  have  seen  by  the  time  this  reaches  you,  that  they  have 
g:ivvn  me  an  office — without  any  trouble  or  e.xertion  on  my  part — or  much  on  the  part  of  niv 
friends.  'I'he  minor  appoiiitiiieuts  lor  this  city  have  given  great  dissatisfaction,  fl/if/  //  is  as  much 
as  li'i:  ran  do  In  kerp  the  peaple  from  open  rtliellion.  Of  all  this,  howerer,  say  nothing— as  I 
hope  a  tew  days  of  rcfleciiciii  will  conipofic  the  angry  eleinents.  To  jiiilge  from  the  violent 
exprsssions  of  tho.se  who  are  disappointed,  one  woultl  think  that  our  prosjieots  for  next  Sprinc 
were  rather  blank — bn>  ynu  know  it  is  the  grains  of  Democracy  aUrays  to  be.  impetuous  md 
sunietimes  to  be  rash.  I  have  only  time  i  i  say  that  you  are  always  one  of  those  for  Wi.ose 
health,  happiness,  and  uiture  prtj-jpeiity  1  teel  the  liveliest  solieitutie,  &c.  &c.  &,e. 

B.  F.  BUTLER.     ^ 

A  close  Election — the  Chances  stated — Disaffection  to  the  Bucklails. 
[No.  49]  To  Jesse  Hoyt,  Ar.BA.w,  March  3,  ISSl. 

Dear  Hoyt :  Havim'  been  engaged  in  a  long  and  tedious  Court  of  Sessions,  I  have  been 
unable  to  write  you  sooner.     Notwilhstanding  tiie  dissali.^fuction  which  prevails  m  many  narl« 


1  f 

I' 


n  ^ 


^" 


r.  I    ■ 


':»'   :' 


ft. 


I6d 


'the  O.NLY  IMPOUTi.'NT    BUSINESS  OF  Utm  LU'JCs' — HUMBUG. 


of  the  state,  1  think  wo  have  a  fair  chance  of  succes?.  Dutchess  is  not  yet  to  be  abandoned — 
Saratoga  ia  certain — lisacx  ditto — Cayupa  may  ie  hoped  for — Genesee  and  Niagara  promise 
favorably — Ulster  .md  Sullivan  may  perhaps  be  lo?t  hy  ihe  nomhiation  of  Sudani.  There  is 
a  faint  proeperl  of  success  in  tlie  new  counties  crtcted  from  Ontario.  The  other  counties  may 
stand  as  they  did  last  year,  except  Montgomery  and  Queens.  In  the  former  we  have  strong 
hopes  of  electing  our  whole  ticket.  As  to  the  latter,  you  have  better  means  ot  information  than 
I  have.     For  my  own  part  I  set  it  down  as  again.st  us. 

It  is  not  to  be  denied  that  dimiffection  prevails  in  some  counties,  and  indifference  in  others — 
and  as  our  adversaries  will  strain  every  nerve  to  the  utmost,  tliey  vuiy  secure  ttie  state. 

In  the  Eastern  District  we  shall  elect  our  Senator,  having  a  vwst  nohle  ticket,  while  the 
Clintonians  iiave  a  wretched  one.  Probably  Seymour  may  be  elected  in  the  Western,  liio'  tiieiv 
is  not  much  hope  of  it.  The  election  will  be  close,  and  some  of  our  friends  give  it  up,  though 
without  sufficient  reason.     »     «     «     *     in  haste,  truly  yours,  K.  F.  BUTLER. 

•  To  Jesse  Hoyt,  on  Law,  licligion,  Edeaeev,  the  Court  of  Eirors,  tfc. 

[No.  50.]  Alba.ny,  April  2,  1822. 

My  Dear  friend  :  I  am  glad  to  hear  of  your  safe  return  from  Washington,  and  have  to  thank 
you  for  your  letter  from  that  place.  I  regret  that  you  lost  the  opi)ortunity  of  arguing  your  cause 
in  the  Supreme  Court.  It  would  have  been  a  circumstance  ecjually  creditable  to  you,  and  grati- 
fying to  your  friends,  to  have  liad  you  come  forward  so  soon  after  your  admission  to  the  bar, 
in  the  first  court,  and  against  the  highest  law  officer  of  the  nation. 

It  is  not  at  all  surprizing  that  you  should  know  how  to  appreciate  our  solicitude  for     *     *     * 

*  •  *  Our  chief  prayer  is  that  she  may  be  prepared  for  the  clnsing  nceae,  thronnh 
the  Grace  of  her  Crentnr  and  Judge.  My  dear  friend,  THIS,  after  all,  IS  THJ.;  ONLY  IM- 
PORTANT BUSINESS  OF  OUR  LIVES— a«(i  every  new  instance  of  mortality  admonishes 
lit  to  set  about  it  in  due  season, 

I  am  much  indebted  to  you  for  your  attention  to  the  troublesome  business  of  my  releases.  I 
do  not  care  whether  they  are  executed  or  not — the  only  object  is  to  save  costs  by  tendering  them. 
Enclosed  is  a  list  of  all  the  judgment  creditors  of  J.  Ka'ne  who  have  not  released.  Please 
mark  opposite  to  each,  the  names  of  those  who  are  absent,  and  where,  so  that  I  may  bring  them 
in  bv  publication. 

The  Court  of  Errors  yesterday  decided  the  cause  I  argued  there  (Manahan  vs.  Gibbons)  in 
favor  of  my  clients,  (Defendants,)  24  to  4 — a  great  triumph  to  me,  and  some  little  mortification 
to  Mr,  Henry,  who  was  uncommonly  positive  and  sanguine.  I  have  argued  two,  and  have 
several  other  causes  to  argue  in  tlie  Court  of  Chancery. 

Mrs.  Butler  desires  to  be  uflectionately  remembered  by  you  and  by  Mr.  Ward.  No  one 
stands  higher  in  her  estimuiion  than  yourself.  She  thinks  you  the  most  ardent  friend  I  have, 
and  therefore  she  feels  for  you  as  she  ought  to.  I  liopo  to  see  you  in  May,  but  may  be  disap- 
pointed,    in  haste,  most  iruly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

[To  J,  Jloyt,  at  New  York.]      PuUtirnl  sr/icming — fastructiuns  how  to  keep  Power  from  the 
People — Noah  told  how  to  b/th<irv — efforts  to  elect  Crawford. 
[No.  51,]  Ar.iiA.NV,  Jan'y  2!),  1824. 

My  dear  friend — The  Electoral  Law  was  to  have  been  taken  up  in  the  As.eembjy  to  day  *  » 
«  »  »  *There  is  no  doubt  wiiatever  that  a  majority  think  it  inexpedient  to  pass  the  bill, 
nnd  yet  they  are  so  hampered  by  jjrcnialure  commitments,  and  manii  of  them  so  uriaded  by  their 
constituents,  as  to  render  it  almo."'  mornlly  certain  that  they  pass  it  in  some  shape  or  other. 
Our  reliance  is  on  the  Senate,  and  v,e  still  eutertam  strong  hopes  that  it  will  be  rejected  there 
in  whatever  form  it  may  come.  Still,  this  is  by  no  means  certain,  and  the  greatest  caution 
and  prudence,  as  well  as  tlie,  greatest  firmness,  are  required  in  presentiTig  the  subject  to  the 
Senators.  We  have  not  been,  and  are  not,  idle ;  on  the  contrary,  ifever  men  labored  incessantly, 
the  'Conspirators' nnd  the  '  Regency,'  &,c.,  deserve  that  praise.  **»»*»  Malic 
a  suggestion  to  Mr.  Noah,  which  I  trust  will  not  be  improperly  received  by  him.  It  is  simply 
to  suggest  that,  for  the  presc;.,  the  Advocate  should  not  press  the  claims  nor  deseant  on  the 
merits  of  Mr.  Crawford.  Wc  ".ave  in  the  two  branches  of  the  Legisl.  aHout  105  members 
who  are  thorough-gc-'i-':  Caucus  >  icn.  Of  these  a  mnjoiity,  beyond  nil  d(  ubt,  wonl.d  prefer 
the  nomination  of  Mr.  C;a«  fi^rtl,  tht  remainder  are  for  Mr.  Ciay  or  Mr.  Adams,  tl)e  sinnliest 
number  being  for  the  I'.tfer.  iV/W/.i  h'ese  men  are  hhIUiis  to  abide  hy  a  CON(^iH|]SSIONAL 
NOMINATION,  it  is  'i-eless  to  ortvo";  te  the  claims  of  Mr.  Crawford  to  such  a  nomination, 
t(  being  certain  that  if  any  is  ir.i..le  it  wist  fall  on  him.  Besides,  by  pre.«sing  the  claims  of 
that  gentlemm  yim  incur  the  risk  of  al  imiinTr  the  i'eelings  and  encoimterin^  the  opposition  of 
those  firm  and  lion.-st  men  wi.  >  have  tronc  with  ns  nobly  so  far,  and  are  willing  to  go  with  us  to 
the  end,  but  who  arc  yet  unaccountably  wedded  to  Mr.  Clay  or  Mr.  Adams.  And  though  I  do 
not  believe  they  coul'  be  driver-  from  the  resolutions  they  have  concurred  in,  in  favor  of  a 
Caucus  at  Washing:  .i,  they  may  .ut  be  induced  to  give  a  warm  support  to  the  Electoral  Law, 


bUTLEl 

if  they  becom 
or  that  we  an 
the  necessity 
the  utmost  re 
be  time  enoug 
successful  car 
this  ticklish 
more  general 
number  us, 
ARE  SO  WE 

If  the  meet 
will  not  be  ni 
republican  pai 
well  understot 
service  if  it  sh 
to  gain,  and  t 
acter — but  as 
far  with  him  f 

I  omitted  tc 
of  Btirrites,  1 
our  best  frieni 
the  Senate — i 
and  most  hope 

I  have  not  \ 
mentioned  to 
we  are  still  m< 
you,         Your 
I  opened 

Young  nomim 

[No.  :.2.] 
Dear  Iloyt- 
of  the  nppo.siti 
yd  persuaded 
will  see  the  t\ 
It  does  not  syi 
iiiisunderstood 
tlie  next  sessi 
Rely  u))on  it  e 

[No.  .'■)3.] 
;\Iy  Dear  Si 
issuing  ol'  his 
eomplislied.  I 
to  execute  a  I 
Eoun. 

[No,  54,] 
l)''ur  ^lir — . 
HauK  of  Platts 
tlierel'ore  "  *^ 
ers  for  a  cons] 
yesterday  at  o 
court  adjaurnt 
Butler,     .Mr.  1 

To 
[So.  .W.j 
My  Dear  S 
.Inimary,  as  p; 
ill  liieiii,  liuwe 
Healtli."  wbie 
iil'KRATh'N'S  //; 
I'Ollfuieil  It)  (,', 

Incessant (k 
tion  as  a  mem 


BUG. 

to  be  abandoned — 
1  Niagara  promise 
Sudani.  There  is 
other  counties  may 
cr  we  have  suoiig 
ut  information  than 

Terence  in  others — 
the  state. 

;  ticket,  while  tiie 
Western,  iho'  tluMv 
I  give  it  up,  though 
B.  F.  BUTLER. 

'S,  if,C. 

Y,  April  2,  1822. 
and  have  to  thank 
arguing  your  cause 
e  to  you,  and  grati- 
niission  to  the  bar, 

ifude  for     *     »     » 

ing   .tcenr,  throiiph 

THK  ONLY  IM- 

ortnlily  admonished 

1  of  my  releases.     I 

by  tendering  them. 

t  released.     Please 

t  I  muy  bring  them 

Imn  vs.  Gibbons!  in 
e  little  inorlification 
lied  two,  and  have 

r.  Ward.     No  one 
dent  friend  I  have, 
but  may  be  disap- 
B.  F.  BUTLER. 

7>  Power  from  the 
I. 

Jan'y  29,  1824. 
nibly  to  day  *  • 
•nt  to  pass  the  bill, 
tio  goaded  hy  their 
ne  shajie  or  other, 
ill  be  rejected  there 
he  greatest  caution 

the  subject   to  the 

abored  ince.«santlv, 

*     *     *     .Millie 

him.  It  is  simply 
nor  df'seant  on  the 
Kiut  105  members 
I  ubt,  would  prefer 
.dams,  tlie  smallest 
)N(lKi:SrflO.\AL 
such  a  noniinatiini, 

ing  the  claim.s  of 
V^  the  opposition  of 
ing  to  go  with  us  to 
And  though  I  do 
<1  in,  in  favor  of  a 
the  Electoral  Law, 


-I 


UUTLER  HOODWINKS  TIIE  BUCKTAILS — SETS  UP  YOUNG — UPSETS  HOSACK.      169 

if  they  become  satisfied,  either  that  their  candidates  have  no  chance  of  a  Caucus  Nomination, 
or  that  we  are  determined  to  force  the  claims  of  Mr,  Crawford.  8tick  to  principles ;  advocate 
the  necessity  of  adhering  to  the  old  forms  and  established  doctrinen  of  the  party — and  expresn 
the  utmost  readiness  to  submit  individual  preferences  to  the  decision  of  the  Caucus.  It  will 
bo  time  enough  after  the  nomination,  to  defend  and  maintain  the  character  and  claims  of  the 
successful  candidate.  **»«*»/  ahoitld  think  it  injudicious  to  call  meetings  ori 
this  ticklish  suhjcrl,  citjwrially  in  the  country,  lohere  the  meetings  from  necessity  would  be 
more  general  than  with  you,  and  where  our  opponents  would  ineritably  outmanage  and  out- 
number  us.  In  your  city,  however,  the  line  is  so  distinctly  drawn,  AND  YOUR  FORCES 
ARE  SO  WELL  ORGANIZED,  that  yon  have  nothing  of  that  sort  to  apprehend. 

If  the  meeting  about  to  take  jilace  should  not  be  more  formidable  than  I  think  it  will  bo,  it 
will  not  be  misunderstood  here.  Its  proceedings  will  be  considered  as  the  voice,  not  of  the 
republican  party,  but  of  the  supporters  of  Mr.  Whenton  and  his  colleagues,  who  are  now  very 
well  understood  by  the  (;ountry  members — and  instead  of  injuring  I  think  it  would  render  us  a 
service  if  it  should  stand  alone.  *  «  «  »  *  SiiH  jt  seems  to  me  that  we  have  nothmg 
to  gain,  and  much  to  hazard  by  giving  to  this  subject  any  farther  excitement  of  a  popular  char- 
acter— but  as  Mr.  Bowne  knows  perfectly  the  state  of  things  here,  your  Committee  should  con. 
fer  with  iiim  fully  before  they  adopt  any  course  definitely. 

I  omitted  to  make  another  suggestion  h)r  Mr.  Noah.  It  is  not  very  serviceable  to  talk  much 
of  Burritcs,  Lcwiaitrs,  uv  the  High  minded.  Several  of  the  two  former  classes  are  hern  among 
our  best  friends ;  and  as  to  the  latter,  Sudani,  Branson,  and  Wheeler,  are  as  true  as  steel,  in 
ilie  Senate — and  Whiting,  Hornier  and  several  others  in  the  Assembly  are  among  our  best 
and  most  hopeful  supporters  in  that  House. 

I  have  not  written  to  37r.  Barker  about  his  proposition  as  to  voters  for  Electors.  It  has  been 
mentioned  to  several,  but  we  doubt  the  power  of  the  Legislature  to  pass  it,  and  if  they  have  it, 
we  are  still  more  api'rehensive  of  its  policy,  for  reasons  which  on  reflection  I  think  will  occur  to 
you.        Yours  truly,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 

I  ojieued  this  letter  to  show  to  Judge  S.  [Skinner.] 


Young  nominated — the  Oorrrnor's  folly  in  going  for  the  people — the  Argus  afloat — Barker's 

Cunspirary  Trial. 

[No.  :)2.]  To  Jesse  Iloyt.  Albanv,  April  13,  1824. 

Dear  Iloyt — Political  uflairs  stand  well.  The  nomination  of  Young  has  defeated  the  plana 
of  the  apposition;  and  though  I  did  what  f  ronld  TO  PREVENT  I'lS  NECESSITY, /am 
yd  persuaded,  that,  under  all  circnmstance.f,  it  is  the  best  thing  that  could  be  dune.  You 
will  sec  the  two  addresses.  To  ours  we  have  more  than  two-thirds  of  both  Houses — and  though 
It  doe.s  not  sjieak  directly  of  the  presidential  (luestion,  I  think  its  tendency,  i.*v:c.,  can  hardly  be 
misunderstood.  If  matters  go  as  we  e.v|)ect,  there  will  be  a  large  majority  for  Mr.  Crawford  at 
tlir  ne.\t  session.  Indted  it  is  very  certain  that  lie  has  received  a  majority  of  both  branches. 
Rely  upon  it  every  thing  will  go  well.  Yours  truly,         1],  F.  BUTLER. 

[No.  ^hi.]  To  Jesse  Iloyt.  Alisa.vy,  June  5,  1824. 

I\Iy  Dear  Sir — You  have  by  this  lime  heard  ibe   consummation  ot'  the  Governor's  folly  by  the 

iijsuiug  of  his  proelanuiiion You  will  see  that  the  ./Irffi/s  business  has  been  at  last  ac- 

e'omplislied,  I  was  obliged  to  becoinc  responsible  tor  ilit-  moderation  of  the  New  York  paper,  and 
to  e,\ecute  a  Bond  of  Indeumity,  Sec.  I  have  written  to  Hamilton  for  it.  Do  see  that  it  is  sent 
soon.  Yours  ever,         B.  F.  B, 

[No,  54,]     To  Lorenzo  Hoyt,  Esi].,  Albany.  Nr.w  Yoric,  Oct.  I,  1826. 

D'-ur  !>ir — .Mr.  Heniy  has  gone  home  with  an  intention  of  preparing  himself  in  the  ease  of  the 
Danit  of  Plattsl)urg  at;ainst  Levi  Piatt,  Wells,  and  others,  (theaeeoimt  cause;)  I  wish  you  would 
therefore  *  ^  *  «  *  [  hnwi'  but  a  moment  and  few  details  ol  the  trial,  [.laeob  Barker  and  oth- 
ers for  a  conspiracy  to  defraud.]  must  refer  you  to  the  papers.  Tlu'y  bring  down  tiie  details  to 
yesteiday  at  one  o'clock.  In  the  afternoon  and  evening  we  had  a  fine  time  of  it,  and  when  the 
court  adjourned  last  night  the  cause  was  leti  remarkably  well  for  us.  I  send  a  paper  for  .Mrs. 
Butler.     .Mr.  Barker  has  done  wonders.  Truly  yours,         B.  F.  BUTLER. 

To  Iloyt,  on  tin'  f.aw  Ucrisers — ])r.  Ilnsack  upset — a  successor  to  Talcotl. 
[No.  .'■),'■).]  At.ti.vN'Y,  Dec.  U,  1827. 

My  Dear  Sir — I  cannot  send  you  copies  of  the  chapters  that  are  to  (loiiinicnce  on  the  first  of 
January,  as  passed,  as  there  are  hut  a  few  extra  copies  in  i)riiit.  *  "^  *  *  *  There  is  nothing 
in  ilieiii,  liuwever,  that  etin  interest  or  alVfct  you.  in  New  York,  except  Chap  14.  "Of  Public 
Health,"  which  mitigates  the  Quarantine  Laws  and  uji.irts  Dr.  Hnsnrk.  Chap.  KS  cuts  up  some 
''>i'KR.\Tio\Si  tlint  u.ied  to  be  in  rmatr,  but  it  was  so  nlieved  by  the  Legislature  as  to  be  entirely 
I'onfiiteil  to  Ccirpornnoiis  hmiifter  rrentril  or  rruev^ed . 

Incessant  oeeiipaiion  has  rendered  it  impos-jible  lor  me  to  answer  your  kind  letter.  My  situa. 
tion  as  a  member  of  the  Assembly  will  reiulcr  me  ineligible  to  the  office  you  speak  of,  iia  ctise 


170 


MALE  AND  FEMALH  POLITICIANS  INTHICyiNG  ABOUT  OFFICES. 


Talcott  [Attorney  General]  should  resign.  [Sec  the  Constitution  :]  And  even  if  not  diaquali- 
fied  by  iliut  ciruiiin.-*iiince,  I  sliould  be  unwilling  to  withdraw  my  iiltention  from  the  remuinder 
of  the  Revision  [ol  ilie  hi  ws  ol'  N.  Y.,]  which  v.-ill  n^quire  all  my  elloris  for  some  montha  to  come. 
I  iiiUBL  gel  mat  concern  ml'  my  hands  bt-tore  1  set  up  for  any  tliinjr  else,  tspecially  if  it  recjuires 
labor.  I'hi'ie  is,  novvever,  lutlo  probiibility  that  ilif  good  people  will  sulier /or  ui«/it  of  cai'di. 
dates,     in  a  case  so  .)i-uininent  there  uru  jreneruUy  t-iinngh  to  grasp  for  it.     In  haste, 

Very  sincerely  you.s,         D.  F.  BUTLER. 

[No.  56.]     To  J.  floyt,  on  ?iis  claims  on  liisn  over  Ducr.       Ai.ua.ny,  March  IDlh,  18^9. 
My  Dear  Sir — I  have  not  been  able  to  furnish  Chancellor  Wnlworih  with  a  copy  of - 


answer,  my  orignial  copy  iiavinij  got  into  that  celebrated  reccptucle  of  Chancery  pnpers,  froiu 
wliich  nothing  is  ever  to  be  wiihd.'-awn — the  draw  or  businl  baski  t,  (I  don't  know  which.)  of  his 

venerable  predecessor 1  wish  I  hail  lime  to  say  somethinn  of  your  lp.?t  letter,  but  as 

the  hour  for  closing  the  mail  is  at  i>and  1  must  defer,  and  if  I  iMtr  ilie  whole  matter  wdl  tumble 
into  Limbo,  for  1  never  can  undertake  to  answer  an  old  letter.  You  do  me  injustice  in  your 
mode  of  stating  the  ca.se  As  between  you  and  John  Duer  I  never  can  iiesitatc.  Yon  s're  not 
oniy  the  oldest  {vkiu\,  hut  must  assuredly  HAVfc:  THE  STROMGEST  POSSIBLE  CLAIMS 
UPON  ME — claims  which  1  hope  U>  convince  yuu  I  Iuiik  not  forgotten,  andean  netcr  forget. 

Mrs.  B.  continues  to  think  illy  not  only  of  the  Washington  people,  but  of  iiour  argumeni.s  m 
its  tavor.  I  shall  submit  the  matter  wliolty  to  her  decision,  though  my  judgment,  not  less  than 
my  irvijuation,  tells  nie  sie  io  wrong  in  t^onie  of  her  objections — if  not  in  all. 

.Most  truly  yours,        B.  F.  BUTLER. 

JSluher  {like  Mnrcy)  to  be  saved  from  rnin,  and  made  respectable. 

[No.  57.]  Watf.rforp.  July  2G,  IH3(I. 

To  Lorenzo  Hoyt,  Esq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  Slate  Street,  Albany. 

My  Dear  Sir — When  I  1  .ft  this  morning,  1  could  not  ascertain  whether  i\Ir.  Kevuolds  had  re- 
turned or  not.  If  lie  has  nni  retained.  I  musf  get  my  cause  po.-itponed,  and  return  to  assist  Mr. 
Ostrander  before  the  Vice  Chancellor  to-morrow.  Let  me  know  l)y  the  first  atage  or  mail  for 
Ballbton. 

Notice  should  be  given  at  the  Post  otTlce  to  send  Mr.  Van  Buren'.'^  letters  to  Saratoga  Sprinir,<. 
Those  you  sent  yesterday  to  my  house  are  yet  there.  Will  you  see  them  sent  bark  to  the  Fo^t 
Office  properly  directed? 

Once  more.  Just  as  we  left  this  m-irning,  I  heard  that  our  excellent  friend  Mahor  was  dend 
It  occurred  to  me  iiisfainlv  thiii  F.  El.  Strong  was  very  well  (]mliticd  for  the  place  of  State  Libra- 
rian. IT  WOULD  SAVE  HIM  FROM  RUIN',  and  make  him  a  respectable  livin.r ;  and  hur. 
ing  that,  he  would  be  a  respectable  man.  I  hc'X  you  to  call  on  .Mr.  Flagg,  atid  name  him  us  a 
candidate  for  whom  I  feel  a  deep  inter!  st ;  al^io  spottk  to  Mr.  Cromwell  and  .Air.  Phelps  and  Oliv- 
ers.    If  it  can  be  done,  it  will  be  a  great  nffiiir  for  Strong.     Don't  on.it  seeinir  Mr.  Flatrsr. 

Yours.         H.  F.  BUTLER. 


I\'>n/( — Judge  Sutherland — D,  B.  Tallmadgv  a  .Successor  to  Duer, 
[No.  58.]  Mrs.  U.  F.  Butler  to  Mr.  J>-.-se  Hoyt.]         Ai.b.wy,  December  -llh,  1830, 

My  dear  Sir:  I  u..;  greatly  obliired  to  you  for  sendrni;  mc  the  pnper  containing  the  nrticli' 
"  Albany  Institute."  I  am  very  nuirh  inclined  to  bflit-vi-  tint  the  author  of  th--  addre.ss  merited 
the  rebuke,  not  becatiso  oin*  fri'Mid  (.iroswcll  is  mentioned  in  an  honorable  manner,  but  because 
the  who'e  editorial  corps  were  riot  inaral'ied  in  the  note. 

If  I  had  written  thi:  note,  I  should  not  Inve  forsrouen  Xodi — I  would  iiavc  given  him  a  hinli 
place,  for  he  is  eeriainly  entitled  to  rani,-,  being  King  and  Hi'^h  Priest,  &-j\  &.c.,  of  the  Jews 
In  his  literary  .«tore-lMu:'e,  hf  ha-i  ammmiition  of  all  i^oi'ls ;  and  altho'  he  is  too  fond  of  amusiiii,' 
u»  wiihsquihs,  he  c-ui,  and  does  oce  isicMnlly,  send  up  a  sky-rocket.  I  write  in  ureal  haste,  and 
have  only  linic  to  ndd  that  I  am  ;i  lone  widdow  yet — and  tlint  the  very  elements  seem  to  conspire 
to  keep  my  low.ig  lord  uvviiy.  Did  you  ('vi>r  know  such  a  continued  spell  of  nnpleisatit 
weaili  i- .'  Yours,  very  sincerely,  HARRIET  H. 

59.]  [private.]  [Mrs.  B.  F.  Builor  to  !\Ir.  .fesse  Hoyt.] 

WAsni.MiTON-,  I8ih  February,  I83I. 
;ir  Sir — You   must  either  wirk  for  Judge  S,  fSutherlandJ  or  yourself,  if  you  do  not 
wi^^h  Tallmaiige  lo  .net  tin'  ollice  of  D.  A.     [District  Atiorney.] 

Hi.s  hrodiet  wrrks  like  ^  C  irt-H  ir~e  in  tlie  mntter,  and  things  are  workin.ii  we'd  for  him. 
Mr.  ]].  [SJiiili':!  only  yielded  to  Judge  S'.s  el  dm-i  over  yours,  »h  account  of  his  (the  Judge';s) 
peoiU'irhf  u'tpleat'int  si/nation  in  n  pecuniary  puint  of  riew. 

Doh'dp  the  Judge.  The  decision  of  the  matter  is  to  be  left  to  the  N.  Y.  Members — Repre- 
Beinaijve"  and  Seiiatois — and  thi'V  are  all  preliy  niich  to  a  mun,  committed  to  Tulliiindge, 

('teat  haste,  sincerely  yours,  H.  R. 


[\o. 

Mv  n- 


A  S] 


Judi 


[No.  60.] 

My  Dear  Sir 
that  you  have  b 

If  Talhnadgi 
(Vrrr d  to  the  De 

Su  fiir  as  Pf 
yimwillgine  in 

But  it  is  a  pit 
the  session.  Y 
and  he  will  he  i 

PRICE,  it  is 
they  cannot  ag! 
[Idtnonds  will  h 

I  am  happy  t 
kighter  days  th 

I  perceive  by 

.Vlr.  Butler  st 
troubles  of  the  t 
lioai  will  be  leai 
I  Here  four  lines 

Don't  be  curi 
u'Ai'f  A  my  admit 

The  mail  will 


[No.  CI.]     Pi 

My  Dear  Sir- 
mid  most  heartil 
yoli  utter  in  then 
III'  the  old  federa 
cause  they  foum 
iinwarrantiible  ii 

As  for  myselt 
.ME.\NS  j~!i  to 
i'(  cuuld  get  on 
I'aney  thinks  w 
/  imi  desirous 
It  best  to  dispen; 
I'untrols  it,  we  o 

Come  what  w 
us  all  into  the 
THE  Bank,  or 


Jack 

[Xo,  »]•-). l-f 
"'fhc  Presidei 
ot'Independeii 
words  left  out  a 

[No.  ()3.]- 
"  Mr.  Taney 
sidcration.     Th 
they  may  not 
PROTEST,  ct, 

[No.  64] 
My  Dear  Sir 
my  return  to-da 
his  nrbitrntion. 

I  had  noticed 
me  that  the  arti 


KICKS, 

even  if  not  diaquali. 
froiik  the  remainder 
line  months  lo  come, 
ecially  if  it  requires 
fur  want  of  cai'di. 
n  h:isie, 
D.  F.  UUTLKR. 

rliirch  19th,  18^9. 

It  a  copy  of 's 

hnncery  pnpers,  from 
know  whicli.)  of  liia 
)ur  If.st  letter,  hut  as 
,e  m;nter  will  tumble 
le  injustice  in  yuur 
siintc.  Yon  I're  not 
DSSIBLE  CLAIMS 
(/  can  iiivcr  /urge', 
i(  fiojir  argnnienis  u\ 
j^nieiit,  not  less  thiiii 
II. 
B.  F.  BUTLER. 

ctahk'. 

jRP.  July2C,  1H3(I. 

Mr.  Rpvuolds  had  re- 
I  rot  urn  to  tissiht  Mr. 
irst  btagf  or  mail  for 

;  to  oaratogii  Spriniis. 
srnt  bark  to  the  Po^t 

end  Malior  was  drml 
place  of  State  Libru- 
aiile  livinff ;  and  htir- 
■x,  and  name  him  as  ;i 
d  ,Mr.  Phelps  and  oih- 
inu:  Mr.  Flairs:. 
B.  F.  BUTLER. 

o  Durr, 

ec.-mb.'r   llli.  1830, 
"ontninina;  the  artifh' 
)f  \\w  address  nu-rited 
manner,  but  because 

avc  given  liim  a  higli 
t.c.  iSli".,  of  the  .lews 
<  t^)o  fond  of  amusins; 
iie  in  ureal  haste,  and 
nents  seem  to  conspire 
id  spell  of  nnple  isant 
HARRIET  It. 

.•t,] 

^tli  Fehniary,  16,'J  I. 

yourself,  if  you  do  nut 

inji  well  tor  him. 

t  uf  his  (the  Judge's) 

Y.  Members— Repre- 
ed  to  Tallinadjie. 
urs,  H.  B- 


A  SHR  FKD.  IN  THE  CADINET — AN  AKTFTL  PATl,\SITE  UNCLOAKED. 


171 


.•^• 


Judse  Edmonds  and  Paupcriam — Price  to  gel  the  Office— Hoy t's  troubles. 

[No.  60.]        [Mrs.  B.  F,  Butler  to  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt.]  WASHtNOTON,  Feb.  24,  1834. 

My  Dear  Sir — I  can  only  say  in  relation  to  the  office  whicli  was  the  subject  of  a  former  letter, 
that  you  have  become  a  caridi.iate  too  late  in  the  day  for  any  hopes  of  success. 

If  Tallmadtfc  and  Sniherland  are  set  aside,  as  is  very  likely  they  will  be,  if  the  matter  ia  re- 
iVrrcd  to  the  Delenaiion,  /  think  ^[r.  Edmonds  will  succciil. 

So  fur  as  PAUPERISM  is  a  qiialijica  lion  and  recommendation  to  the  favor  of  party,  surely 
miwilleii^ein  io  THE  LAST  NAMED  PERSON. 

Bar  if  is  a  piiy,  if  you  really  want  the  office,  that  you  diil  not  say  so  at  the  commencement  of 
i!if  session.  You  may  aa  well,  however,  write  to  GambrelenEr,  who  I  hear  is  committed  for  you, 
and  he  will  be  able  to  tell  you  all  the  dilHcultifs  about  the  affair. 

PRICE,  it  is  thouirlit  by  Mr.  B.  [Butler]  will  be  the  person  the  delegation  will  unite  upon,  if 
•hey  cannot  agree  not  to  disa^'rec  upon  either  of  the  first  named  persons — but  I  am  of  opinion 
Rilinonds  will  he  the  man. 

I  am  happy  that  yna  can  talk  so  cheerfully  of  your  misfortunes.  I  hope  that  you  will  y»t  see 
brighter  days  thnngh. 

I  perceive  by  one  of  your  letters  you  are  getting  to  be  quite  an  old  man. 

.Mr.  Butler  slill  eoutinuea  strong  in  the  faith  (.laekaonism)   and  thinks  that  all  the  political 
troubles  of  the  day  are  neces.^ary  to  the  purification  of  the  body  politick.     That  lessons  of  wis- 
(ioai  will  be  learned  now  (and  learned  by  heart)  that  will  do  men  good. 
,Here  four  lines  of  the  lady's  .MS.  are  carefully  erased.     She  adds — ]         » 

Don't  be  curious  to  know  the  above — it  only  showed  n  Little  of  the  old  leacen  of  Federalism, 
\ehich  my  admission  to  the  Cabinet  cannot  or  has  not  yet,  covered. 

The  mail  will  close  and  1  must  haste.     Sincerely  yours,      H.  B.  [HARRIET  BUTLER.J 


Down  with  the  United  States  Bank,  but  we  may  want  another. 

[No.  61,]     Private.       [To  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq,]  February  24th,  [18.34.] 

My  Dear  Sir — I  thank  you  for  all  the  news  ihiul  enough  most  of  it)  in  your  several  letters— 
and  most  heartily  concur  with  you  in  all  ilio  censures  and  ihree-fourths  of  the  abstract  notions 
yoii  utter  in  them.  As  for  supposing  that  Newbold,  George  Griswold,  Stephen  Whitney,  or  any 
111'  the  old  federal  commercial  men,  were  with  its  on  this  occasion,  for  any  other  reason  than  be- 
i-;iiise  they  found  it  for  their  interest  to  go  with  us,  I  never  lor  one  single  instant  had  such  an 
(inwarrantable  idea. 

As  for  myself,  /  Arn-p  ^KVER  doubled  that  THE  PRESENT  7Jrt«A:  ought  U*  BY  ALL 
.ME.\NS.,.f:j  lo  be  put  down — but,  on  the  other  hand,  I  hare  never  been  perfectly  satisfied  that 
n  could  ^rt  on  with  the  banincss  of  the  country  without  SOME  SUCH  AGENT.  But  Mr. 
I'aney  thinks  we  can,  and  O^/fc  is  the  judge.  Mr.  Gallatin  also  once  told  me  we  could — and 
I  mn  desirous  TO  TRY  IT  ;  because  if  we  caii  get  on  without  any  of  this  machinery,  I  think 
it  best  lo  dispense  with  it,  for  it  idways  has  been,  and  always  will  be,  abused,  no  matter  who 
i.uiitrols  it,  we  or  our  enemies. 

Come  what  will,  we  must  adhere  to  the  Pres't  policy  FOR  THE  PRESENT,  even  if  it  sends 
ns  all  into  the  minority.  It  would  be  better  to  go  ten  years  into  the  minority  than  torecharter 
THE  Batdi,  or  make  a  new  one  inTNOVV.  Truly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


Jackson's  Proclamation  and  Protest — American  difficulties  with  Franci . 

[No,  fiO.]— Extract  of  a  letter,  B.  F.  Butler  to  Jesse  Hoyt— dated  Albany,  Dec.  14,  1832. — 
"  The  President's  Proclamation  has  electrified  our  whole  community.     Next  to  the  l.'eclaratioii 

of  Independence,  it  is  the  most  p state  paper  our  country's have  produced."     [The 

words  left  out  are  torn  off  the  original.] 

[No.  63.] — E.vtract  of  a  letter  from  Cutler  to  Hoyt,  dated  Washington,  June  29,  If 34. — 
"  Mr.  Taney  and  myself  were  nominated  this  morning ;  Mr.  Stevenson  is  also  yet  under  con- 
sideration.    Thev  are  very  furious  in  their  attacks  on  Stevenson,  and  it  is  bv  nn  means  certain 
they  may  not  call  for  information  about    MY  SUPPORT  OF  THE  PRESIDENT  IN  HIS 
PROTEST,  t^c,  in  which  event  Mr.  Wright  is  authorized  by  me  to  speak  stiougly." 

[No.  64]     Same  to  same.  Stuvvesant,  October  1st,  18,34. 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  have  just  received  your  letter  of  the  27th,  which  I  found  at  mv  father's,  on 
my  return  to-day  from  Hudson,  where  I  have  been  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  our  friend  Blunt  in 
his  arbitration. 

I  had  noticed  the  information  from  France,  this  morninc  at  Hud.^on,  and  it  liad  occurred  to 
me  that  the  article  in  the  Times,  was  a  judicious  coinmea'  upon  it.    Indeed  I  think  it  very  certain, 


,.  4 


•  I' 


\U 


n 


17"J    iRouiii.tj  Willi  rnAiNci: — .  alksjon  fikku  ai — butler  un  banking. 

ihut  the  clniuur  which  ha^  cxibtcd  in  tliui  cuiiiitry  aguiiiHl  (he  udininibtraliuii,  for  tlie  last  eight 
inonths,  hus  reolly  hiul  its  iiiHiiencu  on  the  Frencli  Chnmber.  And  there  is  us  httle  reason  ii, 
doubt,  that  the  op|iositioii  will  o))poHe  iiny  coercive  iiieusureb  which  the  PrcBident  may  recommend 
and  by  their  t'uctiuuii  couriie  pueijibly  give  thiii  matter  hucIi  u  direction  as  to  produce  very  eeriuii^ 
«;niburra.>8iiient.  1  have,  however,  lull  confidence  that  liie  subject  will  be  well  weighed  by  ih,; 
President  anil  his  advisers :  and  that  liie  course  he  may  determine  on  will  meet  the  approbuiiun 
und  support  of  liie  country. 

1  liave  not  thiinked  you  us  I  ou>^lit  to  have  doni'  for  your  letter  in  relation  tu  Patterson.  (i|, 
receivini^  it,  I  wrote  him,  iflliiig  liini  wliire  1  was  und  should  be,  and  a  few  days  ago  1  reccivtil 
$1500  from  him,  with  a  very  proper  letter  and  a  promise  to  send  the  balance  in  u  few  weeks. 

It  was  my  intention  to  have  lelt  this  place  to-day  or  to-morrow  for  VVas^liington,  but  Mrs.  B.  n 
neither  well  eiiouf^h  to  go  with  me,  nor  to  be  left  behind.  I  shall  therefore  remain  till  next  wee!;, 
when,  if  she  is  suHicieiitly  recovered,  (as  1  hope  she  will  be,)  Mrs.  13.  will  accompany  nie.  \i 
pructicnble,  I  shall  endeavor  to  see  you  on  my  way  dosvii,  and  at  all  events  on  my  return  aliuut 
the  '2'2d  of  October.  The  Democracy  of  your  ciiy  have  taken  a  course  which  does  them  iuHuiie 
honor,  and  must  secure  them  success.     With  kindest  regards  to  Mrs.  II.,  I  am,  as  always, 

Very  truly  yours,        B.  F.  BUTJjER. 

/.aw — Office — .lacksuti's  escape. 
[No.  65, J         [To  Lorenzo  Hoyt,  Ksq.,  Counsellor  at  Law,  Albany.] 

Wasiii.nutdn,  February  13,  1835. 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  ought  long  since  to  hnve  ueknowlcdged  the  receipt  of  your  letters  on  iht 
Rail  Roiid  ca?c,  &c.  Till  the  10th  or  I5lh  of  .March,  I  sliiill  be  incessanily  occupied — and  evm 
if  1  had  Mr,  Van  Vecliteii's  opening,  euuld  not  prepare  the  answering  brief.  But  if  you  will 
get  and  seiul  me  the  points!  anil  aiiiliorities  on  the  otlirr  Hide,  which  we  are  entitled  to,  as  thtv 
demur,  1  will  prepare  th''  ai;:;uMR'iit  on  our  ji'irt,  as  soon  as  I  get  out  of  the  Supreme  Court.  J 
picsutiie  I  shiill  be  able  to  uitend  the  Albany  Circuit,  as  it  is  altered  to  April. 

Our  friend  Cliaddeii  is  rather  hard  on  me.  1  told  him  e.vpressly  that  Mr.  Wiibeck  wouii 
expect  to  be  re-appointed  ;  iiiul,  if  not,  that  it  would  belong  to  Columbia  county,  as  the  other  ui.. 
has  always  been  given  to  (iieene  county.  1  have  also  received  a  letter  from  him  ;  and,  ns  auw; 
as  f  can  get  lime,  will  write  him. 

You  may  well  say  that  ilie  President's  escape  was  providential.  1  was  walking  with  Major 
Donnelson,  und  just  behind  tJuveriior  Dickenson  and  Major  Kavy,*  who  were  ne.\t  to  the  Prt'.«i. 
dent  and  Mr.  Woodbury — Forsyth  and  Casa  being  both  .'ibsent — and  though  1  heard  both  e.V|)!i>. 
sions,  did  not  see  the  |)oor  wieteh  till  he  was  seized.  .My  own  impression,  at  the  moment,  \v;is. 
that  the  i)ibiols  had  been  discharged — the  reports  being  ([uite  loud — and  for  an  instant,  I  feanj 
the  President  had  been  wounded,  but  soon  discovered  that  to  be  a  mistake.  It  was,  as  youniav 
well  conceive,  a  nioinenl  of  great  e.xeitement.     We  are  all  well. 

Very  truly,  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER. 


[No.  6G.]  To  ./.  ffuiit,  on  .l(irlisiin''s  Caution  and  Forhcarance.     VV^asiiinotun,  Nov.  2C,  IMli 
My  Dear  Sir :  The  President  continues  to  improve,  and  by  Monday  iie.\t,  I  trust,  will  be  ublr 
to  resume  the  transaction  of  business,  though  it  must  be  with  great  caution  and  furbearanct- 
qualilics  for  which  he  is  nut  rcntarkahlc — und  hence  the  real  danger  of  his  eoiidilion. 

Though  we  have  not  the  precise  returns  of  any  one  of  the  niissiiii;  Slates — yet  there  is  no  rensiii 
to  doubt  the  election  of  Mr.  Van  Duren.     Have  not  Virginia  and  North  Carolina  done  noblv" 

Truly  yours,  B.  F.  BUTLER, 

To    .  [loyt,  on  Banking  and  Barker — Opinions  change. 

[Nr,.  i}l.  W'asiiinoto.v,  January  25,  18.37. 

My  Dear  Sir :  1  thank  you  for  the  loan  of  your  pamphlets,  and  still  more  for  not  exposinsjini' 
to  the  public.  The  pert'onninu'*,  according  to  my  recollection  ol'it — for  I  have  not  yet  IikiIii  : 
t!irou!;h  ii — was  n  very  jejune  cue;  and  besides,  was  so  niueh  mixed  up  with  Mr.  Barker's  a- 
fairs,  as  to  prevent  it  tVom  hf  ini:  regarded  in  any  other  lii.tht  than  as  a  plea  for  them;  and  as  tlit<i 
went  by  the  board,  the  public  will  be  apt  to  conclude  that  the  doctrine  of  the  writer  must  Imvc 
been  bail.  In  some  respects,  al.so,  I  siiould  no  donl>t  find  it  necessary  to  modify,  and  in  otluT?, 
perhaps,  to  change  altogether,  the  sentiments  expressed.  Sir,  who  is  there  that, on  sidtjerts  o! 
this  sort,  [Washington  and  Warren,  I'lrker's  Fi.\elinn!ie,  and  similar  Banks,  it  is  presumed,]  tldi- 
nut  change  his'  niiiul  more  or  le.'^^  in  the  course  of  niiirteen  year? — especially  if  they  come  lii'- 
tween  twenty. two  and  foriy-one?  T  mean  to  examine  the  thing  with  some  care,  and  possibly  I 
may  he  willing  ihnt  some  pnssnges  of  it  should  be  quofed — but  my  present  impression  is,  tlia; 
I  had  better  leave  it  alone.     [The  rest  of  the  letter  is  abiuit  Coil's  fire-tirms.] 

Yours,  truly,  D.  F.  BUTLER. 

♦OrPiley 


rLAGt 

Fla, 

[No.  68. 

Dear  .Sir : 
anticipated  it 
were  to  take 
an  intimatior 
Ironi  the  dem 
mage,  assumi 
headed  friend 
plied,  that  he 
!.|i()uld  be  sen: 
iuoting.  Mr. 
the  same  fooi 
"  thinks  I  to  i 

SiNci;  riij;  i 

P.  S.  Droji 


I  No.  6y.j 

Sir :  The  c 
about  70.     W 

A  letter  fro 
ticket. 

A  person  \ 
will  be  electCL 

Returns  art 
this  letter  ;  if 
ticket.     Last 
Ilamiltou  '21^ 
plank,  (Ilcp.) 

Butler's  iiiaj 


[No.  70.J 
Dear  Sir: 
gratitied   with 
before  the  N. 
tied  that  mat 
ing  of  the  Cc 
House,  ind 
agreed  upon 
agreeable  to 
He  was  mist 
The  strong 
entire  unaiiii 
The  delcg 
the  interests 
The  politii 
a  candidate 
son  and  Van 


Seidell  consi 

[No.  71 
My  Dear 
they  ought, 
praised  tor  1 
You  neeil 
they  are  hot 
understandi 
and  signs  v, 
such  capaci 


BANKING. 

ion,  for  the  last  eight 
is  us  little  reason  i,, 
lent  may  recommend, 
produce  very  seriuui 
well  weighed  [jy  i\i,. 
meet  the  approbution 

on  to  Patterson,    (ji, 
w  clays  ngo  I  rectivtd 
ice  in  u  few  weeks. 
mgton,  but  Mrs.  B.  u 
remain  till  next  week, 

ueeonjpany  nic.  ]| 
ts  on  my  return  abum 
ich  (Joes  them  infimie 
I  am,  as  always, 

B.  F.  BUTJ.ER. 


February  13,  1835, 
if  your  letters  on  the 
ly  occupied — and  evm 
)rief.     But  if  you  v,:j 

re  entitled  to,  as  ihc 
lie  Sii])ienie  Coun.  1 
jril. 

Mr.  Wit  beck  wouj 
uunty,  as  the  other  u:... 
rom  him  ;  and,  ns  aw,: 

as  walking  with  Major 
were  ne.xt  to  the  Presi. 
1,'h  1  heard  both  e.vpk.. 
1,  at  the  moment,  was, 
for  an  in.stant,  I  fearw 
e.     It  was,  as  you  may 

B.  F.  BI'TLER. 

3T0N,  Nov.  2(1,  IKKi 

.\t,  I  trust,  will  be  ablf 
ion  and  furlcarana— 
is  condition, 
—yet  there  is  no  rensi  ii 
,'aroliim  done  noblv" 
B.  F.  BUTLER, 

<>,  January  25,  18.37. 

ro  for  not  exposing  mi' 

I  have  not  yet  look'l 

with  Mr.  Barker's  ai- 

for  them ;  and  as  //«» 

the  writer  must  linvi 

modify,  and  in  oilier?, 

I're  that,  on  Bubji-ris  d 

s,  it  is  presninod,]  ddi- 

ially  if  they  come  W- 

nc  care,  and  possibly  I 

ent  impression  is,  tlm; 

IIS.] 

D.  F.  BUTLER, 


FLAGti  tOEllCINU  THE  ELEcTUUo — SEtDEN,  V.  BUUEN  k  THE  OLD  HERO.       173 

Flagg  to  J.  Jloijl,  on  Speaker  Crulius,  UenH  Tallmage,  and  the  Electoral  Law. 
[No.  68.J  ^  Albany,  January  Ihh,  16:24. 

Dear  .Sir:  Your  letter  was  handed  tome  the  inornine  after  the  Caucus.  I  had  however, 
anticipated  its  contents  in  the  course  taken  in  Caucus.  Your  seven  evil  geniuses  fancied  ihey 
were  lo  take  the  country  democrats  by  ilie  Imnd  and  lead  on  a  line  dance,  but  we  gave  them 
an  intimation,  that  inasmuch  as  iliey  came  from  u  seaport,  they  must  show  u  regular  clearance 
lioni  the  democrats  of  that  pori,  or  be  regarilcd  as  political  pirates.  In  the  Caucus,  Mr.  Tall- 
mage,  assuming  the  ;;roimd  of  an  old  democrat,  said  he  could  not  bear  to  see  his  aged,  grey 
headed  liiend,  (Croly.)  turned  out.  They  had  walked  together  in  the  reform  path,  <Stc.  1  re- 
plied, that  lie  spoke  li-eliiigly — it  was  iiatmal  that  he  had  a  symi)athy  for  his  old  friend,  and 
should  be  sensitive  on  account  of  his  removal,  for  thcij  Lath  stood  upon  tliis  floor  upon  the  sainr 
footing.  Mr.  Tallmagc  corrected  me  as  to  the  tact,  and  said  he  did  not  by  any  means  stand  upon 
llie  same  looting  wiili  the  genllemim  from  New  York.  A  pretty  compliment  to  his  iriends, 
"  thinks  1  to  myself." 

.SiNCK  riii;  I'A.ss.MiK  (IF  MY  Ki.MOLi  rio.v,  TIllO  "  PEOPLE"  iiAvii  ulln  A's  uiiet  as  lambs. 

Yours,  &.C.,  A.  C.  FLAGG. 

P.  fc>.  Drop  us  a  i'ew  Imdvr  lines  now  and  then. 


Flaac;  to  .1.  Jluiit,  on  Yonnp;,  Butler  and  the  Elections. 

I  No.  G9.J  Albanv,  4  o'clock,  November  7,  1827. 

Sir :  Tiie  canvass  of  tlie  5th  ward  gives  Butler  75  majority,  the  other  two  of  our  Assembly 
.tbout  70.     Warren  not  less  than  HO. 

A  letter  from  Watcrvliet  yesterday,  says  200  votes  polled  that  day,  and  two  to  one  for  our 
ticket. 

A  person  who  left  Saratoga  Springs  yesterday,  says  it  is  probable  that  the  Jackson  ticket 
will  lie  elected  ;  .Samuel  Yoiin:;  opjiosiiig  the  regular  nomination,  as  he  understood. 

Returns  are  momently  expected  from  the  oilier  wards  ;  if  received  the  result  will  be  given  in 
this  letter ;  if  not  ycni  may  rely  upon  several  hundred  majority  in  this  city  for  the  Republican 
ticket.  Last  year  it  was  several  hundred  the  other  way.  In  the  2d  ward  Butler  has  352. 
Ilamiltoii  270.  Seventy-three  iiiMJonty  over  Hamilton,  and  148  majority  over  Dorman.  Ver- 
plank,  (Ilcp.)  has  one  majority  over  Iliimiltim,  and  Siaats  (JO  over  Dorman. 

Butler's  majority  in  the  city  over  150 — Warren's  will  be  500.  A.  C.  FLAGG. 


Flags  to  lloyt,  on  Seldcn,  Van  Durtn  and  the  Convention. 
[No.  70.]  Alba.-«v,  March  26,  1832. 

Dear  Sir:  You  will  have  seen  the  proceedings  of  the  Convention,  and  will,  I  doubt  not,  be 
gratilied  with  the  general  results.  Bovvne  had  been  tlic  prominent  man  for  a  State  delegate 
before  the  N.  Y.  delegaiioii  arrived,  and  a  majority  of  the  delegation  agreeing  upon  him,  it  set- 
tled that  matter  at  once.  Your  city  delegation  was  kept  back  uniil  nearly  the  hour  of  the  meet, 
ing  of  the  Convention — and  Selden  and  a  few  mischievous  spirits  among  your  meinbe'-«  of  the 
House,  iiiduecd  your  ilelegaiion  to  believe  tlu't  some  contrivances  adverse  to  the  ^  ty  were 
agreed  upon  here,  and  ihai  lliey  would  have  delegates  forceil  upon  them  who  would  not  be 
agreeable  to  them — and  Seidell  did  all  in  his  power  to  throw  the  Convention  into  confusion. 
He  was  mistaken  in  his  men,  and  only  made  himself  appear  factious  and  foolish  *  *  »  # 
The  strong  vote  of  the  Convention  rebuked  the  factionists,  and  all  things  went  off  with  the  most 
entire  uniinimity,  both  in  the  Conimittees  and  the  Convention. 

The  d(.'legaies  to  Baltimore,  I  have  no  doubt,  form  a  tmit  in  regard  to  any  measure  to  promote 
the  interests  of  Mr.  V.  B.  and  the  Old  Hero. 

The  political  affairs  of  this  State  never  looked  fairer — there  is  some  diversity  of  opinion  as  to 
a  candidate  ibr  Gov.,  which  will  be  settled  at  the  Herkimer  Convention — and  the  names  of  Jack- 
son and  Van  Buren  will  get  a  triumphant  vote  and  bear  down  all  opposition. 

Yours  truly,        A.  C.  FLAGG. 


Selden  considers  Calhoun  the  dupe   of  somebody  behind  the   curtain — Chancellor  McCoun's 

chances. 
[No.  71.]  Dudley  Selden,  Esq.,  to  .Tesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  N.  Y. 

My  Dear  Hoyt:  My  friend's  leiieia  have  not,  perhaps,  been  answered  as  soon  as  he  thinks 
they  ought,  but  I  have  not  been  able  to  read  tluMii  yet,  and  a  man  is  certainly  entitled  to  be 
praised  for  his  punctuality  who  makes  his  return  to  a  letter  as  soon  as  he  has  perused  it. 

You  need  not  endor.se  "  confidential"  on  any  of  the  communications  to  Livingston  orStilwell; 
they  are  both  in  my  room  as  soon  as  the"  break  your  ncals  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  full 
nn  deist  and  inrr  of  the  contents.     Thev  en.r.not  imagine   how  I  can  unravel  the  mysterious  marks 
and  signs  with  such  rapidity :    the  triith  is,  I  do  not,  but  make  a  letter  for  you  as  I  go  along,  of 
such  capacity  and  merit  as  would  seem  suitable  to  come  from  a  maa  of  your  understanding.    If 


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174   CALHOUN  UtTPEP — THE  LOBBY — FLAGG  &  PHELPS  ON  FREE  BANKING. 

you  cannot  read  this  j'ou  may  do  the  same  thing.  My  time  has  been  very  much  occupred  in 
the  committee  ;  you  slnl)  have  a  report  it'  you  will  engage  to  read  it ;  and  let  me  say  to  you 
that  it  is  spoken  very  w-  II  of. 

On  reading  Calhoun's  correspondence,  I  made  up  my  mind  very  soon  that  he  had  been  the 
dupe  of  sonic  poor  devil  behind  the  curtain,  and  had  exhibited  most  egregious  folly  in  being 
caught.  Your  successful  competitor  for  a  high  place,  seems  to  have  been  the  most  conspicuous 
man  in  hringinir  up  this  by. gone  transaction  ;  and  I  am  glad  that  Mr.  Van  Bureii,  like  the  high- 
spirited  horse,  has  shaken  the  dew  from  his  mane  and  exposed  the  rogue  to  be  taken.  No  news 
here.  Your  kind  efforts  in  favor  of  D.  D.  &.  II.  are  duly  appreciated.  I  felt  satisfied  that  in 
sending  me  the  little  pamphlet  your  whole  object  was  the  public  good.  So  is  mine,  and  I  will 
if  I  can  give  the  rascallv  speculators  upon  time  a  thrust  under  the  short  ribs. 

Yours,  truly  DUDLEY  SELDEN. 

McCoun  hangs  heavy  in  the  Senate,     I  know  not  why.     As  soon  as 
withdrew  (and  so  I  read  his  letter  to  the  Chancellor)  I  have  aided  him  all  I  could. 


Cutting  to  Hoyt,  on  Bank  measures  and  the  "  Lohhy  Whons." 
[No.  72.]  Albany,  January  5,  1836. 

My  Dear  .Tesse  :  I  send  you  [an]  extract  from  the  Albany  Argus.  You  will  perceive  that  our 
friend  Charles  takes  the  true  stand  ;  and,  with  his  iiivinuihle  popularity,  will  add  strength  and 
currency  to  Democratic  niensiircs,  in  coniracli^tiiictiun  to  the  federal  viuvvs  of  certain  leaders  at 
Old  Tammany.  (.let  the  Post  to  republish  tliein  ;  and,  if  ynii.  run,  let  them  say  a  vmrdor  two  for 
Charley,  I  suppose  the  Timrs  will  not  republish,  but  as  it  is  a  matter  of  generiil  interest  just 
now,  thf  Courier  might  copy  it,  in  order  to  inform  its  ii-aders  that  ic  is  probably  a  useless  ex- 
pense to  keep  any  Lobby  VVhores  this  winter.        Yours,  in  haste,  F.  B.  CUTTING. 


Thad.  Phelps  on  Free  Bunking — Swenring  on  paper. 
[No.  73.]         Mr.  Thaddeus  Phelps,  (of  Park  Place.  New  York,)  at  Albany,  to  Mr.  .Tesse 
Iloyt,  at  New  York,  [April  29,  1836.] 

"  Dear  Hoyt :  Wc  arrived  this  morning  and  have  already  accomplished  wonders.  Our  in- 
fiuence  has  already  made  six  Banks  in  the  House,  (no  fear  of  the  .Senate,)  and  by  to-morrow 
night  there  is  vi  ly  little  doubt  we  shall  have  made  twenty  or  thirty  more.  You  fellows  who  are 
in  favor  of  the  Erpealvrs,  may  all  now  go  to  Hell  in  yoin-  own  way.     Consider  your  restraininc 

law  repealed.     Consider  me  a   inirtiier  in  a   Banking  Company — I  put  in  2,000,000 Call  oil 

John  Ward  for  the  money.     No  more  at  present — your  loving  friend, 

'THADDKUS  PIIRLPS. 
Arrived  on  Mondiiy  morning.  og  April. 

Monroe  has  sent  in  his  allegiance— and  the  Native  American  party.     May 

go  to  the  D — 1.     Boat  off.  'j[\  p  >» 


Flags  on  Free  Banking,  addressed  to  J.  Hoyt. 

[No.  74.]  AT,nA\Y,  .Tulv  27,  1836. 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  l.'itli,  and  fully  appreciate  the  .mportance  of  taking 
hold  of  the  Restraining  Lmw,  as  you  mention.  Your  letter  camo  while  I  was  attending  a  meet- 
ing  of  the  Caiinl  Board  at  Piiea,  and  I  have  this  afternoon  returned  from  a  meeting  of  the  Trus- 
tees of  Union  College.  I  liiive  thus  been  prevented  from  answering  your  letter,  or  attending  to 
its  suggestions.  In  duo  time  I  will  have  sonieiliing  done.  The  ipiarrels  about  the  Banks  of 
last  session,  will  aid  in  pushing  forward  this  jiiiit  measure,  if  taken  in  proper  time.  The  great 
mass  of  the  Democratic  papers  in  the  state  are  sound  on  this  point,  and  will  co-operate  with 
Zeal  and  efficiency.     With  much  respect,  your  obedient  servant,  A.  C.  FLAGG. 


Fliigg  to  J.  Hoyt,  on  Banks,  Paper  Dollars  and  Log  Rolling. 

r'N'^;  75-1  .Ar.iiANv,  October  3,  1836. 

Dear  Sir:  The  repeal  ot   the  reslraininij  law,  so  far  a.s  lo  allow   offices  of  Discount    and  Dc. 
posite,  is  universally  assented  to  by  town,  county,  district,  and  state  conventions.     To  this  extent 

*nn  refpreiKe  fotlie  NY.  Kvenin?  Post  ofHept.  19,  TKtO,  it  will  lie  spen.  tlmt  n  public  meetiiiff  wns  held  In  New 
Yiirk  nn  thp  2..lh  nt  .April,  lour  ,U\»  bpf.ir.i  the  (hitp  of  Mr.  riieips's  nnle.  (ifwiiicli  Sle|ilien  Allen  win  therhiiir- 
mv.n  nm!  .I.^sve  llnvt  the  Sporoii.rv,  !inM  tliiit  n  f'nnimillee  wns  iip|uiiiilc,l  in  -ulilross  tlin  pnl)licin  l'iv(ir  of  rppenlin" 
part  (if  Ihp  rc«tr(iinin>.'  law.  Tlii«  rommillpf-  issnpH  in  adilrpss  on  the  tyili  of  Peptemlier,  Bslilntr  '•  rnn  there  ho  ii 
mure  ivriniiirnl  pxernneol  pnwpr  iii  iinv  tf>nprnment,  tlmn  is  here  inaMilosfPil  In  an  net  emiiniiHn"  from  n  ficpnhli- 
can  lesislatnrc  V'  Tho  law.  iiplipl.l  „s  it  hm\  heen  liv  the  piirlv  lor  nninv  veiir».  was  rlenouncp.ras  "n  Imrefaced 
inon.ipiilv,  anil  Ihp  address  ■■lijiicil  hv  Thaililcin  Phelp,-;,  I).  M.  Tnllniadue,  Siiiil  .Alloy  VV  H  I,nwrenre  Ste 
phfn  .Alien  nnd  .Ip:...-  Mnvt,  ,.»  thp  (\..nmlttcp.  TImt  Hoyt  uud  Allen's  ol.jccl  was  to  try  a  new  scheme  tomake 
niKney  oat  of  tlie  puulic  is  very  evident. 


?  ■     .V         ' 


175    PLAGG, 

a  law  can  be  i 

without  limit  tl 
and  those  who 
can  open  the  w 
king  the  currt 
.sniali  bills,  tlit 
After  the  fette 
succes-sful  ex|ii 
anil  as  "  tl-i  bu 
nil  banks,  utile 
the  lobby)  will 
placed  by  a  de 
business  and  tl 


[No.  76.] 
My  Dear  Si 
rather  the  rept 
will  bo  expect! 
matters  too  ci 
the  electors  fn 
you  expect,  as 
write  yourself 
who  will  be  al 
I  am,  V 

Ylitgg  on  Frei 

[No.  ',!.] 

To  Jesse  II 

not  seen  the  p 

peal  of  that  pa 

to  see  achieve 

connected  wit 

After  this  i; 

hanking,  to  is 

the  present  m 

It  has  been 

stitutionully  : 

poiation.     A 

*f!overniir  M 
holders  of  lian 
laeiidi'd  i.r'.'niiiz 
lliriiii^'li  .Mr  ll> 
bunks,  in  llip  I'n 

(Fniiii  Marry 
tlio  I'lriMilatin^' 
rcslraiiiN  iinpns 
hi>  fri'i|ni>iil  and 
i'iinnlrle,s  whi-ii 
a'laiiiiii  'if  oi|iii 
rohainni^'  law, 
111;,'  di^i;<Miiil>,  \> 

it  is  the  c«SL'i 
|iu?!iC8>i>in.  Iiiit 
the  |iiililli'  n':li 
c'liart  or  niiitiii 
Iriiiii  a  ^triin;;  a 
self  lli.it  any  si 
thp  Cdininiiiiily 
lievpd.  in  a  ilc- 
thun  til  Parry  i 

'I'lipre  is  mill 
•iiirp  a  liij;li  dp; 

'I'lie  reslraini 
rinl  favor  In  lli 
is  I'.onslaiillv  p> 
ho  opinio  III  I 
perullve,  llipy  s 
>ilary  spnlinien 
liedienpy,  is  ii  i 


BANKING. 

much  occupred  in 
let  me  say  to  you 

at  he  had  been  the 
0U8  folly  in  being 
le  most  conspicuous 
Juren,  like  the  high- 
le  taken.  No  news 
felt  siitisfied  thatiii 
)  is  mine,  and  I  will 

LEY  SELDEN. 
could. 


ea." 

January  5,  1836. 
I'll!  perceive  that  our 
11  add  strength  and 
of  certain  leaders  at 
ay  (I  viord  or  tv)o  for 
geiipr.il  interest  just 
ubabiy  a  useless  ex- 
B.  CUTTING. 


\lbany,  to  Mr.  .Tesse 

1  wonders.  Our  in. 
,)  and  by  to-morrow 
You  fellows  who  are 
sider  your  restraining 
I  2,000,000— Call  on 

DRUS  PflELPS. 
29  April, 
ncrican  party.     May 
t.  P." 


vv.  .Tuiy  27,  1836. 

.niportance  of  taking 
'as  attending  a  treet. 
meeting  of  the  Trus- 
etter,  or  attending  to 
i  about  the  Banks  of 
er  time.     The    great 

will  co-operate  with 
A.  C.  FLAGG. 

ins- 

,  Orfnher  3,  1836. 
iif  Disconnt   and  De- 
ions.    To  this  extent 


meetiiiff  wns  lielrl  in  New 
lien  i\\\en  wiis  llieriinir- 
ililtrin  llivor  e>f  r("|ienling 
r,  askinff  '•  pan  there  he  a 
niin.iiinT  from  n  liepiihli- 
loimi-ed  IIS  "n  hiirefnced 
r.  VV.  K  I,nwrenre,  Ste- 
ry  u  new  scheme  to  tniike 


175    PLAGG,  iroVT  &  MARCY  WHKEL  ROUND  TO  A  BANK  SYSTEM— HARD  MONEY. 

a  law  can  be  passed  with  little  opposition.  If  the  issuing  of  Bills  is  added,  so  as  to  multiply 
without  limit  the  manufactories  of  piiper  money,  a  new  aspect  will  be  given  to  the  whole  matter, 
and  those  who  are  op|)os(?d  to  any  change  mny  bo  enabled  to  keep  things  as  tiiey  now  are.  If  we 
can  01)011  the  way,  and  build  up  a  class  ot  Banks  which  not  i.-^sue  pnper,  ihe.'e  will  co.operate  in  ma- 
king  the  currency  more  sound  than  at  present;  if  tliey  have  nothing  to  make  by  the  issue  of 
sniuli  bills,  they  will  not  be  aggrieved  by  seeing  gold  and  silver  take  the  phice  of  the  small  bills. 
Alter  the  fetters  are  knocked  otf,  and  the  new  class  of  money  changers  are  "in  the  full  tide  of 
successful  experiment,"'  such  other  modifications  may  be  niude  as  experience  may  recommend, 
and  as  "  tl- 1  business  wants  of  the  community  may  require."  Eejieal.  the.  restraining  law,  refuse 
all  hanks,  unless  their  stock  is  sold  at  auction,  and  t/itise  who  trade  upon  legislation,  ^tlie  hon'ble 
the  lobby)  will  be  blown  'jisky  high  :"  and  the  scenes  of  log  rolling  and  corruption  would  be  re. 
placed  by  a  decent  regard  to  moral  and  official  purity,  and  a  reasonable  attention  to  the  public 
business  and  the  general  welfare.  Truly  yours,        A.  C.  FLAGG. 


Marcy  to  Iloyt,  on  Illumination  in  Banking. 
[No.  76.]         [To  .lesse  Hoyt,  Esq.,  N.  Y.]  Ai.ba.vy,  24th  November,  1836. 

My  Dear  Sir:  You  promised  me  some  illumination  on  the  subject  of  the  rrstraining  law  or 
rather  the  repeal  of  it.  I  am  informed  that  there  i?  a.  probability  that  I  am  elected,  and  if  so,  it 
will  be  expected  that  I  send  to  the  legislature  a  Dressage.  If  you  have  any  publications  or  other 
matters  loo  cumbersome  for  the  mail,  you  can,  if  you  choose,  put  them  in  the  charge  of  one  of 
the  electors  from  your  city.  If  you  are  extravagant  in  your  notions,  they  will  not  be  adopted — 
you  expect,  as  a  matter  of  course,  they  will  be  moditied.*  I  will  not  ask  you  to  get  what  you 
write  yourself  coj)icd,  because  it  is  possible  that  some  one  may  be  found  in  this  city  or  vicinity 
who  will  be  able  to  decypher  your  hand  writing. 

I  am,  with  great  re.^pect,  your  to  be  obliged  and  humble  servant,         W.  L.  MARCY. 

Fliigg  on  Free,  Private,  and  Pririlegrd  Banks — General  Maisoa  and,  the  Itestraining  Act— 

flagg  on  the  Usury  Laws, 
[No.  'il.]  Albany,  December  4th,  1836. 

To  .lesse  Hoyt,  Esq, — My  Dear  Sir  :  I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  2d  instant.  I  have 
not  seen  the  pamphlet  of  Mr.  Hammond,  and  therefore  cannrit  speak  of  its  contents.  The  re. 
peal  of  that  part  of  the  Restraining  Law  which  prohibits  offices  of  discounts  and  deposites,  I  wish 
to  see  achieved,  tmd  I  believe  to  make  the  object  certain,  no  private  Banking  System  bitiuld  be 
connected  with  this  measure. 

Alter  this  is  done,  if  there  is  a  press  for  paper  manufacturing  Banks,  then  a  system  of  private 
blinking,  to  issue  50  dollars,  and  over,  may  be  brought  forward  and  discussed  as  a  substitute  for 
the  present  mode  of  dealing  outchariers. 

It  hits  been  pretty  well  settled,  that  A  mould  for  running  bank  charters  cannot  be  made  con- 
slitutionally :  that  there  must  be  a  distinct  vote  of  the  Legislature  upon  every  moneyed  Cor- 
poration.    A  general  law  for  establishing  a  system  of  private  banking,  and  conferring  corporate 

*(5()verniir  Miircy  lind  siK'""''  very  many  Iinnk  charters,  or  rontriicts  hestowinjr  speoliil  privileges  on  the  shiira 
liolilers  ot' liiinks.'iiM  siicli — sii  hml  (Joveinur  Throiip.  Mr.  Viin  liiiren  had,  in  hi?  safety  fuml  messnge,  recoiii- 
iiienileil  ir'.'nnizt'il  wlmlesiile  restraints,  (lovernor  ilurry,  i"  his  niessuge  ti>  the  Leaisiaturo,  .Ian.  3.  Iffl",  f  whether 
(liriinf;li  .Mr  lloyi's  ijliiininafiiin  or  init,  (  cuniint  suy.J  iulvise.s  a  partial  repeal  of  the  privileges  of  thu  chartered 
banks,  in  1  lie  iiiiiowing  wonts  : 

([■"rinii  Marcy's  Message,  Jan.  1837,J — "  Fn  every  coantiy  whore  liaiiks,  with  the  exclnsive  privii^ire  of  furnishing 
(lie  I'lri'iilaling  ineilniiii,  are  niinierons,  and  particularly  >v here  the  business  of  loaning  iniMiey  's  onihnrrassed  bv 
re^lrainls  linpiiseil  on  iilher  ns-ociatioiis,  and  on  indiviUnal?.  it  is  reasonable  to  expect  that  pecuniary  pressures  will 
ln'  I'rciiniMit  and  severe  ;  and  if  nut  nnire  frcinif  nt.  tliev  will  probably  he  more  severe,  and  continue  longer  than  in 
I'ounlries  whore  all  sinirces  of  relief  are  loll  entirely  open,  and  competition  is  permitted  to  operate  in  adjusting  the 
lelaiion  of  ei|uality  liolwecn  demand  and  supply.  In  this  rospoci,  tha  operation  of  the  statute  usually  culled  the 
ri-li;iining  law,  so  far  at  least  a<  it  denies  to  individuuls  and  associations  the  right  of  receiving  deposites  and  nmk 
lag  (liscoiinls,  IS  iiinpiesiiiinalily  injurious. 

it  is  the  cssentiul  chiiriicterislic  of  private  |iroperty.  that  tlie  owner  should  not  only  have  the  right  of  ex,.'lHsive 
|Ki5»es>ion.  hut  the  liberty  of  free  use.  iiioUUieil  only  bv  the  ec|ual  riahts  of  others  to  enjoy  their  own  propertv.  and 
the  public  ri!;hl  to  proviile  for  the  go  loral  wolfaro."  I'lio  reasuiis.  therefore,  that  should  induce  the  'egislatnre  to 
ciiiiil  or  contiiiiio  iinv  law  circiiniscribins  the  rights  of  individuals  in  reliition  to  their  private  property,  most  »ris<» 
Irnni  a  strong  and  clear  n«cos»ily  of  providini;  f.ir  the  well-being  of  socielv.  I  have  not  been  al  le  to  cnnvince  my- 
self ili,.t  any  sncb  cinsidcralion  can  be  addiiceil  in  support  of  lliat  part  of  the  restraining  law.  which  interdicts  to 
tho  coiiinuiiiily  at  l.ugo  tlie  riu'ht  of  receiving  dep'i-ites  imd  making  discouiils.  If  it  originated,  as  is  generally  he- 
lioved.  in  a  desire  to  ^ivo  this  kimi  of  linsiness  excliisivolv  to  incorporated  hanks,  and  subserves  no  licller  purpose 
than  to  carry  out  this  dosicn,  I  aiilic.pate  a  ready  disposition  on  your  part  lo  repeal  it. 

'I'here  is  nnthiiii;,  I  believe,  in  the  histnry  of  the  times  when  this  law  was  lirst  enacted,  which  is  calculated  lo  in 
-iiirc  a  bigli  degree  of  rnspi'ct  tor  it.  or  from  which  sound  argiimeuls  for  its  coiitiniiauco  can  be  fairlv  deduced. 

IMie  rostriiint  in  respoi't  lo  dcpHsiles  and  ilisconnls.  beiu2  reiriirded  as  injurious  to  the  public,  and  devised  ns  u  spe- 
cial favor  to  the  banks,  the  law  that  imposes  it  is  not  eilioieiilly  sustaineil  by  the  moral  sense  of  the  comm unity,  and 
is  consiMiillv  evaded  with  iinpun  tv.  The  elHcacy  id"  laws  depend,  inn  srciit  deifree.  npni  the  concurrence  of  pub- 
lic opinio  III  their  fivnr ;  and  when,  for  the  want  of  this  sanction.  partiiMilar  enactments  aie  in  a  great  deuree  ino 
periitive,  they  slimild  be  repealed,  that  the  evil  example  of  disregarding  them  may  not  weaken  the  torco  of  the  *nl- 
ultiry  sentiment  which  all  «hotild  feel-that  obedience  to  laws,  without  regard  to  individual  opinions  ns  to  their  ex 
jwdiency,  is  a  high  moral  duty." 


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176      MAISON,  LIVINGSTON,  VhXiHi  ic  HUNTER  ON  FKEE  BANKS — HOYT's  BILL. 

powers,  is  not  attainable.  If  the  tetters  arc  knocked  ofl'  by  the  repeal  ol"  the  Restraining  Law, 
private  banking  associations  may  be  formccl,  and  these  may  be  regulated  by  law,  and  this  law 
be  general.  Tlie  general  laws  for  incorporating  manufactories  and  churcii  societies,  were  passed 
before  the  constitution  was  adopted  :  these  laws  were  not  revised  and  re-enacted,  but  inserted 
in  the  'id  volume  as  they  stood. 

The  Senate  referred  the  matter  of  the  Restraining  Law  to  a  committee,  of  which  Generni 
IVIaisun  is  Chairman,  and  Mr.  Hunter  is  one  of  the  members.  I  suppose  General  Maiaon  will 
be  prepared  wiiii  a  hill.  Mr.  Cutting,  I  presume,  will  renew  his  bill  in  the  Assembly;  and  the 
provisions  of  his  bill  I  am  in  favor  of.  'I'liis  bill  breaks  the  chains,  except  as  to  issuing  bills. 
To  allow  all  the  svorld  to  manufiieturc  paper  currency  might  do  more  evil  than  good.  At  all 
events,  before  this  i.s  done,  a  well  devised  system  of  guards  should  be  matured  to  protect  bill, 
holders  and  other  creditors.  The  demolition  of  the  Usury  laws,  in  relation  to  commercial  paper, 
such  as  you  mention,  is  probably  desirable  ;  and  certainly  worth  an  "  experiment,"  But,  as  you 
mention,  this  measure  should  stand  by  itself;  and  in  the  same  way,  the  system  of  private  bank- 
ing, if  one  is  presented,  may  as  well  be  discussed  and  settled  separate  from  the  repeal  of  \\\v 
Restraining  Law. 

I  do  not  think  it  politic  or  proper,  to  make  special  war  upon  existing  banks,  as  may  be  the 
case  with  Mr.  Hammond.  We  have  taxed  the  Safety  Fund  banks  three  per  cent  on  their  capi- 
tal, for  the  protection  of  their  creditors,  and  we  hold  them  to  strict  regulations,  wliich  they  sonic, 
times  break  over  :  yei  give  them  fair  (ilay  even  though  they  do  not  in  all  cases  extend  it  to  the 
business  eoniniuiiity.  Those  who  insist  upon  an  unlimited  repeal  of  the  Restraining  Law,  if  they 
accomplish  their  object,  will  do  enough  towards  discijilining  the  banks  without  bringing  aay 
other  artillery  to  bear  upon  them:         Truly  yours,  A.  C.  FLAG(J. 

Ex-Spcaliir  Liriiiifstuii  io  Jesse  Hoijt,  on  Free  Biinkiiis — Young,  Maiaon,  J^c, 

[No.  78.]  Albany,  Dec.  3()th,  1836 

My  Dear  Sir:  I  have  just  received  the  draft  of  the  law  prepared  under  the  directions  of  your 
committee,  aeomi)anied  with  your  private  letter  of  advice  as  to  the  mode  of  procedure. 

The  pnipofced  amendments  are  well  enough — but  you  must  not  expect  that  the  legislature  will 
adopt  them  in  the  hasty  manner  siitrgested.  In  niodifyins;  so  important  a  provision  in  our  laws 
a  variety  of  tliougliis  will  necessarily  engage  the  mind,  and  no  little  time  will  be  consumed  in 
discussing  them  before  the  Senate  can  arrive  at  a  final  decision.  This  is  unavoidable,  however 
desirable  it  may  be  to  hasten  the  accDiiiplisliment  of  your  objects.  Gen'i  Maison,  the  chairman 
of  the  committee  which  has  this  matter  in  charge,  has,  for  the  last  month,  been  so  constantly 
occupied  in  maturing  opinions  for  the  Court  of  lOrrors,  that  we  have  not  yet  had  the  opportunity 
of  comparing  our  views  ;  and  it  would  be  indelicate  in  me,  whatever  ambition  I  might  feel  '*!<) 
become  the  father  iif  the  mriistire,"  to  press  youk  bill  without  liis  sanction.  lie  patient  and  all 
will  go  well. 

Young,  I  am  informed,  intends  to  urge  an  unconditional  repeal — to  permit  the  issuing  of  bills 
if  adequate  security  can  be  given  lor  their  redemption.  Such  a  measure  can  lie  sustained  upon 
principle,  and  I  shall  not  hesitate  to  give  it  my  supjiort — not,  however,  if  I  should  think  such  a 
course  would  hazard  the  m:iin  chance. 

That  part  of  your  bill  which  coiiiemplales  an  alteration  in  the  usury  laws  I  propose  to  erase 
altogether — not  because  I  am  hostile  (as  at  present  advised)  to  the  change,  but  I  prefer  for  many 
reasons  to  consider  the  usury  laws  a  separate  question. 

So  soon  as  our  committee  arrive  at  any  definite  eouelusion  I  will  inform  vou  of  it. 

Yours  truly,        CHAS.  L.  IJVINGSTON. 


[No, 


Ex-Sjieaker  Livingston  on  Free  Banks — Hunter's  scheme  to  limit  capital, 

TO.]  Ar.uANY,  Jan.  .3d,  18.37. 

Dear  Hoyt :  The  anti-restraint  committee  met  this  evening  and  our  chairman  (Maison)  sub. 
mitted  his  bill,  ihe  main  provisions  of  wliieli  are  as  follows  — 

"  1st.  Removes  the  prohibition  against  olHccs  of  discount  "iid  deposit — restrains  all  associations 
formeil  under  ilie  law  from  engaging  in  the  purchase  or  sale  of  real  estate,  or  dealing  in  merchan- 
dize, buHfcutliorise.s  ilieni  to  hold  real  estate  in  payment  of  antecedent  debts,  and  so  much  as  may 
be  necessary  for  the  transaciinn  of  their  business — prohibits  the  agents  or  oHlcers  of  foreign  cor- 
porations est;il)lishing  association.','  for  the  purpose  of  the  act  within  this  state — certificates  to  be 
filed  with  couniy  clerks,  setting  forth  the  names  of  the  co-partnership  and  amount  of  capital  cm- 
ployed — prohibiis  all  corporations  from  entering  into  the  business  authorized  by  the  act,  except 
such  as  are  expressly  permitted  by  law." 

Hunter  will  probably  ofTer,  when  the  bill  omes  before  the  Senate,  his  darling  amendments, 
limiting  the  amount  of  capital.  This  I  imagine  will  be  ofl'ered  tnore  for  the  purpose  of  displnyinp 
his  eonsiatcney  than  with  the  expectation  of  its  being  adopted.  When  the  bill  shall  be  printed 
I  will  send  yon  a  copy,  from  which  you  will  be  able  to  judge  more  correctly  of  its  provisions 
tfian  you  can  from  thia  s'letch  of  them.  CHAS.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 


eUTT 

Cou,rs( 

[No.  8( 
My  Dear 
law,  reportet 
that  being  in 
email.     Edw 
See  his  vote 
if  we  should 
them  to-day 
Do  you  sei 
Ogden,  Ch.iii 
Trust  and  L( 
former  last  sf 
will  defeat  li 
and  no  Bank 

Ex'SiKakcr 

[No.  81 
Dear  Hoyt 
nothing  new  1 
to  you  for  cr 
unnecessarily 
ing  law ;  but 
pose  of  afford 
rioiis  consequ 
So  far  as  I  en 
will  be  in  tht 
natural  right 
to  be  of  little 
laiion  ns  mon 
Bank  petit 
be  decided  at 
desperately  fo| 
legislation  ti 
some  good 
on  to  their  ^ 
Young  hi 
bat  I  doubt 
its  penalties 
perhaps  it 
law  may  tliei 
letter. 


Take  care 
with  the  ban 
bly  was  enga 
discussion  wi 
it  will  speak 
will  be  disap 

Ex.Speake.r 
tions,  Cap 
riews,  ano 

[No.  82 
Dear  Hoy 
seated  to  M 
course.  If  i 
of  my  error 
choose  to  inj 
faux  pas  iiic 
less  fear  of 
the  govern r 

*  Edward '. 


jyt's  bill. 

le  Restraining  La\<, 
)y  law,  and  this  law 
ocieties,  were  passed 
inacted,  but  inserted 

»,  ol'  which  General 
jeneral  Maison  will 
;  Assembly  ;  and  the 
pi  as  to  issuing  bills. 
1  than  good.  At  all 
turcd  to  protect  bill. 
to  coininercial  paper, 
iimnt,"  But,  ns  you 
Hern  of  private  bank- 
om  the  repeal  of  ilii- 

banks,  us  may  be  thf 
ler  cent  on  their  capi- 
ms,  which  they  sonic, 
cases  e.xtcnd  it  to  the 
strifining  Law,  if  they 
without  bringinir  any 
A.  C.  FLAG(J. 

',  Maison,  ^c. 

Y,  Dec.  30lh,  1036 

the  directions  of  your 

of  procedure. 

hat  the  legislature  will 

provision  in  our  laws 

s  will  be  consumed  in 

unavoidable,  however 

Maison,  the  chairman 

ith,  been  so  constantly 

ie\.  Imd  the  opportunity 

bition  I  might  feel  "In 

m.     Be  patient  and  all 

•rmit  the  issuing  of  bills 
can  be  sustained  upmi 
f  I  should  think  such  a 

laws  I  propose  to  erase 
e,  but  I  jirefer  for  many 

n  vou  of  it. 

.  L.  LIVIMGSTON. 

limit  capital. 

!ANY,  Jan.  3d,  1837. 

lairman   (Maison)   sub. 

-restrains  all  associations 
:,  or  dealing  in  merchan- 
hta.  and  so  much  as  may 
r  olliccrs  of  foreign  cor- 
stntc — certificates  to  be 
d  amount  of  capital  cm- 
rized  by  t^e  act,   e.\ccpt 

lis  darlinj?  aniendmenlP, 
the  purpose  of  displnying 
the  bill  shall  be  printed 
rrectly  of  its  provisions 
.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 


CUTTING  WELL  NAMED — BANK  DEMOCRATS  ABUSING  BANKS — S.  YOUNOt     177 

Couasellor  Cutting  on  Banks,  Edward  Livingston,  Ogden,  Postmaster  Graham,  ijc. 
[No.  80.]  Alb.\ny,  January  6,  1837. 

My  Dear  Hoyt :  Charles  Livingston  has  sent  you  a  copy  of  the  bill  to  repeal  the  restraining 
law,  reported  by  Maison  in  the  Senate.  The  iirst  section  is  all  thr.t  ought  to  pass,  but  I  suppose 
that  being  in  the  hands  of  the  Philistines  we  must  be  thankful  for  any  favors,  no  matter  how 
small.  Edward  Livingtson,  Bir  I  am  afraid  has  turned  a  sharp  angle,  and  will  come  out  Bank. 
See  his  vote  to-day.  To-morrow  he  will  be  biouglit  to  the  bull  ring,  and  stamped  as  he  deserves, 
if  we  should  go  into  committee  of  the  whole  and  he  should  participate  in  the  debate.  We  beat 
them  to-day  elegantly. 

Do  you  see  who  compose  the  committee  on  the  repeal  of  the  restraining  In.  •  in  our  House  ? 
Ogden,  Ch.iirman  !  the  violent  opponent  of  the  measure  last  year  !  the  aeent  of  the  Farmers' 
Trust  and  Loan  Company  !  the  iutimato  of  John  L.  Graham,  Seymour  &  Co. '  the  guest  of  the 
former  last  spring  in  New  York,  and  his  lobby  iViend  at  the  Syracuse  Convention  !  O*  But  we 
will  defeat  the  gang.  The  restraining  law  will  be  modified — the  usury  laws  partially  repealed, 
and  no  Banks  chartered.  F.  B.  C. 

Ex-^)cafiCr  Livingston  on  'Chartered  Nuisances,'  Free  Banking,  the  free  use  of  Capital,  and 
Young's  Usury  Bill.     Cutting's  queer  postscript. 

[No.  81.]  Albany,  Jan.  9th,  1837. 

Dear  Hoyt :  The  mail  of  last  evening  brought  me  two  letters  from  you.  Since  I  last  wrote, 
nothing  new  has  transpired,  except  the  introduction  of  Maison's  bill,  a  copy  of  which  I  forwarded 
to  you  for  critical  examination.  I  am  sensible  that  many  of  its  provisions  will  be  regarded  aa 
unnecessarily  severe — indeed,  it  has  already  been  characterised  as  a  restraint  upon  the  restrain- 
ing law  ;  but  it  should  be  understood  as  having  been  offered  in  its  present  form,  now,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  affording  an  opportunity  to  bring  under  consideration  all  tiie  advantages  as  well  as  inju. 
rious  consequences  of  the  proposed  restrictions,  rather  than  with  any  hope  of  their  being  adopted. 
So  far  as  I  ciu  discern,  the  legislature  have  sound  views  on  the  subject;  and  before  long,  you 
will  be  in  the  enjoyment  of  all  the  benefits  which  are  expected  to  flow  from  the  free  use  of  a 
natural  right  to  deal  in  money.  But  after  all,  and  you  may  rely  upon  it,  the  repeal  will  be  foi-.nd 
to  be  of  little  importance,  so  long  as  persons  are  restrained  from  issuing  noi'^s  to  be  put  in  circu- 
lation as  money. 

Bank  petitions  begin  to  shew  their  ugly  faces  from  all  quarters ;  and  unless  their  fate 
be  decided  at  the  threshold  of  the  session,  the  friends  of  these  chartered  nuisances  will  struggle 
desperately  for  another  sliiifHo  of  the  pack.  //  thetj  dared,  they  would  put  a.  stop  to  all  decent 
legislation  till  their  monopolizing  appetites  were  gorged  with  special  privileges.  But  there  arc 
some  good  fellows  in  the  assembly,  with  Cutting,  King  and  Clinch  to  lead  them,  who  will  hold 
on  to  their  grasp  without  mcrey. 

Young  has  introduced  his  promised  bill  to  repeal  the  usury  law.  }Ie  goes  the  whole  figure  ; 
but  I  doubt  if  he  can  persuade  the  Lecislature  to  cro  with  him.  If  we  succeed  in  exempting  from 
its  penalties  all  commercial  paper  having  six  months  to  run,  \m  iiniiortant  point  will  be  gained,  and 
perhaps  it  is  better  to  atop  here  for  the  present.  If  this  e.xpeiiment  works  well  in  practice,  tho 
law  may  then  be  extended  to  all  contracts.  Cuttinir  desires  me  to  leave  a  space  for  him  in  this 
letter.  Yours,  CHAS.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 

0/1  the  same  sheet,  as  a  Postscript. 

Take  care  how  you  write  too  freely  to  the  Speaker*^.  Time  will  show  whether  he  goes 
with  the  bank-men  or  not.  As  to  his  disposition  to  do  so,  I  have  a  strong  belief  The  assem- 
bly was  engased  this  morning  on  the  resolution  to  instruct  the  bank  committee.  To-morrow  the 
discussion  will  be  resumed.  The  (^nal  vote  will  not  shew  the  full  anti-bank  strength,  but  I  think 
it  will  speak  strong  enough  to  satisfy  the  most  sceptical,  that  all  expectations  for  bnnks  this  year 
will  be  disappointed.  F.  B.  CUTTING. 

Ex-Speaker  JAvinsston  on  Maison's  Bill,  Protection  to  Safety  Fund  Banks,  Foreign  Corpora, 
tiona.  Capital,  Currency,  Free  Trade  in  Money,  the  United  States  Bank,  I'haddeus  Phelps'a 
views,  and  picking  the  feathers  from  our  Pilots. 

[No.  82]  Albany,  .laminry  12th,  1837. 

Dear  Hoyt :  Yonir  last,  received  this  evening,  expresses  astonishment  that  I  should  have  as- 
sented to  Maison's  bill.  I  have,  in  a  former  letter,  attempted  to  explain  the  reasons  for  this 
course.  If  these  reasons  arc  feeble  and  unsatisfactory,  then  I  must  submit  to  the  consequences 
of  my  error.  I  could  endure  any  punishment,  no  matter  how  severe,  that  the  people  should 
choose  to  inflict  upon  me ;  hut  I  confess  it  svould  make  my  heart  bleed  to  think  that  I  had  by  any 
faux  pas  incurred  your  displeasure.  But  in  truth,  my  good  friend,  you  seem  to  entertain  ground, 
less  fear  of  the  designs  of  the  Legislature.  Believe  me,  there  is  no  serious  intention  to  transfer 
the  government  of  the  State  to  banks — our  sympathies  are  with  the  people,  and  their  righta  will 

*  Edward  Livingston  of  Albany. 


I    ''■-.< 


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178 


HOPES  AND  FKAKS  I'ROJI  FRER  TRADE  IN  BANKING — EXPEDIENCY. 


4.    •;    •'t.-*!kf' 


■•.i' 


■■r.;.t 


I': 


I- 


!• 


be  respected.     Look  at  our  proceedings  for  the  last  ten  days — they  will  satisfy  yon  of  the  truth 
of  this  rt'nuirk,  and  thty  iniiy  also  indicate  the  probable  result  of  this  wliole  matter. 

I  think  1  sent  you  a  copy  of  the  bi".  The  first  section  has  been  adopted  in  coiUiTiittee  of  the 
whole.  The  second  rejec  d,  and  we  are  now  upon  the  third.  This  provides  that  the  bills  of 
tiie  banks  of  this  State  only  shall  be  circulated  as  money  by  private  bankers.  Such  u  restraint 
is  deemed  necessary  {and  I  concur  in  the  opinion)  to  protect  our  citizens  from  an  unsound  and 
wortiilesf  currency.  To  this  e.\tcat,  I  am  prepared  to  believe  you  would  go  in  imposin;,'  res. 
trictions. 

If  foreign  corporations,  of  whose  condition  we  know  nothing,  and  over  which  the  Legislature 
has  no  control,  are  not  checked  in  their  inconsiderate  and  dangerous  issues  of  a  sickly  currency, 
to  be  circulated  as  money  thiou<;h  the  Slate,  the  people  would  curse  their  representatives  fur 
Bufi'ering  such  an  evil  to  be  inflicted  upon  them.  The  regulation  of  the  currency  has  always 
been  admitted  to  be  a  subject  of  legislative  control ;  and  there  is,  as  the  Governor  [Marcy]  says 
in  his  messnge,  a  marked  dilference  between  free  trade  in  money  and  free  trade  in  the  ticmious 
representatives  of  money. 

There  is  no  danger  in  confining  private  bankers  to  the  bills  of  this  State  ;  they  will  always  have 
a  supply  equal  to  ihe  wants  of  the  community.  The  great  object  to  be  accomplished  is  the  free 
use  of  capital.  Invite  capital,  say  1,  from  all  quarters ;  but  away  with  your  worthless  promises 
to  pay. 

So  fa.  as  Maison's  bill  interferes  with  the  free  influx  of  capital,  just  so  far  I  will  oppose  it; 
and  here  let  me  observe,  that  I  rejirct  to  discern  a  disposition  in  some  of  those  who  were  inosi 
liberal  last  winter,  to  hold  up  the  United  States  Bank  us  a  bugbear,  and  seek  by  appeaks  to  prejii. 
dice,  to  drive  away  all  agencies.  There  is  a  section  in  the  bill  which,  if  adopted,  would  have 
this  effect ;  but  I  think  I  can  persuade  Maison  to  abandon  it.     ;f  he  consents,  all  will  go  well. 

I  had  written  thus  far,  when  I  received  a  letter  /rom  our  mutual  friend,  Phelps,  on  this  sub. 
ject,  which  contains  sound  views,  and  much  good  advice.  I  would  write  to  him  this  eveniui;,  if 
it  were  not  so  lute — have  the  goodness  to  say  to  him  that  I  will  defend  his  riuhts  ag.iiist  all  iii. 
vasions.  He  al.'^o  has  the  impression  that  the  bill  has  been  dictated  by  bank  officers  for  the  pur- 
pose of  protecting  their  institutions  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  exclusive  privileges.  He  onnh; 
rather  to  rejoice  at  the  appearance  of  the  bill,  for  it  not  only  presents  the  opportunity  fairly  li 
discussing  the  restrainini;  hiw  in  all  its  bearings  ;  but  it  also  serves  to  exhibit  the  odious  rhnrai. 
ter  of  that  law  more  strikingly  than  could  be  done  in  an  elaborate  essay  upon  the  subject.  Pr?- 
sent  my  kind  regards  to  him,  and  say  that  1  will  acknowledge  his  letter  to-morrow. 

Very  truly,  CHAS.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 

By  this  time  yon  will  think  me  one  of  your  most  stupid  correspondents.  I  have  just  readov*; 
what  I  have  written,  and  almost  feel  asliamed  of  my  incoherence  ;  but  you  will  pardon  ihisfaiii: 
in  a  public  man  overwhelmed  with  buniness.  Don't  laugh !  I  forgot  to  ask  you  to  say  in 
Phelps,  that  as  soim  as  I  receive  the  necessary  papers  from  New  York,  /  will  begin  to  pick  th 
feathers  from  our  plots. 


Ex-Speaker  Livingston  on  the   Bank  Bill — r>iink   Charters  will  go,  root   and  branch— tk 

Senate — Move  the  Preits  and  tell  Phelps, 
[No.  83.]  To  Jesse  Iloyt,  N.  Y.  Albany,  Jan.  12.  18.37. 

My  Deiir  flovt :  I  wrote  you  a  letter  last  evening  just  by  way  ol  fillin!'  upnn  interval  Irofure 
bed  time.  The  discussion  on  the  restrainirtj  law  has  been  continued  this  inorniiiL'  upnn  tlioal: 
encrcissins;  topic.  The  third  section  of  the  bill  hfis  been  rejected,  and  an  aiiimati'd  debate  nro* 
on  the  fomih.  What  disposition  do  voii  think  has  been  inade  of  it  I  enn  vou  lit'Heve  thnii! 
has  heen  adopted?  and  ,et  such  is  the  tiict.  Tliis  intelligence  will  he  received  hy  our  eiiizcM 
with  indignation  and  contempt.  It  aims  a  fatal  blow  at  the  introdnofiim  and  use  of  eapiini 
and  niav  nsiil'  in  tlv  ruin  of  many  of  our  merelnnis.  What  will  be  the  conseniienee  of  prii 
hi'iitin'T  agents  of  focign  c.irporatinns  from  makina  lonn.i  of  their  capital?  The  qucsiidii  :; 
easily  answrred  All  debtors  mu^i  forthwith  paii  up.  and  the  arnounf  of  pavmenis  fothe  Morris 
Cintd  nnd  United  Stites  B.ink  Anenev.  as  I  am  informed,  would  be  nlioiif  .*il:J.onO.OflO.  Drive 
away  their  a'ients  imd  von  would  pro<luce  n  pres-iure  turdi  as  has  never  before  been  felt.  It 
mistake  not,  the  pioce-dinas  of  to-dav  will  awaken  such  a  spirit  onvnif;  the  no  ;>V  as  h;)/')"' 
be  ajmnnsfd  lilt  all  bank  cJiarlers  are  de.<if roiled  rout  and  hranrh.  THIS  WOULD  RE  CAI.' 
AMITOUS,  but  I  would  more  eh'  erfullv  endure  such  a  state  of  things  than  leuislale  {ami 
icri/r'r/ .seem'  for 'heir  sole  li;'ncfit.  I  made  what  eflort  I  coidd  comni'ind  iisrii'ist  the  seciiiii, 
88  dill  also  Younennd  Tiaey.  TlT^se  gentlemen  deserve  the  thnnlisof  our  city  [New  York]  ht 
their  a'lle  and  ma  "hi  .injipo't  of  its  inlere.'<t.i :  see  that  justice  is  done  to  them,  ft  would  he  m'i 
TO  STIR  UP  OUR  P.APRRS.  Let  ihem  agitate— agiiite—nrritnte—ntid  the  country  wil 
follow  ih  ir  example.  For  the  present  f  despair.  If  an  inlellieent  Senate  of  this  Slate  cannot  anl 
will  not  be  m-ide  sensible  of  the  advantages  of  n  free  trade  in  capital  (come  from  what  qunrieir 
it  may)  why  then  it  is  waste  of  time  to  maintain  so  evident  a  maxim  in  political  economy 


Whnt  ad  vane 

der  of  my  coi 

You  may  c 

Comptroller  2 

[No.  84.; 

Dear  Sir :  , 

Law.     By  thi 

liiid  been  two 

but  the  first,  w 

is,  they  have  i 

opinion,  is  abn 

here :  we  hav 

and  Connectic 

the  fe'ters  upoi 

niiw  do,  *exrr, 

the  committee 

p.vpected  friim 

Maison's  resir; 

Tracy  has  r 

liills  to  be  isuet 

is  not  n  prospec 


[No.  8.'-).] 
My  Dear  Ho 

without  any  tnn 

nnw  under  disci 

ills  ih:it  may  bi 

nnd  Youno; — nn 

siih.spquent  reflj 

[privilege  mitdi 

I  by  fears  than 

oonsisiencv 

litis  nlwavs  pru 

Inimsat  too  mi 

liegislativecon 


n  r 


*Mt  Hoyl's  nn 
moiK  giiins  til  |io 
IViill  street  .inun 
Iwed.  nt  the  tiro. 
Tnisl  mill  llnnkin 
Inr'clv  intercstcil 
[tlmt  lie  wns.stri.ii 
«lin,  from  the  en 
tn  lie  operiitin!:  f 
tioiu  were  cxireiii 
iiillmt  liiiiik  were 
rreiijinfr  iiniil  pert 
ilioiilil  not  Inve 
llinl  Mclimsey,  !t. 
anil  thill  it  wlis  he 
rmvini  iit  hijli  rii 
I'mbanli  (!)  niiil 
Ihe  Sub  Treasury 
Biiren.  tliriiii!;li(, 
Heeri'a  Bank,  wli 
ile|insites  a  fleeted 

tin  lRr>.  .lohr 
tiniler  whliih  for  i 
Iaw,  nnd  the  privi 
tlie  other  siile  till 
wlin  nhly  niiled  ( 
tnok  the  same  ecui. 
an!  imprDvemeiits 
(♦iveinor Yates,  i 
[not  Vaiei  wos  as 


:pediency. 

atisfy  you  of  the  truth 
ole  ii\atter. 

ed  in  cominittec  of  the 
ifides  that  the  bills  0/ 
'(era.  Such  a  restraint 
3  from  an  unsound  and 
lid  go  in  iinposinij;  res. 

•  which  the  Legislature 
es  of  a  sickly  ciirrency, 
leir  ropresentatives  fur 
IP  currency  has  always 
Governor  [Marcy]  says 
■e  trade  in  the  fictuious 

;  they  will  always  have 
iccouiplislied  is  the  free 
^•our  worthless  promises 

Ko  far  I  will  oppose  it ; 
)f  those  who  were  most 
seek  by  appeals  to  prejii. 
if  adopted,  would  have 
sents.  all  will  go  well. 
rid,  Phelpn,  on  this  suh- 
e  to  hitn  this  evenins;,;! 
his  riuhts  agnirst  all  in- 
bank  oflicers  for  the  put- 
'c  privileges.  He  ouslit 
the  opportunity  fairly  n 
xliibii  the  odious  r.harai- 
r  upon  the  subject.    Pt'- 

•  to-morrow. 

3.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 
Its.     I  have  just  read  ov*: 
you  will  pardon  this  fan,: 
rot  to  ask   you   to  say  m 
I,  /  will  begin  to  pick  lh> 


ro,  root   and  branch— tlit 

\lbany,  Jan.  12,  1837 
llinii  up  nn  interval  bnfur! 
this  inorninir  "P"n  thoali 
nn  aiiiiuati'd  debato  nrose 
t  !  enii  vou  lifheve  thnii! 
e  received  by  our  cWum 
iietion  and  use  of  rn\rM:, 
tlip  ('(iiisefvienee  of  pro- 
■apiial  ?  The  questiim  :? 
t  of  pnvmpnts  tothe  Morris 
i.lionr  i«!l'J.OnO,(KIO.  Drive 
ver  before  been  felt,  ll 
liiiiS   thr  IIP  li'p  'r^■  tf!'''  '" 

MIS  WOULD  RE  CM 
things  than  lecisiate  (I'l' 
mv-tiid  JiErd'ici  (be  seeii'H 
of  our  eiiy  [New  York]  f'lr 
■  to  them.  //  tnniihlhe  itf' 
into — and  the  eoiintry  wi 
nteof  this  Slate  cannot  niii 
ll  (come  from  what  quarm] 
xim  in  political  economy 


USEFUL  SERVANTS   MAY  BECOME  DAN'GEHOUS  MASTERS. 


179 


What  advances  have  we  made  in  this  science  ?     But  my  friend,  let  me  conclude  with  the  ten- 
der of  my  eongratidiitiiins  upon  the  piogrexR  of  yiiur  ininciples, 
Vou  may  cominuuicate  iliisocravvi  to  I'iielps.  C.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 


Coiiiplroller  Fliigg  to  Iloyt,  on  Frrr.  Diinking — the  cniiscs  nf  finiji's  new  born  zctil  for  the  re. 
pcnl  iif  rcsiriiinta  on  dealers  in  Currency, 
[No.  84.]  Aluaw,  .Tan.  15,  18.17. 

Dear  Sir :  I  have  received  your  letter  in  relation  to  Maison's  restraint  of  the  Restraining 
Law.  By  this  time  you  will  have  seen  that  the  Senate  hav;?  cut  the  bill  all  to  pieces.  If  there 
hid  been  two  or  three  votes  more  on  the  free  trade  side  thev  would  have  cut  out  every  seelioii 
but  the  first,  which  was  a  simiile  repeal  of  the  re.etraint  upon  offices  of  discount  nnd  depositc  ;  as  it 
is,  tiiey  liave  only  lemined  the  4th,  with  modificiitioiis.  and  one  other.  The  bill  now,  in  my 
opinion,  is  nbnul  right.  I  tliiidi  foreign  coi-jmrationit  shonld  not  be  allowed  to  establish  offices 
here:  we  have  trouble  enoiisrh  with  our  iiw;i  wo;is/eM,  without  lei;nlizing  a  brood  fr(<m  .Tersey 
and  Connecticut.  M:iison  showed  mr-  hid  bill,  and  I  told  him  the  better  wny  was  to  strike  off 
the  fe'ters  upon  capital,  and  allow  private  Bardu-rs  to  do  every  thing  which  incorporated  Banks 
now  do,  *cxrfpt  to  issne  bills.  We  all  told  him  his  machinery  wmild  not  do  ;  but  he  hiid  moved 
the  committee  as  an  op|)oiient  of  the  repeal  of  the  restraint,  and  nothing  better  could  have  been 
p.vpi'Cted  from  an  opponent  of  the  measure  for  relief  !\Ir.  Mack  gnrs  the  whole  hog  against 
Maison's  restniints;  and  so  do  several  others  whose  support  he  expected. 

Tracy  has  oflered.  in  eoimnunieaiion  with  the  snbject,  a  bill  for  private  banking,  allowing 
hills  to  be  isued  of  i$5()  and  upwards.  This  bill  will  get  only  a  few  votes  at  this  lime.  There 
is  not  n  prospect  of  any  Banks  this  winter,  of  any  kind,  to  i.'^sue  paper. 

Truly  yours,  A.  C.   FLAGG. 

Senator  Livingston  on  Bank  Bills  and  '  the  DcviT.     John  B,  Yates.f 

[No.  R.l.l  Alba.vy.  .January  Ifith,  1837. 

My  Dear  Hoyt  :  The  rejieal  of  the  much  talked  of  law  may  be  disposed  of  this  morning 
without  any  material  ehanjje  of  the  form  in  which  if  stood  when  I  last  wrote.  The  propo.^-itir n 
nnw  under  discussion  contemplates  a  reiimval  of  the  resiniint  upon  individual  is=ues  ;  limitioff  the 

3  ihnt  may  be  issued,  however,  to  i|;.")().  The  propcsiiion  has  been  ably  supported  ly  Tracy 
nnd  Young — and  if  I  mistidie  not.  J  said  in  a  foriner  letter  tbat  I  sboidd  support  it,  but  I  confess 
fiihsequent  reflection  has  sh:d<en  my  opinion,  and  I  am  rather  inclined  to  l'o  against  it.  Such  a 
privilege  misiht  be  extensively  abused,  and  in  voting  airaiMst  it  J  may  possibly  be  influenced  rather 
by  fenrs  than  realities — but  mv  object  in  writing  is  to  explain  what  may  seem  to  you  to  be  an  in. 
consistencv  in  my  vote  with  a  former  opinion.  In  setkinc;  to  retbrm  abuses  or  correcting  evils, 
ilisnlwnvs  prudent  to  commence  by  gradual  steps.  Defeat  generally  attends  a  reformer  if  he 
nimsat  too  much  in  the  onset.  The  issuing  of  bill«  tocirciil  ite  as  money  is  properly  a  matter  for 
legislative  control — and  if  we  can  preserve  the  currency  from  variableness  or  injurious  deprecia- 

'Mr  Hoyt's  nnxietv  for  free  t)finkins  nppenrs  to  have  arisen  In  n  srent  niensiirp  from  liis  nnriripntlms  of  enor- 
mniis  cuius  to  I'P  niiide  out  nf  siirli  vill.iininis  cnncerns  n«  H<!its's  'I'riist  Co.  Willinin  f!.  Iliickiuir.  one  of  JJoyt's 
Willi  street  .locuiiiintinioi's,  on  lieinsr  inlprro^Mted  livilio  I'niloil  Hl.ite.s  rornmKsionprs.  in  1811.  wlietl  er  it  wiis  lie- 
tipved.  nt  the  liroker^'  honrd,  tliMt  Mr.  Ilovt  wrK  Inr^plv  iiitere«iecl  In  |nirrhnsin<r  the  st  rk  of  the  North  Anierlrnii 
Trust  nnd  llnnkinj  ("nni|i:iny,  ni'swered  thiit  "  It  wne  ihp  jpnernl  iniiiressinn  anioiiz  the  hrokers  thnr  Mr.  Hut  wns 
Inriciv  Interested  In  opcr.itiiiir  in  the  stock  of  tluil  Inslilntion.  This  iinpres''inn  |irolia!ilv  nrose  from  the  knowledje 
timt  he  wns  stn^n'rlv  nddlcled  to  stocrk  siiecnhilions,  nnd  from  tlie  fiK't  thiil  cerlaMi  pprsmis  denit  Inrirply  in  thnt  stork, 
who,  from  the  pniiiieetlon  nnd  flic  eonfldciice  nnd  liitlnincy  snhsistliii;  liptwpcii  them  nnd  Mr  Ilovt,  were  siippnted 
\i\  he  nperntlns  for  Mm.  or  thnt  he  wns  Interested  in  their  opprntioiis."  And.  further,  llinl  he  "  lielicvcs  these  opcm- 
tinns  were  extremely  nnprolitnlde."  Mr.  Itnrr.  iinotlipr  W'nll  sirppt  liroker.  reniarkod,  thnt  "  rertifiontes  of  deposits 
iiithnt  hnnk  were  commonly  sold  in  W'nll  street  nt  n  discount,  which  comniencoil  nt  ^  to  .'i  per  cent.,  nnd  went  on  in- 
freiuinj  imlll  certificntes  on  tinn"  were  sold  in  some  instances  nt  the  rntp  of  .')  per  cent,  per  month  discount.  I 
ihonld  not  Inve  considered  it  n  "nfe  Instltntimi  in  which  to  make  depi^sltes  of  piihlic  mnnev."  Mr.  Dnrr  ridded, 
thntMc.Iiinsey,  Unvt's  lirother  lu-lnw,  (also  n  Wall  -Irept  hroker.)  wns  a  lar^e  operator  in  the  stock  of  that  linnk, 
anil  that  it  was  believed  that  Ilovt  was  Interested  wiih  him.  At  times  when  the  Trensnrv  of  the  I'nlon  was  hor- 
rmviasr  at  high  rates  of  interest,  llnvt  was  dppositliis  hiiiidicds  of  lliousnnds  of  didlars  of  the  piihlic  funds  with  this 
frrr  bnvk  (!)  nnd  refiisins  to  remit  to  Wnsliinirlon  the  hnlanco  In  his  hands,  which  he  had  incorrectly  stated.  If 
the  Sub  Trensnrv  Is  to  lie  r.'vived,  so  as  to  enalile  future  Ilovts  to  phiy  over  n?iiin  the  sjime  of  this  minion  of  Vnii 
Hiiren,  tiiroiiijlmiit  the  I'ni  m — and  what  is  thereto  prevent  it  ? — I.  for  one,  would  doiiht  Its  pfTieiency.  Floy'  lent 
lieers's  Bnnk,  while  the  .Snh  Treasury  wns  in  operntion,  l^t'O.")  (iHO,  to  f.'dli  of  Oct.  1P40.  wuUout  interest !  Hoyt's 
ileiinsites  affected  the  value  of  the  stock,  which  fluctuated  from  $*,),)  till  il  cot  down  to  $3, 

tin  18X"i,  ,Iohn  R.  Yates  introduced  into  the  Assemhlv  of  \.  Y.  n  hill  to  repeal  the  restiictions  on  hanking, 
under  which  for  many  years,  certain  lirnnches  of  Imsiiiess  had  heen  confined  to  charterpd  coui|innipo,  privileged  liy 
hw,  nnd  the  privileces  sidd  hv  the  ieffislatois  nnd  executive  oflicers.  (Ofconr-e  Vnn  Hureii  nnd  his  friends  were  on 
llie  other  side  till  nf\cr  his  election  ns  President  ne.\t  year,  when  n  new  cnme  wns  to  he  phived  )  Mr.  Preston  Kinc, 
whn  irhly  aided  the  friends  of  education  liy  his  nnweariod  elVorts  in  Consress  to  (ret  chpnp  posiace  estahlished, 
took  the'snme  eourse.  ni  did  rolonel  Voune.  Mr.  Vntes  was  rich,  anxious  to  educate  the  people,  nnd  fond  nf  Inter- 
nal ImprKvements.  I  was  a  director  for  the  colony  in  the  Wellnnd  Canal  Company,  in  which  he,  his  brother 
(♦iveinor  Yntes,  und  others  of  his  family,  hnd  embarked  $,')n,n(Kt,  nnd  hnd  much  conversation  with  him,  Tf  Hnver- 
not  Valet  was  ns  sincere  u  friend  of  his  country  ns  Jolm  B,  he  wq»  not  very  well  treated  by  his  Van  Buren  friend*, 


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m 


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fv^-'^: 


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py"' 


'1 ',     ' ; 
ij.'.t"  ;:■ 


IdO     CUKKKNCV  TINKliKSi — LIVINGSTON  ANH  fUmNC; — IMITATIONS  OF  PLUTO. 

•ion  it  is  our  duty  to  do  so.     1  liupf  you  will  find  no  fault  with  tnc  in  chunginj;  in  hd  short  a  jic. 
riod  my  opinion  on  un  important  subject.     If  you  do  find  fault,  then  JL/'  Go  to  thk  Devu,  ^, 

Youra,  itc.        C.  L,  LIVINGSTON. 


F.  B.  Cutting,  Member  of  Assembly,  In  Jesse  Iloyl,  IX.  ¥.,  oh  Hanks. 

[No.  8().J  Albany,  .Tunuary  16,  1837. 

My  dear  lloyt :  The  voto  on  the  resolution  instructing  the  Bank  Committee  to  report  again 
all  BanK  petitions  was  taken  to-day,  seventy  against,  and  fifty  in  favor.     This  decides  the  laic  I 
of  all  ihe&e  applications  tiiis  year.     The  latter  are  good  men  and  true,  and  will  he  consisteii! 
under  all  atid  every  contingency.     The  seventy  embrace  twenty-nine  whigs,  and  one  of  our 
men   who   voted  with  iliem    by  mistake.     Our   fifty  includes  only  one  whig,  C.    Rogers  oi'l 
Washington  County,  and  two  loco. focos — Andrew,  Franklin,  Labagh,  Willes  and  Zabriskic,  | 
in  favor  of  Bunks.     All  uiir  jmipuses  are  accomplished.     We    have  succeeded  in  conimitiiii:; 
more  than  enough  to  render  all  hope  on  the  part  of  the  Lobby  perfectly  desperate.     Having  (lc.| 
monstrnted  to  those  who  were  charged  with  petitions  that  success  is  out  of  the  question,  I  pre. 
Bume  thai  a2/  will  unite  infacor  of  the  rrpral  of  the  liestraining  Law,   a.nd  other  iMFouTA.vr| 
KATXERs.     *  The  mail  is  just  closing.     It  is  admitted  that  we  liave  gained  a  triumph. 

Yours,        V.  B.  C. 


Cursing  on  I'c.pcr,  likcJuliii  Van  Buren — Let  B loud  follow  the  Knife — Miseries  of  Legisltition] 

[No.  87.]  To  Jesse  Hoyt,  (private.)  Albany,  January  20,  1837, 

My  Dear  Hoyt :   I  am  so  damnably  pressed  (or  time  that  I  can  scarcely  send  you  a  line.  Judiciarvj 
Committee  ;  references  daily  ;  reports ;  drawing  Bills  ;  active  debates  in  the  House  ;  Bank  inves. 
tigations ;  consultutiuns,  &,c.,  and  infernal  letters  from  New  Vork,  from  applicants  for  olHw, 
all  requesting  answers  of  some  kind. 

Look  at  my  resolutions  of  to-day.  Uo  tliey  cover  ground  enough?  The  Speaker  wanted wl 
put  Ogden  on  the  select  committee — I  threatened  to  resign  as  chairman  and  state  my  reasiwl 
before  the  House  and  the  State — he  yielded.  I  have  had  serious  work  with  him  as  to  who  shilj 
be  associated  with  me  upon  the  committee  to  be  appointed  to  investigate  the  Banks — have  liail 
three  interviews — warm  ones  too  ;  but  he  will  not  give  me  the  names  of  those  he  intends  toap-F 
point.  1  have  urged,  that  if  I  am  to  he  Chairman  1  have  a  right  to  the  best  talent  of  the  IIou.^l 
to  assist  me.  No  bank  directors,  stockholders,  or  participants  in  the  stock  of  last  year,  [183ll 
but  all  will  not  prevail  upon  him.  So,  to-morrow,  I  shall  move  to  refer  my  resolution  to  ih»| 
Belect  committee  of  invcsiigution  of  which  King  is  chairman.  If  defeated  in  this,  we  will  mm 
open  war,  and  1  shall  nsigit  ns  chiinnan,  if  appointed,  stating  my  reasons.  This  is  a  most  utl 
pleasant  duty,  ns  it  will  necessarily  wound  the  feelings  of  many  gentlemen;  but  the  occgskJ 
requires  franknesni,  and  if  necessary  I  will  not  shrink  trom  what  I  believe  to  be  called  for. 

DON'T  BE  SO  DAMNED  HOT  in  your  way  of  writing  and  talking.     Fight  coolly,  desj 
peraiely,  nay  savagely  if  any  end  is  to  be  gained  ;  ride  booted  and  spurreu,  as  I  have  to  doi 
the   House  sometimes,  to  make  milder  spirits  (puiil  ;  but  make  no  threats — act,  and  let  Mm\ 
follow  the  knife,  if  surgery  is  required ;  but  let  the,  blow  be  felt  before  you  give  notice  of  ms 
intention.     "  Charlie  shall  have  his  own  again''  in  spite  of  sundry  political  brokers  and  elu 
vers  that  we  wot  of.     I  know  of  no  way  to  success,  but  by  bold,  straigiitforward,  manly,  uncoitj 
promising  opposition  ;  and  to  unfold  to  our  own  true  and  sound  Democracy  the  shullling  r. 
trickery  of  the  knaves  who  filch  them.  In  haste  youra. 

Did  you  see  how  the  Whigs  and  Bank  Men  joined  Kimmy  upon  the  resolution  instructiniritj 
Bank  Committee  ?  Let  the  votes  be  made  public — undeceive  the  people  !  If  yon  'I'ould  pay  hi 
as  much  attention  to  dissect  our  votes,  and  put  the  Whig.s  in  their  true  position,  hand  in  liasj 
wi'.ii  *;..,  Banks  and  tli?ir  adherents,  as  you  do  to  some  other  things,  such  as  writing  conerah[ 
latory  epistles  to  Ned  Livingston,  &,c.,  and  advising  with  him  [the  Speaker]  as  to  coinmiiiets 
&c.,  you  would,  according  to  my  notions,  be  doing  more  service.     Do  you  take  ? 

Truly  yours,        F.  B.  CUTTING. 


Senator  Livingston  davits  New  York  wisdom,  and  with  reason. 
[No.  S8.]  (To  .Tesse  Iloyt, 

Albany,  Jan.  21,  1837. — I  am  inclined  to  think,  my  good  fellow,  that  you  are  more  thanb 
right  in  the  opinion  expressed  in  your  lust  letter — I  have  given  the  subject  of  private  issues  iiiuJ 
an,\iou8  thoughr,  and  I  confe.s.«  new  light  begins  to  dawn  upon  my  darkened  intellect — tlieclii;!j 
are  fast  breakintf  away  and  I  should  not  be  surprised  if  I  finally  determined  to  maintain  even] 
obstinacy  that  a  note  of  an  incorporated  bank  was  no  better  than  the  bill  issued  by  a  privalp 
vent  individual — I  inny  have  been  deluded  by  the  ciiarm  which  too  commonly  attaches  to  a  cc| 

*Tlio  bill  eniililliif;  s|ieculators  in  geiipml  to  as«nrl;ile  ns  bankers  in  I)iiying  stocks,  piifUn^,  selling  boinlf.i 
eniibleil  the  Doniocriitic  Review  (il'XIny,  l>^^tl,  to  talk  about  "some  of  tlieinnstsoand  associations  of  the  city  fofX  I 
like  the  JVartli  .Imirican  'I'l-u.tt  and  iiunliing  Co."    It.  M'Jinisey,  .Jesse  Hoyt,  J.  I).  Beers,  or  cither  of  tliem,  ri 
hnvo  ilictateil  the  patriotic  iirlicle. 


TH 

jiorution,  bu 
into  an  inile 
umard  aguins 
all  circumsta 
aij'ainst  thein 
ilcvil  as  myst 
I  will  disj)iit- 
don't  let  me 
Do  you  unde 
\ate  banki'ig 
iliis  subject  c 
ceived  some 
What  imperti 


[No.  m.\ 
My  Dear  U 
auction,  13  to 
very  serious  ol 
Vol.  1,  R.  S.  ' 
selves  in  our  ! 
Morris  Robins 
out  subjecting 
only  time  to  cc 
titication  vou  < 


My  room  is 
me  to  close  thi 
from  this  place 

Freedom  to 

[No.  90.] 
Dear  Hoyt ; 
chains  they  onj 
iiig  altered  the| 
liny  other  boltsj 
doubtless  passi 
better. 


[No.  90rt| 

Dear  Sir 
has  received  ri 
lies  remains  a 
nious  in   the  I 
lion.     Offices 
bills.    There 
when  I  wrote 
the  Banks  w 
which  were  n 
matter  right. 

There  is  c 
general  Banl 
Restraining 
law  applying 
paper  credits 

■^The  followil 
I',  tt.  Oittinn  nl 
which  do  busin«r 
had  on  deposit  l 
of  January,  183 


ONS  OF  TLUTO. 

ngiiiij:  in  Hij  short  a  jic- 

lo  TO  THE  DeVII,  J3). 

L.  LIVINGSTON. 

on  Vanks. 

',  January  16,  1H37. 

mittee  to  report  against 
This  ilecides  the  taic 

and  will  be  consiskii! 

whigs,  und  one  of  our 

nc  whig,  C.    Rogers  n 

Willes  and  Zabriskif, 

icceeded  in  commitiiii,- 

desperate.  Having  dt. 
t  of  the  question,  I  pre- 

AND    OTHER    IMPOr.TAM 

led  a  triunipli. 
Yours,        V.  B.  C. 

■Miseries  of  Lcgisktion. 
.NY,  January  20,  1837. 
send  you  a  line.  Judiciary 
1  the  House  ;  Bank  inye;, 
roni  applicants  lor  olllt 

The  Speaker  wanted  is 
lan  and  state  my  reasnri 
,  with  him  as  to  who  ih\ 
ate  the  Banks— have  k\ 
of  those  he  intends  to  ap- 
e  best  talent  of  the  Honi' 
stookof  last  year,  [18311. 
refer  my  resolution  to  ike 
ated  in  this,  we  will  tnak: 
sons.  This  is  a  most  ui 
ntlemen;  but  the  occasu: 
leve  to  be  called  for. 
tiking.  Fight  coolly,  ite 
ipurreu,  as  L  have  to  don 
lireafs — acl,  and  Ictbka 
ore  you  giec  notice  uf  w* 
political  brokers  and  slu 
ghtforward,  manly,  uncoir. 
■inocracy  the  shutlling  a 

le  resolution  instrueting  itj 
pie  !  If  yon  'vould  pay 
true  posit'.oii,  hand  in  lid 
,  such  as  writing  congmti 
Speaker]  as  to  comminei 
)o  you  lake  ? 
rs,        F.  B.  CUTTING. 

with  reason. 

(To  Jesse  Iloyt. 
that  you  are  more  than  b'. 
lubject  of  private  issues  ma 
irkened  intellect— the  cW 
ermined  to  maintain  even 
le  bill  iwned  by  a  private  =: 
commonly  attaches  to  a  ci 


stooks,  pufTmi:,  sclliii?  boniK 
lul  ossoeiations  of  the  city  f"' '^ 
r.  1).  Beers,  or  cither  of  '"«"'■  "^ 


THE  UKPEAr,  OF  BANK  BKSTRICTION — A  PRECURSOR  OF  SUSPENSION. 


181 


|ioraiiou,  but  the  spell  is  nearly  broken,  and  another  night's  reflection  may  nietnmorphoBe  mo 
into  an  inilexiblc  advocate  of  shin-plasters.  Some  limitations  and  securities  are  indispensnble  to 
miard  against  abuses,  for  1  cannot  admit  your  theory  to  its  full  e.\tcnt,  that  the  people  are  nnder 
all  circumstances  capable  of  managing  their  own  afiiiirs.  In  some  cases  they  must  be  protected 
aL'ainst  themselves.  .My  distrust  of  their  intelligence  commenced  when  they  elected  such  a  poor 
devil  as  myself,  and  until  tliuy  ciioo«e  agents  who  will  respect  their  feelings  and  their  interests, 
1  will  disjintu  their  cajiacity  to  govern  themselves.  Don't  disclose  this  heresy,  and  above  all 
don't  let  me  see  it  in  the  Evening  Post  in  the  form  of  "  an  extract  fnmi  u  letter  from  Albany." 
|)u  you  understand  ?  In  a  few  days  we  shall  have  under  consideration  a  jeneral  plan  for  pri- 
vate banking,  provided  there  is  sense  enough  in  Albany  to  mature  one.  It  is  designed  to  keep 
iliis  subject  distinct  from  the  restraining  law.  Cutting  has  just  called  in  to  say  that  he  has  re- 
ceived sonic  letters  from  you,  and  desires  me  to  S'ly  that  you  must  work  harder  and  talk  less. 
What  impertinent  language  for  a  servant  of  the  Pcoi)!e  to  hold  to  one  of  his  masters  ! 

Yours,  &c.,        CllAS.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 


All  the  IVorlil  vtay  become  Stock-juhbirs — even  Uccrs's  Trust  Co. 
[No.  89. J  The  same  lo  the  same.  Albany,  January  1^5,  1H37. 

My  Dear  Iloyt :  After  a  well  contested  figlu  we  succeeded  this  morning  in  rejecting  the  4tli 
section,  13  to  12 — a  sul)stitnte  was  afterwards  oflered  and  adopted,  to  which  there  can  be  no 
very  serious  objection.  It  simply  re-enacts  the  existing  Law  as  it  is  found  in  page  712,  sec.  K, 
Vol.  1,  11.  S.  which  restrains  incorporations  in  their  corporate  cupncity  from  establishing  them- 
selves in  our  Slate,  and  circulating  bills,  &.C.,  but  agencies  may  be  established  to  loan  funds. 
Morris  Robinson,  Louis  MeLanc,  ct  id  omne  qeiius,  may  now  pursue  their  lawful  business  with- 
out subjecting  themselves  to  a  fine  of  ,$1000,  or  the  fear  of  going  to  the  Slate  Prison.  I  have 
only  time  to  congratulate  you  on  this  hai)py  result.  Piiti.ps  will  participate  with  you  in  the  gra- 
tification you  experience  in  witnessing  the  progress  of  reason  and  common  sense  in  our  Senate.* 

All  yet  seems  well ;  and  if  it  end  so  meet, 
The  bitter  past,  more  welcome  is  the  sweet. 

My  room  is  full  o(  loafers  tormenting  me  to  death  about  a  sixpenny  Canal  claim,  and  compel 
me  to  close  this  so  abruptly.  Cutting  is  in  New  York  ;  he  will  give  you  some  interesting  news 
froMi  this  place.  Yours,        C.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 


Freedom  lo  Banking — Arkansas,  Michigan,  India,  and  Illinois  Slocka,our  next  Sureties! 
[No.  90.]  [To  .Tesse  Hoyt]  Alba.vy,  January  27th,  1837. 

Dear  Hoyt:  Restraints  are  removed — the  people  may  walk  abroad,  disembarrassed  of  the 
chains  they  once  hobbled  with.  The  bill  passed  this  morning  with  a  unanimous  vote,  after  hav- 
ing altered  the  character  of  the  4th  section,  as  I  pointed  out  in  my  last.  If  you  want  to  snap 
;niy  other  bolts,  you  had  belter  indicate  your  wishes  while  we  are  in  the  humor.  The  bill  will 
doubtless  pass  the  Assembly  ;  and,  if  with  any  alteration,  I  trust  it  may  be,  if  possible,  for  the 
better.  Yours,  C.  L.  LIVINGSTON. 


Comiitrollcr  Flagg  to  J.  Hoyt,  on  the  Multiplication  of  Paper  Credits. 
[No.  90(1.]  Albany,  January  29th,  1837. 

Dear  Sir  :  The  re|)eal  of  the  Restraining  Law,  after  substantially  striking  out  the  4th  section, 
has  received  a  unanimous  vote  of  the  Senate.  The  prohibition  against  non  resident  monopo- 
lies remains  as  in  the  Revised  Statutes.  The  prospect  is,  that  the  vote  will  be  equally  unan'- 
nious  in  the  House.  IVIaison's  bill,  therefore,  has  been  entirely  demolished,  except  the  first  se  > 
tion.  Offices  of  discount  and  deposite  can  do  every  thing  which  Banks  now  do,  except  to  issue 
bills.  There  were  some  phrases  in  Maison's  4th  section,  which  I  had  not  particularly  noticed 
when  I  wrote  yon,  and  which  caused  its  rejection.  Maison's  original  bill  was  such  a  bill  as 
the  Banks  would  desire  to  have  passed  ;  it  tied  up  the  free  use  of  money  with  numerous  cords 
which  were  not  used  in  the  old  Restraining  Law.  But  the  good  sense  of  the  Senate  has  set  the 
mailer  right. 

There  is  considerable  discussion  going  on  in  various  sections  of  the  State,  in  relation  to  a 
general  Bankmg  Law.  Onondaga  has  taken  the  field  on  this  side.  After  the  passage  of  the 
Restraining  Law  repeal,  there  will  be  a  fair  field  between  the  safety  fund  incorporations,  and  a 
law  applying  the  Safety  Fund  restraints  to  simple  banking  associations.  The  multiplication  of 
paper  credits  in  either  mode,  I  apprehend,  will  produce  more  evil  than  good.     But  there  must  be 

»^Tlie  follovvinj!  !•;  a  drafi  of  ii  resolution  drnwii  up  by  .lesse  Iloyt  nl  New  Vork,  (iiid  sent  to  Colonel  Young  and 
F.  n.  (>\ttin<!  nt  Allmny,  to  lie  proonsed  to  the  Lesisliiture.— "  Upsolvcd,  that  the  Biitiks  in  the  city  of  New  York 
which  do  business  under  the  Safety  Fond  net.  do  report  withont  dnlay  theiimount  of  money  lliey  respeetively  hnve 
had  on  deposit  from  eorporntion*  dot  of  this  Stateonlho  1st  day  of  every  month,  viz:  from  the  1st  of  Dec.  1835  tolst 
of  January,  1837,  upon  wliich  deposits  intfrest  lias  bc^n  paid  or  ngteed  to  he  pniil." 


,'•1 


I  '-<■■• 


{     ' 


* 


■^   If 

i 


If 


;   •      ■   ■  j(*l 


n 


,  > 
;  t 


■:   ! 


't.  ■■■ 


I!  : 


.Vf... 


3,,;V 


I- 


182  ELECT  WniClIT  AND  THEN  QrARREL — PENNSYLVANIA  I'OLITICS 

a  change  as  to  the  mode  of  ditipensing  stock,  nnrf  perhaps  a  general  law  would  do  this  in  tht 
mual,  accepiabk  manner,  ami  Sfcure  the  locution  of  Banks  where  there  was  busineHS  to  suppon 
them.  Truly  yours,  A.  C.  FLAGG 

Xp<  us  have  no  Quarrelling  about  Free  Banks,  till  after  Wright's  Election. 
[No.  Dl.]  [To  .les.^e  Iloyt.]  Albany,  Sunday  Evening,  Feb.  21,  1837. 

My  Ut.nr  Iloyt :  I  sirrived  this  evening,  and  have  suen  ccri.iin  piihlicitions  in  the  Albany  Ar. 
gus,  reliiling  lo  myself  and  my  couivt-  in  regard  to  ihe  Committee  of  Investigation,  1  am  tuo 
jnueh  fatigued  to  prepare  an  answer  this  evening  ;  but  in  the  course  of  to-morrow,  will  place  ilu 
subject  in  its  correct  light,  and  will  endeavor  to  have  it  published  on  Tuesday,  unless  it  ,> 
deemed  advisable  lo  avoid  all  collisions  r.NTir,  after  Tiir.  i,i,r.eTioN  of  Sii.as  Wuigmt,  as  to  whom 
there  has  been  a  strong  opposiiion— indeed  it  is  said,  that  on  Friday  last,  there  was  a  majority »{ 
the  Leifislature  aL'ainst  him.  If,  therefore,  my  observations  do  not  appear  on  Tuesday,  ihey 
will  be  in.'^eried  on  Wednesday.  Request  .Mr.  Bryant  to  copy  them,  in  cuao  he  has  inserted  the 
articles  from  the  Argus,  and  see  that  the  Times  does  me  the  same  justice. 

Yours,        F.  D.CUTTLNG. 

[No,  93.]  [Favored  by  Capt,  Stoddard.— Simday.]       •^'' 

My  Dear  floyt :  I  sent  you  yesterday,  a  Bank  Commissioners'  Report.  How  is  money  anj 
real  estate  ?  Could  a  sale  at  public  auction  be  etfeeied  at  fair  prices,  of  good  property  to  the 
amount  of  $100,000,  on  acconimodatinir  terms?  Without  mentioning  my  name,  call  upon 
Bleecker,  and  .fenkins,  and  make  the  necessary  impiiries,  and  write  me,  I  send  you  a  little 
public  opinion.*     The  stage  is  starling.  Yours,  F.  B.  CUTTING, 

The  true  Van  Buren  School — hare  principle  in  proportion  to  your  interest — be  all  for  self 
[No,  9.3  1  Dr,  .loel  B.  Sutherland,  to  Joseph  McCoy,    New  Market,  Philadelphia. 

Lazaretto,  .Tune    27.   181(5.— +  Dear   M :    When   I   received  your  letter  lust  nisrlit,  I 

immediately  took  a  chair  to  my  Iront  door,  and  cotnmeneed  reading  it — I  was  nmch  pieaseii 
with  your  noti(ms  of  buying  out  IVacock,  but  the  ditl'iculiy  that  will  have  to  be  encounlerej, 
will  not,  1  thiidi,  be  of  a  trivial  natme  ;  I  nuiy  perhaps  make  the  arrangement  with  Boilenu, 
in  relation  to  the  adjiitant-ireueralship,  but  wheiiier  be  would  be  willing  to  endorse  a  note  ij 
raise  the  wind  is  another  question.     1  am  told  he  ia  avaricious.     However,  on  this  point  1  woulj 

*From  the  Onondn^'.i  Cliii'l'  !i  \!in  Itiiren  I'liinr  — We  lire  fiiiid  to  see  so  nmny  Konnd  ileinocratic  jonrnnls  ij 
(lilfpfPiit  |iiirl<.  ot"  the  Stiite,  s|ie'iliiii;r  jii  toriii>  nt'  .liviiloil  ri'|irnl)iiliMn  nt'  the  ((iiMliiot  ol'  Speiiker  (EdwnrilJ  I.iv- 
in^rstnii,  in  resiirii  to  the  Inrmiiliim  irf  thn  CDinnijIlee  of  hiiiilt  iiive«lis:iliiiii.  Wlii-rever  the  jiidgiiieiit  of  men  i 
not  (iiiriilyzed  liy  bunk  iiilliieiii'e.  or  its  ex|lres.^loll  restriuiied  liy  mntivcs  nt'  interest,  there  is  hut  one  sentinieiil  m' 
iniligiuiliiiii  ill  llie  inoiilhs  of  the  |ie(i|ile.  Kven  tht  ;-i|pi>iiker  hiiii.-elf  hiii,  howed  l)ofore  the  oinniiiotence  of  piiblf 
n{iinion,  nnd  has  fult  liiinscif  conipclli'd  to  :iti(>in|il»  \inili,Mtiiin  of  lii:,  conduct,  over  his  own  signuturo,  in  tiiecvi- 
uinna  of  the  ,'\rgus,  hut  in  our  humble  uplnion,  he  hus  succeeded  iiiiserubly. 

tJadRC  Sutherlnnd  is  iin  ohi  and  n  shrewd,  cuiining,  (jnod  imliired  |i(diticiiin,  of  Scotch  pnrentnge,  nnd  Vnn  Bb 
reii  iirinci|dc.  lie  is  ;i  resfiihir  Deinocnii :  wiis  he.ilth  ullieer  :it  l'iiiludel|ihiii  when  lie  wrote  the  iiliove  letter :  vet'. 
tor  .iiiekscm  luid  llio  pet  hiiiik  scheme;  riiu  fi,r  S|ip,iker  in  ("oni'ress,  in  opposition  to  Aiiilrew  Steven.son,  who  haj 
tlie  Vnn  Itiiren  [ires^-es  to  iiiil  liiiii :  w^it  into  ("onu'rcss  in  1HH8,  for  the  1st  district  of  I'a.,  as  a  ronscrviitive,  or  iii:- 
chiin^ed  ileniocrtit ;  supported  llurrisno  in  IH^O;  and  in  IH41  was  appoinlcd  .Naviil-Othcer  nt  the  port  of  i'hilailt! 
pliin,  by  Tyler,  from  which  post  he  liiis  since  been  reiimved  by  I'olk,  lie  avows,  in  the  above  letter,  the  system  o:, 
which  Vim  Huron  and  the  rc^ieiicy  worked  the  old  council  of  uppointineiit,  the  press,  patrnna^'e,  and  the  snkw 
fund  bunks — nunirly  :  to  blind,  litceive,  iinil  plunder  the  millions,  under  any  cloak,  and  by  udoptinj;  whatever  wii 
ii)iperm  ist  i:i  nion'.s  niinda,  that  could  be  liirned  lo  iHirly  account.  'I'he  si  b-lrensnry,  as  Jesse  Hoyt,  Stephen  .\1 
leii,  .loseph  D  Hears,  ronielius  \V.  I.iiwrence,  and  their  banks,  carried  it  out,  woidd  be  a  new  means  of  cementinf 
a  powerful  band  of  cunning  polilicians,  by  giving  Ihcni  the  spoils  to  speculate  on.  .loel  opposed  that.  Steve  Al' 
len  kept  earefully  all  the  cash  .lesse  gave  hini ;  but  .lesse  allowed  no  more  to  pass  into  Ste\-e's  sub-treasury  Ibi 
the  surplus  beyond  his  own  wants  for  spociilMlion  ;  and  as  the  Van  liiiren  familv  went  sh.ires,  Secretary  VVoodliurt 
nllowcil  him  iiis  own  way.  When  the  ilay  of  reckoninc  came,  .le.-se  (loyt  was  Si'iiKI.OOt)  short,  and  the  jiidsfi 
found  that  the  piiins  nnd  penalties  of  the  law  of  l><4(l,  ilid  not  npplv  to  the  case  of.lese  Hoyt  !  I  copy  Dr.  8'«  le! 
ter  from  Mr,  Diiane's  Aurora.  The  Doctor,  it  appears,  expected  to  be  appointed  a  Ijutiint-gencrul  of  Pu.,  fur  the 
purpose  of  becoming  recruitin:;  sergeant  lo  tlie  parly  leader  iiio-l  likely  lo  siicce.'d  t.)  power. 

'■  Very  soon  iiOer  Mr  .-^nydcr  came  into  the  clmir  of  the  executive  of  this  st;ite.  (continues  Punne.)  it  wns  iliV 
covered  thai  his  cli/Mitioii  linii  been  procured  liv  n  coni'o^ileil  coinliiiKitinii  of  persons  in  the  legislature,  who  com- 
promised the  atf^irs  of  the  people,  m  u  il, vision  of  the  ollices,  power,  and  |nilronage  of  olHce  among  the  cor.spirii- 
tors.  As  part  of  the  coiiipai't,  the  press  was  to  be  placed  under  the  control  of  this  secret  combination  ;  every  I'lee 
press  w:i5  to  be  prosc'rilied,  and  prostituted  pres^e,  established,  or  purchased,  in  every  part  of  Ihe  state,  so  thiitthii 
combination  should  not  only  direct  public  opinion,  but  e.vclude  from  the  eyes  of  the  people  the  knowledge  of  trulli, 
or  the  animadversions  that  are  usual  in  a  state  of  freedom  on  public  meitsiiies.  Those  who  considered  the  press  i« 
free  and  vigilant,  did  not  perceive  thai  it  niiglit  be  (ilaced  in  corrupt  hands,  or  in  the  hands  of  ignorance  ;  and  that 
freedom  miuht  he  e.vercised  as  amply  in  the  cause  oi' villainy  and  fraud,  ns  in  the  cause  of  virtue  and  justice ;  thai 
theuctivitv  nnd  vigilunco  of  iniquity  might  employ  it,  with  as  much  zeal  and  labor,  us  the  frieniU  of  freedom,  ul' 
tuciiil  happiness," 

Who  w.ll  wonder  that  Colonel  Dunne  died  poor,  or  that  his  son  wns  unfit  to  be  a  member  of  n  cabinet  which 
Van  Buren  secretly  conducted  on  the  Sutherland  principle  ?  How  nan  the  press  guard  the  American  |)eo|ile 
against  the  dangers  arising  from  the  substitution  of  secret  corruption  fur  the  principles  of  free  election  1  the  psiti) 
of  u  rapacious  band  of  midnight  cunsjiirators  fur  public  oilice,  and  the  control  of  tlie  state,  for  the  welfare  of  the 
whu^«<uciety? 


VE 

just  say,  that  foi 
returns  Irom  the 
liuileau  is  but  a 
iiiiiiks  the  bold  i 
much  sooner  tin 
he  is  literally  rui 
,il'  discontent,  at 
to  surrender  al  ( 

While  I  writ 
from  doubting  tl 
uill  read  his  he: 
of  us  rt'ould  beci 
who  is  aoing  do 
iween  Boileau  a 
(tl'  I'RINCIPI 
(.'iiisedly  upon  ili 
iiiinu,  atid  have  :i 
lulk  with  you  til 
tiiiue  in  this  wa 
.uu  could  then  i 
iiio.st  likely  to  sti 

I  would  like  t 
■tl'  there  is  no  t 
vld  schoolism — I 
have  their  candii 
member  me  to  a 


[Xo.  91.]  D( 
imiiiediately  adji 
lor  them.  But  ) 
h;ivc  offered  thel 
ami  Banking  C 
seat ;  but  know 
.lames  L.  (Jreei: 
aiail  himself, 

Halsted  will 
Tuesday  nc.\t. 

It  requires  an 
get  it  introduces 
privileges  has 

We  therefore 
bome  other  met 
iiblc  character 
closures  made. 

We  can  raisi 
propose  to  ask 

An  there  are 
you  must  tell 

I  forgot  to  le 
thiak  it  necess! 

[" 

Send  my  cloth 
Oii^ht  such  s 
ing '     IVhei 

'  lo.  9^ 

C   skill,  .lu 

with  General 

Bend  by  the  bo 

woman.     She 

[No.  96.] 
ion.i  of  table  v 


OLITICS 

would  do  this  in  the 
3  busineHs  to  support 
A.  C.  FLAGG 

t'a  Election. 

ling,  Feb.  21, 1837. 
jn3  in  the  Albany  Ar. 
veaiigjition.  i  nm  luo 
morrow,  will  place  ihi 
Tiif'sday,  unless  it  u 
IS  WuiGiiT,  a8to  whom 
icre  was  a  niajoriiy  oi' 
•ar  on  Tuesday,  they 
uso  he  has  inserted  the 

F.  D.  CUTTING. 

How  is  money  anj 

good  property  to  the 

my   name,  call  upon 

16.     I  send  you  a  little 

F.  B.  CUTTING. 

crest — be  all  for  self 

Market,  Philadelphia, 
our  letter  lust  ninlit,  I 
t — I  WHS  much  pleaseii 
lave  to  be  encoiintereJ, 
ingement  with  Boilenu, 
ij{  to  endorse  a  note  i, 
cr,  on  lias  point  I  woulj 


iiiiiul  iloiiincratie  jnnrniils  ii 
n  of  Hpeiiker  (  KilwiinlJ  l,iv- 
ever  tlie  jiidgtneiit  of  men  i 
here  is  hill  one  i>eiitinieiil  nf 
ire  the  uinniputenco  uf  |miIiI' 
his  own  signuturc,  in  theci, 


)tch  pnrentn;,'e,  ami  Van  Bu 
wrote  the  iiiiove  letter  luei,' 
Xiidrew  Stevenson,  who  had 
I'n,,  ns  a  conservative,  or  ii!> 
Hirer  at  the  port  of  i'liilailr' 
e  aliiive  letter,  the  sysleiim, 
IS,  piitrnnajie,  and  the  snfeiv 
id  iiy  udiiptini;  whatever  wii 
,  as  Jesse  Hoyt,  Stephen  Ai 
e  n  new  means  of  rernenlini 
oel  opposed  that.  Steve  Al- 
io yte»-o's  suli-trensury  than 
shares,  Secretary  VVo'idliuti 
•Jtl.oOII  short,  and  the  jiirijfi 
le  llipyt  I  I  copy  Dr.  S'»  le! 
Htnnt-f,'e"erul  of  Pu.,  for  llie 
)ii\ver. 

ontinnes  Pnanc,)  it  wns  (li< 
ill  the  Itfrislatiire,  who  com 
f  ollice  anions  the  consjiirn- 
cret  coinhiiiation  ;  every  (m 
part  of  the  state,  so  tliiitthn 
opie  the  knowledge  of  truth. 
who  considered  the  press  n* 
lands  of  ij;norance  ;  and  tlut 
>  of  virtue  and  justice;  timi 
us  the  friends  oi"  freedom,  ul' 

meniher  of  n  cabinet  vttiich 
Suard  the  American  |ieo|ile 
3«  of  free  election  ?  the  pHins 
state,  for  the  welfare  of  the 


'i^        M' 


VERY  LITTLE  OF  THUR  PATUIOTI.^M  WILL  HE  FOUND  IN  TAGR 


J  83 


just  say,  that  for  the  present,  nothing  can  he  efrt'clcd  in  relation  to  otir  scheme  till  Mr.  Hoilenu 
ri'turiislrom  tiie  state  ol'  New  York,  which  will  he  in  about  4  or  5  weeks.  The  truth  is,  M'C'ny, 
iJuileau  is  but  u  child  in  politics,  he  is  not  lialfenotigl  cuiuainted  with  the  underhand  work  that 
iiiiiiks  the  bold  and  discerning  politician,  I  will  tell  you  who  I  think  will  embrace  this  ech'.'me 
much  sooner  than  Boileau.  I  mean  Win.  Fiiidlay.  He  is  so  full  of  schemes  and  notions,  that 
he  is  liiernlly  running  over  with  them.  But  there  we  cannot  well  go — we  have  unfurled  the  flay 
„l'  discontent,  and  it  would  look  cowardly  to  furl  it  up  again,  unless  it  should  ha  thought  better 
lo-iiirreiidi-r  at  disc  re  lion. 

While  I  write  this  about  Findlay,  do  not  suppose  that  I  doubt  Boileau.  No,  I  nm  far 
from  doubting  this  mnn's  honesty,  but,  I  frankly  contt-.-s,  I  doubt  his  policy.  When  I  see  him  I 
will  read  his  iietirt.  Findlay  at  this  time  .stands  the  best  chance  of  any  man  I  know,  if  a  lew 
of  us  vNould  become  recruiting  sergeants  in  his  cause.  Moreover,  he  will  be  ho.^tile  to  Binns, 
who  is  aoing  down  fast.  You  may  think  ine  a  damned  sfranjie  creature  to  be  vacillating  be- 
tween Boileau  and  Findlay— BUT  AS  YOU  AND  I,  AND  ALL  POLITICIANS,  ARF  MEN 
111'  I'RINCIl'LK  IN  PROPOIII'ION  TO  OUR  INTFRUST,  I  have  written  to  you  undis- 
piisedly  upon  this  matter,  ll'  you  have  time  to  come  down  with  Hurt  in  the  stage  some  afier- 
11(1011,  and  have  !i  long  talk  with  me,  you  and  I  will  understand  each  other  more  fully.  I  want  to 
talk  with  you  about  our  joining  with  Leib.  I  wish  to  know  whether  the  democrats  might  not 
tuiiie  in  this  wtiy  in  the  city,  I  know  they  would — I  wish  you  to  go  on  the  ticket,  at  your  leisure 
iuu  could  then  make  arrangeinents  with  Peacock,  we  would  then  be  on  the  spot  to  join  the  man 
iiiu.-it  likely  to  succted. 

1  would  like  to  see  you  before  I  see  Dr.  Leib.  I  know  I  shall  see  him  before  the  election — I 
.-ee  there  is  no  chance  for  my  success  in  the  N.  Liberties,  e.\cept  it  be  through  the  assistance  of 
v\d  schoolism — Biissier,  if  he  is  rejected,  will  quit  the  party  ;  but  by  that  time  the  opposition  will 
liave  their  candidate.  We  ought  to  watch  them  well  now,  and  be  prepared  for  the  worst.  Re- 
member nie  to  nil  our  family — tell  my  dear  parents  that  we  are  all  well. 

Your  friend.  J.  B.  SUTHERLAND. 


A  Secret  Chapter  in  New  Jcrsrij  Specitd  Lcgislntiuii. 

[So.  94.]  Dear  Sir :  I  was  too  laic  to-day  in  my  application  to  Council.  They  met,  ond 
immediately  adjourned  without  doing  any  business,  so  ns  to  get  olF  ii.  .  coach  that  was  waiting 
lur  them.  But  you  need  not  despair.  I  have  seen  Halstcd  the  member  from  Esse.x — he  would 
have  offered  the  resolution  if  an  opportunity  had  occurred.  He  is  opposed  to  the  Morris  Canal 
ami  Banking  Co.,  upon  principle,  and  would  have  opposed  their  Ml,  if  he  had  been  in  his 
seat;  but  knowing  his  sentiments,  they  watched  the  opportunity,  nnd  passed  it  in  his  absence. 
.lames  L.  (Jreen  says  he  thinks  they  have  done  wrong  in  letting  that  bill  pass,  and  he  would 
a\:iil  himself,  1  think,  of  any  chance  of  crippling  rhein. 

Halsted  will  offer  the  whole  rrsiilutioii  and  support  it,  whether  the  return  is  filed  or  not  by 
Tuesday  nc.vt,  and  I  think  I  can  induce  Green  to  assist  ns  a  member  of  the  committee. 

It  requires  some  little  management  and  trouble;  but  Wm.  Halsted  and  myself  will  engage  to 
get  it  introduced  notwithstanding  ouy  return  they  may  make.  The  forfeiture  of  their  banking 
privileges  has  accrued,  and  the  return  cannot  restore  it. 

We  therefore  will  introduce  it ;  have  it  referred  to  Halsted  as  chairman  of  committee,  with 
wme  other  member  ((ireen  if  we  can  get  him  appointed,)  and  will  get  a  report  of  an  nnfavor- 
nhle.  character ;  how  far  it  will  go  we  cannot  tell — that  depends  upon  the  investigation  and  dis- 
closures made. 

We  can  raise  snch  a  dust  about  it  ns  will  brincr  the  President  back  to  defend  himself.  We 
propoge  to  ask  the  committee  to  give  us  a  fair  hearing,  which  the  chaiiman  will  reudidly  grunt. 

As  there  are  now  two  of  ns  engaged,  and  this  is  the  last  plank  upon  which  we  can  make  a  stand, 
you  must  tell  your  friends  they  must  VROviriE  accordingly  in  case  we  succeed  in  our  operation. 

I  forgot  to  tell  you  to  liavc  the  Evening  Post  sent  to  me  as  Editor,  immediately,  and  if  you 
think  it  necessary  the  Times,  Yours,  &,c. 

["  What  affair  is  thi.=i?     Who  besides  Hoyt  can  explain  it?" — W.  L.  M.] 


Heiid  my  clothes  to  my  Washer icoman,  hire  my  Inrtgiugs,  and  get  Ducr  to  choose  my  Wines — 
Ought  such  services  to  huoe  been  paid  with  ,§5iJ.()0U  a  ycir,  and  a  douceur  of  $220,000  at  part- 
ing  '     Wherein  dues  the  favoritism  of  Louis  XI  I',  and  of  Martin  I.  differ  ? 

'  fo.  9ft  ]  Martin  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Albany. 

C   skill,  .lune  25.  1819. — Dear  Sir:  I  arrived  here  last  night  from  New  York,  and  go  to-day 

with  General  Root  in  his  chaise  [or  chnirj  to  Delhi.     I  hope  to  be  in  Albany  on  Friday  next.     I 

send  by  the  boat  my  valice,  containing  some  clothes  which  I  wish  you  would  send  to  my  washer. 

wuman.     She  is  the  same  vsho  washes  for  Mr.  Bleecker.     Yours  in  haste,      M.  V.  BUREN. 

[No.  9G.]     Satiie  to  same.     Nov.  17,  1819. — Dear  Sir:  I  wnnl  about  fifteen  or  twenty  gal. 
loin  of  table  wine — say  prime  Sicily,  Madeira,  or  some  other  pleasant,  but  light  and  low  wine 


\i 


'  ••  'If' 

■'■■M 


164 


IIAISINS,  FIGS,  PIPES  OK  WINE,  POOR  PEUTORS,  AND  LAW  FEES. 


I  tr,- 


M'" 


to  drink  witli  dinner.     I  wifli  you  would  >;tt  Mr.  Duer,  who  lokrs  ihis,  to  select  it  for  me,  >ni|  I 
buy  it  find  send  it  up.t     Gdt  mo  aNo  »  box  of  boikI  rnisins  nnd  a  hnakct  of  pood  fijrs.  and  lend 
them  with  ihe  wiiu'.     TluTf  is  yci  JifjOl  (I  believe  ihnt  is  ilie  RUin)  (hie  ine  from  Mr.  George  (iris, 
wold  on  my  fee  in  the  Wusiiinirlon  [iliiit  sienis  lo  be  (he  word]  rfiuse,  whieli  I  widi  you  would  get 
from  liini  mid  (luy  for  the  uIkivc  iiriii  Ics  ont  of  it,  and  remit  the  hnhmce  to  me  by  Mr.  Duer.    1|'| 
you  doiit  gel  it,  Commoduri;  VVi.sA  iill  will  Kive  you  ilie  mmu  y,  nnd  reeeive  it  here  ngiiin  from  ini 
Excuse  llic  trouble  I  give  you.     'I'iie  re|H)rt  von  moutitin  of  the  Cumptrollcr  lius  not  reached  lii>r,. 

Your  friend,         M.  V.  BURKN. 


[No.  97.]  [Martin  Van  Uuren  to  '  irnfc  Hoisht,  I>.] ,  Wall  St.  N.  Y.' 

April  29,  [182(f.]     Dear  Sir:   I  shall  leive  here  with  Tne^•day'8  boot,  and  will  Hiny  in  N.  Yotk| 
Bome  lime,     I  wish  you  wi  uld  get  t'or  me,  from  Mr.s.  Henderson,  the  use  of  her  liitle  pnrloi  ntiil 
a  bed-room — nnd  if  she  cannot  acxoinmodaie  me,   p[ot  it  clsewliere.     I  would,  however,  prefirl 
altogether  to  stay  with  her,  but  can't  do  without  ii  room  other  than  n  bed  room. 

/  think  the  election  is  safe.  Youis  in  haste,         M.  V.  BUREN. 


•  No  98.]  Martin  Van  Bitrrn  Ic.nih  his  Miine»  h]i  thr  ,$.')  to  the  Poor,  and  buya  Wine  bytl.\ 

ripe  for  the  llich. 
Attorney  General  Van  Buren  to  Mr.  Je.'se  Ilovt,  N.  York 

June  21,  1820. — DenrSir:  .Fust  as  1  was  pnjng  from  New  York,  Abrnlmm  P.  Van  S — 

who  is  a  elerk  in  .faeoli  I.  Barker's  store,  -loC)  I'earl  Street,  a  nephew  of  John  C.  II ,  Esi] 

borrowed  JljilO  of  me.  under  a  promise  to  send  it  up,  which  lie  has  not  done  ;  nnd,  from  whnt  Mr 
Hogeboom  tells  me,  I  apprehend  he  did  not  intend  lo  do  it,  1  wi.-h  you  would  see  him  and  nink. 
him  pay  it  to  you.  Ask  tlie  Secretary  about  the  enclosed.  I  have  never  hear,!  any  thine  nboc: 
it  Binue  I  paid  my  $10.  '  Your  friend,        M.  VAN  BUREN. 

[No.  9[).]  The  same  to  the  same.  Date  and  place  torn  off, 

"I  am  afraid  von  will  beein  to  think  me  a  very  troublesome  friend — but  I  AM  CON. 
STANTLY  THH  VICTIM  Of  IMPOSITION— that  man  Plim(  ton  who  own  the  Ahnlm, 
BORROWED  FIVE  DOLI,.\RSt  of  me,  when  he  went  oft',  undf  a  promise  to  send  it  up. 
If  you  happen  to  fall  in  with  him  !  wish  you  would  him— -lie  is  ,i  graceless  dog.  It  woni 
iiicoinrnode  me  very  miieh  if  I  should  not  have  my  carriage  next  week.  The  Governor  is  tot* 
qnnlitied  to  day,  but  Albany  is  as  quiet  as  a  church.  It  is  said  that  ellorts  have  been  inndc; 
raise  the  wind,  Imt  in  vain.  Mr.  Clinton  is  universally  considered  here  as  politically  dpl'iinc; 
I  will  believe  that  there  is  nothing  in  the  story  I  h<'iird  in  Pliiladelpliia  [a  part  is  torn  off]  niiiii 
courtesy,  and  will  want  them.     I  go  from  hence  in  a  fi'w  days.  M    V,  BUREX. 

P.  S.  Mr.  Hoyt  will  oblige  mo  by  presenting  the  above  to  Mr.  Beekinan,  and  transiniliir-; 
me  the  money." 

[No.  100.]  Martin  Van  Buren  to  .Tesse  Hoit,  40  Wall  Street,  N.Y. 

August  20,  1820. — D.  Sir:  Yon  will  oblige  me  by  presenting  th(>  above  draft  to  M.  Kaiifn' 
and  the  within  check  at  the  City  Bank,  wiio  will,  of  course,  nive  you  the  money  for  it,  whj. 
pay  to  Dominiek  Lynch,  Esq,  for  a  half  pipe  of  Wine  I  bought  of  him  sometime  since.  I  hav? 
mislaid  the  bill,  but  I  believe  this  is  about  the  amount.  If  thert^  is  a  difl'ereiice,  pay  it.  nnd  ii 
me  know  what  it  is.  M.  V.  BUREN, 

[No.  lOl.]  August  2,3d. — D.  Sir:  I  enclose  yon  a  draft  this  moment  received  from  Mr.  Kat 
ner  [or  Kiiufrnan]— he  so  irood  as  to  ii:-e  it  as  bet'ore  directed,  nnd  to  call  on  Mr.  Kaufman,  i':. 
say  to  him  that  I  have  received  the  J^l.'iO — that  his  cause  has  not  been  renclied  on  the  Cnleti'!-; 
— and  of  course  goes  ofl^  until  the  next  term.  My  prospects  of  siirress  arc  s:ooil.  Give  Mr.  K, 
the  receipt  on  the  other  side.  Your  friend,         M.  V.  BUREN. 

[No.  102.]  §  E.  Livingston  to  J.  Huyt,  on  Butler's  influence,  Van  Buren's  young  tribe,  ani 

New  Leaders — Jesse's  Stock. 

Albany,  Feb.  24,  1821. — Dear  Iloyt:  The  Notary  bill  will  not  pass,  nor  will  any  regulaiicj 
be  made  conccniing  Commissioners  or  Masters  m  Chancery.     Do  you  wish  Ward  appointeii 

t  Mr.  Iloyt  W!U  at  tlie  Frnnklin  House,  New  York. 

J  llcnnetl  declnres  in  hi-.  Hernld  (Oct.  3,  184."))  ftiut  lind  lie  known  timt  ^,'5  or  SHO  wore  of  so  much  impnrtnn" 
to  Mr.  V.  B.,  nnd  tlmt  Mr.  V.  H.  reqiiired  the  endorspinent  of  ('.  C  Cnmljrclenfr  to  ennlilc  him  to  hnrrnw  SV><! 
wlien  he  wrnt  to  Wiisliinglna  as  Jackson's  spcrctury  of  state,  he  vvoulil  never  liiive  attempted  to  horrow  JSci 
tliro'  his  influenre 


ON  M 

Maiter?  Ify 
CuMip— some  I 
o/  th '  party  u 
collisions  wliicl 
he  Would  be  d 
thing  for  himsi 
training  for  the 
The  party  is  in 
into  a  great  mii 
|)le  him  to  give 
that  he  was  mi 
appointed  his  J^ 
York,  for  I  am 

[No.  103.]  £ 
Mr.  Van  Bureii 
u|°  wheat  I  am 

f     *     *     * 


[No.  104.] 
Alliany,  Deci 
from  Rhode  Isli 
ness  may  possilj 
tal,  &-C.     Now 
mall  chance  of 
.sions.     You  art 
be  careful  or  eh 
an  ounce,  not  o 
111'    Taht  is  n 
commodities  en 
scribe  the  same 
as  you  dont 
should  esteem 
I  will  rid  yuii 
in  your  letter 
a  visionary 
pears  like  doi 
Your  poet 
nrehenil  it. 
I'pived  with  a 
are  no  persons 
quently  the  to\ 
money  by  you 


ha 


[No.  105 
Albany,  D 
eautious.     I 
want  to  have 
a.antion  it  to 
clerkship,  but 
Esleeck's  onl; 
Cramer  has 
respects  hims 
Romeine  for 
ken  to  Muns 
more,  and  es 
»    »    *     J 

me  a  lift.     I| 

heyden.     * 

t  Peter  R.  Lil 
Ho  was  the  niT 
Senate  of  ,\.  \1 
bim  ai "  iipagil 


\.\V  FEES. 


lo  Bclect  it  for  mp,  and 
I  of  good  fijrs,  and  Bend] 
Ifrom  Mr.  George  (irjj. 
|i  I  wi-ili  you  would  gf 1 1 
me  by  Mr.  Diior.    [f 
it  ht'TL'  ngiiin  from  iir 
iT  liua  not  reached  licr.. 
M.  V.  BURKN. 

|N.  Y.' 

[lid  will  Hiny  in  N.  Yotk| 
of  her  little  pnrlot  ni;,] 
/(lukl,  however,  prel.ri 
room. 

M.  V.  BUREN. 

and  bwja  Wine  hyt}i,\ 

York. 

Abralmm  P.  Van  S — . 

f  John  C.  H ,  Esq 

)iie  ;  nnd,  from  what  M- 

would  see  him  and  m;is> 

r  hennl  any  thine  ahoir 

M.  VAN  BUR  EN. 

itn  nnd  phice  torn  off, 

end— but  I  AM  CON. 

II  who  own  the  AhoUn, 

n  promise  to  send  it  up. 

granoiess  dog.     It  won 

The  Governor  is  to  1 

llorta  have  been  made! 

sre  ns  politically  dpt'iinc;. 

[a  part  \»  torn  off]  nm  " 

M   V.  BUR  EN. 
ekman,  and  transiniiiir; 


Street,  N.Y. 
love  draft  to  M.  Kaiifn*' 
1  the  money  for  it,  w!ii . 
sometime  since.  I  hav 
Jifl'urence,  pnv  it,  nndlt: 
M.  V.  BUREN 

received  from  Mr.  Kau'. 
nil  on  Mr.  Kaufman,  ai: 

readied  on  the  Calen:!-; 
I  arc  s;oi)'l.  Give  Mr.  K, 
d,        M.  V.  BUREN. 

hiren's  young  tribe,  anl 

I,  nor  will  any  reeulaiia 
wish  Ward  appointed 


were  of  so  mucli  impnrtn 
eimble  him  to  horrnw  .?4(K» 
e  attempted  to  borrow  fi^' 

Ions  time.  TInvine  rcmovp; 
aiicocedej  Clmrles  Ffiimiilu': 
llip  fe.s?ion  of  I83P.  He  w 
lid  liirt  linen  liisriepiitv.  T!i 
resj,  Dec'r  18:i8.  "The lie-;; 
tl  EHwiird  Livineston,  ivlui: 

•corn  of  every  true  democrd 


ON  MAKRIAGE — OKFICE-IirNTING — KEGENCV  rOMTICti  I\   l'^'2l. 


186 


faster?  If  you  do,  a  line  to  Butler  would  fix  it.  'I'hert  appears  to  be  some  discontent  in  the 
Camp — some  say  that  we  nuiHt  have  new  leudurs,  but  I  believe  all  is  hiit'r.  nnd  that  the  power 
of  th.--  portij  will  be  permanent  if  oidinurii  dixcirtioii  is  nucd.  t  I'rtcr  li.  tuld  iiic  tliiit  if  iho 
collisions  which  have  taken  jilaci'  since  had  liappeiit  d  bctore  the  New  York  ajipointinentM,  that 

he  wiiuld   be  d d  if  I  should  not  have  had  my  iippointnu'iit.     .Siithirlaiid  did  not  want  any 

thing  for  hini.self,  but  went  away  quite  in  a  nuFr.  '.'.iii  Biireii'a  ><)Uiig  tribe,  that  hi^  has  hern 
training  for  the  last  18  monihs,  tliou<|lit  tluy  could  rule  the  Stati',  but  he  is  too  eunniny;  for  them. 
The  party  is  in  an  unsettled  slate  ;  we  wniit  a  linn  leader.  We  inusit  putf  up  suine  of  our  clan 
into  u  great  man,  Bowne  is  pris.-.inii  the  bill  to  divide  the  nmyortilty  iih  fa.st  as  possible,  to  ena- 
ble him  to  give  us  u  mayor,  iltc.  But  who  they  will  be  he  keep-i  to  him  rlf  Hatch  writes  me 
that  he  was  much  siirjirised  at  my  sudden  departure.  I  should  like  to  know  whether  Noah  hag 
appointed  his  Att'y.  I  do  not  think  he  will  give  it  to  us.  I  should  be  very  glad  to  be  in  New 
York,  for  I  am  tireil  of  Albany  ;     «      «     «      «       Believe  me,  dear  friend, 

Yours  most  sincerely,        EDWARD  LIVINGSTON. 

[No.  103.]  Same  to  the  same — Nov.  22,  1«21. — Dear  lloyt :  I  supjjose  you  will  learn  from 
.Mr.  Van  Buren  and  other  friends  every  thiiifj  new  and  interesiiiit;  «  x  »  Owing  to  the  ribB 
ot'  wheat  I  am  fearful  that  United  States  Stock  is  lower,  but  (iod  ^raiit  you  n  saf*  deliverance. 

«***♦!  think  you  had  better  try  your  hand  tii  matrimony. 


On  Marriage — adrirr  to  Jloijl — Albany  vrrij  dall. 
[No.  104.]  Edward  Livingston  to  Jesse  lloyt,  at  New  York. 

Albany,  December  5,  1621.  .Aly  Dear  Jesse  :  I  presume  that  you  have  by  tliia  time  returned 
from  Rhode  Island.  Your  visit  to  Htiriford  was,  /  i,'"e.'<,'*,  about  a  ((rtain  libel  puit,  which  buei- 
ness  may  possibly  cost  you  some  money.  You  are  be<,'!,'arly  poor  ;  gr.uiled  ;  pretty  sentisnen- 
lal,  &-C.  Now,  in  my  opinion,  if  you  jjei  married  on  the  spur  of  the  occasion,  you  stand  a 
imall  chance  of  bein;,'  taken  in — as  you  are  iis  apt  as  other  lolks  to  be  deceived  by  iirst  iinpres* 
.lions.  You  are  generous,  and  therefore  the  more  danger.  Your  statulmg  in  society  is  very  good, 
be  careful  or  else  you  niiiy  be  worse  off.  As  Noah  says,  I'rithee  ^ood  Mr.  Aotheeary  give  me 
an  ounce,  not  of  civet,  but  of  common  prudence  :  But  you  will  ask  '  how  the  devil  shall  I  take 
it)'  Talu  is  more  than  1  know,  I  do  assure  you.  It  is  a  pity  that  there  is  no  shop  where  such 
commodities  can  be  bought,  for  1  shoidd  like  to  take  a  pretty  powcrlul  dose,  and  would  pre- 
scribe  the  same  to  my  I'rieiul  Hoyt.     *     *     *     *     *     * 

as  you  dont  appear  to  care  what  you  take  by  frefjuenting  No.  ,').'),  ^e.  If  a  woman  that  you 
should  esteem  shouhl  have  too  miieh  money,  get  me  to  dr.aw  up  the  marriafie  articles,  and 
I  will  rid  yoit  of  all  difficulty  u|)on  the  subject.  You  ask  me  to  dispel  the  diHiciilties  stated 
in  your  letter,  but  in  the  first  branch  of  your  .■irgument  you  e.yplicitly  admit  that  they  are  all  of 
a  visionary  character  and  complexion.  My  advice  is,  not  to  think  of  getting  married. ;  it  ap- 
pears like  doing  the  business  by  the  job.   Jfsr  iCKi-.r  ((i-tf.T  ANn  vor  wiLr,  UK  MAiiitir.n  soo\  enough. 

Your  poetry  I  have  no  doubt  was  very  fine,  but  I  did  not  c.\aeily,  as  Lord  liyron  says,  com. 
rrehend  it.  The  why,  itc.  You  need  not  apologize  for  your  letters,  for  they  ;ire  always  re. 
ceived  with  a  cordial  welcome.  Sheriff  Gansevoort  is  going  to  make  a  dye  of  il  they  say.  There 
are  no  persons  here  with  wliom  I  associate  but  Denniston  and  King,  and  Henry  Davis,  conse- 
quently the  town  must  be  very  dull  to  me.  I  think  by  present  appearances  that  you  will  make 
money  by  your  stock  contract  if  you  hold  on. 


«     *     #■     .* 
Yoiiis  most  sincerely. 


H.  LIVINGSTON. 


Speaker  Liringston  canrasning  for  the  (Verkuhip  of  the  Ansemblij. 
[No.  105.]  Edward  Livingston  to  Jesse  lloyt.  New  York. 

Albany,  Dec.  21,  1821. — Dear  Hoyt :  1  am  fearful  that  Hatch  is  a  snake  in  the  grass,  so  be. 
cautious.  I  have  understood  that  Mat  Davis  is  coming  up  to  Albany  with  the  members.  I 
want  to  have  him  engaged  in  my  favor.  Judge  [  W.  IV]  \'an  Ness  will  do  it  for  me,  if  you  will 
rr.ontion  it  to  him.  «  *  *  Benjiimin  Knower  says  he  will  not  interest  himself  about  th«! 
clerkship,  but  is  committed  to  support  Eslieck  if  he  does  any  thing.  Butler  and  Knower  are 
Ealeeck's  only  friends,  and  [Judge]  Skinner  is  alone  in  backing  [Hpliraim]  Storr.  *  *  "  John 
Cramer  has  been  very  active  in  my  behalf  *  *  *  James  Burt,  and  every  oilier  man  who 
respects  himself,  will  not  vote  for  Vonderheyden.  *  *  I  wish  that  (Inrdiner  would  speak  to 
Romcine  for  me,  and  explain  how  things  stand.  I  hope  Hatch  has  written  to  Boston  nnd  spo- 
ken to  Munson.  I  want  you  to  have  every  member  of  tli(,'  N.  Y.  delegation  spoken  with  once 
more,  and  especially  Mr.  Verplanck,  (by  you,)  who  could,  and  I  doubt  not,  will,  do  me  much  {rood. 
*  »  *  I  wish  you  would  ask  Butler,  when  ho  thinks  that  E.  has  no  chance,  if  he  would  give 
me  a  lift  I  was  very  sorry  to  learn  that  Mr.  Ulslioeffer  was  determined  to  support  Vonder- 
heyden. "  •    *    *  E.  LIVINGSTON. 

t  Peter  R.  Livingston  of  Dntcliess  Co.  was  electeil  Spcnktr  of  the  .Asscmlily,  by  117  out  of  123  votes,  in  Jan.  1P93. 
Ho  was  the  nio.n  ultrn  of  (iovernor  Clintipn's  opponents.  In  .Inn.  180H,  Mr.  Liviiipsioi)  wiis  clentod  President  of  the 
Senate  of  .N.  Y.,  and  lias  JDnj;  been  n  niu'l  dpfidcil  p(itli<iin  of  llHiiry  ».'lay  f'lr  llio  I're'ideney.  Hammond  de?ordie!t 
bim  a»  "  iiPBginative  and  eluipient." 


-.'  -J^Jf. 


■i  -.r 


If 


if- 


leo 


THE  WAY  THE  DEMOCHATIC  LEADERS  MANAGE  ABOUT  OFFICES. 


1:1' -i;  4''''    ■ 


f     4;.  T  '     ;-t 


Noah'a  malignity — Ulshoeffer'a  cunnirtg — Tompkins,  Yates,  Spencer,  Crolius,  tje, 
[Nc.  106.]  Edward  Livingston  (Speaker,  &cO  to  Jcssn  Hoyt,  New  York. 

Albany,  Jan.  21,  1822. — Dear  Hoyt.  *  *  «  Our  people  all  seem  disposed  to  be  in  good 
humor  witli  each  other,  iind  ridicule  Noah's  attempt  to  interest  the  party  in  his  peisonul  fqi.ab. 
bles,  and  say  that  he  makes  an  unjustitiable  use  of  his  paper  to  gratify  liis  personul  malignjiy. 
*  *  "*  UishoeffVr  is  even  more  cimiiing  than  I  supposed  him,  before  the  accurate  inapeciinn 
1  have  given  him  for  the  last  three  weeks.  As  to  PriHiiJent  of  the  IJ.  S.  oi\r  people  dont  know 
what  the  devil  to  think.  Tompkins  drinks  too  hard — so  they  say.  I  wish  our  people  w. mil 
back  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy  [Smith  Thompson],  but  he  appears  to  have  a  small  body  of 
fricnils.     His  conduct  about  the  post  ortice  here  has  done  him  some  service — and  Adams's  letter, 

together  with  his  4ih  of  July  onilion,  is  enough  to  I) n  any  common   man.     Governnr,  [ 

should  like  to  have  Yates  chosen  for  it,  but  they  say  he  will  keep  Spencer  on  the  bpnch,  « Ind, 
some  people  do  not  like.  *  *  *  1  keep  my  lounge  as  close  as  pos.-iible,  and  attend  to  my 
own  business.  *  *  *  J  will  get  the  Exiiminri  birth  for  Wiird  if  p  issible — il"  tiot,  [  will  ^^.-t 
it  (or  you.  Tell  &  Cambreleiig  that  I  atn  satistifd,  titid  so  are  the  people  here,  that  our  niPin. 
bers  of  Congress  icerc  entrapped  itito  signiui,'  lor  S.  Van  Flensselaer  [to  be  V.  M.at  Alliany.', 
Crolius  and  Hale  electioneered  f.u'  each  other.  Hale  was  to  make  Col.  Crolius  spraker,  tinil  iiic 
fuvor  was  to  be  relumed.  Crolius  is  a  "  *  *  *,  and  I  hope  you  will  fiiul  ways  ,aiul 
means  to  keep  him  at  iiome.     Iklieve  me,  as  ever,  yotir  true  and  sincere  iVii'iid, 

K.  LIVINGSTON. 

[No.  107]  Senator  Van  Uureii  to  Jesse  Unit,  Attorney. at-Law,  N.  Y. 

Georgetown,  Col'a,  Jan.  23,1822. — Dear  Sir :  Be  so  good  as  to  deliver  the  enclosed,  \Vc 
have  nothing  new  here.  The  Batikrupt  Bill  is  under  discussion  iti  the  liiiuse — its  fate  is  becnni. 
ing  more  douhti'ul.  Please  to  get  and  send  me  the  Aiinrican  coutaitiius.'  ilii'  numbers  of  'the 
Federalist  of  1789'  published  last  summer.  In  haste,  your  friend,         M.  V.  BURKN. 

[No.  108.]  Senator  Van  Buren  to  .lesse  Hoyt. — Washinoton,  Jan.  28,  1822, — I  have  this 
moment  received  yours,  for  which  1  ihatik  you,  and  beg  of  you  tis  a  favor  to  write  me  ot'ten  in 
the  subject  ot  the  interesting  concertis  that  iigitale  you.  I'or  the  present,  I  have  only  to  say  that 
1  never  heard  of  the  report  that  Mr.  Sanford  would  not  accept  one  of  the  vaennt  missions  until  the 
receipt  of  your  letter.  Mr.  Kinj.',  however,  heard  such  a  suggestion.  I  am  liowcver  entirely  con. 
fident  that  that  report  had  no  intluence  on  t.ie  question. 

In  haste,  yours  truly,        M.  V.  BUREN. 


No  Bitrktail  no  Office— a  sinsular  Chnncenj  sah — 'Slop  nnj  Newspu^ifi-' 
[No,  109.]  Speaker  Livingston,  to  .lessc  Hoyt,  N,  York.  Ar.nANV,  March  Sfi,  [lf*)l-2.] 
Dear  Hoyt:  I  was  unable  to  procure  the  appointment  of  Ward  as  an  E.vaniiner  in  Chai-cun' 
as  they  thought  here  that  HE  HAD  NOT  BEEX  A  HCCKTAIL  LONG  ENOU(ni,  ami 
they  would  not  let  your  merits  count  in  his  favor:  I  therefore  changed  my  ground  and  had  you 
appointed.t  I  hope  this  will  be  grateful  to  you  ntid  my  friend  Wtiid.  Let  Word  act  as  your 
sworn  clerk.  It  is  supposed  the  legislature  will  adjourn  about  the  lOth  of  April :  the  sooner  thi' 
better.  Everything  in  the  political  way  goes  on  smoothly.  Young  looks  as  if  he  had  been  hied  ; 
I  feel  sorry  for  ur»succes.sful  candidates.  I  think  in  this  state  we  ottght  to  have  a  peculia' 
prayer  for  such  people,  and  especially  one  in  the  common  Prayer  Book.  I  shall  soon  have  the  plea- 
sure of  seeing  you,     Write  me  a  long  letter.  Yours  sincerely,         E.LIVINGSTON. 

[No.  110.]  Same  to  same.  Ai.haw  post  mark.  May  14,  182—."  I  have  abandoned  tt'l 
idea  of  settling  at  Albany.  The  ehaticellor  has  been  .so  much  perplexed,  harrassed  of  late  thai 
he  this  day  permits  his  funiiture  to  be  sold  at  sheriff's  sale  and  bouaht  in.j  This  will  be  tny 
apology  to  you  for  this  short  letter  *  *  *  Seymour,  it  is  supposed,  is  elected  in  the  Wcr- 
tern  District.  Make  me  one  of  the  Committee  in  the  first  ward  [of  N.  Y.]  for  mmindtine  Tell 
Hatch  to  attend  to  it." 


v>  ■ 

I, ' 


t  Hiimmon<l  tells  in  m  imje  1  |i>  of  liu  2n<l  vojnnic,  tlint  iinilcr  the  liiw  of  |.nrty,  then  mid  now  pfpvniliii",  the 
Ouvernor  most  cnrry  lot,,  ellerl  the  wishes  of  his  polilicnl  fricn.ls ;  that  is,  ho  is  a  more  tool  of  the  fucti  ,  nf  e 
hour.  Riicl  mu8t  ono.e  to  the  Seiinle  i.s  lit  cao,ll,hites  for  otlico,  whocvvr  a  caoc.i,  or  coutity  inuiority  of  po  iticimj 
mfiydiotnte.    This  is  setting  re|.ol.Iioiiii  ?<.vcriiniPiil  nt  .Icliniice.  '    »>.l>>niy       poiiuumu 

It  hnd  been  the  custom  toapix.int  ii  iiotnry  iinhhnforeiich  hnnlcnnd  ns  he  wns  n  hank  nffpnt  tliPDireptors  nnmeil 
urn,  without  relerence  to  lus  p.miics.    The  niiiended   constilolion  vuraloH  nil  olIice,-(;hester  Bilklev    telle?' 
the  state  bank  All'miv,  was  renommended  by  the  Directors  f„r  re-appointoienl.     lie  was  a  nmral  ma  i  of  hieh  ■!  nr 
acter,  and  an  elder  of  B.  F.  Biitler's  favorite  rhureh,  hot  heeanse  he  .litfered  n  little  fr,.m  Van  R  ?en"s  Zvi-n- 
r.i,  system,  the  senate  re.iected  Governor  Yates's  no.nlnafi.oi,  and  refused  to  let  that  pettv  nfflee  he  filled  hvnnv 

'»:a  v!.''wSo;:^irprndero/l^'";ubiic""''' """ """'""' """  "•"•'  """=""""^  '■"' "'"  '""''^'°"  «'■  v--  b-- 

t  Can  tliit  allude  to  Chancellor  Keut? 

1 


:t  offices. 

enrer,  Crolius,  ifc. 
t,  New  York. 
!m  disposed  to  be  in  good 
rty  in  ills  persoiiui  sqi.ab. 

his  persoiiiil  maligniiy. 
e  ilie  acpiirate  iiispecijna 
S.  our  people  dent  know 
I  wish  our  people  w.iulj 
to  iiave  a  small  body  of 
ice — and  Adams's  letter, 
iinon  man,  Goveinfir,  I 
ncer  on  the  bpnoh,  «  Inch 
los.-iblo,  and  attend  to  my 

pssilili' — il"  not,  [  will  f»,.t 
)ple  hep",  that  our  nieiii. 
I  to  he  P.  M.at  Alhany.: 
Crolius  speaker,  and  liic 
you  will  find  ways  anj 
re  friend, 

K.  LIVINGSTON. 

^aw,  N.  Y. 

leliver  the  enclosed.  We 
lliiiise — iin  (■|it(!  is  beconi. 
miim  llie  nimiberH  ot'  '  the 
d,        M.  V.  BURKN. 


1.  28,  1822.— I  have  tin. 
iivor  to  write  iiii>  ol'ieii  in 
■nt,  I  have  only  to  say  that 
e  Viiennt  missions  until  the 
I  urn  liowever  entirely  cun. 


AI.  V.  BUREN. 


n/  Newxpniirr.' 

HANV,  ]\Iareii  2(1,  [IW-i.' 

n  E.xaniiner  in  Cliaii'-ery, 

LONG  ENOUCUI,  ami 
I  my  ground  and  had  ydii 
I.  Let  Ward  aet  as  your 
li  of  April :  the  sooner  the 
iks  as  if  li(>  had  been  bled  ; 
oupht    ti)  have  a  peculitir 

I  shall  soon  have  the  plea- 
i;.  LIVINGHTON. 

— .''  I  have  abandoned  nil 
ed,  bairassed  of  late  thai 
It  in.J  This  will  be  my 
d,  is  eleeted  in  the  Wrs- 
L]  for  rjominating.     Tell 


tliPii  mid  now  prpvnilin?.  tlip 
ipre  tiHil  of  the  fiicijoii  of  llie 
county  umjority  ol  |iolitieiiiin 

nnk  njfptit  tlin  Direotorji  ntitneil 
en— Chester  Bulklev,  teller  ii( 
viis  a  mural  iiinn  oriiieli  chiir- 
from  Vnn  nuren's  parfv  cm- 
t  petty  nfflee  he  filled  bv  luiv 
i-li  hank  stork,  directors,'  oHi- 
>r  the  elevutiun  of  Van  Buroii 


HARD  TIMES  WITH  VAN   BUREN — LIVIN'GST0N'.S  GO.SSIP. 


187 


[No.  111.]  M.  V.  Buren,  to  Jes'se  Hoyt. — Ai.ba.ny,  June  2d,  1S22.  Dear  Sir:  I  wish  you 
would  pay  my  old  friend  Mr.  Carter.t  what  I  owe  bun,  and  nsk  him  to  discontinue  hispoper.  It 
IS  UNNECESSARY  TO  SAY  that  I  am  influenced  in  this  solely  by  a  necp.ssitij  to  curtail  my  expenses  of 
that  f'escription  which  are  too  heavy.  Your  fri'.Mul,        M.  V,  BUREN. 

Uhhoeffer  praised — Gibbons  the  Butclmr — Hoyt — Van  Uurea — Officcn — Swearing,  ijc. — Jacob 

Barker, 
[No.  IIQ.]  Edward  Livingston,  Albanv,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y. 

June  3,  1822.  Early  in  the  morning  and  quite  warm  at  Albany,  alter  sundry  refreshing 
showers.  My  dear  Hoyt :  *  *  *  *  *  Ynur  friend  Don  Jann,  queer  as  it  imiy  seem,  reminds 
me  of  Lord  Coke,  for  he  says  that  it  is  not  trom  m:-ny  booUs  that  a  man  deiiveih  knowledge,  but 
from  the  well  undersiandini;  of  a  few.  *  *  x  Mr.  Vnn  Buren  is  here,  but  intends  going  to 
Schoharie  this  week  with  Judge  Sckinner,  to  ste  Sutherland.  How  does  Ulshosffer  come  on? 
1  sincerely  hope  they  will  not  be  able  to  break  him  down,  as  I  ihink  hitn  the  flower  of  the  tloek,  and 
indeed  his  frankness  and  steadiness  must  always  connnend  him  to  the  l\cpul>lir.'in  parly  as  oni^oi  ha 
hpst  men.  About  your  being  crazy,  I  do  not  feel  alarmed,  tor  you  hiive  already  had  the  strength 
fit' your  nerves  tried,  and  they  have  not  been  found  wanting.  '  '  *  ilnw  would  you  like 'I'alcott 
lor  chief  justii-e  ?  Gibbons  the  buloher  wants  to  be  nmyor  of  Albany,  and  Southwick  goveriwr. 
Hiiz/.a  for  universal  sullrage  ;  when  connected  with  universal  knowledge  and  liones'ty,  you  would 
perhaps  add,  to  make  it  a  little  safe.  How  does  Judire  W.  W.  Van  Ness  come  on,  and  is  Wm. 
P.  going  to  South  America  ?     Amen,  so  lie  it,  says  .lesse.    ■    *   '^  ''' 

Yours  Miicerely,        ED.  LIVINGSTON. 

[No  113.]  The  same  to  snmc.  Albaw,  July  18.  Irt22.—  *  *  *  *  *  We  h;ul  a  fmlic,  4th 
of  .luly,  about  12  miles  below  the  city,  Judge  Buel,  J,  Stevenson,  Peter  Gunsevoort,  &,e.  We 
had  a  turtle  feast  at  Cruttenden's  about  eit'ht  or  ten  diiys  since,  when  !  sat  between  Mawne 
Blfecker  and  Mat.  Van  Bnren,  and  received  from  the  hitter  sundry  pniteslations,  &.c.  The  For. 
nines  of  Nigel  i  shall  commence  this  evening,  and  hope  they  may  Ik  better  than  either  yours  or 
mine.  *  *  You  will  Inive  svarin  work  this  fall  in  New  York.  If  ynu  cm  git  on  ilie  [Assembly] 
ticket  you  will  (frankly)  disappoint  me  as  much  as  you  have  your  Albany  trnaids.  They  a.-ked 
here,'  Who  is  this  Hoyt  of  New  York  that  w;.,?  engnge;'  in  a  cause  in  Rhode  Island,  with  Web- 
ster, &c?'  '  The  store  keeper,'  said  I.  •  The  Store  keeper  1'  said  they — '  well,  what's  this  world 
a  coining  to !' 

Aluanv,  July  24,  1822. — My  Dear  .Tesse,  *  *  *  *  The  people  here  are  such  cursed  misan- 
ihroiies,  in  their  dispositions  that  I  feel  convinced  you  gave  the  city  of  Albany  its  true  character, 
while  I  labored  under  an  error. 

[No.  114.]  August  13, 1822,  Ai.i3ANV.  (Please /<«)•»  this  lei'er.)  Dear  Hoyt  *  *  *  *  since 
my  last  letter  I  have  beard  your  wonderful  perseverance  and  various  other  estimable  qualities 
extolled  by  your  friend  Butler.  I  would  fain  tell  the  rest,  hut  will  not  make  you  vain.  *  *  * 
Beware  of  a  restless  desire  to  know  what  is  said  of  yourself,  for  Solimnui  saveth,  "  Take  heed  to 
all  words  that  are  spoken,  lest  thou  hear  thy  servant  eur.-^e  tliee."  »  *  *  Court  was  very  full 
:his  morning.  Judge  Van  Ness  made  .some  motions—  Buel  wants  to  be  Senator  from  this  district ; 
pii  does  Dudley — Talcott,  Sutherland,  and  Wnodworth  are  currently  spoken  of  as  Judges  of  the 
Siipicme  Court.  All  in  doubt  about  Ciiancellor.  How  svonKl  you  like  S;ivage  for  Attorney 
General  and  Duer  for  Comptroller?  *  *  *  I  have  left  ofV  Swearing,  Chewing,  and  Smoking,  and 
Drinking.  What  a  Deril  ot'n  mi.xture !  '■  *  *  The  old  rule  was  to  briuii  your  mind  to  your 
situation — the  greatest  misery  in  the  world  is  poverty  coupled  with  mngniliceni  notions.  Bo 
moderate  :  begin  with  eider  and  get  up  to  wine — not  with  wine  and  emiie  down  to  eider.  *  •  * 
Who  would  make  the  best  Chancellor — Harmanus  Bleecker,  Nathan  Stinford,  or  iacob  Barker? 
They  say  Barker  is  the  only  man  who  will  be  able  to  keep  up  with  in  the  rapidity 

and  wildness  of  his  decisions — but  thay  say  tlitit  neither  Van   Bnren   nor  Jacob  will   take  it. 
No  telling  what  wuukl  take  place  if  Southwick  should  succeed  I   *  '   *  Believe  me,  as  ever, 

Your  sincere  friend,  E.  LIVINGSTON. 


E.  Livingston  to  Jrssr  Hoyt — ffnyt's  appointment — ihr  Elections. 
[No.  11.';.]  At.BANY,  November  1.  1822. 

Dear  Hoyt:  l  have  just  received  your  letter  staling  Ihul  my  dear  friend,  Mr.  Cooper,  had 
made  a  vacancy  for  you  to  fill  up.  To  thank  him  becomiuL-ly,  would  be  my  great  joy.  Now, 
in  sobc-r  truth,  what  could  be  better  than  to  have  you  and  Gardiner  both  here  ?  You  have  ex- 
ceeded my  expectations,  for  I  did  not  think  that  you  could  aet  the  nomination.  Gardiner,  1  al- 
ways  thought  could  come  when  he  pleased  to  make  the  clfort.  The  ticket  is  a  good  one,  and 
one  I  hope  that  will  be  popular.  Alas.'  poor  .hinius  has  too  romantic  a  nauie  for  a  legislator. 
He  had  better  go  too  New  England  and  get  christened  afresh.  Our  people  heie  were  all  in  hopes 
that  you  would  get  the  nomination,  and  1  doubt  not  will  be  joyful  on  the  occasion.     We  calcu- 

t  Nathaniel  II.  Carter  was  editor  of  the  N.  Y.  Stntestnnn,  nnH  one  ot  the  stenographers  who  hail  repotted  Mr.  Van 
Burcn's  tpe  chei  in  the  state  cunveiitiuu  at  Albany  the  year  before. 


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KOYT  A    LEGISLATOR — SECttETARY  YATE^— KUS^^ELL  II.  KEVINS. 


late  to  get  in  our  Senators,  and  to  elect  Jesse  Buel,  who  is  nlrciidy  spoken  of  as  Speaker,  in  case 
he  should  be  elected  ;  but  this  is  inter  nos.  In  Ontario,  General  Swift  and  his  ticket  will  prevail. 
Omnge  county  is  said  to  be  in  trouble — Evans,  it  is  said,  will  be  elected  to  Congress  in  his  dis- 
trict, by  the  Clintonians  and  leaders.  In  Ontario,  Dudley  Marvin,  a  self-nominated  geniloman, 
together  with  Rose,  a  regular  candidate,  it  is  stated,  will  be  elected  to  Congress.  Sanford  js 
spoken  of  pretty  currently,  for  Chief  Justice,  and  Sutherland  and  Woodworih  as  the  side  h\n\. 
tices.  Do  not  give  nie  as  the  author  of  any  political  speculations  of  this  kind,  or  of  any  other 
kind.  This  is  intended  merely  for  your  own  information  and  amusement.  Remember  mo  tu 
Gardiner,  Ward,  &,c.,  and  believe  me,  Yours,  sincerely,         E.  LIVINGSTON. 

P.  S. — Lorenzo  has  just  been  here,  and  his  eyes  are  as  big  as  a  tm  saucer,  and  he  aipoarsto 
be  rather  glad,  or  so.  I  saw  Bowne  at  the  Reading  Room,  and  he  says  he  is  glad  you  arp  en 
the  ticket — likes  the  ticket,  &c.  He  appears  to  be  well  pleased  to  be  out  of  the  way,  diirinii 
these  troublesome  times  in  New  York.  I  shall  he  most  happy  to  .send  you  the  Rules  of  ihe. 
House,  as  likewise  the  other  Members  after  you  shall  have  been  duly  elected.  "  The  JTnmrahlc 
Mr.  Iloyf — it  looks  well, and  hope  it  will  sound  well.     Amen. 

Secretary  .J.  V.  N.  Yates's  Courteous  E]nstle  to  a  Member  elect. 
[No.  llC]  John  Van  Ness  Yates,  Albany,  to  .Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y. 

Albany,  November  8th,  182r}. — Dear  Sir  :  Permit  me  to  congratulate  you  on  your  election  lo 
the  Assembly.  I'o  find  an  Albanian  after  so  short  a  residence  in  the  metropolis  of  our  siatp, 
rising  into  notice,  and  securing  the  confidence  of  his  republican  brethren,  is  no  small  jjroi.i 
of  merit,  and  argues  that  those  who  bestow  and  he  that  receires  can  equally  penetrate  into, 
and  justly  appreciate  the  character  of  a  friend.  Republicanism  has  triumphed  in  this  county, 
Federalism  has  died  in  agonies.     Mr.  R.  Ten  Hroeck  of  this  city,  a  good,  clever,  poor  fellow, 


and  a  good  active  republican,  wishes  to  be  a  door-keeper  of  the  house,  &p. 


I  am,  dear  sir,  sincerely  yours, 


IJ.  V.  N.  YATF.S. 


Van  Buren  not  fond  of  the.  third  hearens  in  the  ]\[.  iT. 
[No.  117.]  [To  J.  Hoyt.]— Nov.  14,  1803.  Dear  Sir— Why  did  I  not  see  more  of  you 
at  New  York?  Judge  Skinner,  General  Marcy  and  myself  will  come  down  with  Saturday's 
boat,  and  wish  you  to  engage  rooms  for  us  at  the  Mechanics'  Hull.  If  he  can  give  us  his  liiijp 
parlor  for  a  sitting  room  and  bed  rooms,  it  will  be  well ;  if  not  any  other  good  rooms  will  dn,  s.) 
that  ihey  be  not  too  high.  I  would  rather  stay  onboard  a  vessel  than  go  into  his  third  heaven?. 
If  you  cannot  do  better  you  may  let  General  Marcy's  room  be  on  high,  and  he  can  have  th»use 
of  my  room  to  do  his  business  in,  &.c.  In  haste,  your  friend,        M.  V.  BUREN. 

Awcll  known  Wall  St,  Broker's  Instructions  to  a  lieprcsenlatire  nf  Tammany  Hall,  in  1823— 
No  small  notes — Don't  tax  the  Banks — Danger  from  the  U.S.  B. — fully  of  Connecticut — the 
'   way  Bank  Capital  is  created  in  N.  Y. — Our  State  Securities — those  of  Pa. — Keep  cool, 
R.  H.  Nevins,  Broker,  Wall  street,  N.  Y.,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  House  of  Assembly,  Albany. 
[No.  118.]  New  York,  .fanuary  2.3,  1893.     Dear  Hoyt :  I  did  not  mean  to  be  under- 

stood as  opposed  to  the  passage  of  Mr.  Rathbone's  Bill,  only  so  tar  as  it  falls  short  of  what  I 
think  it  ought  to  be.  1  think  the  circulation  of  all  Bank  Notes  less  than  Jive  dollars,  should  br 
prohibited.  In  mentioning  the  objections  to  his  Bill,  it  was  rather  to  encourage  a  more  extensive 
prohibition,  than  to  recommend  none  ra  all.  Perhaps  his  view  of  the  matter  is  more  correct  than 
mine — and  it  might  be  attempting  too  mucii  to  go  further  at  this  time. 

As  to  the  alarming  project  of  Ta.xation,  it  is  one  which  I  hope  may  be  arrested.  When  1 
reflect  upon  the  proud  pre-eminence  of  our  State ;  the  high  character  of  its  public  securitiei", 
the  solidity  and  respectability  of  the  most  of  our  chartered  Institutions  ;  when  I  see  New  York 
stand  alone  among  her  sister  states,  an  Emjnre,  as  it  v>ere,  surrounded  by  tributani  Frovinees. 
all  looking  up  to  her  for  examples  of  .lound  Wisdom,  of  magnaiiiinoiis  ptdiey  ;  confiding  in  the 
belief  that,  as  hitherto  she  has  been  thft  great  repository  of  their  wealth,  so  will  she  continus  to 
be.  When  I  perceive  such  a  fair  fabric;  of  political  grandeur  about  to  be  overthrown,  or  at  lensi 
undermined,  I  cannot  forbear  repealing  the  sentiment  so  often  in  every  .nan's  mouth,  "  Whom 
God,"  &c.  &c. 

Do  the  men  at  Albany  consider  how  far  the  effects  of  such  a  measure  may  reach  ?  It  will  not 
simply  touch  the  pockets  of  the  rich.     The  inhabitant  of  the  Log  House  will  feel  it  too.     Why 

t  Mr.  YnleR  was  a  son  of  Cliief  .Iiistinc  Yatei.  n  distant  relnlion  of  .loscpli  {'.  Yntes,  a  l.nvyi'r,  Imd  l)eoii  Recir- 
«l«r  ol"  Albfiny,  tilieil  Ihe  oHice  of  Hecrelary  of  StHto  in  l>*i-i,  nnd  criiivnssLMl  niriiinst  Yhiimi;  nnd  for  Ida  own  niimc- 
snke,  as  the  bu'iklail  cniidirlnte  tor  JJuvoriior,  wlio  siicpeciled  in  Nov.  l&ii,  and  had  Ihc  distrdintion  nf  the  Brunt 
(itfices  of  state,  under  the  new  constilntion.  In  Fel).  IH-.2:i,  ihn  Inicktnil  luHisialure  reappointed  .1  V.  N.  Y.  in 
Secretary,  and  Many  as  Comptroller.  (Jen.  Tallmadse  was  Marty's  ooinpctitor ;  but  Van  Ruren,  though  at 
VVaihington,  did  his  utmost  to  oppose  Young  and  Cmmer's  intluenre,  which  lliey  vainly  exerted  for  Tallmadpe. 
Mr.  Y'ltes  was  a  friend  of  Adams,  and  opposed  lo  Ihe  f^rawfurd,  Van  Rurou  parly—and  in  Fel).  Ir^Jti,  he  was  re 
moved  by  the  legislature,  8.1  votes  to  37,  and  A.  i'.  I'lajrsf.  elected  Secretary  of  State;  with  Marcy  again  as  comp 
Holler,  and  Talcotl  nlloruey-general.  \'ates  is  descriliod  by  Hammond  us  rather  lax  in  his  moral*,  sociable,  and 
of  engaging  manners  :  he  was  much  ntlfiched  to  riintmi,  not  ton  fond  of  Tompkins,  liked  Houlliwick,  and  wn!>  div 
lined  by  Ambrose  Spencer  for  not  si:i.;    rting  Modisoii  in  Ihe  early  >ilag»s  nf  Ihe  war. 


A  WALL 

is  it  that  a  Farm( 
(jueiitly  his  own  r 
be  attempted?  ) 
l)e  invested.  WI 
10  borrow.  Will 
eniption  of  the  Ci 
not  the  argument 
the  United  States 
now  in  high  exul 
wishes  had  expee 
l,ecn  for  a  long  t 
Will  they  not  rat! 
apprehensions  wl 
The  .States  of  Co 
iiig  Bank  Stock. 
Ill  some  instance 
The  next  place  it 

I  understand  it 
jiciiy  taxed  in  thi 
aiiionnt  of  Bank 

Suppo::e  we  hr 
ifynii  please.  V\ 
milie  city  ?  VVl 
!ars  of  specie,  an^ 

Suppose,  for  ai 
Bunk  i^luiies.  II 
likely  as  not  may 
flit  of  the  miir 
whiile  [n mount  i 
111  borrow  of  the 
iials  are  niade  it 
I  tonal  property  tt 

Contrast  the  c 
I  Is  there  one  of  t 
I  Canal  stock  of 
I  «lm'h  (interest) 
1 11"  per  cent.  0 
I  limy  lie  said  tha 
ihire  is  force 
si'lf  will  be  ve 
I  iir  108  ))er  ecu 

Write  me 

I  w\?.     Dont  ge 

I  :n  every  day 

',01'  speak   of 

if  their  error 


in 
ry 
nt. 

■t 

m 


[No.  119.1 

Ni;\v  York, 

lo-niorrow  m(U' 

vniir  attention 

|ii'r  iindir  the  ti 

tMr.  Russel  II 
liiTt  finllatm  p'psi 

Jfiil.  Chiirli' 
'i-lls  (,s  iliiii  Mr.  I' 
liinl,  Viin  llnrcn 
;U1  .\».i»lMUl  I'.  M 
iiiii.itor  of  \Vi\.-liiii 
itr  nf  (,'pncral  ,l"l 
llevi.lulion.  mill  i 
itiiit  look  Ihc  leiu* 
Vii-c  President  sli 
Mr  Crawforil,  sai 
\vi>hes.  'I'bis  pr 
l'rii?nd«  of  ftcciloi 
|p|eilgc  to  '^Hppiirt 
usniii't  bis  idedci 


KEVINS. 

jf  as  Speaker,  in  case 
lii3  ticket  will  prevail. 
)  Congress  in  his  disl 
loniiiiated  gentlrman, 
;oiigr(ss.  Siinfiird  U 
orih  as  tlie  side  Justj. 
kind,  or  of  any  dtli^,. 
t.  Remember  ine  ij 
.  LIVINGSTON. 
:er,  and  he  appears  to 
he  is  glad  yon  ari"  en 
ut  of  the  way,  diirini,' 
ymi  the  Rules  of  the 
d.     "  T/if  Ilnnovahh 


rhrt. 


ou  on  your  election  lo 
('troi)olis  of  our  siatp 
ren,  is  no  sniall  ])rori|' 
qually  penetrate  into, 
mphed  in  this  coimiy, 
)d,  elever,  poor  felknv, 

.r.  V.  N.  YATES. 

jr. 

I  not  see  more  of  yoii 
down  witii  Saturday's 
e  ean  give  us  his  lii'ilc 
good  rooms  will  do,  s.i 
into  his  third  heavens 
nd  he  can  have  thmisc 
M.  V.  BUREN. 

imany  Hall,  in  1823— 
7i/  of  Coniifclicui — the 
if  Pa. — Keep  cool, 
Assembly,  Albany. 

not  mean  to  be  under- 
t  falls  short  of  what  I 

Jiiip  dollars,  should  hr 
irage  a  more  extensive 
er  is  more  rorreet  than 

lie  arrested.  When  I 
)f  its  publie  seruriiiP!>, 
when  I  see  New  York 
?/  tributary  Provinns. 
oliey  ;  eotitiding  in  llie 
lo  will  Hhe  eontiniie  to 
)verthrowii,  or  at  least 
lan'a  mouth,  "  Whom 

ay  reaeli  ?  It  will  not 
will  feel  it  too.     Why 

1  Inwvor,  hnd  liecii  Recor- 
inir  mill  for  his  own  niimo- 
>  illslnbiitioii  III'  the  cri^'i' 
iippiiiiiteil  ,1  V.  N.  V.  HI 
It  Vnii  Huren,  though  nt 
ly  exfifteil  for  Tftllmnilpe. 
il  In  Feh.  If^JO,  lie  wiis  re 
•Ith  Marcy  again  ns  com|i 
1  liln  mnraN.  snolable,  nnil 
I  HDiilhwIck,  ami  wnn  iliv 


A  WALL  ST.    liKOKER  UNFOLDING  TIIIJ    MV-iTURir.K  (U    STiiCIC-.tlUiUlNG. 


l.^iO 


is  it  that  a  Farmer  in  the  State  of  New  York  can  borrow  on  liis  Land,  and  thus  prevent  fre- 
quently Ids  own  ruin,  when  in  some  of  our  neighljoring  States,  such  a  thing  is  too  vain  ever  fo 
he  attempted?  What  but  our  Laws,  together  with  the  great  flow  of  capital  that  cornea  here  to 
be  invested.  When  will  the  Canal  Loans  be  ta.xed  ?  Wiien  the  Stale  has  no  longer  occasion 
to  borrow.  Will  the  holders  of  our  Batik  and  Insurance  Siock.s  have  any  confidence  in  the  ex- 
emption of  the  Canal  Stock  from  taxation  any  longer  than  the  State  wants  to  borrow  ?  Will 
not  the  argument  be  among  Men  of  Property,  that  it  is  better  to  place  their  properly  in  Stock  of 
the  United  States,  or  in  the  United  States  Bank  ?  Are  not  the  friends  of  ilie  latter  looking  on 
now  in  high  exultation  at  the  prospect  of  their  prediction  coming  about  sooner  than  their  own 
wishes  had  expeeted  it?  "The  United  Utiitcs  Bank  will  crush  all  the  State  Banks.''  This  has 
1,0011  for  a  long  time  the  cry.  Will  our  Legislature  do  all  they  can  to  help  on  such  a  result? 
Will  ihey  not  rather  put  a  stop  at  once  to  the  whole  project,  and  by  an  overwhelming  vote  quiet 
apprehensions  which  never  ought  to  have  been  raised?  Harm  enough  lia.s  been  done  already. 
The  States  of  Connecticut  and  New  .Tersey  have  driven  away  Capital  to  a  large  amount  by  tax- 
ing  Bank  Stock.  Real  Estate  has  fallen  in  various  parts  of  these  States  to  half  what  it  was ;  and 
111  some  instances  the  depreciation  has  been  two-tliirds.  What  has  left  them  has  come  tons. 
The  next  place  it  will  go  to  if  the  tax  passes,  will  be  into  United  States  Bank  Slock,  &c. 

I  niidersiand  it  lo  be  a  very  frequent  remark  of  those  in  favor  of  taxing,  that  the  personal  pro- 
].irty  taxed  in  the  city  of  New  York,  is  very  small  to  what  il  ought  to  be  ;  and  in  proof  of  it,  the 
aiiioiint  (if  Bank  Capital,  &c.,  is  cited. 

Biippo:-e  we  have  a  new  bank  in  the  Bowery,  with  a  million  cajiital — or  let  it  be  five  millions 
il'yini  please.  VVill  any  man  undertake  to  say  it  would  increase  the  amount  of  per.«onal  property 
in  ilie  city  ?  VV  hat  would  be  neces.saty  to  make  up  such  a  bank  !  (>nly  a  few  thousand  dol- 
lars of  specie,  and  bank  credits  for  the  balance. 

Suppose,  for  argument  sake,  a  man  is  v.'orth  $10,000,  and  it  consists  of  100  United  States 
Pimk  .shares,  lie  would  subscribe  to  a  new  Btink — lie  borrows  ijlj  10,000  on  his  stock — and  as 
likely  as  not  may  put  down  for  four  time's  that  sum  in  the  new  concern,  for  probably  25  per 
out  of  the  money  may  be  all  that  is  called  for,  and  his  notes  for  the  balance.  Or,  if  the 
whiile  [amount  of  sinek  at  once]  is' to  be  paid  in,  it  is  only  for  him  by  a  little  mnnagement 
in  borrow  of  the  Bank,  or  of  A.  B.  and  C,  by  a  pledge  of  his  stock.  B(  I'.old  then  how  our  cap- 
iinls  are  made  up  I — .'fjioOjOOO  !  where  there  is  only  in  fact  ,<5ilO,000.  Verily  there  is  more  per- 
sonal |iio|)erly  taxed  than  exists. 

Contrast  the  character  of  our  State  seenrilies  with  any  around  tis,  or  in  any  part  of  the  Union. 
Is  there  one  of  the  whole  number  that  has  the  least  credit  in  a  foreign  couniry  I  There  is  a 
I'imal  stock  of  the  State  of  Peiui'iylvania,  bearing  an  interest  of  fi  per  cent,  ihe  payment  of 
tthich  (interest)  is  giuiranleed  for  twi'nty  years  by  the  Stale,  and  it  now  sells  in  Philadelphia  at 
!17  per  cent.  Our  (,'anal  slock  having  twenty  three  years  to  run  will  bring  110;  per  cent  :  il 
iii:iy  be  said  thai  the  Pennsylvania  does  not  a'lar  Mitee  the  ultinnite  payment  of  the  principal, 
ihire  is  force  in  the  remark;  biii  to  make  np  for  that  there  is  every  prospect  thai  the  Canal  it- 
silf  will  be  very  produrlire.  Such  a  stock  in  our  State  I  have  not  a  doubt  would  be  worth  107 
111  108  per  cent. 

Write  me   tigain  atid  ollen.     1  promise  yon  I   will  not  asiain  trouble  you  with  any  long  let. 

:ii«.     Doni  gel  out  of  patience  when  you  see  Men  act  like  fools,  remembering  always  that  it  is 

in  every  day  matter,  and  would  keep  one  always   in  a   ferment,     I  make  this   remark  because 

op  speak   of  being  tired  of  legislation.     Keep  cool   and  try  lo  persuade  our  country  friends 

if  their  error  Yours  in  much  frienilship,  tR,  IL  NEVINS. 

The  Sentinel  to  be  the  jVew  York  Patriot — C.  K.  Gardner. 

[No.  110.1  W.  Wilev,  New  York,  to  .Tesse  lloyi  at  Al!iany. 

Ni:\v  York,  January  2(>,  1H2.'1.     Dear  Sir:  The  bearer,  Mr.  Keiehum,  proceeds  to  Albany 

lo-morrow  moininsi.and  I  have  availed  myself  of  the  opportunity  of   leiidering  my  thanks  for 

vniir  attention  to  the  SKNTiNt-i..     A  prospuMus  is  issued  for  the  estaiilishment  of  a  daily  news- 

|ii'r  under  the  title  of  the  t"  ^^V/('   York  ralrint,"  whieh  we  expect   to  be  able  to  is.sue  within  a 

tMr.  niissfl  II.  NVviiis  was  one  oniie  Viro  Pre^iilenls  of  the  ureal  Aiili  'roxns-aiinexatloii  infietiiiR,  al  whirh  Al- 
krl  rinllatiii  p'PiiiiliMl  in  the  'rahernaeie,  Hromlwny,  .New  York. 

t  ('ill.  Clnrli's  K.  Cnriliiftr  ciiniliiclpil  tlip  Pnlrint,  !Mr.  Henry  W'lionloi;  niilod  in  frpttliiir  it  np,  and  Ilnniinonil 
!i-lls  n  |]iiit  Mr.  Ciilhoiiii  vpiy  prolialilv  Pxerloil  hiiiiscll' in  starling  it.  Il  tmik  a  ileciilod  stMinl  a^'aiinl  Criiw- 
linl,  Van  lliircn.  and  hi"  KcL'em'v.  (Iiiriliicr  liail  liecn  aid  lo  (Jeiil.  Ilrnwii  dnriiij;  the  war.  nnil  was  nftcrwards 
iiii  .h>i»eiiil  1'.  M.  <lirii'ral.  This  oliii-e  hi"  ii^'nin  lillpil  under  Harry  and  KoiiiImII,  iitid  it  i>  snid  lliiil  he  is  now  piisl- 
iiiiistur  of  WnKhinj-ton,  in  iirpfi-rpiire  to  Kondall,  liy  the  p\prp««  de-iro  of  Mr.  I'olk.  Mr.  ( la rdiier  married  r.  da npli- 
leroft.'piipral  .lohii  McLean,  of  N.  V..  an  otlirpr  wlio  fi)nj.'ht  sidp  liy  side  with  (JpcrtrP  Ciintini  in  tlio  days  of  the 
iliivi.lnlinn.  and  ii  said  lo  lie  friendiv  to  that  cxpellcnt  PiliiPiitional  nieasiiro,  ('hpiiji  I'lislapp.  'I'IipNpw  Vork  I'li- 
Uiirt  took  the  lead  in  oppnsitiini  to  Van  lliirpii's  rawcns  noini.iiilinns.  and  nr;;ed  that  Ihe  plpirlorn  of  President  and 
Vire  I'resident  shniihl  not  lie  ehosen  liv  the  nieinhersof  the  Locishitiire,  lint  hv  t!;p  pporle.  Iflhn  ]ipople  lire  for 
Mr  Crawford,  said  liip  I'lilriol,  lot  Ihein  have  Ihe  eloclion,  and  the  niiinirity  will  rlipprfnlly  nijrpp  to  their  dephireil 
WKhes.  This  nrnposnl  wan  resisted  hy  Van  Huren,  Thii-p,  \Vii(;lit,  Ilniler.  I/evt,  Marey  and  other  prptendeil 
liiijials  of  freedom,  hnl  assented  to  hy  Governor  Clinton  and  his  snii|inrlprs,  Wriirht.  elerted  ii  senator  under  n 
|ileilf!e  to  support  a  hill  ,';iviii{,'  Ihe  peiiple  Ihe  elioii-n  of  idpelor--,  wlieelid  intii  line  under  Van  linreii  and  vnteil 
ueninst  \t\i  niedfc;. 


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190        THE  ALDANY  Ar>GUS  A  POLITICAL  JIAC.MINF,,  MOVED  BV  V.  BUREN  &  CO. 

short  period.     The  Sentinel  will  ihen,  of  course,  be  merged,  and  our  subscribers  served  wiih  the 
daily  paper.    •     *    *     *    * W.  VVILEV. 

..4  Central  Press,  under  Van  Bnren's  control,  essential  to  the  successful  working  of  his  Party 

JLicluuery. — The  Albany  Argus. 

[No.  120.]  Senator  Van  Buren  to  his  friend  Jesse  Hoyt.  Jan'y  31,  1823. 

I\Iy  L)eai- 6ir  ;  lam  overwhelmed  with  the  account  of  poor  Cantine's  death  I  know  that 
nothinij  from  me  can  be  necessary  tosreure  your  zealous  attention  to  Mrs.  Cantine's  interest,  if 
anything  can  be  done  for  her.  1  hiive  written  to  Mr.  Hoes  to  beat  Albany  ;  you  will  rtnd  hiin 
a  must  usetul  man.  I  hiive  also  written  to  Mr.  Biiel,  which  letter  I  Wiiiit  you  to  see.  Among 
you  all  you  must  do  the  best  vou  can.  if  anytliine  can  be  done  for  Mrs.  C.  I  hi'pe  and  be. 
lieve  norepnbhcan  will  oppo.^e  it.  Mil.  HOWS  A.\0  MYSELF  AHE  lll::SPONSlBLli  TO 
Mil.  BUiiL  FOR  $1500  of  the  list  payment.  If  nothinp;  better  can  be  done,  no  person  ought 
ut  least  to  be  appointed  mho  had  nut  prcrioui^hi purchased,  the  establishment ;  and  under  no  circum- 
stances ought  ami  one  take  appointed  who  is  not  a  sound,  practicable,  and,  A\iOV\'j  ALL, 
DISCREET  rrpnblican.  WirdOUT  A  PAPER  THUS  EDITED  AT  ALBANY  WB 
I\1.\Y  HANG  OUR  HARPS  0\  THE  WH.LOWS.t  \Vithit,the  ?^KTYrnn  survice  n 
thousand  such  convulsions  as  ihour  vhich  vow  a^itnte  and  prohnb'.y  alarm,  most  of  those  around 
you.  Miike  my  sincere  thanks  to  Mr.  Duer  and  Mr.  Sutherland  for  their  kind  letters,  and  tell 
them  I  will  write  them  soon.  In  haste,  yours  truly,  M.  VAN   BUREN. 


Judge  Belts — Noah — Leake — the.  State  Printer — '  Nolo  Ejnscopari,'  with  variations — '  my  views 

are  humble.' 

[No.  121.]         Fi.Ktracts  of  letters.  Judge  Michael  UlshoefTer,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  Albany. 

N»w  York,  Feb.  .*),  1823.— Dear  Sir:  -^  *  *  All  eyes  are  directed  towards  Albany,  and 
your  proceedings  h'lve  been  of  siieh  a  chanicter  as  to  keep  alive  public  intere.-i  and  expectation, 
Let  me  kuow  who  is  to  bo  put  in  [.ludi;e]  Bcti^'s  place? — who  will  be  comptroller — and  why  the 
app  )intineu's  to  be  made  by  the  li'ixlslatiire  arc  nehiyed — who  is  to  be  our  circuit  and  first  jiulgi', 
iSic?  I  retrret  to  learu  by  your  leiteis,  that  in  settling  tlie  salaries  of  the  Judges,  some  feeling^ 
growing  out  of  the  nominations,  may  be  experienced.  It  u'as  a  surprise  to  me  thnt  Governor 
Yates  nominated  the  Judges  before  their  salaries  were  fi.xed  by  law.  It  was  not  good  |)oliry. 
Wns  the  strong  vote  against  Betls.  evidence  of  the  strength  of  the  opposition  to  hi>n,  or  to  llie 
Executive,  or  was  it  only  evidence  of  Young  and  Tallimidge's  strength?  Or  how  was  it  to  bo 
accounted  for  ? 

I  presmnc  that  our  city  appo'iitmcnts  are  to  be  recommended  by  the  members,  at  least  I  hnve 
been  informed  that  such  is  the  wisli  of  the  Governnr.  Will  ymir  friend  Noali  con.*ent  to  this''— for 
I  see  by  his  p;iper  that  he  rules  at  Albany,  and  that  those  who  offend  him  are  to  receive  no  quarter, 
Pray  infirm  me  whether  he  is  authoiized  to  say,  as  he  does  in  his  papir,  that  all  who  are  nut 
his  friends  had  better  stay  at  home  or  not  ofli'r  their  names  at  Albany  this  winter?  What  art 
yon  doing  about  state  printer,  will  not  Lrahe  obtain  it?  Let  me  also  know  whether  anv  o)n';i 
or  coneert-d  opposition  is  made,  or  uudiing  a^iiinst  the  Govtunor.  I  must  again  trouble  you 
respecting  a  suiall  appointment  in  this  city.  Williiun  A.  Scely,  Esq.  who.se  business  is  much  in 
the  collecting  line,  is  anxious  to  be  continued  a  notary,  and  desires  to  he  remend)eri.'d  to  you. 
Heretofore,  no  consideration  of  politics  has  uoverued  in  tlie.se  minor  appuiutnients,  and  fur  tliM 
reason  I  have  without  hesitation  written  to  you  in  behalf  of  sevcr.al  of  the  present  incimi'ien's 
^Vhnt  is  to  be  done  in  this  rcfipnct  hereafter,  you  must  detrrminr.  I  feel  some  nn.xiety  respect- 
intr  H,  Wesinrvelt,  who  wi^^lws  to  he  a  notary,  who  has  always  hern  a  republican  and  lins:i 
large  fitnily.     Do  not  forget  him.     You  see  I  have  given  you  room  to  write  me  a  long  letter  at 


your  leisure. 


Yours  trulv. 


M.  ULSHOEFFoK 


t  (In  tliH  'J.'itli  olWiiffiisI,  in  If-if),  .lo.'-e  Biiol  Inin'irorroil  liis  interest  in  tlic  Allmiiv  Arjinvto  riintiiip  t  Lorike,  ,il' 
ter  licins  six  years  ?t;Uu  printer.  The  Ciliiiiibiiiti  nf  MMri-li  ltd,  18'JI,  stiilcs  ihiU  Messrs,  llnsfonl  nf  Alliiiny  nlTcrfil 
til  dn  the  piil'lii:  iirnlinj  fur  one  Ihinl  h^ss  than  thi-  T.o?isl:itiire  nficrwnrds  agreed  ti>  |mv  ("antine  and  l.enhe,  niiil 
Mr.  .lohn  C  Spencer  \va<  (or  letlin.'t  tliem  h;ive  il  ;  Inil  t'lshnelVer  had  prcvinii-ilv  drdled  the  partv.  and  $7IK)0  (if  ;iil 
ditinnal  pnilit  ihii.s  wpiU  into  ihe  imrki'ls  iift".  and  I,.  In  I'Vlpniary  If*!!!,  siiy.-i  the  N'orlliern  WIul',  "  Martin  Vnn 
Hiiren  havin?  proriirpH  himself  tn  hp  mndr.  .Snmtar  of  the  IJiiilril  .^tnlrs  hij  the,  Irgislalive  vwt  v% — (for  the  mny 
itil  were,  a/riiinst  /(im)— 'hen  diri'i-ted  llie  f  iIImwiii^'  npimiiitinent"  td  lie  made,  viz  :  .1.  I.  Van  ,\loii.  thi)  half  hriiiliiT 
iif  Martin,  Purrni'iitc,  and  t(i  lie  the  assistant  jndjro  nf  the  ('oniindii  phias ;  .Martin's  lircther.  Ahrahaiti  Van  Hiirpii, 
t(i  lie  f'lerk  ;  a  Mr,  VViloiixnn,  wbit  is  the  iiirlner  c.f  Van  Alcn,  who  is  llic  lirnther  nf  Martin,  to  lie  Histriot  AUni 
iiev  ;  ("(irnel'ns  Ildselmitn,  wlui  is  the  lir'iihcr-in-hnv  cif  Ahraliam.  vv'in  is  t'lo  lirntlier  of  Martin,  is  an  aiRdnvil 
I'ommissidner ;  Harn.'t  Hues,  wild  istlic  lir  itlirri:i-la\v  of  Martin,  Dnpnlv  SherilVfor  KinderhdiiU  :  and  all  thoe  in 
the  rcMiMtv  df  Cnlnadiia.  Then  near  liv  in  Alhanv,  .Mines  I,  (."antine  Ihrj  lirdlhcr-iiilaw,  alsn.  of  Martin,  is  Hliili" 
Printer;  and  Ilenjainin  K.  Butler,  the  |iarlner-in7((w  nf  Mariin,  is  Distri't  .\ttnr  ley,"  "  When  Hiiel  scdd  the  .Ar/tiu." 
stivn  Hnm  ndiid,  "the  enn  ,act  u:is  prdhalily,  in  reality,  miide  with  the  leaders  of  the  democratic  party."  Iluw 
true  this  is  the  above  letter  will  slmw, 

X  Sninnol  R,  lietts.  now  V.  S.  I).  C.  ,iu\'ii\  NVw  York,  wa«  noml'iati'd  liv  (Jdvernnr  Yntnn,  in  .Iiinimrv,  IfOI,  ni 
a  supreme  court  Judge,  under  the  new  iMiistlHitimi,  and  rejected  liy  the  Senate,  while  Snthfrland,  innninati'd  villi 
hiiii,  wus  coiilirnieJ.     Uotts  wus  iio.\t  noininutcd  by  Vates  us  a.  circuit  jnd^'e,  and  the  tiiine  Senate  ussonted. 


AMERIC 

[No.  122.]- 
say  that  it  was 
I  have  no  sucl 
me  to  leave  he 
}Iy  views  are 
office  beyond  t 
intentions,  and 
will  transfer  il: 
preferable  to  in 
lious  at  A I  ban 
.eimiothly  in  fun 
roines  it  that  il 
the  lueiiihers'  \ 
,».\pectafion  of  ! 
write  to  your  ob 

The  N.  Y.  dele 
New  York  d, 
Drake  to  a  jn 
[So.  12.3.]  Jam 
New  YdHK,  1 
the  New  York  ( 
ion,  yon  stand  i 
fciitntion  from  t 
luHvever,   that  yi 
very  uncertain  a 
at  present,  I  wm 
yourselves  as  un 
lam  glad  to  fim 
it  affords  me  pie 
much  atiiusi-d  wi 
>viili  the  gr.'at   I 
iinrens,,niible  ;  a 
di'fence  of  ihein 
this  class  of  mei 
liesiiatidti  in  sn) 
by  which  denouj 
iliHir  gifaf  WfigJ 
lilt'  (•ovcrniiieiitl 
lioiis,  because  il 
teie.'ts,  that  the 
wns  a  h  ily,  ti  si 
should  have  enll 
Pi'the  war,  ihestT 
whilst  the  (Jovef 
pniciired,  they  il 
ihi'y  suii.seijnL'ntf 
"bijterated.     Y( 
fiiirt'lu'eiier  a  nJ 
Acenrdini:  therj 
liiri'h  and  ferule 
a  iiieuiher  of  tl| 
wonlth  and  inti 
iinr  have  they 
iiiiiuence,  or'oll 
pcrous  thing,  it/ 
'(^  loo  nrrogantf 
hmild  regard  i| 
10  the  guidance 

*MiVhncH'l.«h([ 
jii'lRe.«|iip,  thn  re\l 
fthe  lej;i»lalivc  : 
iiiir  to  f|>«iik  to  tl 
"ige,  and  for  thcij 
to  lie  abolished.' 


JREN  i:  CO. 

3ers  served  with  the 
W.  WILEY. 

irking  of  his  Party 

Jan'y  31, 1623. 
leath      I  know  that 
Caniine's  interest,  if 
y  ;  you  will  lind  him 
|rou  to  see.      Among 
s.  C.  I  h>'pe  and  be- 
.fc:SPONSlBLb:  TO 
)iie,  no  person  ought 
und  under  nncnv.um- 
«;«/,  AI50VKALI,, 
VT   ALBANY  WE 
.RTY  ran   survice  a 
most  of  those  around 
kind  ieuers,  Hiid  tdl 
1.  VAN  BUllEN. 

mriations — '  my  views 

Hoyt,  nt  Albnny. 

I  towards  Albany,  mid 

terc.-i  and  expectat.on. 

iptroller— and  why  the. 

circuit  and  first  jndgi', 
.Judges,  ponie  feeling, 
to  nic  thnt  Governor 

It  was  not  good  poliry. 

sition  10  him,  or  to  the 

'     Or  how  was  it  to  be 

lembcrs,  at  least  I  hnve 
all  consent  tolhis''— fnr 
re  to  receive  no  quarter, 
r,  that  all  who  are  iiui 
his  winter?  What  are 
Lnow  whether  any  (ip<.'ii 
mist  aniiin  trouble  you 
lose  liusini'?s  is  much  in 
be  remeaiben.'d  to  you. 
juintnicnts,  and  fur  tlw! 
the  pie«ent  Incnni'ipms 
el  some  nnxiety  respect- 
(7.  repiihlirnn  and  hnsa 
vritc  me  n  Ions  letter  at 
.M,  ULSllOliFFDU. 

rjjiivln  rMiitinr  t  Lc:ike,  :if 
rs.  Iliisforil  111'  Allmny  ntTerf.! 
imv<"antirie  uixl  l.enke.  niiil 
cdthe  pnrtv.nnd  $7000  iif  ill! 
".Orlliorii  Wlii'.',  •'  Mnrtin  Viin 
Uve  c.vui  I's— (  for  the  mnpr 
I.  Vnn  .Mcii.tlio  luilf  lirntluT 
iri'llicr,  Aliriiluiiu  Viin  IIikp", 
r  Martin,  tii  l)e  Oistrict  .\n<" 
ilier  of  Mnrtin,  is  an  iiifldnvil 
Kinderlindit  :  unj  rill  IliPfe  in 
-linv,  iits",  ol'  Mnrtin,  '»  Hliite 
"  VVIkmi  HiipI  siiUI  llie  Arjiiis." 
lie  ilemocrutic  imrty."    Mow 

ir  Yntpo,  in  .Inminrv,  IMT  n! 
e  Sutlifrliind,  mnniniili'd  villi 
suine  Senate  ussoniod. 


AMERICAN  MERCHANTS  DENOUNCED  AS  A  BAND  OF  ."MALIGNANT  TUAITOUS.     191 

[No.  122.]— New  York,  Feb.  18,  1623.— With  respect  to  the  Comptrollcrship,  I  can  only 
gay  that  it  was  not  desired  by  me,  and  that  I  had  so  written  betbic  I  received  your  kind  letter. 
I  have  no  such  views,  1  assure  you.  Even  that  highly  respectable  situation  would  not  tempt 
me  to  leave  here  and  reside  at  Albany:  Nor  do  I  desire  to  be  mndc  first  judge  in  any  event. 
)Iy  views  are  mine  humble,  and  I  have  no  intention  at  present  to  beiotne  a  candidate  for  any 
office  beyond  thnt  ol' a  Notary  Public.  Accept,  however,  my  gratel'ul  thanks  for  your  fiiendly 
intentions,  and  if  I  have  an  opportunity,  I  will  reciprocate.  Do  not  make  a  State  Printer,  who 
will  transfer  the  feuds  of  New  York  to  Albany,  and  throughout  the  State.  Duhiess  woidd  be 
preferable  to  indiscretion.  Do  look  to  this.  I  regret  that  the  appearance  of  things  is  unpropi- 
lious  at  Albany.  But  is  it  necessary  to  oppo.-e  Governor  Yates/  Will  not  things  go  on 
Pinoothly  in  future  ?  If  the  members  of  Assend)ly  have  recomtiiinded  llie  county  .ludges,  how 
roines  it  thiit  the  Governor  nominated  Diirsloic,  ttc.  !  Has  not  tlie  Governor  complied  with 
ihe  members'  wishes  in  this  respect?  But  I  must  conclude  with  my  queries,  in  the  c.^nfident 
fxpeetation  of  another  intereiting  letter  from  you  whenever  you  are  at  leisure,  or  in  a  humor  to 
write  to  your  ob.  st.  and  friend,  *  .M.  L'LSHOEFFf.R. 


The  N.  Y.  delegation  puffid — Jloyt^s  Oratory — Public  Opinion  whimsical — The  Merchants  of 
yein  York  deceptive,  traitors  in  war,  and  not  to  be  trusted  in  peace — Goicral  Brown — Udp 
drake  to  a  place. 

[Xo.  123.]  .lames  Campbell.  Surrogate,  New  York,  to  Jes:?e  Hoyt,  Assembly  Chnmher,  Albany. 
New  York,  Fell.  15,  1823. — Dear  Sir:  *     *     *'     ^     You  svish  to  know  in  what  estinrition 
the  New  York  del(  gation  are  luild  by  their  constituents.     As  f  ir  as  I  can  ascertain  public  opin- 
ion, yon  stand  lorll ;  indeed  1  bcliere  J  hazard  tinlhing  in  asserting  that  we  have  had  no  Repre. 
scntiition  from  this  City  for  several  years  past  that  hus  siven  half  the  satisfaction.     Recollect, 
however,  that  you  have  nut  as  yet  more  than  h:iU'  iiiiisliid  yuir  labors  ;  that  public  opinion  i.s  a 
very  uncertain  and  precarious  thing — inoro  easily  lost  ill  in  acquired  :   and  altiio'  things  look  fair 
,11  present,  I  wnuld  not  lie  at  all  surprised  if,  at  the  end  nl  the  Sc-sioss,  some  of  you  should  find 
yourselves  as  unpopular  ascertain  of  your  pn-drci  ssors.     ]''r(im  ilie  debates  which  are  published, 
lam  glad  to  find  thiit  you  frequently  adiliess  the  House  ;  and,  without  designing  to  (hitter  you, 
it  affords  me  plejisiire  to  observe  that  your  exhibitions  as  a  spi  ak^r,  do  you  no  disiTi'dit,     1  was 
much  amused  with  thai  debate,  where  you  had  the  courage  to  enter  thi-  lists,  .-iiid  to  break  a  lance 
widi  the  great  Deiiiagorgon  of  our  State.     His  attark   on  the  morchiints  v.-as  unnecessary  and 
iinreas.inable  ;  at  the  same  time,  yon  must  pardon  me  for  leliinir  you  that,  in  my  opinion,  your 
di'fence  of  them  displays  more  of  the  spirit  of  chivalry  ilnn  sound  judgment.     Of  the  conduct  of 
this  class  of  iiien  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  I  e;in  s:iy  nothing,  but  during  the  late  war,  I  feel  no 
hejiiaiion  in  s:iyin,'  that  the  n  ition  is  very  little  indebted  to  their  patriotism.     The  merchants, 
hy  which  denomination  I  mean  the  shippers  and  iinporier.i,  as  a  body,  oppo-rd  the  war,  and  by 
ilii-ir  u'leal  Weight  iind  influence,   they  w(  le  but  too  successful  in  enibariissing  the  operations  of 
the  (ioverninent.     Tlieir  conduct  in  this  memorabie  tontest,  was  the  more   culpable  and  flagi- 
tious, heeanse  it  was  in  a  great  degree  owing  to  their  clamors,  and  chietly  to  protect   their  in. 
terests,  that  the  (iovernment  was  induced  to  take  the  firni  stand  which  resulted  in  hostilities.     It 
WHS  a  huly,  ti  sacred  war,  declared  anil  waged  to  protect  Free  Trade  and  Sailors'  Rights,  and 
should  have  enkindled  into  a  bla/c  every  Intent  I'eeling  of  Piitriolisni.     At  the  commencement 
of  the  war,  these  votaries  of  the  Counting  Desks  it  is  true,  made  some  professions  of  public  spirit 
whilst  the  (iovernment  held  over  their  heads  their  forfeited  bonds  ;  but  when  their  remission  was 
priiciired,  they  then  dropped  the  mask,  and  how  violently,  maliiinantly,   I  may  add  traitorously 
ihey  suhseiiuently  acted,  is  too  strongly  impressed  on  our  recollections  to  be  easily  or  speedily 
ohiiterated.     You  say  that  (ieneral  Brown   was  a  mercliiint.      Do  yiui   then  consider  n  village 
ftiirekeeper  a  merelmnt  ?     If  I  renieniber  ri:i!it,  this  same  gentleman  was  once  a  school-master. 
,\(Yordini:  therefore  to  this  mode  of  reasoning,  we  ntiiy  yet  e.vpeet  to  see  the  gentlemen  of  the 
liiri:li  and  ferule  also  asserting ///e/;-  pretentions  to  Patriotism,  iiecause  this  same  persmi  was  formerly 
11  iiieinber  of  their  humble  but  useful  fraternity.     The   merchants,  as  a  body,  possessing  great 
wi'iiltli  and  intelligence,  must  necessarily  e.\erciso  a  great  deal  of  influence  in  every  community  ; 
iinr  have  they  ever  been  known  to  be  wanting  in  availing  themselves  of  the  advantages  of  this 
inlluence,  or  of  being  backward  in  urging  their  claims  to  superior  consideration.     It  is  a  dan- 
Ccreus  thing,  in  my  opinion,  to  (hitter  a  set  of  men  already  too  inflaled,  and  always  disposed  to 
ho  too  arrogant ;  and  altho'  they  are  entitled  to  their  share  of  weight  in  our  National  Councils,  I 
sliiHild  regard  it  sis  u  most  unfortunate  event  to  see  the  destinies  of  our  happy  country  committed 
to  ihe  guidance  or  control  of  mercantile  power  and  policy. 

*Mic'lincl  t'lslioctTor  is  n.  ciiniiinjr  polilicinn,  nnd  plnyi'd  tlie  deninansiie  in  tlin  lesislntiire  Inns;  cnniisli  loserure  a 
jiiilRo.sliip,  tlip  rpwiird  iil"  party  services.  When  lie  \Vin  CMntmi  had  ceiii  liidud  his  aiiiiiinl  spoet  li  nt  tlic  oppnin;i 
iiftlie  k'jjislntive  session,  I'lslioeirpr  iilitaiHcd  li  coinmittec  of  iniiiiiry,  nnd  rcporiod.  in  siili.«lnni'0,  that  fur  n  (lovor- 
iiiir  to  speak  to  the  Iciiislnlnre  what  he  lias  to  say  to  tliein,  inslend  of  wriliii),'  it  on  paper  and  scndiiiK  it  m<  a  nics- 
>iige,  and  fur  them  in  reply  to  such  u  speech  no  iniitlcr  linw  discreet  it  inny  he,  "  is  areiiinunt  of  royalty,"  "und  ought 
to  ue  abulislieil,"    UiiiloubteUly  usjieech  in  the  must  tesjiectful  iiiude  ut'tlie  twu, 


-*.    '■ 

.  )". 

'■■i 

'  ir 

,■•*• 

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1C2   V.  BURE.V  WITIinOLDSTHE  STATE  PRINTING  [■KOM  NOAH — JACOB  BARKER. 

This  tedious  digression  nbout  your  speech  has  swelled  this  beyond  the  ordinary  dimensions  of 
a  letter  •  an  effect  which  1  did  not  foresee,  or  I  should  have  taken  care  to  have  avoided  it.  Other 
matters 'that  I  intended  to  communicate,  must  be  deferred  to  a  future  occasion.  I  would  thank 
you  to  exert  yourself  lor  my  friend  Mr.  Drake,  who  is  an  applicant  for  the  office  of  Master  in 
Chancery.  Drake  is  quite  a  fine  fellow,  and  I  should  be  much  gratified  to  hear  of  his  obtaining 
this  situation.  He  has  not  been  a  CUiitoiiian  for  some  years,  and  when  he  was  one,  he  was  a 
fair  and  moderate  opponent.  Give  my  respects  to  your  colletigues,  Mr.  Rnthbonc  and  Mr.  Ver- 
planck.  Your  iriend,  +.IAMES  CAMPBELL. 

Noah,  after  the  Printing— duel's  fortune— Pi  (idling  Slate  Patronage— being  true  to  WJ'each 

other. 
[No.  124.]  M.  M.  Noah  to  .Trsse  Iloyt,  Albany.  Ni;w  York,  23d  Feb.  1823. 

Dearlloyt:*  *  *  «  «  Mr.  Phillips  will  hand  you  this,  and  explain  fully  the  object  of 
hisvLsit.  IVith  respect  to  the  State  Printing,  I  cannot  but  consider  myself  us  unhandsomd^ 
treated  by  those  from  ii^hnm  1  had  a  right  lo  expect  a  different  coarse;  and  am  positive  that  on 
the  death  of  Mr.  Cantiiie  there  was  but  one  voice  in  my  favor.  If  mnnngemciit  and  intrigue. 
could  hiive  been  so  successfully  exerted  as  to  wean  away  my  friends  or  impair  my  claims,  then 
there  is  nothing  lu  expect  from  the  justice  of  the  Republican  party.  I  cannot  blame  Mr.  Bud 
in  wisliing  to  be  secured  in  the  i)aymenrs  due  him,  but  considering  the  difficulty  we  labored  un. 
der  in  bringing  the  Argus  in  the  republican  from  the  Clintonian  ranks — considering  also  the 
fortune  which  Mr.  Duel  has  made  out  of  it— I  think  that  opposition  does  not  come  with  a  goud 
grace  from  him,  and  that  any  further  surciellance  over  the  State  Printint.' should  cea.se.  *  »  *  * 
I  am  nm  so  ceiiaiii  that  I  can  be  deteatcd — but  if  so,  I  am  williug  to  hazard  a  defeat,  reserving 
to  myself  the  ri!,'ht  of  spreading  the  facts  before  the  world,  and  exhibit  the  syvlciH  of  peddling 
away  the  patronage  of  the  Slate,  *  »  »  *  Mr.  Phillips,  goes  up  to  get_  a  section,  authori- 
zing legal  notices  to  be  published  in  Tiif.  advocate  ...  it  is  nuxssary  IN  RbiLATION  TO 
THE  'PRliSlDLlNTlAL  QUKSTIDN.  .  .  .  He  has  full  powers  from  me  lo  enter  ink 
any  arrangement,  or  come  to  any  uuder.-tanding,  which  may  tend  to  kce^t  things  harmoniously 
and  comfortably  ajloat,  axd  prevail  schism  and  division  in  our  ranks — this  can  only  be  done  ij 
acting  Justly  and  fairly  towards  'iJ^cack  other. 

Always,  Dear  lloyt,  truly  your.s,  .M.  M.  NOAH. 

Jacob  Barker's  prospects — he  likes  '  the  fun'  of  IVur  in  Europe,  and  desires  to  see  Young  Xap, 

crowned, 

[No.  125.]  .lacob  Barker,  at  New  York,  lo  .Tesse  Ilnyt,  at  Albany. — Ni:w  York,  12i1i 

March,  182.'}.  I\Iy  Dear  Sir:  I  have  this  moment  committed  to  the  tlames,  a  she'et  *  *  *  »  » 
As  soon  as  steam  takes  the  place  nf  ice,  I  perceive  we  are  to  have  the  pleas^ure  of  seeing  you— I 
hope  it  will  be  soon,  for  many  rnaa.iiis,  and  particularly  becaiisi^  Capt.  Barker  would  he  ghiil  lo 
see  you  before  he  goes  south.  He  has  f/esolved  wiih  tlu;  .lohn  ^Ve|!s — she  goes  into  Byrnes  and 
Tremble's  Liverpool  line,  and  Barker  goes  to  Mobil.:^  to  try  his  hand  niiain  at  Merchandizini, 
having  declined  to  coinmtmd  a  line  ship.  He  left  for  BoPt(]n  this  day — returns  in  ton  days,  wltcn 
he  will  be  one  of  the  firm  of  Barker  &.  Co.  Ilalleck  is  in  great  spirits.  *  *  *  *  I  have 
no  news  to  tell  you — am  poor,  out  of  bu.sineos,  with  bad  prospects,  yet  cannot  but  smile  at  llie 
freats  of  fortune — nnuiey  very  scarce,  stocks  falling.  I  have  sold  my  bale  [or  coal] — lost  )$352by 
it — so  vs'e  go.  I  thank  my  friend  Davis  lor  this  favor — I  hofie  the  like  will  be  scarce.  The  E.\. 
change  labors  not  likely  to  succeed.  What  think  you  of  the  applii'ation  for  the  Tradesmen's 
Bank?  1  feel  an  interest  in  iis  favor  on  nccoiml  of  Mr.  Worth — yet  I  cannot  believe  it  will 
Iiass.  Mr.  Ross  seni  his  ship  Mary  to  Norfolk,  where  she  loaded  and  sailed  from  .Jamaica — fniii 
thence  she  goes  to  Mobile — from  thence  to  Ijiverpool.  She  will  probably  mak(^  him  a  great  viy. 
age,  while  I,  a  poor  devnl,  am   not  making  anything,     But,  nevertheless,  very  glad  of  it.    The 

t  ^^r.  Compljoll  (lislikos  the  iiierclinntH  ;  Ilnvt,  vvIipm  in  nfiice,  wns  uilwcirioil  in  lii'  pflnrts  lo  Imrrnss  nnd  nnnov 
tliein  ;  Riillor  uiul  \'imi  Itureii  were  liis  menlors  jji  that  cmirse;  lliii'lninl,  I'rom  llie  TriMsiiry,  iidvi.'^ns  the  iniirslni 
III  (lisfriinclii-e  tln'm  dii  Junes  ■  and  llie  rollDwinu  u  iiu  p.vtracl  cil'  a  letter  I'rinn  JiU-oh  Uaiker  to  \V.  \j,  .Miickciuie, 
dated  Sew  nrlc,in.i,  (Jri.  'Jl,  \fi\:\ . 

•'It  is  true  tiiat  Mr  V'lin  Itnren  [and  Haniuel  Vmin^']  ilid  su|i|inrt  Hnfiis  Kinfr  for  n  sent  in  the  t.'nitod  iftnli'i 
donate,  at  ii  time  when  llie  repnldicin  imrty  wa.s  distracteil  vvitli  ilissensnnis,  and  wlien  the  Kinu'".  the  Kannltnii!, 
the  Uncrs,  the  Veiidanck.s  unil  the  liiinnprs  had  seceiled  IVoin  the  t'ederiil  party,  prcilessini;  fireat  faith  in  Iho  lie' 
|inl)licnn  party,  and.  like  nu)*t  new  converls.  wore  niniiii;,' the  foremost  in  snpport  of  the  most  ultra  measures.  .Mr, 
Van  Bnren  considered  an  alliance  with  these  men  the  l)est  way  In  secure  the  supremacy  of  the  parly,  and  wiili 
(hat  view  pave  tu  Mr.  Kiny  his  fiillest  support,  and  he  was  appointed.  I  differed  wi'h  him  on  the  subject,  and  en- 
deavored lo  dissu.ide  him  from  his  course.  I  ilid  not  ihuik  ii  just  towards  the  nieiidiers  of  our  own  party  to  sck'i'l 
one  of  the  Ticld  .Marshals  of  the  enemy  on  whom  lo  confer  the  most  honiirahle  niul  elevated  places  within  tliefjiil 
of  the  party.  I  considered  Mr.  Kinj:  an  aide,  polite,  pentlemanly  nniii,  fully  worthy  of  the  Presidency  of  the  I'lii- 
led  States  if  his  own  party  were  In  the  ninjority,  but  I  had  heard  him,  in  ii  speech  to  the  merchants  at  the  Tontiiio 
(.'offee  ilouse,  while  the  lileedins;  corpse  of  I'carce  was  lyoij;  on  the  dock  of  the  Mail  Boat,  where  he  lind  been  mur- 
dered ty  n  cannon  hall  from  a  Uritish  ship  of  war,  I  believe  the  Leamler  olf  liarnegat,  declare  that  the  hands  of 
Jeflers  )n  were  dved  in  the  blood  of  his  countrymiin,  that  unfortunate  Pearce,  for  llie  reason  that  ho  had  not  rejisld 
the  Herfin  nnd  Milan  Decrees,  and  thereby  saved  Britain  the  necessity  she  was  nndcr  of  ^endillg  a  fleet  to  our 
coast.'' 


affairs  of  Euro 
if  John  Bull  si 
French  army  ii 
point  a  regenc 
operate,  nnd  fl 
however,  are  d 

Civic  Ecormmi 
crais — Our 
named. 

[No.  12fi. 
New  York, 
have  commenc 
gift  were  unqu 
fir  instance,  > 
their  ardent  zei 
the  compensatii 
ought  to  have 
sentUiidertakir 
assuredly  destr 
tices,  Collector 
is  most  singula 
People,  are  ver 
and  that  I  loni 
As  I  do  not  y, 
dential.  I  fer> 
give  rise  to  nev 
much  in  conseq 
diminution  frot 
portance  that  t 
the  Union  to  w 
ascendency  of 
pend  on  the  cot 
True  it  is,  thei 
Pnrty,  all  the 
matter  coolly,  i^ 
lican  Party  waj 
are  still  arrayeJ 
by  insidious  wl 
lican  Party  shJ 
President,  farej 
fedrraii.om  agtf 
Crawford.  1 
private  and  pd 
ought  witii  evl 
rate  federalistj^ 
disposed  to  su^ 
watchword  bcl 
subject.  I  hoi 
opportunity  to| 

L.  Hoyt'sfeecL 

Pretidentsl 

Hoyt  read% 

[No.  121 

Albany, 

in  his  favor, 

worthj  tnsethi 

consider! 

I  must  sny  l| 
and  the  facta 
brightened. 
Radly  disuppJ 
Counsel^  my  \ 


COB  BARKER. 

diiifiry  (limensions  of 
ve  avoided  it.  Other 
lion.  I  would  thank 
lu  office  of  Master  in 
hear  of  his  obtaining 
ic  was  one,  he  was  a 
ithbonc  and  Mr.  Ver- 
lES  CAMPBELL. 

bcins  true  to  O'cacA 

DRK,  23d  Feb.  1823. 

ain  fully  the  object  of 

elf  us  unhiindsomdij 

lul  am  positive  that  un 

ii^cmciit  and  iiitrigur. 

iiipair  my  chiinis,  then 

annot  blame  Mr.  Bucl 

ll'iculty  we  bibored  un. 

coiisidi'ring  also  the 

i  not  come  with  a  good 

should  ceu.?e.  *  »  »  » 

zard  a  di.'toat,  reserving 

the  Sfiislcm  of  I'eddling 

•J  <ii:i  II  section,  auihori- 

V  lx\  RKLATIOiN  TO 

from  mc  to   enter  Uito 

:pp  tilings  liarntoniouiiy 

t/iis  Mil  only  be  doiiebu 

M.  M.  JN'OAII. 

sires  to  sec  Young  Xap, 

)any. — Ni;w  York,  ISih 
imrs,  a  sheet  *  *  *  »  » 
leasuru  of  .seeing  yon— I 
Barker  would  be  qUd  lo 
be  i^oes  into  Byrn(!S  anil 
aiiain  at  Merchandizing', 
■eturns  in  ten  days,  when 
H.     *     #     »     «■     I  have 

cannot  bnt  smile  at  the 
e  [or  coal]— lost  .§352  hy 
will  be  Rcarcf.  The  Kx. 
ion  ibr  the  Tradesmen's 

I  caimot  bi'lievi!  it  will 
iled  from  .Tamaicn — fn  m 
y  make  him  a  great  viy- 
as,  very  glad  of  it.    The 

s  elViirl"!  to  linrrn«s  nnd  annm' 
'ri'nsurv,  lulvisns  tliu  iniirsliil 
I  Uiiikcr  to  \V.  li.  .Miickcnzie, 

a  seit  in  the  I,'nitpd  Slnlc! 
KMi  tilt  Kiiias,  tlie  Hiimilt";i>. 
lossini;  fireiit  fiiilli  in  the  lie- 
In'  niii-it  iiltrii  iiiciLaiires.  .Mr. 
iiKiry  of  the  piirty,  iinil  willi 
h  hiin  on  the  Buliject,  imil  en- 
ers  ill' our  (iwii  piirty  t(i  sck'i'l 
clcvuleil  |ilii('C8  within  tlieci" 
of  the  I'ro.siilenry  of  the  I'ni- 
the  iiiercliiints  at  the  Tontine 
Rortt,  where  ho  hnd  been  iniir- 
at,  (lerlnre  that  the  hiinils  of 
reiison  thnthe  hnd  nut  rejiitd 
ider  of  semling  a  fleet  to  out 


PARTY  PHII.I,— CANDIfiATK.S — LAW  TRirMl'H.S  OH-.R  JUSTICE. 


103 


affairs  of  Europe  are  soinewhat  agitated — I  FEAR  the  fnn  will  he  of  verij  short  duration.  Yet 
if  John  Bull  supports  Spain  itntnediately  and  with  all  her  m\g\\{, there  niny  be  fine  fun — or  if  the 
French  army  are  worth  u  copper,  they  will,  when  organized,  procla/oe  yoimg  Nnp  cinperor — np- 
point  a  regency — and,  with  the  aid  of  Spain  nnd  Portiicjal,  sustain  the  same.  Austria  would  co. 
operate,  and  Russia  would  not  meddle,  but  turn  her  attention  towards  Turkey.  These  Ihinga, 
however,  are  to  be  ipished  rather  than  expected.         Yours,  sincerely,       JACOB  BARKER. 

Citie  Eeonomij — James  prays  Fervently  for  the  Party — all  the  Presidential  Candidates  demO' 
crata — Our  old  foes — James  likes  Adams  worst,  Crawford  best.  Clay  next — Jackson  is  niU  even 
named. 

[No.  126.]  James  Campbell,  Surrogate,  N.  Y.  to  J.  Ilovt,  Albany. 

New  York,  March,  182.3. — Dear  Sir  *  *  *  *  Our  corporation,  you  have  perceived, 
have  commenced  their  operations  in  good  earnest.  The  salaries  of  some  nf  the  offices  in  iheir 
gift  were  unquestionably  too  high.  The  offices  of  District  Attorney  and  Clerk  of  the  Sessions, 
for  instance,  would  well  admit  of  considerable  reductions  and  still  remain  good  officte.  In 
their  ardent  zeal  for  retrenchment,  I  cannot  but  think  that  thry  have  gone  too  far  in  cutting  down 
the  compensation  of  the  latter  officer  to  the  paltry  sum  of  jJl^oO!  The  allowance,  in  my  opinion, 
ought  to  have  been  at  least  $2000.  To  be  frank  with  you,  I  think  our  Corporation  aie  at  pre- 
sent Uiideriaking  to  do  a  great  deal  too  much  ;  nnd  if  they  are  not  restrained  in  theircareeriiiey  will 
assuredly  destroy  the  preponderance  of  the  Republican  Party  in  this  city.  Courts,  Police,  Jus. 
lices,  Collectors  of  Ta,\es,  ar.u  I  know  not  how  many  other  things,  are  lo  be  changed  ;  and  what 
is  most  singular,  in  iiUthis  busine.ss,  several  of  these  altera'ions  instead  of  being  ngree:ible  to  the 
People,  are  very  obno.xious.  For  my  part,  I  confers  that  I  am  weary  ofthe.se  incessnnt  chiinues, 
and  that  I  long  to  see  something  like  permanence  once  more  established  in  our  city  smd  slate. 
As  I  do  not  wish  to  incur  the  hostility  of  the  Corporation,  you  must  consider  this  us  confi. 
itntittl.  1  fervently  pray,  but  I  .scarcely  dnre  hope,  that  recent  occurrences  at  Albany  mny  not 
give  rise  to  new  divisions  in  our  Party.  The  inlhience  of  this  great  State  has  already  sutiVred 
much  in  consequ(uice  of  our  dissensi'iiis,  and  I  am  ai'raid  that  it  is  docmed  to  experience  a  further 
diminution  from  the  same  cause.  On  the  eve  of  the  Presidential  election,  it  is  of  the  la.'^t  im- 
portance that  the  Republicans  of  this  state  remain  united,  that  she  may  assume  that  stati  n  in 
the  Union  to  which  she  is  justly  entitled  from  her  superior  population  and  resources.  Indeed  the 
ascendency  of  genuine  republican  principles  throughout  the  Union,  will  in  a  great  deuree  de- 
pend on  the  course  that  shall  be  pursued  by  this  state  iii  the  approaching  election  for  President. 
True  it  is,  there  appears  to  be  no  direct  or  op-n  opposition. in  this  contest  lo  the  Republican 
Pnrty,  all  the  candidates  professing  themselves  to  be  pure  republicans;  but  if  we  examine  the 
matter  coolly,  it  will  be  foimd  notwithstanding  these  appearances,  that  the  stabiliry  of  ihe  Repub- 
lican  Party  was  never  more  seriously  threatened  or  endangered  than  nt  present.  Our  old  fot'S 
are  still  arrayed  against  us ;  the  mode  of  warfare  is  only  channed  ;  nnd  they  nivW  liopc  to  effect 
by  insidious  wiles  and  stratagems  what  they  never  could  achieve  by  ojjcn  force.  If  the  Repub. 
lican  Party  should  ever  be  guilty  of  such  an  act  of  dcmiMilatidn  as  to  support  John  Q.  Adam*  for 
President,  farewell  in  that  event  to  Republicanism:  I  expect  to  see  the  doctrines  of  high. toned 
federaii.om  again  in  operation.  Of  the  different  candiil.ncs  for  this  e.xalted  oliice,  1  prefir  Mr. 
Crawford.  I  believe  thiit  he  posses.Tes  distinguished  laleni-!,  and  that  he  is  a  jrenilemaii  of  great 
private  and  political  purity  of  character.  What  recommeiiils  him  not  a  little  with  me,  and  it 
ought  with  every  true  republican,  is  to  find  th;it  he  is  so  vihi'iiiently  opposed  by  the  old  invete- 
rate federalists,  and  the  newly  ronoerted  repnblican».  If,  however,  the  Pur'y  shnnld  not  be 
disposed  to  support  Mr.  Crawford,  why  then  take  up  Mr.  Clay,  or  i-oine  other  peison,  but  let  the 
watchword  be  "any  Republican  against  Mr.  Adams."  Let  me  know  ynur  scntinienis  on  this 
subject.  I  hope  we  don't  differ  on  this  cardinal  point ;  aiitl  do  not  fail  to  avail  yourself  of  every 
opportunity  to  diffuse  correct  notions  on  this  subject,  among  our  repubiiean  t>reiliren  of  the  country. 

JAMES  CA.MPBELL. 


L.  HoyV 8  feelings  in  favor  of  a  triumph  of  law  orer  i;"od  <  in -r if  n re — Ti  let  the  People  elect  their 
Presidents  would  be  republican  if  good  for  our  .v/u'c — ..I  bud  cu:,didatc  fur  the  Clerkship— 
Huyt  ready  to  take  office  under  him. 

[No,  127.]  Counsellor  Lorenzo  Iloyt,  Albany,  toCounsell  r.TrPsc  llnyt,  nt  New  York. 
At.BANY,  Dec'r.  21,  18i3. — Dear  Brother:  *  •  «  »  *  IMcDonald's  euusc  is  decided 
in  his  favor,  and  for  which  I  think  he  niny  thank  Chief  Ju«tiee  S:ivhl'i".  i^uilierland  and  Wood' 
tcnrthj  together  wiih  11  i^eutworn.  were  dead  a^ainst  him,  niul  S  vf'L'f  iiud  Ui  .'-'cntiKirs  for  him.  I 
CONSIDER  ITATRIUMPHOFTIIELAW  OVEI.'  EQUITY  A  DCOOD  .  ONSCIENCE. 
I  must  sny  I  hnd  but  very  slight  A«;;e,<t  before  thenrgument;  but  atier  the  eause  was  argued, 
and  the  facts  so  ably  nnd  correctly  l-iid  open  to  the  Sennie,  I  thought  McDonald's  prospects 
brightened.  Messrs.  Van  Vechien  and  llenry,  who  argued  the  ci.use  on  die  other  side,  were 
Badly  disappointed  at  the  result.  From  ihe  eirrumslnnees  of  ]\Jr  Bailer's  being  engaged  aa 
Counsel,  my  feelings  were  much  enlisted  in  IlcDonaUVs  faror,  and  1  felt  very  much  interested 


,   '"'^ 


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194 


A  VAN   BtTKKN  sriiUUGLK  Tl)    KKKl'  I'OWKR  I'Un.M  THE  PEOPLE. 


in  the  result.  »  »  *  *  «  A  meeting  lius  been  called,  and  is  now,  this  moment,  in  full 
operation,  in  relation  to  the  l^rusideiiiiul  Electors.  It  wa:4  started  by  two  notorious  political  rent 
gadoes,  to  wit,  VV.  Ealeeck  and  Jacob  Lansing — men  who,  despairing  of  becoming  great  by  any 
other  means  than  through  the  medium  of  giicli  meetings,  and  who  have  become  misanthropes 
because  the  world  and  its  people  will  not  acknowledge  their  superiority  and  greatness.  To  nuine 
a  few  of  those  who  composed  the  meeting  will  supersede  the  necessity  of  any  further  comment  as 
to  its  political  cast — P.  T.  Parker,  K.  Baidwin,  William  James,  J.Alexander,  the  TowQMnds,  p, 
Gansevoort,  the  Cnssidys,  G.  ilawley,  Spencer,  Stafford,  inx,  I  trust  that  Republicans  and  die 
People  in  general  will  know  from  whom  this  popular  me-aaure,  oj  givinv!  the  choice  of  Electori  to 
the  People,  emanates.  The  meamre  itself  I  must  say,  as  I  almuya  have  said,  is  a  liepublicat 
one — but  the  source  from  which  it  sprinsis  will  render  it  unpopular  with  O*  Republicuns. 

Mr.  Livingston's  election  to  the  clerkship  of  the  Assembly  1  consider  beyond  doubt.  Hjj 
most  prominent  opponent  i.s  a  man  who  is  deservedly  unpopular  with  the  Republican  as  well  u 
Federal  party.  He  has  lon^  since  forfeited  th-j  confidence  of  every  body.  A  man  devoiU  of 
every  principle  of  honor,  who  is  willing  to  sacrifice  his  character,  and  every  thing  else  thai  a 
man  ought  to  esteem,  to  the  shrine  of  avarice,  I  think  will  not  obtain  the  support  of  a  Rviiui. 
lican  legislature.  If,  by  any  casus  omissus,  Livingston  should  lose  his  election,  I  shall  endeavor 
to  obtain  a  situation  under  his  successor ;  but  I  think  L,  is  perfectly  safe,  as  also  myelf. 

*  LOR.  HOYT 

Bowne" a  Anti. Jackson  lirport  hij  Butler — the  New  York  Me7nbera  disliked — Gardiner  attach 

Flags — Trouble  brewing. 

[No.  128.]  Lorenzo  Hoyt,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York. 

Albany,  January  ll'h,  1824,  Sunday.  Dear  Brother :  I  send  you  by  this  mail  the  REPORT 
of  Mr.  Bowne  ON  THE  TENNESSEE  RESOLUTIONS.  The  report  is  a  voluminous,  and, 
I  think,  knowing  from  whose  pen  it  came,  is  an  able  one,  although  I  have  not  yet  had  timeu 
give  it  n  perusal. 

Mr.  BUTLER  torote  the  report ;  oiid  I  leave  it  for  you  to  judge  of  its  merits  and  the  cor- 
rectness of  its  princi.!)les  ;  but  I  presume,  from  the  circumstance  of  your  political  views  coinci. 
ding  so  exactly  with  Mr.  Butler's,  that  the  principles  contained  in  the  report  are  such  as  wil 
meet  your  approbation. 

The  Senate  went  into  committee  of  the  whole  on  the  report,  but  rose  and  reported  without 
taking  any  decisive  step  in  rehuion  thereto;  it  is  supposed  it  will  be  almost  unanimously  ap- 
proved of  by  the  Senate — but  1  think  there  will  be  trouble  when  it  comes  to  the  Assembly,  bui 
will  undoubtedly  receive  the  sanction  of  a  large  majority  of  the  members.  Nothing  of  impi>i 
tance  has  been  done  in  the  As-^embly  this  three  or  lour  days  past,  except  the  appointment  of  the 
standing  committees,  which  you  will  see  published  in  the  Albany  papers.  I  think  they  m\t 
very  judiciously  selected  and  arranged,  although  some  of  the  opposition  gentlemen  are  half  in. 
cUned  to  take  umbrage  at  the  selections  made  Oy  the  Speaker  :  perhaps  they  think  his  honorilit 
{Speaker  did  not  pay  suflicient  respect  to  their  legislative  experience.  I  apprehend  friend  Gar 
diner  is  a  little  disappointed  because  he  was  not  made  chairman  of  some  committee, but  I 
think  he  will  meet  with  many  more  serious  disappointments  before  the  close  of  the  session.  If  poe- 
eible,  there  is  more  deep  rooted  prejudice,  existing  against  a  p.irt  of  the  delegation  sent  from  you; 
city  this  winter,  among  the  country  gentlemen,  than  there  existed  against  the  last  winter  del?- 
gation.  /  think  it  will  be  impossiblf.  for  one  of  thr  Opposition  New  York  members  to  succeeds, 
any  project  let  it  be  ever  so  reasonable  and  just.  There  appears  to  be  a  sort  of  suspicion  attache: 
to  everything  they  have  any  connection  with  ;  and  unless  they  can  do  something  to  convince  ih 
country  members  of  the  unjustiiesa  and  absurdity  of  such  a  state  of  feeling  towards  them,  you  mat 
rely  upon  it  your  city  will  not  be  much  benefited  by  sending  the  delegation  they  have  sent. 

Mr.  Gardiner,  the  other  day,  while  the  resolution  of  Mr.  Flagg  in  relation  to  electors  was  un- 
der discussion,  made  an  abusive  and  unjustifiable  attack  upon  the  editors  of  the  Argus  and  Al 

•Who  ie  Lorenzo  Hoyt?  I  will  toll  ynu.  When,  in  laUP,  Mr.  Van  Huren  reworded  .Icsse  Iloyt'i  peculiar  sn- 
\nees  with  the  Collortorship  of  the  Iteveniie  nt  New  Yorlc.  he  recjiiired  heiivy  security,  more  especially  on  accoiir,: 
of  Swnrtwout'H  enihezzleiiiorit.  In  March,  IKW,  Jcsso  iriive  his  brother,  Ijorenzo;  his  hrotlier  in-l.aw,  Robert 
iMcJimsey,  the  Willi  .^'trcot  Itroker;  1.,  M.  Thurston,  TliDmiis  J.  Onkley  (the  ,Indse.)  und  Sam'l  Jonos  (the  ei 
rhnncellor?)  Wrn.  M  Price  ocrtilied  'iiat  the  securities  were  responsihie  for  Sl.'iO.OOO,  the  lunount  of  their  tmiiJ, 
There  WHS  a  second,  ami  ii  third  bond.  Hond  the  third  is  for  $vJOO,(MH).  (Why  not  hiive  made  it  for  iin  ainuun 
ec|iial  to  the  sum  of  tlie  British  Natiomil  del)t  ?)  The  siinje  persons,  with  Thnddeus  Phelps  of  Park  Place.  N.Y. 
■were  uijuin  the  sureties — and  on  the  Kitli  Dcc'r.  18.1!),  ilenjiiiiiin  F.  Bntlcr,  os  U.  S.  District  Attorney,  eertitled  us 
■he  hond  that  the  sureties  were  amply  sulficient  for  the  $-J0O,(M)0.  Benjamin  had  certified  twenty  years  Itefure  totlit 
!peo|de  of  this  State,  that  the  W.Tshinktc;!  and  Warren  Hank  could  and  would  :iay.  He  knew  it.  But  it  didn't  mil 
wouldn't — and  so  wcniaysay  of  Lorenwi  Hoyt,  Lewis  M.  Thurston,  Thud.  Phelps,  &c.;  Jesse  was  found  to  have  em- 
ibezzled  $)-220,()UO — the  jury  gave  tliP'r  verdict— the  ninrahal  was  rcndy  to  seize — James  K.Polk  could  find  no 
district  attorney  that  would  suit  lii.n  s  >  well  as  Butler  anoin — and  to  Ibis  hour  in  1846,  not  «n  effort  it  made,  ci 
meant  to  he,  to  reonver  n  dollar  of  the  monies  embezzled,  either  from  Lorenzo,  Onkley,  Thunton,  Jones,  .lene,  ot 
•ny  one  else  ! :  This  is  Van  Bnren  den  ocrncy  us  I  tind  it  enthroned  in  the  cupitol  of  the  New  World  ! ! !  ThurslM 
<liKe  M'Jiinsey)  is  Iloyt's  bruther-in-liiw,  of  whom  he  wrote  to  Heury.  Woodbury  in  Mar.  1839,  that  he  bad  tm 
jiloyed  hitn  as  n  custom-house  clerk,  at  $1(100  «nlnry.  In  Dec.  Woodbury  receives  this  clerk  nn  Jesie'i  luretyfoi 
V300,U00  oa  Butler's  rt'comnipnilution  ! ! 


CROSW. 

tteate,  and  by  w 
his  hearing.  Hi 
lion  of  the  electo 
snii-republican. 

Th«  speech,  if 
but  it  was  perfeci 
him,  that  it  was  i 
fiiiting.  The  o 
limited  talents,  is 

As  to  Mr.  Wl 
if  I  can  form  an 
but  I  (hink  I  ha\ 
liin,  is  in  every  i 
icr,  I  must  cor 
were.  I  prcsun 
one  or  two  othi 
be  as  they  may, 
the  session  ;  for  i 
can  see  already  t 
for  the  resistance 

Croswell  endorst 
wisdom  of  the 
Law —  Wheat 

[No.  129.] 
Albany,  Janii 
the  return  of  Ma 
our  republican  f 
haps,  to  vary.  ' 
gone  broadly  witl 
ing  particularly 
LEAST  DURi 
linction  is  made 
As  an  extreme 
ford,  and  as  the 
feelings  of  our  fi 
prospects  of  obfa 

t  Henry  Whento 
the  Repency.     Ne 
Clinton  from  the  ( 
National  Advocate 

}  In  these  days, 
tnnn  with  the  Repi 
tier,  on  the  other  I 

|iiibllcan,J  in  VVnsI 

Wend  you  wi 
Sixty  five  pi-rch: 

Tr.ere  will  be 

Uut  some  thrc< 
Reiicral  CkaiuW 

Toush  IIS  sloe 
Basset,  with  Vi 

VAN  the  Mb 
FoRsvTif.  with 

Kdwards,  M'l 
PInttiti!;  brains  i 

With  the  bin: 
Shallow  knaves 
Straggling,  one 

Wend  yon  with 

Tall  and  shot 
Many  nn  eye  th 

Aiid  loves  "o 
Wend  you  will 

Caucus  in  hii 
Promises  and  p 

Traitors  poii 
Wend  you  witl 

A  motley  ere 
Wincini;  from 

With  t»o  po 


J  PKOPLE. 

this  moment,  in  full 

notorious  political  rrut 

becuining  great  by  any 

!  become  inisDnthropcg 

d  greatness.    To  name 

iny  further  comment  u 

der,  the  Townsends,  P, 

at  Republicans  and  ihe 

he  choice  of  EUeton  Id 

e  said,  ia  a  liepublicat 

h  O"  Republicans, 

r  beyond  doubt.    Hjj 

Republican  as  well  aj 

idy.    A  man  devoid  of 

1  every  thing  else  iliat  a 

the  support  of  a  Repui. 

lection,  I  shall  endeavor 

.  as  also  niyelf. 

*  LOR.  HOYT 

iked — Gardiner  attach 


y  this  mail  the  REPORT 
3rt  ia  a  voluminous,  and, 
luve  not  yet  had  time  lo 

its  merits  and  the  cot- 

ir  political  views  coinci. 

report  are  such  as  vil 

}se  and  reported  withoui 
almost  uuanimously  ap- 
mes  to  tho  Assembly,  but 
)ers.  Nothing  of  impi.r 
pt  the  appointment  of  ihe 
pers.  I  think  they  werr 
n  gentlemen  are  half  in. 
3  they  think  his  honor  tlit 
I  apprehend  friend  Gar 
)f  some  committee,  but  I 
)se  of  the  session.  Kfoe- 
delegation  sent  from  you: 
inst  the  last  winter  del?- 
rk  members  to  succeed  v. 
sort  of  suspicion  ntlachei 
omethinsj  to  convince  ihi 
ig  towards  them,  you  may 
[ition  they  have  sent, 
lation  to  electors  was  iiii' 
irs  of  the  Argus  and  Al 

led  .Icsse  Hoyt's  peciilinr  m- 
ty,  more  eiipecially  on  accour' 
I ;  his  hrotlier  in-law,  Rolitn 
s.)  anil  Suni'l  Jonos  (the  ei 
Ofl,  the  iiniount  of  their  bmul 
liitve  made  it  for  an  ainuun 
Phelps  of  Park  Place.  N.  Y . 
District  Attorney,  eertiiied  ci 
ified  twenty  years  l)elrire  totlif 
He  knew  it.  But  it  didn't  onJ 
:. ;  Jesse  was  found  to  hnvetin 
limes  K.  Polk  could  find  no 
846,  not  11  n  efTort  ii  mitde,  oi 
ey,  Thumton,  Jones,  Jesse, 
the  New  World  > ! !  Thurstoi 
n  Mar.  1839,  that  he  bad  m 
this  rlerk  nn  Jerse's  surety  foi 


CROSWELl's  artful  scheme — THE  VAN  BL'REX-CnAWFOtlD  CAL'CU.S.         195 

tcoatti  and  by  which  he  has  incurred  the  indignation  and  disgust  of  every  sensible  iii.tii  within 
Ills  hearing.  He  accused  the  Argus  of  political  inconsistency,  in  first  advocating  an  altera- 
tion of  the  electoral  law,  and  then  in  a  few  weeks  after  reprobating  the  nicasitre  as  unwise  and 
anti-republican. 

Th«  speech,  if  it  had  been  an  extempore  one,  would  have  appeared  miicli  better  than  it  did, 
but  it  was  perfectly  apparent  to  my  own,  and  the  mind  of  almost  evt<ry  otluT  prison  who  heard 
him,  that  it  was  a  written  and  committed  speech,  and  CONSKQUl^NTLY  van  prrjccthj  dls- 
fittting.  The  opinion  that  I  always  heretofore  piitcrtaiiit'i',  that  (iiiidiiicr  was  a  man  of  very 
limited  talents,  is  now  irrevocably  curijirmed. 

As  to  Mr.  Whcalon,+  I  am  not  suiricienily  acqitainteJ  with  Iiim  to  judge  of  hi.-;  abilities,  but 
if  I  ran  form  an  opinion  from  what  little  I  have  seen,  I  shottltl  say  he  isiiotliiiijj:  above  niediocfity  ; 
but  I  rtiink  I  have  seen  suflicient  to  warrant  the  assertion,  that  this  winter's  New  Ycrl;  delega- 
liin,  is  in  every  respect  inferior  to  the  delegation  that  New  York  was  icpresenied  by  last  win- 
ter. I  must  confess  I  was  not  a  little  astonished,  wiinn  /  K'c  who  the  New  York  inenibers 
were.  I  presume  they  are  men  of  tolerable  good  sense,  with  the  exception  of  Croiins  ami 
one  or  two  others,  but  as  for  their  abilities  they  ate,  in  my  opinion,  eontraotrd.  Let  them 
be  as  they  may,  I  think  they  will  wish  themselves  back  to  New  York  nfrniii,  before  the  close  of 
liic  session  ;  for  the  Opposition  arc  agoing  to  experience  not  a  little  moriitication  this  wiuier.  f 
can  see  already  that  much  trouble  is  brewing  ;  and  that  the  Opposition  must  pte|)nre  themselves 
for  the  resistance  of  a  hot  cannonading.  *  *  »     Yours  afleetior.ately,     LORKNZO  IIOYT. 


Croswell  endorses  Noah — Don't  abuse  Adams  until  you  hare  n  d  his  frirnth  lo  hin  injury — Ihr 
wisdom  of  the  Serj)ent — don'l  name  Crawford,  forwc  can  pack  the  Caucus — The  Ekclural 
Law —  Wheaton. 

[No.  129.]  Edwin  Croswell,  .State  Printer,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York. 

Albany,  January  31,  1824. — My  Dear  Sir:  The  course  which  the  Advocate  has  taken  since 
the  return  of  Major  Noah,  as  well  as  during  his  absence,  has  received  the  entire  appiobaiion  of 
m  republican  friends  here.  There  is  one  point  of  policy,  however,  wliich  it  may  be  well,  per- 
haps, to  vary.  There  are  several  republican  friends  of  Mr.  Adams  in  the  leyislature,  who  have 
gone  broadly  with  us  so  far  on  every  question.  It  is  quite  important,  TIf  ERbiFORE,  that  noth- 
ing particularly  harsh  respecting  Mr.  A.  [Adaniti]  or  hifs  friendu,  should  be  published,  AT 
LEAST  DURING  THE  PENDENCY  OF  THE  ELECTORAL  BILL,  unless  a  plain  dis- 
tinction is  made  between  his  federal  friends  in  your  city,  and  his  republican  fiiends  in  the  country. 

As  an  extreme  jealousy  prevails  among  the  friends  of  all  the  candidates  opposed  to  Mr. Craw- 
ford, and  as  the  Opposition  make  every  use  of  even  the  most  innocent  suggestion  to  warp  the 
feelings  of  our  friends,  it  is  aluo  important  that  his  [Mr.  Crawford's]  name,  and  especially  his 
prospects  of  obtaining  the  Caucus  nomination,  should  be  kept  out  of  riew.l     Our  points,  if  they 

t  Henry  Whenton  was  tjien  at  the  head  of  the  People's  Party  in  the  A^'omhly,  in  npimsition  to  Van  llnren  ami 
the  Repency.  Ne.\t  year  he  joined  Van  Kuren's  t'nlluwcrs  in  the  nninst  and  nngmtpl'ul  act  ot'  reniovinj;  (;i>vi"rnor 
Clinton  from  llie  Canal  hoard,  and  is  now  the  represpnlalivn  nt'  the  I'.  S.  at  llerliii.  In  IMIH  he  was  pihtor  of  the 
.S'ational  Advocate,  afterwards  Keporter  to  the  I',  f.  Kuprenie  Court,  and  is  liy  pp>lessiuii  a  lawyer. 

{In  these  days,  the  Argus  declared,  that  "the  fact  is  clear,  that  Mister  Jack«on  has  not  a  .linjle  feelin;;  in  com- 
mon with  the  Kepuhlican  party,  and  makes  the  merit  of  dcsirinp  the  total  extinction  of  it."  'I'lio  Xnsjivjjje  Ilan- 
ner,  on  the  other  hand,  copied  the  lullnwinf;  hit  at  Van  Bnren's  Crawford  Caucus  from  n  Calhoun  paper  [The  Ke- 
{jiiblican.j  In  VVnshin{,M.on. 


Wend  you  with  the  Rads  to-night — 
Sixty-five  perchance  they'll  muster — 

There  will  be  none  of  mind  or  mijhi, 

But  some  three  score  in  n  Huster. 
Rencral  ChaviUrr  will  he  there — 

Touch  ns  steel  and  hold  as  Hector — 
BassH,  with  Virjiinin  air — 

VAN  the  Mbany  Director. 
Forsyth,  with  his  forcisn  graces —    ^ 

Rdwards,  Williams,  in  a  stew — 
PInttlri!;  Iirnins  and  dirty  liu'cs, 

With  the  hlushcs  reddening  through — 
ShnUow  kna%'es,  with  forms  to  mock  us, 
Straggling,  one  liy  one,  tu  Caucus. 
Wend  yon  with  the  Rads  tiv-night, 

Tall  and  short— and  weak  and  witty — 
Many  nn  eye  tlnit  hates  the  lislit, 

And  loves  "onfusion — more'sthe  pity. 
Wend  yon  with  the  llads  to  niiiht — 

Caucus  in  liia  court  presides — 
Promiies  and  power  invite — 

Traitnrs  pnint.  ^^Cfn^d  facUim  guides. 
Wend  you  with  the  Rads  to-night — 

A  motley  crew,  and  bad  the  best — 
WiniHni;  from  the  fonth  their  filght. 

With  t«o  poor  ttragglrrs  from  the  \V*i\. 


Tis  the  tide  of  fiirtjim  Mowing — 

"Pis  the  noon  of  treuion's  reign — 
IJinjd,  of  Maryland,  is  gnin^' — 

UicKKKSoN,  anil  llidnies  of  Alaine  : 
Western  Thitmns  looking  grimly — 

From  New  York,  n  knu'U<"''l .U^e, 
Led  by  l.iit  Clarke,  seeing  dimly, 

k*pectncle3  and  vapor  through. 
Wend  yon  with  the  finrf,*  to-night. 

Where  all  eyn?  will  ;jl:!(lly  meet  you— 
If  von  I're  a  proM'lyli' 

I'.verysoul  will  .-pringto  greet  you — 
Where  the  ilemon  of  .l.^spair 

Reigns,  the  tyrant  of  tlie  hour. 
And  every  dark  intriguer  there 

Jostles  in  the  race  for  power. 
Laborer",  suitpil  for  the  Joli, 

Will  bo  there  at  clu^e  of  day  ; 
Barber,  F.'mjil,  ami  Vuute,  ami  Cullb — 

Ijnniunii.  rpiicly  for  liis  pay — 
Hotli  the  linrl/mir.-i,  hipn  mistaken  I 
Smyth  shall  scarci'lv  ^ave  his  hncoD — 
(Sallant  CirAf froii Tennessee — 
Sonie  i.i  ghxnn  anrl  some  in  gle^— 
F'hallow  knaves,  with  forms  to  moek  ui. 
Straggling,  one  by  one,  ty  Caucus." 


.  >»• 


■(■■ 
f'i 


■•(. 


,:v:-;|| 


% 


J.'! 


:  * 


Vf 


I'  ■•  .': 


196    i.rviN'nsTON,  cHoswr.M,  k  v.  buhen  telling  wuat  PAnriSANS  will  do. 

are  gained  nt  all,  inny  be  more  certninly  secured  in  this  way,  than  by  giving  even  our  honegtcon. 
victioiis  niul  hopes  of  the  uliiinati-  success  of  Crawford,  if  iiy  it  we  give  currency  to  the  contemp, 
tibie  cant  which  the  Fiininj  |)roiiiiili;iiic  ho  iiberuliy  agniriPt  him. 

It  is  diiriciilt  to  conjecture  wiiat  will  be  the  nsuli  of  ihe  various  propositions  which  are  now 
before  the  House  on  tiu)  subject  of  liie  [lilecioral]  Law.  A  considerable  cJiversily  of  opinion 
prevails  as  to  a  mnjority  or  n  pliiriilily ;  but  I  have  strong  hopes  that  our  republican  friends  h„. 
unite  upon  the  former,  and  defeat  the  Echeme  of  Tallmndge  &,  Co.,  to  give  the  electoral  votes  for 
Mr.  CUtiton. 

Tliis  afiernoon,  in  cnmniittce  of  the  whole,  Mr.  Waterman  [of  ^  iic  Co  ,]  explained  the  fca. 
tures  of  his  bill,  nnd  the  prominent  arRiimi-nta  in  favor  of  c  ,  in  a  close  and  convincing 

speech.     The  committee  rose  after  iiflvins;  passed  the  fir,-t  8«  ^i  Mr.  Watcrmon'a  bill,  wm, 

an  amendment  providing  for  the  election  of  3G  instead  of  34  electors  by  the  people. 

Perhaps  there  w.is  never  a  more  sul)tle  scheme  for  the  prostration  of  the  democratic  pnriy 
than  is  hidden  under  this  pkinjlity  plan  of  tMr.  Wheaton,  and  it  will  require  the  whole  viiji. 
lance  and  prudence  of  our  republican  friends,  to  meet,  expose,  and  resist  the  designs  of  the  fat. 
tion  that  is  now  seeking  their  ruin.        In  great  haste,  yours  sincerely,        E.  CROSWELL, 

[Three  letters,  E.  Livingston  to  J.  Hoyt,  N.  York.] 

Aaron  Chirk  vs.  E.  Liviimston — Yutrs'  Xotioiis — Keep  power  from  the  People — Van  Evrtrii 
Jiepiiblirants  drscrihrd  by  Liriiis-tton — Down  u-.ith  Clinton,  right  or  wrong .' 

[No.  1.10]  Albany,  Nov.  14,  1823.— Dear  Hoyt:  *  •  »  •  Aaron  Clark  is  n  can. 

didate  for  the  rlerk«hip.  Marry,  Knower,  Porter,  &c.,  will  do  everything  (or  me  ;  but  asClari; 
'.s  an  indefiiti^iible  fellow,  and  svill  prove  troublesome  to  me,  I  feel  an.\ioiis  to  give  him  a  signal 
tlefeat.  *  *  *  *  Romainc  and  Ulshoeller  could  he  of  service  to  ine — will  you  ask  their  assu. 
tance  ?  *  *  *     Write  me  an  answer  to  this  letter,  and  burn  the  same  as  soon  as  may  be.  K.  L. 

[No.  131.]  [Port  mark,  At.uany,  Dee.  5,]  1823. — Esleeck  put  the  stories  in  circula- 

tion  in  Now  York  that  I  was  under  Van  Bu'en's  inHuence,  made  a  speech,  iStc,  but  yoii  kno* 
without  my  telling  you,  that  lie  is  an  egrei^ioiis  Mar.  »  *  *  »  1  have  seen  the  Governor 
[Yates]  since  I  last  wrote.  IL-  in  decidedly  in  favor  of  Caucus  nominations,  and  confouided'i 
puzzled  about  Hiving  the  choice  of  Electcrs  to  the  People — hut  he  says  that  the  Refcblicu 
party  ought  not  to  be  afraid  to  f;o  to  the  People.X 

He  will  recommend  the  measiite,  in  my  opinion.  This  I  wrote  you  before — but,  if  pos.sible,l 
am  now  surer  of  it  than  I  was  before. 

The  llrpublicnn  inembem  of  the  House,  if  in  thought,  will  hold  a  Caucus  upon  this  que/ttion, 
nnd,  after  coming  to  a  conchixion,  nil  go  one  way  or  the  other. ^  W  CMNTON  IS  VERY 
DANGEROUS,  TIIEY  WILL  00  ON  P.  WAY,  AND  IF  IT  IS  THOUGHT  HE  CANNOT 
M.\KE  ANY  DIFFICULTY,  THEY  WILL  GO  T'OTHER  WAV.  **»•»% 
have  some  prime  RtufK  Slilwell  will  act  firmly  and  as  becomes  a  hepi.'blican.  /  presume  ym 
understand  what  I  mean  by  'firmness.'  •  *  *  I  should  like  a  ticket  in  the  Southern  Lni- 
tery  that  has  a  !$100,flf)0  Prize  in  its  wheels.  Now,  oa  a  favor,  I  will  take  half  of  a  ticket  wiih 
you,  if  you  will  purchase  one — hut  recollect  it  is  the  last  time,  and  that  if  [you]  should  draw  s 
blank,  I  will  not  venture  any  more  with  you.  If  vou  consent  to  this  proposition,  let  me  know  out 
number,  and  then  I  shall  have  >iomething  joyful  in  anticipation. 

Yours,  sincerely,  E.  LIVINGSTON. 

[No.  133.]  Ar.nAN'v,  Jan.  ti,  1824. — I  rather  think  the  Assembly  will  pasw  the  Elei 

toral  Law — the  Senate  will  not  pass  the  law.     I  am  dead  against  the  law,  or  against  anytliin» 

t  Hsfe  Vviicr.ton'i  plan,  Finss's  ninemlment,  nnil  the  wlinle  prnreeilinps  of  a  meetin?  ofthe  democratic  meni!*r< 
i)f  the  legislature,  on  this  question,  held  ahont  ii  t'ortnisriit  licfiire  Croswell  wrote — in  llnmmund.  pnpe  144  to  H''ol' 
volume  second.     V.in   Iluren,  I'hi!.'!.'.  t-'roswell.  nnd  Wnaht  wiuuril  to  |)ass  no  Inw  nt  nil,     Maiiv  were  afraid 
Clinton,  as  mutters  .stood,     ^cc  K.  Llvingsioa's  letter  to  J.  Hoyt,  No.  131,  written  three  months  previoui. 

X  W.  A.  Thompson,  in  a  letter  to  .1.  Ilovt.  dated  Albany,  lOtli  Feb.,  1824,  snvs — "The  Srnnte  say  they  are  in  fi- 
vor  of  the  i''()/t.<,  iind  ihe  .'7,v.nY)'i/(/;/ Miy  tfiey  are  in  Hivor  id' the  People.  *  *  *  *  Suda in  says  that  the  .^eo 
ate  call  count  1,")  in  fiivur  of  the  W///V.<,  win)  can  be  (!ependcd  upon,  and  who  are  not  such  fools  as  to  suffer  Vim 
.iclpr.i  to  li".  ilrroiirrd  liy  tit-  Pio/i/e.  *  *  *  *  J{o  one  C!in  tell  what  legislative  bodies  will  do  ;  but  from  |ire- 
sciit  iippeaninres,  I  do  not  iliink  our  RKPUnLlCAN  friends  have  any  reai-on  to  believe  they  are  to  be  sacrijitil 
Thcv  seem  to  feel  that  if  thnj  .iit-rindrr  their  power  tamvly.  they  are  lust ;  and  if  they  hold  out  manfully,  they  m 
hut  loose  it  at  la.'if,     1  ."^hall  stay  bere  ii  week  or  ten  days,  until  we  bear  the  results  ofthe  Caucus  ut  Washington," 

1  .Mr.  Van  Riirnn  confirms  this  disrmlitnlilc  statement  of  the  unprincipled  character  of  his  own  party,  by  suppni 
ing  that  his  a<Iversnries  arc  eipiiiliy  dishonest.  In  his  address  to  the  citizens  of  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  ns  1  tinil  it  in  ihi 
Cilnbe,  Sept.  2T,  ''^il',),  h.-  nlllrnn  Ihit  he  has  been  pursued  by  his  political  opponents  with  "  inveterate  mnllgnoncy:' 
bet,  says  he.  "  when  it  is  <(iiit«  in.Tnlfest  that  tho.se  by  whom  the  conduct  of  n  public  officer  is  arraigned  orerf 
solved  to  condemn  hi' nets  in  any  cvjit;  when  they  only  desire  to  know  which  side  of  u  public  Question  hetv 
nouses  in  orcicrto  take  their  otvn  po.silion  against  him  ;  when  all  considerations  of  comity  and  of  rielit  are  merH 
in  an  absorbing  desire  lo  expel  him  from  ollice,  and  when  nntbing  so  much  mortlties  and  anra)(es  tnem  as  thatbt 
should  devise  or  adopt  measures  tli:it  redinind  to  the  good  ofthe  country  ;  in  all  such  cases  it  a|ii)ears  to  mean  tci 
of  inexcusable  weakness  (n  the  part  ofthe  public  functionary  to  suffer  what  such  opponents  may  say  or  think  of 
iilm  to  give  him  u  niomenl's  care  or  uneasiness  " 


that  will  te 
■ay  that  ou 
quite  yet. 

Van  Burei 

[No.  1 
January,  II: 
with  Mr.  R 
doubtful  on 
Hiker  is  in  i 
<«cf,  and  y 


Livingston 

[No.  1 
majority  of 
aeniative  gn 
After  you  h 

[No.  1 
the  Senate  i 
Crawford  h; 
similar  to  tl 
he  does  no 
hates  Van  U 
that  is,  he  v 
lists.     But  t 

[No.  1 
ceive  themsi 
him.  •  *| 
they  feel  to\ 
Caucus  will 

Van  Bii 
[No 
[Wuiihi 
extractec: 
during  th 
Adams  an 
trary  eil 
the  resu 
contest  IS 
without  th 
suitable  an 
has  been 

t  Mr.  L. 
pledged  to  il 
them,)  could 
diced  Bgnins 
acted  a  disgi 


1    f 


et 


t  Pogcr 
He  was  a  la 
I  is  a  Sandy  I 
Hill  some  n 
of  Directors 
sold  out  his 
the  river  St 
Senators  w 
seventeen  « 
Burcn  and  t 


IT  Leake  I 
was  willing 
tha  cmI  cuu 


ISAXS  WILL  DO. 

igeven  our  honest  con^ 
irrency  to  the  coutemp. 

)siti()n8  which  are  nnw 
l)le  diversity  of  opinion 
republican  friendg  wi|| 
'e  the  electoral  voien  Tor 

iCo  Ofixp'o'nccl  ihefea. 
a  close  and  convincing 
Waterman's  bill,  wiiii 
the  people. 

the  detnoeratic  pnriy 
require  the  whole  vigi. 
.  the  designs  of  the  fat. 
E.  CROSWELL. 

•] 

e  People — Van  Evrti^i 

wrong  ! 

*  Aaron  Clark  is  n  coh' 
ng  (or  me  ;  but  as  Clari; 

un8  to  give  him  a  signal 
will  yoii  nsk  their  asM^ 
s  soon  ag  may  be.  K.  I. 

)ut  tho  stories  in  circuli. 
leech,  tStc,  but  yoii  kno* 
have  sten  the  Governor 
ations,  and  confoundcih 
[lys  that  the  REPUBLias 

before— but,  if  possible,! 

ntcus  upon  this  qumtm, 
'  CLINTON  IS  VERY 

OUGHT  HE  CANNOT 

_     *     «     *     #     »    \Vj 

.•BT-icAff.  I  presume  ym 
•ket  in  the  Southern  L  ii- 
:al;e  half  of  a  ticket  wiih 
It  if  [you]  should  draw  i 
position,  let  me  knowoui 

E.  LIVINGSTON. 

embly  will  pass  the  Eke- 
law,  or  against  anythin; 

nj  ofthe  democratic  menil*i 
llnmmunil,  pnge  144  tn  I4''( 
f  nt  all.     Many  were  afraid  < 
ree  months  previous. 

The  Senate  say  they  are  in  fj 

*  Sudnm  says  that  the  .Sen 
it  svch  fools  at  to  lugtr  ihm 

Ixidies  will  do  ;  but  I'roin  \m- 
elieve  they  are  to  be  sacrijicii 
iiy  hold  out  manfully,  Ihrym 
it  the  Caucus  ut  Washington 

er  of  his  own  party,  by  suppm 
acuse,  N.  V.,  as  1  titid  it  in  Ih 
with"  inveterate  malignoncy 
Idic  officer  is  arraigned  ore  rf 
Ide  of  u  public  Question  hee 
itniity  and  of  rielit  are  merH 
s  anil  enrages  tTiem  as  timt  hi 
I  eases  it  ap|)ears  to  me  an  ici 
ipponents  may  «ay  or  think  ol 


'1' 

'4j 


THE  SANDY  HILL  JCDQR— A  WRONG  OCESS  BY  VAN  BUMRN. 


197 


that  will  fend  io  raise  Clintoni  in  or  Federal  stock.  •  •  •  I  .hink  \  on  may  wi^'oui  doubt, 
uy  that  our  State  is  for  Crawford  [iliu  nnlice  candidate  of  that  day.]  but  ii  won't  do  to  say  eo 
quite  yet. Yours,  NED. 

Van  Daren't  ^ricnd,  Skinner,  interferes  with  the  Stale  Legidnture  and  Judiciary,  to  prevent 
the  Piople  from  rlrcting  their  Presidents. 
[No.   133]  Jmlne  Skinner,  U.  S.  District  Court,  to  J.  Ilovt,  X.  York. — Ar.BA.VY,  llth 

January,  \S'24.  Dear  Sir:  .Mr.  Latham  A.  Hurrow.st  of  the  Senate,  I  understand,  rend  law 
with  Mr.  Kikrr,  the  Recorder,  (nt  any  rate  he  is  attached  to  Mr.  Riker.)  Burruuuis  eonsidered 
doubtful  on  the  (jueslioii  <il'  chan^iiij;  the  law  for  the  appointment  of  elector.).  Now,  S'r,  if  Mr. 
Riker  is  in  seiitnnini  v\  jih  u  j,  /tin  lui/rr  to  Mr.  Fnrrotrn  on  that  subject  will  have  great  injlu- 
e«c*,  and  you  may  be  assured  that  every  vote  is  important  to  prevent  the  change  contemplated. 

Cordially,  tR.  SKINNER. 

Livingston  to  Iloyi — The  Clerk's  iMgic—Mat.  L.  Dacis  kept  out  of  Mischief — A  list  for  Mr' 
Van  Duren — Leake  for  Clay — The  Caucus. 

[No.  134.]  Alba.nv,  Feb.  Ifi,  1824. —  »  »  *  A  majority  of  the  legislature  is  a 
majority  of  the  people.  VVe  recognize  the  people  as  the  source  of  all  powiT — this  is  a  repre- 
sentative guverimieiit.  Our  old  Democrats  wisli  for  the  old  Council  of  Appointment.  ♦  •  • 
After  you  have  read  this  letter,  burn  it.  E.  L. 

[No.  13.'i.]  Ai,i!.\.\Y,  Feb.  98,  1824. — Dear  Hoyt:  I  forward  a  list  of  the  members  of 
the  Senate  and  As.'^i'inlily,  marked  ns  they  now  leel  upon  the  Presidential  question.  •  •  * 
Crawford  h;is  88,  Ailams  3G,  Calhoun  11,  Clay  6,  .lacksim  4.  *  *  *  I  have  forwarded  lists 
similar  to  those  I  now  eiicio.-ie  you,  to  amuse  your  friend,  Mr.  Van  Buren.  Mat.  Davis  is  here — 
he  does  no  pariicuhir  service  ;  hut  as  he  is  with  us,  it  prevents  him  In'in  doing  mischief  He 
hates  Van  Buren — 1  know  it.  Leake  will  not  let  anything  go  into  the  Argu.s.H — he  is  for  Clay, 
that  is,  he  wants  to  be  State  Printer,  let  things  go  as  they  may.  "  *  *  Let  Noah  see  the 
lists.     But  as  you  like.  E.  L. 

[No.  130]  Albany,  March  29, 1824.—  *"  *  *  Our  folks  all  say  that  THEY  con- 
ceive  themselves  bound  in  honor  to  nominate  Gov.  Yates,  but  that  the  Peo]de  will  not  support 

him.     »     *     «     »     K n,  S n,  Slc,  want  to   pay  off  same  debts  of  gratitude,  which 

they  feel  towards  hii^  excellency.  I  am  ready  to  support  the  nomination.  »  *  »  The  [State] 
Caucus  will  be  held  to-morrow  night,  or  Thursday.     Marcy  advises  Thursday.  *  *       E.  L. 


Van  Buren  on  Clay  and  Adam.^ — he 2>rnises  Maj.  Noah — Noah's  sketch  of  Van  Buren. 
[No  137.]  M.irtin  Van  Buren  to  Jes^e  Hoyt  at  New  York. 

[Washington]  March  3,  !b24. — Dear  Sir :  I  have  the  greatest  aversion  to  having  my  letters 
extracted  for  the  ni'\\s|):iper.s  or  much  shown,  and  notwithstanding  a  laborious  correspondence 
during  the  winter  h.ive  hitherto  tii<c!iped.  The  |iruinulg:ilion  of  my  anticipation  as  to  Messrs. 
Adams  and  Clay's  withdrawing,  would,  you  know,  not  induce  them  to  do  so,  if  it  had  not  the  con- 
trary effect.  It  is  best  to  let  those  things  take  their  course,  and  there  is  no  ground  for  fear  as  to 
the  result.  If  they  continue  afier  New  York  has  settled  down  it  will  be  manifest  to  all  that  the 
contest  is  prolonged  by  them  to  the  great  detriment  of  the  party,  and  of  the  public  interest, 
without  the  least  prospect  of  suece.'y  ;  and  it  will  be  the  business  and  duty  of  the  press  to  make 
suitable  animadversions  on  the  subject.  To  me  the  course  of  the  Advocate  for  the  last  few  weeks 
has  been  entirely  acceptable,  as  it  has  been  moderate,  but  firm  and  rational,  which  course  is,  I 

t  Mr.  L.  A.  Itiirrows,  who  wns  reuiriipd  from  the  sixth  district  in  place  nf  Gen.  Hathaway,  was  an  Adams  man, 
p1ed|;cd  t«  the  ppople's  party  ;  and  nil  the  ctrdftii  uf  Jiiili^'o  bkinner,  .les.'ie  lloyt,  and  Recorder  Riker,  (if  he  obeyed 
them,)  could  nut  rhHii-je  his  vote,  or  iiuliii'e  him  to  wheel  round  with  Wright  and  others.  Burrows  was  strongly  preju- 
diced against  Clnton,  and  iniicli  opposed  to  the  election  of  Jackson,  t^kinner,  being  a.  Judge  of  the  U.  tj.  Court, 
acted  a  disgraceful  und  unbecoming  part  in  inlerfcriny,  as  above  with  the  freedom  of  the  Senate  of  N.  Y. 

I  Roger  Skinner  wns  nt  the  Iicnd  of  the  old  Van  Huron  regency  which  appointed  Nnnh  Sherilf  of  New  York, 
He  was  a  lawyer  of  yamly  Mill ;  and  our  present  Governor,  Silas  Wright,  was  his  law  scholar  nnd  student — he  also 
'  is  a  Sandy  Hill  lawyer.  Wright  was  iidniiued  as  a  hiwyi^r  by  the  Supreme  Court  in  January,  1819,  and  left  l^andy 
Hill  some  muntlis  liller  Hen|umin  F.  Ilutler,  Van  Huren's  partner,  arrived  there  as  I'renident,  Cashier,  and  Hoard 
of  Directorsi  of  Karker's  W.  &  W.  Rank,  in  which  iiulilulion  he  may  have  been  an  occftsionnl  nsfistnnt.  I^kinner 
sold  out  his  law  oll'ice  at  Sandy  Hill  to  llutler,  who  suceeeilcd  to  his  business — and  Wright  settled  at  Canton,  near 
the  river  t^t  Lawrence,  in  Oct.  that  snine  year.  Wright  went  for  Crawford — was  one  of  the  immorra/ seventeen 
Senators  who  voted  to  keep  from  tho  |)coplu  the  power  of  electing  the  electors  of  the  President  of  the  U  !?.— the 
seventeen  were  defeuted  by  17.(101)  voles  next  election,  and  hung  and  burned  in  cHijy — but  Wright  stuck  to  Van 
Buren  and  the  cabal — they  pulled  and  upheld  him — and  he  is  Governor  of  N.  Y. 

IT  Leake  had  to  resign  in  favor  ofCroswell,  whom  Butler  and  his  partner.  Van  Buren,  had  confidence  in,  am'  who 
wai  willing  to  be  their  echo.  A  |>erusal  of  Van  Buren's  letter  to  Hoyt,  No.  130  of  this  series,  will  eiplain  where 
the  teal  control  of  the  Argu»  unj  its  opinions  lay. 


' :  ■  ■ " 


;■„  :  -W 


;'t 
(l.i 


;?  • 


■'\Jv^.^C 


"■■:■'- 1 


I  i^--';.;: 


t*  .*• 


108      VAN  BURHN's  AIH  EUILT  castle  A.\D  .STEl-I-VPnEItS — ofiicf.-seeki.vo. 

think,  the  only  one  rnlculuicd  to  produce  much  rtiol  effect  on  public  opinion. t  Such  ia  not  how, 
ever,  the  opinion,  or  riuhur  the  feflinij  of  all  ;  on  ihu  conirnry  tlierr  niP  many  who  have  been  bo 
much  plt'axtul  mill  i-o  uccnsiniuf  J  tn  the  many  ^uod  and  ple;i>ant  tlnni;!)  the  Majni  has  said  as  to 
regret  the  deprivation  urihcni — and  tliey  oceaHiunaily  complain  to  nie  that  llif  Adcucatc  has  Inst 
its  spirit.  As  the  Major  hua  depraved  their  njipeiites,  he  is,  tiiey  think,  umler  some  sort  of  obii- 
gutioii  to  feed  them  on  such  viands  a.s  have  become  monl  acceptable  to  ihem.  Make  my  best 
respects  to  him,  and  to  our  friends;  tell  them  that  tor  obviouH  i-eOHons,  they  may  excuse  me  I'ruin 
not  writing  us  often  m  1  could  wi-li.  Vour  friend,         M.  V.  BUREN. 

Van  Buren  prophecieH  succfun  to  Cnivforil  <ind  Ihc.  Ciiur.un  ;  tlirrrbij  iihotriiig  no  politiral  aagaciti,, 

[No.  1.38.]         Martin  Van  Bini  n   to  Je^se  lloyt,  N.  V.— Wanuim; Ti)\,  March  6,    1824 

Dear  Sir:  1  have  received  yours  this  moment.  1  enniiot  help  what  .Alessrs.  Lynch  and  Kini' 
may  choose  to  infer  from  my  loolis,  but  the  truth  is  that  I  linve  at  no  time  douht(  d  of  our  complete 
success. t  Tiic  fjreat  iidluence  which  wa.'  e.xcrcifcd  hero  to  prevent  members  from  attendine 
the  caucus,  and  the  suhsi.rx  icney  mid  ingratitude  of  some  who  iiave  partaken  laraely  of  the  fa. 
vor  of  the  party,  were  calculaied  toe.\('ile  sironj?  feelirl!^'^,  whicli  were  duubtlefs  sometimes  mani- 
fest, but  despoudeiiey  is  a  weakness  with  which  I  am  hut  little  aimoyed.  On  the  nsaumpiiun 
that  New  York  will  be  liini  and  promptly  explicit,  we  here  emisidcr  llie  question  of  the  election 
pubstaritinlly  settl'^H,  Neither  .Mr.  Adams  nr  Mr.  Clay  can  keep  in  the  field  after  the  course  uf 
New  York  is  pcts.viiively  known.  T/ic  injormafiiii  on  u-fiir/i  thin  opinion  renl.t  and  the  reasons 
in  its  support  cannot  be  giren  in  a  It  tier.  1  will  myself  b(!  easy  on  the  subject,  and  so  will  our 
friends  here  who  never  were  in  bcii(;r  spirit?!  or  lult  sirons<er  conluience.  Moke  my  best  respects 
to  our  friends.  Vour- cordially,        M.  V.  HURF.X. 

[No.  139.]     Lorenzo  In  Jexsr  Ifniit. — Ptirtu  serriris  on  rrnlil — l\>i-etlii — Office  JIunling— 
the  Murals  of  Van  Uurenimn — J'rivmc  Vrili — board  Ifjs. 

At.banv,  March  7,  1^24,  .SiHuiiy  eveninc:. — Dear  Brollier :  Yours  of  the  4th  came  duly  to 
hand.  The  substance  of  it  1  had  aiiiicipated,  as  I  saw  a  letter  that  Mr.  Thompson  received  from 
you  while  here,  in  which  you  Ppoke  very  discouraginf^ly  ns  to  the  result  of  your  application  lo 
the  Corporation,  but  ns  1  had  not  heard  from  you  since,  I  had  not  entirely  despaired  until  I 
received  your  Inst.  It  is  now  I  suppose,  known  to  a  certumty  ihiit  you  cannot  siiec»'ed  in  get- 
ting the  ollicc  you  soufjht.  If  n  person  has  nothing  else  to  depend  upon  for  a  livelihood  than 
offices,  which  at  all  times  depenil  upon  the  fluctuaiionsof  party  predominance,  I  think  hi;  will  soon pn 
to  pot.  I  thonglit,  however,  y'lm  rriren  fur  the  pnrlii  had  In  n  sufficient  to  raise  a  jnst  and  equi- 
table claim  for  some  little  office  of  the  kind,  that  you  have  been  endeavorin>;  to  obtain  ;  but  it  ap- 
pears that  the  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  Hon.  the  Corporatiun  and  my  own  nre  at  varianre, 
Well,  I  see  we  have  got  to  contend  with  povevtv  and  misfortunes  tis  lout;  as  we  remain  in  tlii.s 
life,  and  what  wc  shall  have  to  "  battle  the  witch''  with  in  the  ne.\t  the  Lord  only  knows.     You 

t  This  letter  doe«  not  e.\liil)il  niiicli  f'nresisht  or  .snijaiMly  mi  tiie  purt  cif  Mr.  V:iii  Iliircii.  Ho  ex|)oolP(i  tlint  CIny 
and  Ailuina  would  willidraw  nl'ler  the  C'liiicis.  Iml  tlioy  ilidii't.  IIp  liiid  "  no  t'e;irii<  to  tlio  ri'siilt" — timt  is,  lip  v.■n^ 
qiiitosuretliiitCrjuvl'iird  would  heelccted  l'rc'«ideiit.  In  Ins  next  letter  to  lloyt  lie  says ;  "  I  have  tit  nntiine  doubtcl 
of  our  compleie  suci'oss."  Ills  nuidiiliite  •;ot  41  vutos  out  <ir"J'i| — and  Ad. mis,  wlioiii  lie  drscrilms  (No.  i;(fi.| 
ns  "  unalile  to  keep  llic  lielil,"  became  J'rc-ideiit.  and  would  liavo  licoa  re  ideciud  liiid  lie  -.loo|ie(l  to  liuy  ttie  in. 
ding  politiciuiH  mid  pro^liuiic  lij>  ollice  to  party  grirpo.ses,  iivarice,  aiiiliiiioii  and  iiitn.'.'iip,  as  Van  lliirrii  nnerwnrili 
did.  In  the  aliovo  leUrr,  \an  liiireii  pr:ii-c<  .Noiti.  In  .Inlv,  IKtS,  .Sdali,  thro'  lii^  Evening  Star,  amuses  Ins 
"Old  neinocraticT  Friends  in  TnnimiiMy,"  willi  n  sket'-li  of  Ins  fririiil,  in  tlieMi  words; 

"  You  may  rememlier  when  in  If<l7  we  ran  up  the  Hucklail  lln';  we  liud  hut  ei^'litcen  men  with  us  in  the  Legisla- 
ture, and  with  only  three  presses  in  the  Slate  we  opposed  Douitt  Clinton,  on  the  frroiinds  flint  he  hud  opposed  the 
war,  and  run  a;,'ainst  James  Madison  lor  the  I'rcs  deney,  and  in  lliree  years  we  carried  tlFc,<tiitn.  Where  was  .'\lnrtiii 
Van  Burcn  at  that  tune?  With  the  democracy — w;tli  the  War  party — with  the  .Madisoniaiis  .'  No  such  thing,  lie 
was  hanging  on  tlie  skirts  of  Mr.  ("liiiton  :  and  here  let  nie  remind  you  lliut  liani.'in:;  on  the  skirts  of  eminent  men 
has  been  the  peculiar  feature  and  secret  of  .Mr.  Van  lliiren's  adv.iiieunioiil.  He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  as  a  Clin- 
tonian  ;  lie  moved  in  the  Convention  l<i  have  (^lintiiu's  nomination  as  (loveriior  made  unanimous ;  he  hung  cliisuly 
to  his  skirts  until  he  saw  the  current  setting  aiainst  him,  when  ho  d'oppcd  oil"  and  tai  ked  himsell'to  the  skirls  A 
Tompkins,  and  when  Tompki  is  retired,  he  got  hold  of  the  skirts  of  Ko:;ir  l-kinnor,  I'eiley  Keyes  and  Silas  Wright, 
and  clambered  into  the  Seiialo  of  the  I.T.  Slates  much  to  the  aiiiiDyaiice  of  lliiit  clisiiileresied  politician.  Col.  Sainupl 
Young.  In  the  Senate  he  held  on  to  the  skirts  of  Rufiis  King,  until  he  got  introduced  into  '  good  society.'  He  then 
took  hidd  of  the  skirts  of  Crawford,  and  when  poor  Crawford  lokt  the  election  of  I'resicWnt.  and  John  Quincy  Adnirn 
Kucceeded  he  ni.ido  two  or  three  grabs  at  his  skirts,  but  Adams  wore  n  spencer  and  Van  IJiiren  missed  his  hold,  nnd 
he  settled  down  quietly  in  llio  Senate  looking  round  to  see  whom  he  could  iie.xt  ride,  like  the  old  man  in  the  story  of 
Hinbud  the  suilor.  At  leiiL'th  whtn  it  was  reduced  to  a  certainty  thai  .Andrew  Jackson  would  succeed,  heereeped  tiy 
liegrees  near  him.  for  the  old  (;hief  was  alriid  of  Van  Iliireii,  and  tiiially  lie  succeeded  in  getting  him  by  the  buUoii, 
and  in  this  way  gut  into  the  Cabinet ;  he  then  caught  hold  of  the  skirls  of  Katon,  Kendall  nnd  Itlair,  nnd  linally, 
through  their  intercessions  und  elVurts,  ho  crawled  into  the  old  Ccnerul's  breeches  pocket  and  he  made  him  hii  sue- 
cenor." 

t  Mr.  Van  Itiiren  shows  verv  little  sngncilv  in  this  letier.  His  expectations  as  to  Prnnford  were  nnytliinshut 
nalized.  The  members  of  Congress  at  Washington,  contrary  to  Holler's  reports,  fathered  by  Itowne.  derided,  181  to 
66,  out  of  a  body  of  21)1  members,  to  attend  no  Caucus  todictiite  a  President  to  the  Republic.  Van  Buren  and  sixty- 
five  others  held  the  Caucus,  and  pretendeu  to  speak  for  the  I'nion,  nnd  dictate  to  the  people  ;  but  they  nnmbated 
onljT  on*-fourth  of  the  whole  Congreasmen,  nnd  their  cuiididnie  did  not  even  get  ai  many  votei  «<  that  fuuith. 


VAl 

mention  yoi 
where  the  e 

1  undersii 
before  the  t 
tnentiuiied, 
ject ;  fur  A 
AND  BKN 
ING,  PRO 

I  think,  a 
journa,  or  a 
the  summer 
Should  you 
objects  I  ha 
respectable 
through  all  tl 
cidedly  for  ii 
c'ined  to  do 
roiintry  to  se 
-Mr.  Butler  e 
up  the  Elect! 

Extracts  f 
1824.— '•  I  h 
as  we  formei 
nre  makini.'  i\ 
I  hope  you  n 
powerful  opp 
sally  to  carry 

[No.  140.] 

Albany,  I 
I  have  presu' 
and  direct  >t 
I  send  two  d 
to  pay  it  you 
regarded  a.s  i 
rally  very  ini 
judge  make 
as  ever  lire(f 


Senator 
[No.  l-i 

Al.BA.NY,  I 

your  approbtu 
one,  nnd  allf 
letter  has  bi 
upon  the  e\ 
you  sent  mel 

1 1  presnmel 
to  voto  down  r 
and  for  other  I 

i  John  Sndij 
slate,  of  wliic 
h,id  had  a  (loll 
place— and  lij 
that  great  stal 
pie  from  elecl 
same  year  hel 
strous  iniquitl 
The  qucstion| 
again  taken- 
fur  u  refieal  I 
no  twice,  thel 
pointed  1  CluT 
for  refieul — b^ 
Albany,  Api 
repieheatibltj 


•  SF.EKINO. 


VAN  BURENISM  IX  THE  BUD— PARTY  PRINCIPLES — SUDAM — MALLORV. 


1^9 


Such  is  not  how. 

who  have  been  so 

iijni  has  said  os  to 

Advocate  hua  Inst 

some  sort  nf  obli- 

Miike   my  liest 

ly  rxi'iist!  nie  from 

|M    V.  DUREN. 

n  iiolitiral  sagacity. 

Mnrch  6,  1824— 
Ijytich  unci  King 
)ti(]  o(  our  complete 
:)trs  from  attcndini; 
n  Inraely  of  ihe  fa. 

iS  soinetitiiegninni- 

On  ihi'  nsaumptiun 
9tion  (if  the  election 
li  alinr  the  rourse  of 
■P.1/S  ami  the  reasons 
ii'ct,  uiui  so  will  our 
lake  niy  lust  respecM 

M.  V.  BURKN. 

— Office  Hunting— 
s. 

ihe  4th  came  duly  to 
)mpson  received  from 
your  application  to 
rely  despaired  imtil  I 
liniot  Fiicceed  in  get- 
for  a  livelihood  than 
I  think  he  will  soon  pn 
raisr  a  jnut  and  eqiii- 
ir  to  obtain  ;  hut  it  ap- 
own  are  at  varianre. 
:  as  we  remain  in  iliis 
rd  only  knows.     You 

IIo  expected  tlinl  CIny 
lieri'iiill" — llint  is,  liewai 
I  have  tit  nn  tune  doubtM 
111  lie  (Irscrilios  (No.  i:i8.| 
he  »li}()|inl  to  liijy  tlie  lt:i- 
,  lis  Van  Uureii  at^crwnrii< 
Ki''cninjr  .star,  amuses  Ins 

icn  with  us  in  the  I.cgisla- 

tiiat  he   hnil  oppDscd  the 

■!tali!.     Wliere  was  .Miirlin 

aii:«  !     No  such  tliin<,'.    He 

the  skirts  of  ciiuiient  mea 
ed  to  till!  Senate  as  a  Chii- 
luniiiious;  he  hun^  closely 
veil  hinibclf  to  the  skirls  >'f 
y  Keves  and  Silas  VVtiglil, 
led  politician,  Col.  Samuel 
o 'pooil  society.'  lie  then 
I.  and  John  Cluincy  Adniin 
ijiiren  missed  his  hold,  and 

the  old  man  in  Ihe  story  of 
uuld  succeed,  he  e reeped  by 

;;cttinj!  him  hy  the  button, 
lull  mill  Klair,  and  tinully, 
I  and  he  made  him  hii  luc- 

ranfiird  were  nnvtliine  hut 
hy  Itowne.  derided,  Ifil  to 
lie.  Van  Buren  and  sixty- 
leople  ;  but  they  numbered 
ly  votet  B)  that  fourth. 


mention  your  burinefs  is  again  increosing  a  little,  which  1  hope  is  the  case,  fur  if  it  does  not, 
where  the  end  of  1824  will  tiid  ii.i  I  should  not  like  to  undertake  to  sny. 

1  understood  Mr.  'I'h'niiphon,  I  ilunk,  if  the  river  opened  soon,  that  he  should  he  up  agnin 
before  the  close  of  the  !<rs.si(in  ;  it  he  will  not  lie  up  a^aiii  /  aha'l  write  htm  about  what  yuu 
mentioned,  and  shnll  nlm  spciik  vnnjidentially  to  one  nr  two  of  my  friends,  myself  on  the  tub. 
jecf.for  ANYTMINi;  1  CAN  00  lOTHK  PREJUDICE  OF  [EDWARD]  LiVlNUSTON 
AND  BENEFIT  OF  .MYSKLF,  I  THINK  1  A.M  I'EKFECTLY  JUSTIFIABLE  IN  DO- 
ING, PROVIDED  ALWAYS  THAT  HE  DOES  NOT  FIND  IT  OUT. 

I  think,  and  have  thought  all  winter,  that  it  would  lie  licst  lor  me,  niter  the  Legislature  ad- 
journs, or  alter  1  ^'et  my  pay.  nnd  Mpiare  the  yards  here,  to  (;o  soniiwhere  else  and  locate  for 
tiie  suiiinier,  with  n  view  la  taiiy  into  efli  ct  the  special  order  ul  the  day,  to  wit,  economy. 
Should  you  approve  of  i^iis  siiggesiion,  1  will  mention  Uiica  aa  a  phici:  cuiiihining  hutli  the  g>reat 
objects  I  have  in  view,  economy  and  imprnvcnient.  Mr.  Lynch  suys  I  can  get  board  there  in 
respectable  boarding  hiKHea  at  the  rate  of  fioni  16s.  to  IHs.  per  week,  wliereus  I  pay  here 
throughail  the  summer  i^tis.  I  should  n-giet  very  much  to  leave  Mr.  Butler,  but  I  know  it  ia  de- 
cidedly for  my  interest  to  do  ho,  and  with  your  consent  and  a|iprobation,  1  feel  very  much  in- 
clined to  do  it  thi.i  sprinjT.  Charles  is  tiomg  to  leave,  and  is  going  somewhere  in  the  Western 
rountry  to  seiile,  and  1  shall  have  no  person  to  give  ine  any  instruction  in  my  studies  if  I  stay. 
Mr.  Butler  cannot  do  it,  becuu!-e  he  is  constantly  engaged  in  his  own  business.  The  Senate  take 
up  the  Electoral  bill  to-morrow,  and  no  doubt  will  treat  it  asxiiF.  rooRxuiNO  deserves.     #     «     » 

L.  IIOYT. 

Extracts  from  a  letter — Lorenzo  Iloyi,  at  Albany,  to  Jesse,  at  New  Y'^ork — dated  June  20, 
1824. — "  I  have  commenced  r<-poitini,'  regularly  for  the  .Mercantile.  Charles  and  me  do  it  together, 
nfl  we  formed  a  partnership  before  the  eomiiiencement  ot  the  session  *  *  •  You  say  you 
nre  making'  a  push  for  the  oll'ice  of  attorney  to  the  corporation,  and  1  think  your  claims  are  good, 
I  hope  you  may  siiceeed — but  I  presume  it  is  doubtful,  a.-<  you  undoubtedly  have  to  contend  with 
powerful  opponents,  1  shall  not  be  much  di.sappnintcd  if  you  fail — but  1  would  make  a  grand 
sally  to  carry  my  point  this  time." 

[No.  140.]     Prirutf.     W.  L.  Jlarcy  to  J.  Jloyt.     Stop  the  American.    A  cure  for  Ada.nnism. 

Albany,  22,  March,  1824.  Dear  Sir:  I  now  take  the  American,  and  wish  to  discontinue  it. 
I  have  presuMed  to  trouble  you  to  call  or  send  to  the  office  of  that  paper,  pay  the  balance  I  owe, 
and  direct  >!  discontinued.  I  owe  fur  the  country  paper  from  the  9th  September  last.  Enclosed 
I  send  two  dollars.  The  account  may  be  a  few  shillings  over.  If  yon  will  have  the  goodness 
to  pay  it  you  will  much  oblisc  nn  old  friend.  The  attack  upon  Mr.  Malloryt  ia  by  every  body 
regarded  us  cruel  and  savnije,  and  bus  called  forth  an  universal  burst  of  indignation.  I  am  gene. 
rally  very  inditferent  to  these  paper  shots,  but  my  long  intimacy  and  sincere  friendship  for  the 
judge  make  me  feel  in  a  very  lively  manner  thin  outrage  upon  as  pure  and  sjwtless  a  character 
as  ever  lived.     I  hope  thi.s  proecedinci  will  euro  hini  of  his  Adamsism, 

Yours  sincerely,         W.  L.  MARCY. 

Senator  Sudani  feils  grateful  for  Mr.  Iloyt's  favorable  opinion  of  his  political  conduct. 
[No,  HOn.]  John  Sudani,  Senate,  N.  Y.  to  .Tesse  Hoyt. 

Ai.BA.NY,  1 1th  April,  1H24. — My  Dear  Sir:  /  thank  you  for  your  favorable  opinion,  and  for 
wur  approbation  of  the  cour.ie  pursued  by  me  during  the  present  session.  It  has  been  an  arduous 
one,  and  all  I  can  say  i",  that  /  ha're  discharged  my  duty  fearlessly,  but  conscientiously.  Your 
letter  has  been  delivered  to  the  Governor.  Fj.xcuse  me  for  not  writing  more  ut  large — wo  are 
upon  the  eve  of  breaking  up,  and  arc  very  full  of  business  of  every  description.  The  section 
you  sent  me  has  pasi-ied  into  a  law.  Yours  cordially,         {JOHN  S^IDAM. 

I I  presume  that  Mr.  .Murcy  refers  to  .)unie<  Mallory,  oii«  ol'llie  IT  senators  who  obeyed  Van  Buren's  commands, 
to  vote  down  the  hill  troin  the  Assembly  Rivins  the  peopio  the  choice  of  electors  of  President  and  Vice  President, 
and  fur  other  niensures  in  contempt  of  the  democratic  principle 

}  John  Snd«m,  n  clever  lawyer,  who  resided  at  Kingston,  UUtcr  county,  \.  Y.,  wns  elected  to  the  Senate  of  tim 
slate,  of  which  he  soon  became  nil  active  and  popular  moiiiber.  Me  hnd  been  an  efficient  uiid  zealous  federalist — 
h.id  had  a  political  nuarrel  witfi  Van  Uiirun — a  cliailinf;e  to  fijjht  n  duel  had  passed  between  them,  but  it  didn't  take 
place — and  had  been  an  ardent  Mijiporter  iil'  C'lininn.  hut  wheeled  suddenly  round,  in  I8'20,  into  the  front  ranks  of 
that  great  statesman's  most  active  opponents.  He  was  one  of  the  17  senators  who,  in  1824,  voted  to  prevent  the  peo- 
ple from  electing  the  electors  of  President  and  Vice-Presidi-nt,  and  to  oust  (,'liiiton  from  the  ennal  board — and  that 
dame  year  he  sat  as  chairman  of  the  Important  conimitteu  which  very  slightly  inquired  into  and  exposed  the  moU' 
strous  iniquity  practiced  on  the  people  and  the  lejjislutiire,  in  oliiaining  a  charter  for  the  (;lieniie.ttl  Bank,  N.  Y. 
The  question  wns  taken  on  the  passasje  of  the  bill,  March  ltd — yeas  18 — nays  13 — lost.  The  same  question  won' 
again  taken— yeas  19 — navs  12 — carried.  Honest  Jas|ier  Ward  was  a  yea,  and  when  the  vole  come  up  next  Nov. 
for  u  repeal  he  and  Bowman  bulled.  Sudam,  Clark  and  Bronson,  who  had  all  voted  yea  (Sudain  having  voted 
no  twice,  then  whteled  round  to  the  yeas,)  were  the  committee  of  inquiry.  Why  was  not  even  one  opponent  ap- 
pointed 1  Clark,  Bowne,  Greenly  and  Keyes,  voted  not  to  repeal  the  charter — Wright,  Kuril,  Rronson  and  Dudley  were 
for  re|ieul — but  Lieut,  (jov.  Rout  decided  that  a  reiieal  required  two-thirds,  and  the  bank  stands.  Mr.  Sudam  died  in 
Albany,  A|iril,  1835,  aged  .'>4  years — and  Hoyt  was  actiug  iu  character  whea  be  expresied  gratitude  for  Sutiam'a 
repteheosible  conduct  in  the  spriog  session  of  1834. 


■I 


i  ! 


SOU 


VAN  BUIJEX  AND  JESSE — A  JOURNEY  SOUTH CABINET  bECRETS. 


hi  ^. 


l^^•:•:v 


1  fe  ••-■",.'''•.  " 


' :»"  ;' 


I,   ■' 


Five  Ejiiatles  from  M.  Vmi  Diirm  In  J.  UoyI — a  civil  letter  and  deerxkin  vect  fvr  '  a  prodi- 
ginus  j't>Jt>w' — iiti  iittnrk  on  Cullinun—an  itltarkon  nelj  expected — helping  the  Telegraph-^ 
endiirsinu  J  ease  K  paper — Muster  Hai/iie, 

[No.  I'll  1  Washington,  Di-c.  29,  182fi. — My  Denr  Sir  :  I  hoiight  a  dnerakin  vest,  at 
the  store  on  ilie  cortu  r  ot'  Hroiulvviiy  niiil  Liln-ity  siret't.  Will  you  do  my  friend  Mr.  Rowan 
Senator  iVoiii  Kfntiicky,  the  favour  of  purchasinj;  one  for  liini,  and  tii  ndmg  it  down  by  the  first 
opporiuniiy  ?  It  luunt  be  the  lar^e.it  in  the  shi)p,  us  he  is  u  prodigious  fellow.  If  you  can 
oblige  him — write  him  a  civil  letter — lie  is  a  very  woriliy  f(L!llovv. 

In  great  iiasie,  your  friend,  M.  V.  BUREN. 

[No.  142.]  WASitiNOTON,  Dec.  30,  182G. — Denr  Sir:  Tlie  attack  on  the  Vice  President 
[J.  C.  Cnihouiij  nns  proilueed  very  great  exciiement.  Tlie  course  pursued  will  cause  it  to  recoil 
with  severity.  There  is  of  course  not  liie  (-lightest  pn-'eiire  for  the  alle!,'atioti.  Mr.  Sntterlen 
Clark  of  your  city  is  the  "  t^entli  iiian  from  New  York."  My  friend  Judge  Rowon  is  4,')  inclie<i 
round  the  chest.  My  f|uondam  friend  .lolin  A.  King,  uhiht  here,  stnyed  with  Mr.  Webster; 
and  when  he  partec!  from  nie,  I  was  so  sf  n-i'ole  from  his  iiiaTiner  that  he  carried  advices  froin 
here  which  would  niduce  the  UL'tninisiration  folks  to  come  out  nsainstnie  that  1  wrote  conliden- 
tinlly  to  Campbell  by  the  same  mail  my  impressions,  and  r('<iuested  General  Van  Rensselaer  lo 
look  out  for  it  in  the  Aincrirnn  the  niorniig  uftir  they  left  u^.  The  result  has.  1  think,  verified  my 
conjectures.     Say  nothing  of  this  as  coining  from  nie.         In  haste,  vour  friend, 

M.  V.  BUREN. 

[No.  14.'?.]  W.\.sni.VGTON,  Feb.  ,'i,  1827. — My  Dear  Sir:  This  will  he  handed  to  you'uy 
Mr.  Davis,  agent  of  the  eililor  of  the  National  Telegraph,  who  visits  our  rflate  to  obtain  sub.srr;. 
bera  for  that  pap'-r.  Any  as.si^tance  you  can  give  liim  in  pnunotiiig  his  object  will  be  gratefully 
remembered /ii/ ///!' c(u7o/-,  and  oblige  Your  IViend,  M.  V.  BURCN. 

[No.  144]  WASiiiNGTO.v,  Feb.  3,  1P27. — My  Dear  ^ir :  Brins;  rntirehj  free  from  EN'. 
DORSEMENTS  unw,  and  mil  situation  rrnderinf,  it  hisihhj  proper  that  I  should  remain  so, ! 
did  not  suppo.sc  I  could  hiirc  been  u.':iiin  dn.wn  into  thcni.  Y(>l]R  CASIj,  IKJWEVER, 
D  JES  NOT  ADMIT  OK  HESITATION.     Wishing  you  all  sorts  of  liappmess, 

1  remain  your  sincere  frieiul,         M.  V.  BUREN 

[No.  145.]  Wasiu.vgto.v,  Feb.  7,  1827. — .My  Dear  Sir:  This  will  be  handed  to  yo!i 
by  Master  Uayn ;,  son  of  my  iriend  Colonel  llayne  of  South  Carntina.  lie  wishes  to  come  on 
to  this  place  unde."  the  proieeiion  oi  some  person  traviUmg  soiitliwarii.  Do  me  the  favor  to  siv 
that  the  wishes  of  his  luiiier,  m  that  particular,  are  aifiidi  d  to.  My  friend  Thomas  Ludlnwis 
coining  on.  Yours,  sincerely,  M.  V.  BUREN, 


'  Wchstcr  looks  black,  und  Clay  lookn  hlne.^ 
[No.  14n.]  C.  C.  Cambreleng,  M.  C,  l^i  .Ies=e  Ilovt,  New  York. 

Wasiii.ngton,  13th  Feli  .  1H27. — Dear  lloyt:  We  are  carrying  all  before  ns.  IVrhster  ImU 
BLACK,  and  CLaij  looks  BLUE.  1  have  subsi;ril>ed  for  twenty-live  copit  s  of  the  Weekly  Teio- 
graph,  at  ,*!2  a  year.  I  wish  you  would  pi  t  that  ntiniber  ol'  siiliseiibcrs  foi'  nii',and  send  theli" 
to  me.  It's  so  cheap,  you  will  have  no  liiniciiliy  in  iilling  up  tiie  mmilv.r.  From  the  price  oi 
the  paper,  yon  will  see  it  is  designed  for  thi.  ri;ori.i;. 

Truly  y.uirs,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 


Van  Bitrcn  writes  to  Jesse  from  South  Carolina,  to  get  Xoc'i  to  ropy  his  "  rnnrise  avdperifjw 
uous'  speech  into  his    paper,  and  lo  !:rl  i!  into  the  Adrnente. 

[No.  147.]  Seinior  Van  Buren  to  .Tesse  Iloyt,  at  New  York. 

CoLtT.MBi/.,  S.  Carolina,  April  23,  1827. — .My  Dear  Sir :  When  I  left  Washintrton,  it  was  my 
intention  to  have  been  back  by  this  lime  :  but  the  extreme!  lio^plialiiy  of  the  Soutiirons,  lias  ren- 
dered it  absoluielv  iinpon:iible.     Wi;  shall  leave  here  on  VVedncsday  morning,  and  aficr  stoppinij 

a  few  days  at  Raleigh, ,+  anr,  Ricimiond,  make  ihe  lust  of  our  w.iy  home.     I  linvc  lookfr; 

anxiously  into  th"  muniiricsund  deaths  for  your  name,  but  have  not  vet  seen  it  in  either.  You 
vill  see  my  remarks  on  the  Colonial  Rill.  I  wish  you  would  ask  the  Editor  nf  the  Advocate  m 
repubhsh  them — and  if  the  ]\Iajor  [Noah]  wishes  to  present  his  readers  teith  a  concise,  and  per- 

t  It  ivns  (liiriiii;  llii'-  juiiriiey.  tlint  Van  B.  nrid  Cnmbrelcii!!  vMied  \V.  11.  Crnw  I'linl  in  Cooririn,  nnil  lenrnini}  from 
him  that  ('alhi»ini,  wliile  in  Nldiiniii's  rabiiiPt.  had  nut  iipiirovod  nf  .Inck'un'!!  cnidiirt  in  the  i^flininnle  war,  their 
conledpratei  arlfnUy  eoninuinic.itcd  the  |iiirli(Mil«r»  tn  (ifiipral  .hick'son.  niid  Kiirreedi'd  hi  raiisin^'  much  ill-will  be- 
twe«:n  him  und  Mr.  Calhoun.  VVIiiln  nl  liali'iL'h.  Van  liiiren.  in  rf  idv  to  n  dinner  iiiviliitlon  tVnin  the  citizens,  Ixlil 
th«ni,  amongst  ntller  oninil.ir  soijivgs,  that  "  'I'he  »|iirit  ot  encrnarhiiieiil  ha»  n»»uiiicd  u  new  und  fur  more  seduc 
tiv«  aevect,  anil  can  only  he  riisi^ted  by  ibe  exercise  uf  tincummmi  virtuet." 


gpieunus  view 
JURE  HIS  Fj 


[No.  147 
Extract  of  B 
the  Richmond 
<'  This  heir 
among  others 
went  to  see  th 
lars  at  the  lasi 
stowed  away 
GEOUS  SlGl 
fectly  agreeali 

Remarks.— 

licious  fulseho 
from  doing  so 
excuse  himse 
one  of  the  nio 
If  a  meiiibe 
lie,  to  injure  a 
such  a  long  ci 
or  uninformed 
graph  attaeket 
[iristocratic  pri 
11  is  to  have 
Blair,  and  the! 


[No.  148 
New  York,! 
one  else  to  ele 
directions  to 
not  pay  the  \ 
for  troubling 

[No.  \i 
to  Mr.  Wile 
B.  sent  by 
me  forthwiti; 
will,  of  com 


t  By  a  refer( 
the  course  1 1 
Huyt  in  Nov 
llie  fact  that 
Wnshiiiploi) 
conidiiiiion  ii 
acted  in  food 
cnnilidate  tor 
capital  n  as  I 
re-eleclimi  o) 
rea  caiididato, 
nms  the  i^tale 
nine  years  hi; 
cmno  out.  h/ 
to  the  Adam 
sides,  and  «r, 
insert  hi-,  spei 
iiieer  in  this  « 
of  Van  Bun 
1H«SI,  N.inh, 
tcilll  S.  Sitar 
Sreat  incusiir 
in  ut  preieiit, 
friend  J.    Cli 
with  him  an 
tmry  rmison 
Van  Buren 
preventing  P 
iilnvod  hv  SI 
uivor  of  rii 
ra-9lact  Vai 


lECRETS. 

\n  vect  for  '  a  prodU 
ling  the  Telegraphs 

It  a  dnerskin  vest,  at 
|y  friend  Mr.  Rowan, 
|ig  it  down  by  the  first 
fellow.     If  you  can, 

M.  y.  BUREN. 

I  on  tiie  Vice  President 
will  cause  it  to  recoil 
tniion.  Mr.  Sntterlee 
fe  Rowan  is  45  incliei; 
with  Mr.  Webster; 
cnrried  advices  from 
that  1  wrote  confiden- 
Irnl  Van  Rensselaer  lo 
as.  I  think,  verified  my 
friend, 

M.  V.  BUREN. 

bu  handed  to  you  uy 
riiaie  to  obtain  subsrri. 
hjcct  will  be  ijnUtfuliy 

M.  V.  BUREN. 

ntiirhj  free  frmn  KN". 

!  /  nhoiild  remnin  so,  I 

CASK,  HOWEVER, 

'il)|)inij;s, 

M.  V.  BUREN 

I  will  be  handed  to  yoij 
lie  wisihfis  to  come  on 
Do  nip  the  favor  to  «iv 

ieiid  Thomas  Ludlnwij 
M.  V.  BUREN. 


■n. 

ore  lis.  ^^rbsler  louU 
i.s  of  the  Weekly  Tei.- 
tor  nil',  and  send  ilicli^: 
ler.     l''roMi  the  price  n 

;.  CAMBRELENG, 


s  "  rnnrine  aiidperitjiir 
roi-'itc. 

York. 

Washinston,  it  was  my 
tlie  .Soiiihrons,  ijas  ren- 
niiifi,  and  afierstoppinij 
'  home.  I  liavc  looker; 
seen  it  in  cither.  You 
Utnr  nf  the  Advocate  m 
with  a  concise  and  pn^ 

I  fJcnrsin,  ninl  Irnrninj  from 
in  tli(>  Somiimie  wnr.  llioir 
in  riiiisiir;;  tniicli  ill-will  be- 
ation  I'mm  the  oilizenn,  tnld 
i  u  new  and  fur  inure  seduc 


RITCHIE — Vri  iniAETON — ECONOMV — THE  r.vr.TV  IKICKED. 


sot 


gpieunus  view  of  that  nuhject,  AND  TS  NOT  APPREHENSIVE  THAT  HE  WOULD  IN- 
JURE HIS  FRIEND  MR.  CLINTON.t  he  might  do  the  smuf  thing.     In  baste, 

Yoins,  sincerely,  M.  V.  BUREN. 

Thomas  Bltchic's  Parly  Practice — The  E'lut  Ronni  Letter. 
[No.  M7a.]  Fiorn  Nile-s's  Re<?ister,  Vol.  37— 1829— ".'JO. 

E.xtraot  of  a  Unter,  dated  .I;uiuary  1st,  1827,  and  addressed  to,  and  published  by,  the  Editor  of 
the  Richmond  Enquirer. 

"  This  being  the  day  on  which  the  President's  House  is  thrown  open  to  all  visitcv^,!  went, 
amon^  others,  to  pny  my  respects  to  him,  [Mr.  Adams  ;]  or  rathfr,  I  should  fairly  confess,  I 
went  to  see  the  E.\st  Rocjm,  for  the  furni.'^hiiig  of  which  vvr,  had  voted  twenty  five  thousand  dol- 
lars at  the  last  sc-sion  (.f  Compress.  I  wms  an.xious  to  see  how  that  amount  of  I'urniiure  could  be 
stowed  away  in  a  single  room,  and  my  curiosity  was  fully  satisfied.  It  was  truly  A  GOR- 
GEOUS SIGHT  to  behold  ;  but  had  too  nmcli  the  look  of  REGAL  MAGNIFICENCE  to  be  per- 
fectly agreeable  to  my  old  republican  feelings." — Eichmnpd  Enquirer,. J  any.  A,  1827. 

Remarks. — Mr.  Ritchie  was  instantly  charged  by  other  presses  with  having  published  a  ma- 
licious falsehood,  there  beinL' no  truth  in  the  above.  Did  he  hasten  to  make  amends?  So  far 
from  doinif  so,  it  was  tour  months  (April  27,  1827.)  before  he  could  be  induced  even  to  try  to 
excuse  himself  by  saying  that  "  The  account  to  which  the  writer  refers  svas  forwarded  to  us  by 
gne  of  the  most  intelligent  and  distinauis'iei!  members  of  Con(cres="." 

If  a  meiiiher  of  Comrrrss  really  made  him  his  dupe,  by  telling  hint  a  wanton  and  malicioua 
lie,  to  injure  another,  why  did  he  not  e.xpose  him  to  his  constituents,  and  why  allow  the  untruth 
such  a  long  circulation  ?  Is  it  thus  that  the  Union  is  to  be  used  to  give  the  signal  to  500  servile 
or  uninformed  party  presses?  Is  this  democracy?  In  August,  1829,  the  Editor  of  the  Tele- 
graph attacked  Mr.  Adams  on  'tother  side.  "  It  is  well  known  (said  he)  that  thro'  Mr.  Adams's 
[iristocratic  pride  this  elepant  room  [the  East  Room]  was  left  unfurnished,''  &,c.  What  an  evil 
It  is  to  have  editors  in  power,  iind  infliieneing  the  people,  who,  like  Ritchie,  Noah,  Cro8well> 
Blair,  and  their  employers,  say  "  all's  fair  in  politics,"  and  act  accordingly  I 


Exchanging  a  Carriage — an  Apology  fur  one  cent  of  Postage. 
[No.  148.1  Letters,  M.irtin  Van  Biiren,  at  N.  York,  to  Lorenzo  Iloyt,  at  Albany. 
New  York,  .lune  2,  1827. — My  Dear  Sir :  Will  you  do  me  the  favor  to  get  Dennis  or  some 
one  else  to  clean  up  my  harness  and  Phaetun.imd  send  them  to  nie  by  one  of  the  boats,  with 
directions  to  give  me  ihe  earlie.st  intbrniiition  of  its  arrival.  I  want  toe.xcliangi'  it  here.  I  can- 
not pay  the  postage  of  this  [  12\  cents]  lint  will  repay  it  among  your  other  expenres.  K.xcuse  me 
for  troubling  you,  and  write  me.  Your  friend,  M.  V.  BUREN. 

[No.  149.]  •  N.  Y..  .Tune  fi,  1827. — My  Dear  Sir:  I  have  sent  a  copy  of  the  enclosed 
to  Mr.  Wileoxon.  with  directions  to  advertise  anew.  The  Chancellor  would  not  grant  the  order 
B.  sent  by  Mr.  Butler.  Consult  Mr.  B.  as  to  the  form  of  making  the  amendment,  and  do  it  for 
me  forthwith.  /  hare  nn  opportunity  nf  paying  the  po.itage  of  this  [it  was  one  cent]  but  you 
will,  of  course,  keep  an  account  of  your  e.xpences  in  this  matter. 

In  haste,  your  friend,  M.  V.  BUREN. 

t  By  n  reference  to  V^in  Puren.  Putlor,  i\inl  Croswell's  previous  letters  to  Iloyt,  nbniit  Noali,  instriictins  himia 
tlie  course  llint  wonlil  licit  servf  their  luirposi's,  unil  r<irnnienilin!r  hi''  conduct  :  iinil  iilso  lo  Viin  Unren's  letter  to 
Hoyt  in  Nov..  l>*-^.  f.N'n  l.^ii.)  where  he  tii\»  '■  I  sorely  rcaret  the  loss  of  Noiih's  eioction  ;"  iind  by  cnliinff  to  mind 
the  fnct  Ihnt  Vim  lliiren  sot  nside  the  cliiuos  of  (;odilnii;ton  nnd  iniiny  others,  in  l8J!t,  that,  wi'h  nnicli  difficulty  In 
Wnshinploii,  he  niiaht  iirovide  hir  .\oiili.  Iiy  the  Sorvoyorship,  the  ri\ndid  render  ivill  perhnps  arrive  nl  the  some 
roni'liimon  lis  nivself,  tiitit  lliiniinoiid  is  wroiiij  in  his  opinion — that  Van  Huron,  Marcv.  Knoxioi,  t.'roswel!  &  Co, 
acted  in  food  fuith  towards  .Mr.  lior.hester,  when  Ihev  nominated  him  at  their  Herkimer  convention,  Oct.  18*20,  ui  a 
cnnilidnte  I'or  (iovornor,  in  opposiiion  to  I'linlun.  (.'linlon  was  lor  .liicksoii — m  nnin  was  Van  llnren  ;  all  his  party 
ciipitui  nas  lliiis  invi'sieil.  Itoi'lic.ier  was  the  warm,  personal,  and  iiolilica!  friend  of  Clay,  iiiid  niLxious  fur  tho 
reelerlioii  of  .Vdaiii^— so  was  I'eter  B.  I'orler  of  lilacit  Kock,  who  addressed  the  electors  in  favor  of  Ihe  Vnn  Bu- 
reii  caiulidato,  reminding  Ihein,  and  with  \ory  cood  reason  too.  that  Kochester's  election  would  proliRhly  give  Ad- 
ams the  Stale  of  New  York,  while  Clinton's  tni^'lit  secure  it  to  .lackson.  Nouh  had  tried  to  nmke  money,  eight  or 
nine  years  liefore,  liv  desertinii  the  hiicktiiils — it  would  he  ii  irood  trick  in  Van  lltirm  to  alliiw  him  to  np))ear  to 
come  out,  of  his  oinn  accord,  lor  Clinton,  njfiiiiisi  his  own  [the  V.  II. J  parly.  t)y  which  ineiiiis  the  chiinces  uj  defeat 
to  Ihe  Adams  rainliilaie  oiiidil  he  j;ioatly  increased,  while  Van  linren  and  his  friends  would  make  ctipitui  on  both 
sides,  nnd  srim  to  liavi'  kept  their  word.  Van  linren  writes  from  South  Carolina  to  Hoyt.  in  18*}",  lo  (fel  Nonh  to 
insert  his  speeches,  "  if  he  is  not  iipprelicn^'vo  II  would  injure  lii*  I'ri  id,  .\lr,  Clinton."  Tliorc's  something  of  the 
iiieer  in  tins  siivnii;  clnusc — Croswrll  went  for  Kocliester  who  was  defciiled  :  .\oali  for  Cliiiloii  and  .lackson — many 
of  Vnn  liiiren's  coiilideiitial  friends,  at  Alhaiiv  and  elsewhere,  were  njainst  Rochester — nnd  when  tlit  tug  came  in 
IH^,  Noah,  Van  Iliiren,  Cr;iswell,  Wright.  I'lagg,  and  the  ami  .\diiiiis  men,  werefnir.d  pulling  steadily  one  wuy, 
uith  S.  Swnrtwinit.  mil  tuk  si'oii.s.  Noiili's  bitterness  towards  Van  linren,  in  Ift'll  to  IHtl,  was  probably  In  a 
great  measure  oivin:;  to  the  impression  he  had,  that  his  useful  diiplicilv  had  mil  receiveil  a  siiitiih/r  rowanl.  Tlirra 
is  lit  present,  n  very  good  nnderslanding  re  estalilislied  ;  and  Viin  Biiren  niiil  Noah,  as  ihey  deserve  to  he,  are  ngnln 
friends.  Clinton,  as  (Jovc'iiur,  had  I!r)."iO  votes  over  Uochcsler;  and  I'ilcliur.  the  liiicktiiil  noiniiK-e,  was  returned 
with  him  as  l.ienteimiit-tJoveruor.  "  Had  Hoclirster  (Van  Unren's  preteiiiled  rainl'dato)  hccii  circled,  there  it 
every  rniisoii  In  hclicM'  {'»nsj  llamnioiid)  r/i«MA^  entire  iiiite  nf  the  Siiitr  wint/il  hire  hern  iri  ecu  to  Jtdams" — and 
Van  Biiren  writes  Hoyt,  Feb.  »*.  {"'.it).  f.\o,  Hi.'i]  that  Westervelt,  in  18'.'",  had  savcil  their  imrtv  from  defeat  bjr 
preventing  Pitcher's  nomin  ition  at  Herkimer — (Ac  inry  man  thry  pretended  In  snppnrt  in  IftiO.  The  apathy  dit- 
plnvod  bv  some  of  Van  Unren's  mm,  and  tlie  opposition  of  others,  towards  Kocliester,  havin„'  turned  the  teal*  in 
uivor  of  Clinton,  the  Clinloni  ins  in  lhi>  legislature  rewarded  the  treachery  (if  »uch  we  inuy  aaaie  it)  by  voting  to 
re-«Uct  Van  Burou  tu  the  U.  ti.  tieuule,  in  Feb.  1S!7. 


K-  i;i 


■-  .  .    -f  i' 


'•■■^i 


'■I 


202 


VAN  BUREN,  WRIGUT,  VERPLANCK,  MANUFACTURES,  MASONRY. 


1,  ;.. 


?>•  ;.!• 


ri  r4  > 


■  f "  t  • 


!    1 


[No.  150.]  Tuesday  morning,  June  12,  1827. — I  must  leave  here  on  Saturday  mom. 

ing,  and  if  my  carriage  cannot  be  sent  down  so  that  I  can  have  it  by  Friday  morning,  it  will  not 
be  worth  while  to  send  it. 

[No.  151.]  New  York,  June  13,  1827. — Dear  Sir:  lam  detained  here  by  nothing 

save  the  carriage  ;  and,  contrary  to  my  letter  of  yesterday,  I  wish  you  would  send  it  down  upon 
the  receipt  of  this,  if  I  should  have  to  wait  until  next  Monday  to  exchange  it. 

In  haste.  Your  friend,  M.  V.  BUREN. 


[No.  152.]  .Tohn  Van  Buren,  [Attorney  General,  &€.,]  (o  Jes.se  Hoyt,  Albany. 

New  Haven,  Nov.  28,  1827. — Dear  Sir :  I  wish  very  much  to  get  my  riHe  here  ;  and  I  know 
of  no  other  person  except  you  to  whom  lean  write  about  it,  1  would  he  very  much  obliged  to  you 
if  you  would  have  a  leather  covering  made  for  it,  and  put  it  on  board  of  the  Constellation  or 
Consiitution,  in  charge  of  ihe  Captain  ;  directeil  to  me.  rare  of  Drake  &,  Andrews,  Tontine, 
New  Haven.  The  Captain  will  send  it  over  to  either  of  the  New  Haven  boats,  and  so  I  will 
get  it.  I  want  it  very  much,  and  I  don't  think  I  shall  be  home  in  the  winter  or  I  would  not 
trouble  you  ;  it  is  in  my  bed  room.  Whatever  the  expense  is  yon  ran  get  it  of  Mr.  Butler,  or  if 
you  pay  it  I  will  pay  you  when  I  get  home.  The  bullet-mould  is  in  one  of  the  draws  of  the 
side  board :  if  not  there,  I  wish  you  would  look  for  it.  '  JOHN  VAN  BUREN. 


The  Metaphysics  of  the  Committee  of  Congress  on  Maviifactmrs,  In  1828. 
[No.  153.]  Governor  Wright,  Washington,  to  .Tes.se  Hoyt,  Alban\\ 

[Free,  S.  Wright,  Jr.  Rep.  in  Congress,]  Washington  City,  15  January,  182;:^. 

My  Dear  Sir :  A  note  from  the  Hon.  G.  C.  Verplanck  was  received  by  me  yesterday,  enclod- 
ing  a  letter  from  yourself,  together  with  a  particular  reference  to  the  Committee  on  Manufac- 
tures, of  which  I  am  a  member,  of  a  subject  very  nearly  and  deeply  interesting  to  the  Committee, 
as  well  as  to  the  farmers  and  manufacturers  of  our  beloved  country  ;  to  wit,  the  subject  of  do- 
mestic consumption. 

You  propose  to  him  to  refer  it  to  me  "  as  one  of  prrsons  and  papers,  properly  belonging  to  the 
Manufacturing  Committee."  Ii  may  do  very  well  as  one  of  the  "  pnpas  properly  belonging  to 
the  Committee."  But  it  would  seem  very  clearly  to  mo,  that  it  is  only  the  rr.idrnrc  of  "  one  uf 
the  persons^'  properly  belonging,  &.C.,  as  you  ciinnot  have  forgotten  thiit  the  "  paper"  had  re- 
ceived "  an  envious  rent,"  which  you  say  was  "  from  an  Adams  Woman."  Now  tills  Adams 
Woman  would  appear  to  be  more  nearly  one  of  the  persons,  as  possessing  evidently  the  ability 
of  proving  to  the  committee  the  facts  in  relation  to  this  branch  of  consumption.  But  wuether 
or  not  this  conclusion  be  strictly  correct,  another  follows  directly  from  a  view  of  the  "  paper" 
itself,  and  which  it  is  passing  strange  you  siioiild  have  ovi  rlooki'il.  The  repair  of  liiis  "  envious 
rent,''  you  say,  was  immediately  made  "by  the  most  delicate  lingers  that  c^ild  be  possibly  tii- 
listed  in  the  cause  of  the  General !"  This  repair  is  manifest  and  presents  of  itself  a  delicate 
specimen  of  domestic  manufacture,  important  to  the  comfort,  vconomij,  and  independence  of  this 
republican  government.  Now  if  it  had  occurred  to  you,  that  the  objeet  of  the  Committee  is  not 
only  to  procure  useful  specimens  of  domestic  manut'actures.but  also  the  pirsonal  attendance  he- 
fore  the  Committee  of  the  individual  practical  manufacturers  themselves,  that  they  may  see  and 
learn  at  the  same  time,  you  certainly  would  not  have  omitted  to  forward  the  names  or  name  so 
directly  rendered  material,  to  enable  the  Committee  faithfully  to  diwharge  their  important  trust. 

We  have  no  news  here.  I  shall  at  all  times  be  extremely  pleased  to  hear  from  yon  by  letter. 
In  much  haste,  I  am  very  sincerely  your  friend,  and  humble  servant,   SILAS  WRUillT,  Jr. 


Electioneering — Mr.  Clay  a  Mason  of  rank — Poinsett's  Mexican  Masonry — Is  .7.  Q.  Adume 
a  Mason  ? — Martindale  on  Slarery — (hdian  f\  Verplanck. 

[No.  154.]  (Julian  C  Verplanck,  M.  C,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Aliiany. 

Washington,  Jan.  22, 1828. — Dear  Sir  :  I  have  just  been  told  by  a  distinguisiied  Western 
member  that  Mr.  Clay  is  a  Mason  of  rank.  He  has  been  in  Lodjies,  Chapters,  &.C.,  with  him. 
Cannot  this  be  so  used  with  Clay's  friends  in  our  Western  District,  or  with  the  people,  as  to  di- 
vert that  question  from  mingling  with  the  Presidential  one?* 


*<!nlinn  C.  Verplanck  show!  nn  Inck  of  tnct  in  whnt  i«  rnllod  eleftiMPPPrinc.  Me  wiis  tho  v/\\\\>  rnnrlidnte  for 
Movnr  of  New  York  tii  IH'14.  nnrt  nime  within  180  vnlos  of  rtprcnliri!;  (.'.  W.  I,ii\vrenr'(>.  ihnii'ih  Ihf  prt'viiiiu  ilfinio- 
crntic  nnijurity  hail  l)een  ."iflflO.  Ho  uinst  be  well  ndviinrnil  in  ycnrs,  Oir  lie  wn«  mnrritcl  liv  Kislmi)  Unhurt  in 
180(1.  IMnnv  venrs  since  he  wn»  invulved  in  n  dispnte  iihnnt  Trinity  Chnroh  which  did  not  increase  his  friendship 
for  Oiivernor  Clinton.  .As  '  Aliimeleck  (Tnmlv,' in  1811.  he  wrnl"  powcrfnl  essivs  in  lercnce  of  Ihe  wnr.  nnd  nl- 
tncked  Clinton  with  grent  severity — nnd  nt^erwnnls  joined  the  hnrkl:ii!s  njtiiinst  hitn.  In  |Hi><,  ntthe  Herkimer 
Convenliin.  he  nominiiled  Vim  Itnren  for  Governor — snpported  .Irirkson  for  I'rcsidonl— nnd  nnlv  joined  the  opno- 
•Itlon  when  the  hnnk  veto  nnd  deposit  qnestions  mine  np,  nnd  the  1,'reit  reimlilnnn  piirtv  filed  off  to  riglit  nnd  left 
as  whigs  nnd  deinoernts.  He  h,is  heen  in  Coniress  nnd  n  Pinte  Senator — Im  distinjtni«hed  In  Ihe  wnlk«  nf  litera- 
tnre — nnd,  with  Levi  llenrdsley  and  Samuel  Yonne.  ims  proved  himself  n  friend  to  hia country  bv  hit  effbrt9(/i  ex- 
tend the  bleuiiigi  of  education  and  increase  useful  knowledge  thruugiiaut  tlie  laud.. 


tASONTlY. 

■re  on  Saturdny  mom. 
ay  morning,  it  will  not 

lined  here  by  nothing 
uld  SLMid  it  duwn  upon 
it. 
M.  V.  BUREN. 

Hoyt,  Albany. 

iHe  here  ;  and  I  know 
ry  much  obliged  to  you 
ol'  tiip  Constellation  or 

it  Andrews,  Tontine, 
"loats,  and  so  I  will 
winter  or  I  would  not 

it  of  Mr.  Butler,  or  if 
ot'  the  draws  of  the 
L\  VAN  BUREN. 

rrs,  in  1828. 
lany. 

15  January,  lbiii<. 
r  nie  yesterday,  enclos- 
•mniittee  on  Mnnufac- 
ting  to  the  Committee, 
wit,  the  subject  of  rfo- 

operly  belonging  to  the 
(  properly  belonging  to 
lie  rridrur.c  of  "  one  uf 
t  the  "  paper"  had  n- 
71."  Now  this  Adams 
g  evidently  the  ability 
imption.  But  wl.ethfr 
ii  view  of  the  "  paper" 
repair  of  this  "  envious 
t  ctjjild  be  possibly  en. 
'uts  of  itself  a  delicate 
id  independence  of  thia 
if  the  Connnittee  is  not 
ursnnal  attendance  he- 
that  they  may  see  and 
the  luinies  or  name  so 
e  their  important  trust, 
lear  frotn  you  by  letter. 
:iAS  VVRUaiT,  Jr. 


trinni- 
nrk. 


■Is  J.  Q.  Adanu 


distinguished  Wt-sferii 
lapters,  »fc.c.,  with  him. 
h  I  he  people,  as  to  di- 


lu  the  whi);  cnndidnte  for 
thoii^rji  the  iirvviiiiis  (iRnin- 
ricil  liv  Kisli(>|i  Ili)lmrt  In 
not  iiKTonsn  his  friendship 
^rciicc  (if  the  wnr.  nnfl  nt- 
Iii  \f>-i**.  nl  the  Herkimer 
■nml  <iiilv  joined  the  oppo- 
V  filed  nir  to  riglit  nnd  left 
leil  ill  the  wnllc!  of  litera- 
oiuitry  bv  liii  effbrtf  l/i  ex- 


ELECTIONEERING  WITH  A  VIEW  TO  THE  CONTROL  OF  THE  SPOILS— CLINTON.    203 

Mr.  Poinsett's  masonic  interference  in  Mexican  aflaire,  a  minister  appointed  and  supported  by 
Adams,  might  also  be  used.* 

1  have  written  to  Baylies  to  ascertain  if  J.  Q.  A.  [John  Quincy  Adams]  is  not  also  of  the  pro- 
scribed secret  association. 

1  have  not  time  to  add  more  by  this  mail.  Suggest  these  mtitters  to  those  who  will  use  them 
to  advantage. 

Martindale  has  made  a  singular  display,  reading  a  long  sermon  against  slavery,  with  great 
emphasis  and  gesticulation.     1  am  yours,  G.  C.  V. 

Regrets  Clinton's  death — What  conl.d  we  haoe  done  with  him  ? — He  might  have  opposed  Jack' 
son — My  friend  Lawrence — Help  Judge  Hoffman. 
[No.  155.]  James  Campbell,  Surrogate,  N.  Y.,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Albany. 

New  York,  February  2:2,  1838. — Dear  Sir  :  I  was  very  much  schocked  when  I  heard  ot  jMr. 
Clinton's  death,  and  1  confess  to  yon,  that  1  .sincerely  reirret  it. 

Important  consequences  are  likely  to  follow  from  this  event ;  but  whether  favorable  or  preju. 
dicial  is  diftieuli  to  determine.  It  was  certainly  a  very  enibarrassinir  question  to  decide  In  what, 
way  Mr.  Clinton  was  to  be  disposed  of  at  the  ensuing  election.  He  undoiihteiily  v^ould  have 
been  a  candidate  for  Governor,  and  in  this  case  could  the  Republican  party  have  been  prevailed 
on  to  support  him  ?  I  am  of  opinion  that  they  could  not.  Mr.  Clinton  then, finding  himself 
opposed  by  our  party,  would  he  or  his  friends  cordially  co-operate  in  the  support  ol' General 
Jackson  ?  In  such  a  state  of  things,  llie  prohability  is  they  would  have  opposed  Jackson,  and 
the  intolerance  manifested  towards  them  would  have  been  urged  as  an  excuse  for  their  conduct. 
By  the  death  of  Mr.  Clinton  this  danger  is  avoided  ;  but  then  it  may  give  rise  to  others  not  less 
serious  ami  formidable.  In  the  selection  of  a  candidate  for  Governor,  every  kind  of  artifice  will 
be  resorted  to  by  the  Adams  party,  to  distract  and  to  throw  us  into  confusion  :  and  it  is  only 
by  effecting  this  that  they  have  any  chance  of  succeediiig.t 

*  .loel  Poinsett  of  Poiitli  Carolina  uns  Consul  Oenernl  of  the  II.  S.  nt  Buenos  Ayrcs  in  1P13.  and  hnd  held  ofliciiil 
Dtation  there  lor  years  "  in  the  same  lino  of  liiisiness  (say.s  the  Baltimore  federal  Kepiililiriin)  lis  .liihn  Henry  fol- 
lowed ill  the  I'.  S.,  viz  :  sowndins  the  di-^pi'siiion  ol'the  people,  and  Indilins  out  eiii'OMr:i<reinpnt  to  disunion."  Ho 
was  nflerwards  siMit  to  Mexiiii  wIiitc  ho  hosioil  hliii'^i.df  in  the  (stiiliiishmenl  of  .Mn^onio  Lodges,  the  rhiirters  for 
which  he  ohtiiiiird  from  the  I'.  S.  'I'lie  MexicniK  rharged  him  with  hein;;  an  arifol  distiirher  of  their  political  sys- 
tem;  nnd  in  duo  time  ho  assumed  his  proper  position  as  M.irtin  \'a\\  ISnren's  war  se<'retary.  Poinsett  began  nis 
education  in  Cjiinucticut,  and  llnished  it  in  l.ondon  and  I'.dinliuigli. 

t  Mr.  Clinton,  whether  in  life  or  death,  was  evidently  n  raiisonf  uneasiness  to  Van  Bnren  and  his  followers.  The 
followinff  letter  from  Silas  VVriL'liI  to  Martin  Vim  Bnren  was  piililished  in  the  Workinsninn's  Advocate,  Albany, 
Oct.  18;ill — and  shows  what  WriL'hfs  views  wero  iit  tlictinio  he  wrotr  it.  (.'overnor  Clinton  eniild  not  have  nomi- 
iiBted  HcmnM  ,?.  lirdliild  as  lirriiit  iiiilu'i-  of  the-  wc-tt'tn  district,  fur  he  was  one  ofthe  ITsen.'iiors  who  had  set  public 
fentinient  at  delianco  in  lt*il.  to  pli'asc  Van  Huron  and  elert  the  intoleriinl  candidate.  Crawford.  It  is  one  ofVnn 
Bnren's  rules,  that,  as,  hy  ndlu'reiire  to  him,  his  political  friends  may  sometimes  have  to  act  dishonestly  nnd  un- 
justly towards  the  pi'ople,  lie  (V.  It.)  will  stand  liv  snch  partv  iiislrninents,  if  nsel'ni.  and  uphold  them  ag'iinstthe 
[icople.  It  was  on  this  moimri'liiciil  principle  of  Charles  I  and  II,  that  VVriirht  spoke  of  Redfield.  Po,  too,  when  the 
jieoide's  representatives  removed  I'lni.'^',  Van  Bnren  made  him  a  P.  M.,  and  there  are  hundreds  of  similar  cases. 
I.ittcr,  SiVns  H'right  to  Martin  fan  Buren,  fVasMngton. 

Albany,  April  4th,  1826. 
My  Dear  Ij^iii  : — 'I'he  time  for  our  adjournment  is  now  fixed  upon,  nnd  we  shall  soon  have  done  what  shall  ut 
all  be  done  to  prepare  for  our  l';ill  contest.  Much  alarm  nnd  excitement  is  prevailin;;,  not  onlv  here,  hiit  in  New 
York  and  elsewhere,  from  the  oonrse  taken  by  Noah,  and  hy  the  allei^ntions  that  some  of  lis  with  yourself,  are  in- 
clining to  join  with  Mr.  (^linlon  iiL'ainst  the  \ati<inal  Administration.  These  allegations  have  been  more  or  less 
innde  for  some  time,  lint  did  not  bcconie  hnid  or  olVeelive  until  the  Advocate  came  out  as  yon  will  have  seen. 
Many  of  onr  strmu!  t'ri<Mids  are  fearful,  and  nearly  all  of  them  cannot  under  any  terms  he  broiifjht  to  join  Mr.  Clin- 
ton, or  to  consent  lo  emleavor  to  sustain  ourselves  without  rnniiins;  n  candidate  for  (lovorimr  aiT'iinst  Clinton .  If 
he  had  noniinnted  liedtiehl  as  .Iiidiio  of  the  Hlh  Circuit,  and  taken  any  gr<iund,  the  result  micht  have  been  diflcreiit. 
but  now  I  think  it  perfectly  fixed.  Mv  object,  therefore  is  to  int'orm  yon  truly  what  1  think  will  be  done;  what 
conrse  I  have  invsclt'con'onled  to  ;  ai,d  what  course  will,  in  my  opinion,  alone  save  ns  from  an  entire  division  and 
failure  at  onr  next  election.  .\  cain'iis  will  lie  held  by  onr  friends  in  the  Ijejislatiire  before  onr  adjournment ;  the 
time  nnd  (dace  of boldin:.' a  Htiite  ('aliens  will  be  tixed  upon,  lo  consist  of  ileleciites  from  the  counties  equal  tu 
their  representation  in  the  A<semblv,  an  address  recDinmendinjr  the  lioldiii!.'  of  such  n  caucus  issued,  and  the  de- 
clared objects  of  tbeeaiieiis  slated  to  be  the  nomination  of  a  (lovernor  and  Lieut,  (.overnor.  Tlins,  I  expect  we 
shall  leave  this  subject  and  this  city.  Yon  will  readily  ask  what  man  can  we  oiler  to  siieb  u  conventimi  ?  If 
von  slinnid  ask  what  men  want  to  be  otfered.  I  could  answer  von  more  easily.  Talloiadtfe,  Yonns,  etc.  But  it  is 
much  more  ditticnil  to  siiv  what  man  \\'e  oii^dit  to  oiler  to  such  oniicns.  and  ibroiiffh  them  to  the  eleeti  rs.  your 
colleaaue,  (.\atlian  Sanl'oril|  however,  is  more  talked  of  now  by  onr  triends  tlinii  anyotber  man.  Tiillmadce  is  the 
candidate  of  a  very  few  of  the  Adams  men.  bill  tbev  would  probabK  be  pleased  to  excliMnfe  him  for  Snnford. 
What  may  be  the  stale  id' things  next  (iill  il  is  now  impossible  to  prednM,  but  if  the  feeliii;;  whicli  we  leave  here 
should  retiiaiii,  I  think  there  is  little  doubt  he  will  ho  nominated  by  onr  friends.  We  are  nut  unaware  of  the  nppenr- 
ance  which  rnnniiig  him  will  give  nbroail,  nor  of  the  U'plensaiit  situation  in  winch  yon  may  suppose  yourself 
placed  by  this  course.  But  mv  retlcction  and  the  iippei.rnnces  inline  Stale  have  induced  me  to  believe  that  no 
other  measures  will  be  so  likelv  to  '.rive  ns  the  power  of  the  State  wbeii  most  we  shall  want  it.  I  admit  if  we  could 
hold  onreleelion  withonl  any  reference  to  the  ipieslion  of  (iovernor,  il  would  probiil  Iv  be  heller  for  ns.  Rut  it  it 
perfectly  scltled  tlint  if  we  do  not  •retiip  a  ciiiidiilate  against  Clinlon,  the  Adams  and  Clay  pnrl  of  onr  friends  will, 
and  snch  a  candidate  the  great  boily  of  onr  poltiicnl  friends  tbronghoiit  the  .'^tMle  would  enlist  themselves  to  sun- 
port  ngiiiiisl  Clinti'ii.  II  then  we  srionld  favor  Clinton,  there  would  be  nil  elVectiial  split  in  onr  ranks  which  coulj 
not  be  healed.  If  we  should  not  favor  Clinton,  onr  services  would  be  rei|iiired  for  the  oppisite  candidate,  wlij- 
ever  he  might  be,  or  we  should  bo  equally  sutjiecled  onduppuicd.  Again,  if  we  should  nut  favor  Cliutuit,  his  fricndi 


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PRETENDED  PATRIOTS  INTENT  ON  PCBLIC  PLUNDER. 


■'  k^^%^:f^r:;i 


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■*■•>:       .",     ■     ■ 


,i  '?■  C.: . 


My  Friend  Lawrence  called  on  me  to-day  for  the  first  time  since  the  receipt  of  the  news  oi* 

Mr.  Clinton's  death  :  uliho'  previously  scarcely  a  day  elapsed  without  his  paying  nie  a  visit.  I 
suspect  he  deferred  his  call  until  he  had  time  to  communicato  with  Washington.  I  was  not  long 
before  I  inquired  of  him  whom  wo  should  have  for  Governor,  when,  as  1  expected,  he  promptly 
answered,  Nathan  Sanford. 

Whilst  you  are  staying  at  Albany,  may  it  not  be  in  your  power  to  make  some  interest  with 
the  Lieut.  Ciovernor  and  Senate  in  favor  of  our  friend  Hoffinan  ?  Had  Mr.  Clinton  survived, 
there  is  good  reason  to  believe,  that  he  would  have  nominated  him  for  the  office  of  Recorder ; 
but  under  the  present  order  of  things,  I  suppose  there  is  but  little  pro-^pect  of  this.  If,  however, 
the  new  Court  should  be  established,  might  not  Mr.  Hofl'man  have  a  fair  chance  of  being  ap. 
pointed  its  Chief  .fustice,  if  proper  exertions  were  made  ?  Write  me  a  letter  on  the  subject  of 
his  prospects  for  this  or  any  other  situation,  so  that  I  may  show  it  to  him.  If  he  comUI  obtain 
SOME  COMFORTABLE  PLACE,  it  would  aflord  me  a  great  deal  of  satisl'action. 

Let  me  know  when  it  is  probable  the  Lieutenant-Governor  will  make  his  iiominationd.  I  en. 
closed  your  last  to  Van  Buren.  Yours,  respectfully,  .FAMES  CAMPBELL. 


Anti-Masonry — Saratoga  doctored  to  death — Vote  of  the  Stale — lame  Mnjoriticn  only  useful 
on  the  score  of  Bets — Drnome,a  crazy  County — Southwick  set  up  as  a  Decoy  Duck — Sore  re- 
grets for  the  loss  of  Noah's  Election,  an  the  Native  candidate. 

[No.   156.]  Martin  Van  Buren,  Governor-elect  of  N.  Y.,  to  .fesse  Iloyi,  N.  Y. 

Albany,  Nov.  8, 1828. — My  Dear  Sir  :  I  thank  you  sincerely  lor  your  several  communica- 
tions. They  have  been  a  source  of  both  pain  and  piea<<ure  tome — the  latter  on  account  of  their 
contents,  and  the  former  on  account  c''  the  extreme  difficulty  I  have  had  to  make  out  what  their 
contents  were.  You  would  certainly  correct  this,  if  you  knew  how  extiemely  painful  it  is  to 
your  friends.  I  would  have  written  to  you  before,  but  have  had  no  time  to  eat  my  meals.  My 
hou-e  has  been  run  down  by  my  t'riends,  at  one  moment  flushed  with  victory,  and  the  next  fright- 
ened out  of  their  senses,  and  frequently  without  cause  for  ciilicr. 

Laying  the  eflbrts  of  Anti-masonry  out  of  view,  and  of  which  we  have  as  yet  not  much  be- 
yond rumour,  the  election  has  been  a  real  old  fashioned  ninety-ei£;ht  tight.  Ijverywhere,  as  far 
as  ascertained,  we  have  succeeded  in  uemocratic  counties  by  overwhelmini;  votes,  and  lost  in 
counties  that  were  formerly  federal  by  small  majorities.  S.iratoga  was  (iociored  to  death  if  it  is 
lost,  which  is  not  certain.  The  name  of  Adams,  and  the  cliaracter  of  the  iliscussions,  have  brought 
old  feelings  int-»  entire  and  eflicient  operation.  The  result,  according  to  niv  present  knowledge 
and  belief,  has  been  (under  the  circumstances)  signally  triutnphiint.  The  li)llowing  vote  upon 
the  electoral  Tick^t  I  regard  as  absolutely  certain.  If  liiere  ,ire  any  mistakes  in  it,  in  your  part 
of  the  State,  you  can,  of  coari«e,  correct  it.  (JuctMis  iind  SuflolJ.:,  1  j'-iccrtnined. — Kintis  1  do. — 
New  York  3  do. — Westchester  and  I'utnam  1  do. — Dutchess  1  do. — Orange  1  do. — Ulster  and 
Sullivan  1  do. — Greene  and  Delaware  1  do. — Schenectady  and  Schoharie  1  do. — Herkimer  1 
do. — Otsego  1  do. — Onondaga  L  We  have  only  partial  returns,  and  they  are.  favorable.  I  can- 
not think  there  is  the  slightest  doubt  of  this  County.  Ascertained.  Cayuga  1  ascertained. — 
Chenango  nnd  Broome  1  do. — Tompkins  and  Courtlandi  I,  not  ascertained,  but  without  the 
elightest  doubt — 17. 

Now,  I  have  not  time  to  speak  of  the  chances  in  the  other  districts;  you  must  make  thf  m  out 
from  the  papers.  For  myself,  I  should  think  good  luck  alone  would  gi;c  us  a  lew  more,  an*!  I 
shall  be  egregiously  disappointed  if  we  do  not  get  20  at  the  very  least.  You  need  not  believe 
their  stories,  for  they  have  not  the  slightest  respect  for  truth  in  most  cas^-s.     We  shall  therefore 

would  not  favor  us  in  Cnnjress,  fennte  nnd  Assembly  lii-kcts,  the  success  in  wliirli  would  lie  llie  onlv  oliject  in  our 
declintnj;  to  hnve  ii  cnnclidiile  for  (Sovernor.  Should  we  dedinn  to  support  llu!  ciiididiite  rnri  nj:;ainsi  ("Imlnn  be- 
caiite  he  wns  friendly  to  Ad:ims,  tins  wonid  inevitnbly  indnre  the  I'nciids  of  llvit  rMiKliiiiito,  two  thirds  of  whom, 
«o  fur  im  the  Sliite  Is  roncerned,  would  be  friends,  not  only  to  rnn  ('uniiros'',  Hcniilo  iind  .\»^^'lnldy  tickets,  but  to 
run  them  pledged  to  Adiirns.  In  uny  event  then,  from  thii  stiite  of  thiuiis,  it  (luis  appeir  to  mu,  thut  wc  should  bo 
between  two  (ires  without  the  least  prosjiectof  esciipin!»  the  Humes,  instead  of  hritufinsr  off  the  spnit.  We  shinild  put 
ourselves  precisely  in  the  situntion  the  fedcrnlists  oitliis  Htate  have  been  in  tor  leii.s  pist,  iii'lin;;  under  Roliirs  nut 
nnr  own,  nnd  doin|>^, journey  work,  lint  suppose  we  take  up  your  <Mdle:i!>;uv  mid  iimku  nim  our  own  candidute. 
He  is  here  considered  repul)licun ;  by  the  Adnins  men  he  is  cmisidcrod  an  .Adams  mar ,  and  by  us,  in  truth,  not 
much  dilferent.  lint  would  not  the  very  fact  of  takiujf  biin  up,  without  reforonce  to  Ins  leoliiias  in  reffurd  to  na- 
tional politics,  nnd  purely  on  the  ground  of  democracy,  drnw  ufter  it,  iis  n  necessary  ciinsei|iience.  the  ni(|uisition 
ofthe  ndministratlon  streii;th  of  this  Htate,  while  the  iiuestion  of  niitioiiul  politics  would  not  be  drawn  into  a  fur- 
inntion  of  our  Congress.  Hen  lie  und  Assembly  tickets  !     *     *     *     * 

Again — I  hnvB  tbought.  and  still  think,  taking  the  future  prospncts  for  four  years,  of  what  will  be  the  state  of 
nntionul  politics,  tbnt  I  had  rather  hive  your  colleague  fSanfordl  iiero  ns  (Jovernor,  thuii  where  be  now  is,  nnd 
ihould  we  have  the  power  ne.xt  winter,  I  think  we  could  better  till  that  place  for  the  future  contest.  8o  much  ia 
the  most  perfect  haste,  us  my  reason  for  consenting  niid  advising  to  tlie  course  I  have  p.Jiiitpd  out  to  vou,  ns  to  our 
Itnte  election.  If  I  nm  wrrmg,  writn  me  and  tnll  me  so,  as  frankly  as  I  have  given  vou  th:s  tmliniis.  ill-iligested  de- 
tail. If  you  cnnfatj  all  concur  in  these  views,  jileuse  endeavor  to  influence  your  culleiiL'iie  to  bild  himself  willing  to 
iervo  his  friends  in  the  way  here  suggested.  l>o  not  bv  this  letter  suspect  ibiit  any  changes  in  my  feelings,  or 
those  with  whom  I  have  acted,  has  taken  place  favurnhle  to  Messrs.  Clay,  Adiims,  &  V.ii.  It  Is  not  so.  »  *  ♦  ♦ 
You  will  cuniider  this  letter  ub  entirely  cuntidentiul.    *   i<   *   VViihsealiinentsuf  the  wurinest  fr.emlship,  I  nm,  J^c. 

H.  VVUiUUT.  Jr. 


VAN 

have  votes  en o 
IMPORTAN 
Our  Gover 
Brooinet  (A  ( 
it  is  supposed 
Southwick's  t 
tween  1500  ai 
chance  to  can 
as  is  desirable 
Money,  I  am  s 
TION,  AS  W 
HIS  ELECT 
satisfied  that  I 
hazard  on  hit 
him.  I  shall 
planck,  Hamil 
encd  as  he  sa 
me  to  Mrs.  Hi 

New  Yorj 
tmall  trunk  i, 
gible.  I  negl 
certain  in  Mo 
with  perfect  c 

[No.  15f 
HuDso.v,  N 
returns  from 
and  if  not,  dr 

[No.  ISD 

Nov.  28. 

oollected  fror 

as  I  advancet 

of  the  first  n 

*  President 
ofthe  lenst 
"  what  is  ov 
York,  Jun 
family,  in  the 

"  Another  | 
elections,  ii  nd 
improper  nn 
tute  n  theme 
hit  mind,  fi 
to  the  quesiioi 
bft,  nnd  llie 
mny  hoiie  t.i 
tu  examine  i 

"  The  siig 
iihnhle  crim 
conviction,  t 
cutinn.  The 
justifv  the  pa 
our  elections 
expenditure 
considered,  I 
crime  and  Its 

(If  Broom 
icmbly  ill  IK2 
charter.  In  thi 

J  I  have  p 
Now  York. 
)ier<ons,  been 
Albany  by  ' 
printing  is  t^ 
cut  Mt  Wash 
bv  hired,  sen 
tlie  neglect  u 


184 


VAN  Bt'llEN  S  LOOSE  MOKAtfr— Sll-AS  WklGHT  A  HEFORMER 


-NOAIf. 


205 


It  of  the  newa  oi' 
|ng  nie  a  visit,    I 
I  was  not  long 
Icted,  he  promptly 

lome  interest  with 
I  Clinton  survived, 

iice  of  Recorder ; 

liis.  If,  however, 
lance  of  being  ap- 
[r  on  the  subject  of 
ff  lie  could  obtain 

lominationd.     I  en. 
CAMPBELL. 

luritici  only  useful 
}oi/  Duck — Sore  re- 

Iloyt,  N.  Y. 
vfial  communica- 
on  account  of  their 
i[ikc  out  vvhnt  their 
civ  painful  it  is  to 
at  my  meals.  My 
and  tiie  next  fright- 

is  yet  not  much  be- 
I'jverywherc,  as  far 
g  votes,  and  lost  in 
u(hI  to  death  if  it  is 
issions.have  brought 
'  present  knowiedgo 
Ibllowinn;  vote  upon 
es  in  it,  in  your  port 
led. — Kintis  1  do, — 
re  1  do. — Ulster  and 
I  do. — Herkimer  1 
e.  favorable.  I  can. 
jga  1  ascertained. — 
ed,  but  without  the 

mist  make  them  out 

s  a  lew  more,  and  I 

'on  need  not  believe 

Wc  shall  therefore 

lie  llie  onlv  ohject  in  out 
run  ii<,Miiist  Cliiiiiin  l«- 
u,  twi)  thirds  of  whom, 
UM!iiilily  tickets,  liut  l(, 
)  mt;.  (hut  we  should  ho 
ir.ipnil.  We  should  put 
iiriln;;  nniler  nolora  nut 
im  our  own  candidate, 
lid  hy  us,  in  truth,  not 
eoliiias  III  regard  to  nii- 
|ucni!e.  the  iiri|uisitinn 
jt  he  diuwn  iiitu  n  for- 

iiit  will  he  iho  btuteof 
where  he  now  Is,  iind 
!  contest.  So  much  io 
■d  out  to  von,  nn  to  our 
leilifins.  lll-ilieP8tcil  de- 
I  h  lid  himself  willing  to 
i^es  in  iiiv  feelings,  or 
It  i«  not  so,  *  ♦  ♦  * 
St  rreniUhlp,  I  nm,  Jcc. 
B.  VVKIUIIT.  Jr. 


have  votesenough  to  put  ,Tack8on 'selection  out  of  all  question,  and  WHAT  IS  OVER  IS  ONLY 
IMPORTANT  ON  THI-J  SCORE  OF  BE  I'S.* 

Our  Governor  and  Lieut.  Governor's  majority  will  be  immense.  The  only  4  towns  ia 
Brooinet  (A  CRAZY  COUNTY)  have  given  ine  a  uiianimoiis  vote,  viz,  1000,  und  the  others, 
it  is  supposed  will  not  reduce  that.  Everywhere  1  get  liie  true  party  vote,  and  in  many  places 
Southwick's  vote  will  be  large.  We  shall  have  nearly  ;J0()0  in  Uisicr  imd  Sullivan,  and  be- 
tween 1500  and  2000  in  Cayuga ;  we  have  currii:d  our  Senutoia  in  4  districts,  and  have  a  good 
chance  lo  carry  them  in  most  of  the  others.  Our  niajoriiy  in  the  Assembly  v.ill  be  as  large 
as  is  desirable.  Contending,  as  we  have  done,  against  Federuli.-'ni,  revived  Anti-masonry,  and 
Money,  I  am  .satisfied  with  the  result.  I  SORELY  REGRKT  TIIE  LOSS  OF  NOAH'S  ELE.C 
TION,  AS  WELL  AS  ON  HIS  OWN  ACCOUNT,  AS  ON  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  COST 
HIS  ELECTION  HAS  BKEN  TO  THE  PARTY  ;  but  ovx  point  is  gained,  viz  :  he  must  be 
satisfied  that  his  friends  have,  with  their  eyen  open,  sustained  a  great  strus'^le,  and.  run  much 
hazard  on  his  account.  J  hope  there  will  yet  be  some  way  found  out  of  doing  something  for 
him.  I  shall  be  down  on  Tuesday.  In  iliv  ini'sm  lime,  show  this  to  my  friends  Bowne,  Ver- 
planck,  Hamilton,  and  Cambreleng.  Tell  VerphnKk  i  lu'.ve  no  doubt  you  w;ia  as  much  fright- 
ened as  he  says,  and  am  quite  certain  that  you  have  as  much  pluck  rs  you  cljiin.  Remember 
me  to  Mrs.  Hoyt,  and  believe  me  to  be,  Yoiirt;,  lorcliul' , ,  M,  V.  BUREN. 


[No.  157.]  ,Tohn  Van  Buren  to  L.  Hoyt,  at  All>aiiy. 

New  York,  Nov.  13,  1828. — Dear  Sir  :  You  will  confer  a  1;iv<m- upon  me,  by  having  that 
imall  trunk  »«  which  Pa  keeps  his  valuable  papers,  i^r..,  sent  up  to  Mr.  Butler's  as  soon  as  pos- 
sible. I  neglected  doing  so  when  I  left.  As  far  as  returns  are  received,  we  have  three  votes 
certain  in  Maryland,  with  a  chance  of  another  double  district.  Our  friends  here  all  claim  Ohio, 
with  perfect  confidence.     The  returns  from  there  are  very  favorable.     JNO.  VAN  BUREN. 

[No.  158.]  Judge  Edmonds  to  .Ics^e  Hoyt. 

Hudson,  November  StJ,  1828. — Dear  Sir:  I  nm  an.xious  to  see  Mr.  Vuti  Biiren  as  soon  as  he 
returns  from  ^ i"w  York.  Will  you  be  so  good  as  to  inform  me  whctln-r  he  has  yet  returned; 
and  if  not,  dn...  iiie  a  line  as  soon  as  he  does  return.     By  so  doing,  you  will  olilige. 

Your  friend,  ,1.  W.  EDMONDS. 

[No.  159.]     1     J.  A.  Hamilton  to  .Tessc  Hoyt,  Wall  street,  N.  Y, 

Nov.  28.     Private. — Dear  Hoyt :  Campbell  inforn.a  ine  that  you  hold  a  part  of  the  money 

ooUected  from  the  Auctioneers,  unappropriated — if  so,  I  wish  you  not  to  part  with  it,  inasmuch 

as  I  advanced  ,$200  to  Targce  to  send  to  Albany,  which    he  proniisid   me  should  be  repaid  out 

of  the  first  money  he  should  collect.    He  now  informs  me  ihnt  he  has  not  funds  to  pay  me,  &c. 

*  President  Vim  Hurendoes  not  think  a  liirge  miijoritynf  the  people,  .is  iii(li('iilivc  of  union  on  men  mid  inensiires, 
of  the  lenst  consequence.  If  Jnrkson  Is  safe,  and  the  chance  of  the  party  to  ftniiii  iho  plunder,  throufrli  him, 
"what  is  over  is  only  important  on  the  score  of  hets."  Gov.  Wnj-'hl,  in  liis  nii;.i>a;;e  to  the  Lpjishitiire  of  New 
York.  Jun.  1845,  furnishes  a  very  suitable  coininenlury  ,ipoii  this  guniiiling,  heiiinj,'  iiropensity  of  tlie  Van  liuren 
family,  in  these  words  ; 

"  Another  point  of  much  more  serious  complaint,  is  thee.vleiisive  and  riipiilly  increasing  practice  of  hetting  upon 
elections,  iind  the  interesteil  and  sellish,  and  corrupting  tendencipi  which  it  exerts  upon  the  election  itself.  'J'hese 
iinpro|ier  nni!  corrupting  influences  have  made  themselves  miinilcst  to  the  wlndo  Imtly  of  our  freoinen,  and  consti- 
tute n  theme  of  almost  universal  complaint,  l.'pini  the  parly  to  the  wiiger,  llu'v  nro  all  controllini:.  llisear  and 
hit  mind,  from  the  moment  his  inonev  is  .staked,  arc  cluscil  agiiinvt  nrgiiinciii,  i.r  rcasmi,  or  cxiiniinalinn,  cither  ns 
to  the  questions  involved,  or  the  candidates  pre^'enled  lor  his  inUVaic.  lie  must  so  vote  anil  so  act  as  lo  win  his 
bft,  and  the  welfare  of  the  country  hecomes  iiii  entirely  secondary  ccm<idoriition.  His  ap|icals  in  all  over  whom  he 
may  hoiie  to  exert  an  inHiicnc. ,  are  to  s.ive  hinisolf  Innn  loss,  and  help  liiiii  to  win  Uie  money  uf  Ills  opiiuiieiit,  not 
tu  examine  and  inquire  how  they  may  lest  serve  their  country  hy  their  voles." 

"The  suggestion."  continues  (Jovernor  Wright.  "  must  likely  to  arrest  the  practi.-e  of  hetting.  is  to  make  it  pun- 
iihi\hle  criminally  ;  to  suhject  the  parlies  to  every  lict  m;iilc  upon  the  result  of  mi  election,  to  indictnient,  and  upon 
cunviction.  to  punishment  liy  a  tine,  to  he  graduated  hy  the  ainoiini  of  the  wngcr.  Jiml  to  all  flic  co.^s  of  Iho  prose- 
cution. The  deleterious  influence  of  this  species  of  gniLliling  upon  the  piildic  moriils  alone,  won  hi,  ii  appears  tome, 
justify  the  pa.ssiige  of  a  law  which  should  make  it  criiiiinnl.  And  when  its  ciiinijit  mil  ciiriiptin;.'  leiidencies  upon 
our  elections,  upon  the  free  and  proper  exercise  of  the  elective  IVancliiso  ;  when  it.-  iiiMiience  to  hr  iig  the  improper 
expenditure  of  money  into  n  political  canvass,  and  lo  apply  it  under  the  ilosper  .te  nnpoUe  nf  a  eambliiig  spirit,  are 
considered,  I  cnnnot  doubt  that  the  moral  and  political  aspect  of  the  evil  wiil  I'iilly  justify  its  clussilicatiou  as  u 
crime  and  its  punishment  as  such." 

f  If  Broome  was  crazy,  I'etor  nolnn^on.  her  roprc'cnfiitive,  was  riiiiie  discrecl.  lie  sal  as  Spe.iker  of  the  A«- 
iciniily  in  IH29.  and  never  mi-seil  a  liiiiik  divi.siun  during  tie"  session,  liiit  iiiiilcnuly  vi.tucl  a;'ainst  every  saletv-fuud 
charter,  in  the  tecih  of  Van  lUiren's  advice. 

JI  have  placed  this  note  as  of  IP-JP.  lint  it  m:iv  lie  \?^^.  or  any  other  yonr,  :irtcr  the  .Vovcnilicr  cnnipaiin  in 
Now  Vork.  Was  the  \iictioneeis'  nionov,  an  eleclinneeriiig  tux  levied  liv  the  piirlv  i.i  power.  I'riini  that  clii'ss  of 
per<on«,  hecMii-e  priv'leged  7  llnni  Iti  n  was  verv  sliarp  and  close  alioiit  eirli,  fees  &c.  Were  the  SvllO  sent  to 
Alhnnv  by  Tnrgeo.  in  account  of  a  coniracl  fnnA  lo  inaMrfnciiMO*  |iiililic  opinion  lor  the  ,'^lMte,  as  the  otheial 
priiitiiiB  is't'  Uitcliio.  innl  ns  It  was  fimierU  to  IMnir  and  Uivcs.  lo  iiml  le  li.piii  to  eniph.v  mid  direct  men  of  tal- 
ent lit  Wasbiiiaton  how  to  iiniiinliiciiire  [mlilic  senlinienl,  to  lie  f  irwanlcil  tliriM'^jh  the  I'niteil  ,<iiitP5,  anil  echoed 
bv  hired,  servile,  and  miprincipled  presses,  for  the  benefit  of  a  party  bound  tnpcllier  hv  the  pliiiuler  oi'the  people  and 
llie  neglacl  of  useful  reforms  1    If  not— wli..t  mus  it  ? 


.■:-i- 


:1:i 


">!., 


\i    '  ' 


..:t 


•.■  f  ■ 


206 


VAN  BUREN  TRUSTS  IN  0^  PROVIDENCE  !— HIS  FUIEND  BUTLER. 


&c.,  the  end  of  all  wliieh  is,  that  I  am  not  to  be  repaid  in  the  manner  I  supposed.  Of  the  200 
I  have  but  65,  so  that  tliere  is  due  to  inc  $135,  and  if  you  have  the  whole,  or  any  part  of  that 
amount,  I  wish  yuu  to  take  care  of  nie,  as  far  as  you  can.     Talk  with  Campbell. 

Yours,  &c.,  J.  A.  HAMILTON. 


An  Active  Voter— the  unfortunate  pitied. 
[No.  H;0.J        Gulian  C.  Verpl.inck,  M.  C,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York. 

[Postmiirk,  Wafhinjzton  Dec.  'J7,]  18i26. — I  enclose  a  contribution  for  the  Major  [Noah.j 
wlioi^e  notice  of  Mr.  ilerbtrt  I  received  this  morning,  and  recognize  therein  a  hand  which  is  not 
unknown.  The  iMajor'.'^  are  native  wood.notes,  but  there  is  a  learned  melody  in  5-8  time, 
which  will  e.xplain  to  you.     It  is  not  only  true  that  Mr.  H.  voted  for  the  whole  Jockpon 

ticket  in  the  ."itli  ward,  but  he  did  it  twice  running,  and  then  observed  that  he  was  now  goinji  over 
to  Hobokon,  but  to-nioirow  he  would  vote  in  the  iirst  ward,  for  all  the  Jackson  candidates 
c.\cept  Alderman  Cclira,  whom  he  could  not  swallow.  This  I  will  swear  to.  Please  commuiii. 
ni('ate  it  to  the  National  Advocntc 

Who  is  to  be  Mayor?  Poor  Adams  [meaning  the  then  President  of  the  U.  S.]  looks  so 
woK-begone  and  sick  that  every  body  pities  him.  He  is  wholly  altered  in  person  and  appear- 
ance. Yours,        G.  C.  V. 


[No.  IGI.]  Govern'ir  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York.  Aldany,  Jan.  4, 182!), 
My  Dear  Sir:  You  need  not,  1  think,  liiive  any  apprehension  about  the  nie.«sage.  The  earliest 
allov,-al)le  moment  will  lie  embraced  to  send  you  a  copy ;  but  that  cannot  be  as  soon  as  you  de- 
•  sire.  1  thank  you  kindly  for  your  letter,  and  beg  yuu  to  write  me  always  with  equal  freedom.  I 
cannot  cDU.-ent  to  contribute  by  any  act  of  mine  to  the  prevalence  of  that  great  political  vice,  a 
desire  to  hhiiii  n  epniisibiiity.  I  shall  do  the  best  I  can  in  whatever  relates  to  my  office,  andleavr 
ih:  result  tu  PROVIDKNCE  az/d  the  People.  Remember  me  kiniily  to  Mrs.  H.  and  believe 
mi;  lo  be  very  sineerely  your  friend,  M.  V.  BUREN. 

Does  our  friend  L.  Smith  know  that  Judj;e  Swanton  has  been  recommended  by  the  elite  of 
the  party  in  New  Ycrk?  I  prfsume  it  is  understood  by  him  and  all  our  friends.  /  do  not  s« 
huio  J  can  avoid  the  appointmcnl. 

[No.  1(J2.]         (iovernor  Van  Bireii  to  Jes-se  Hoyt,  at  New  York, 
ALB.A.NV,  Jan.  15, 18'2'J.     Do  me  the  favor  to  find  out  the  residence  of  Mr.  Forman,  and  give  the 
enclosed  to  him.     You  may  ascertain  it  from  Mr.  Newbold,  or  Catlin,  or  Chancellor  Kent. 

M.  V.  BUREN. 

Butler  and  the  Attorney  GeneraUhip — the  Clinton  Bill — Coddington's  advice — Westervelt,  Ha- 
vens, Mauley — Folitirif  found  even  in  Physic. 
[No.  1031  Governor  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  York. 

Albany,  Feb.  1,  1829.  My  Dear  Sir:  I  am  distressed  by  Lorenzo's  accounts  of  your  afTaire 
in  New  York.  When  will  the  Republican  Par'.y  be  made  sensible  of  the  indispensable  neces- 
sity of  nominating  none  but  true  and  tried  men,  so  that  when  they  succeed  they  gain  something' 
The  same  game  that  is  playing  with  you  was  in  a  degree  played  here  on  the  nomination  of  At- 
torney General.  T/tc  only  pemonal  objection  that  was  made  to  Mr.  Butler,  was  his  conduct 
last  winter  in  regard  to  the  Clinton  Bill,  and  I  believe  that  every  Clintonian  in  both  houses 
voted  against  him,  e.Ncept  Charles  Livingston,  of  whose  vote  I  am  advised.  Mr.  B.  depended 
upoit  your  city  vote,  and  would  have  succeeded  if  he  had  got  it.  Cargill,  Arnold,  Alburtus,  and 
Mr.  Allen,  voted  for  him — beyond  that  nothing  is  known.  I  must  insist  upon  you  not  mention- 
ing my  name  in  connection  wit'.i  this  subject  in  any  form.  Make  it  a  point,  if  you  please,  to  set 
my  good  friend  C()DDlN(iTON,  and  say  to  him  that  1  hane  not  been  able  to  follow  his  ad- 
vice in  relation  to  the  Health  appointnirnts,  and  hope  to  satisfy  him  when  I  see  him  that  I  have 
done  right.  The  claims  of  Dr.  Wesfervelt  were,  taking  all  things  into  the  account,  decidedly 
the  strongest,  and  niEch  was  due  to  the  relation  in  which  he  stood  to  (iovernor  Tompkins, 
especially  from  one  who  knew  so  well  what  the  latter  has  done  and  auftered  for  this  State.  I 
should  forever  have  reproached  myself  if  I  could  have  refused  so  small  a  tribute  to  his  memory. 
Westervilt  is  a  gentleman  and  a  man  of  talent,  of  a  Whig  Family,  and  a  Democrat  from  his 
cradle.  He  was  three  years  in  the  Hospital  and  five  years  Deputy  Health  Officer,  until  he  was 
crueliy  removed  tliruii;j;li  the  instrumentality  of  Dr.  Harrison,  who  to  my  knowledge,  owed  his 
appointment  to  the  unwearied  and  incessant  perseverance  of  Governor  Tompkin-.  Havens  has 
been  at  the  station  but  a  year  and  has  never  seen  a  case  of  yellow  fever  in  his  lite.  All  that  I 
could  do  for  him  (and  he  has  not  a  better  friend  in  the  world,)  was  to  satisfy  myself  that  Dr. 
Westervelt  and  the  Board  of  Health  ^ould  retain  him  in  his  present  station.  I  cannot  dismiss 
Dr.  Manley.  His  extraordinary  capacity  is  universally  admitted  ;  and  his  poverty,  and  misfor- 
tune in  ri'jjard  to  the  new  Medical  College  which  he  brought  into  existence  but  failed  to  get  a 
nlace  in  it,  has  e.xcited  u  sympathy  for  him  with  medical  men  in  all  parts  of  the  State  of  unprc. 


«  THE  C 

eedented  extent 
yalth  officer,  ai 
^talif  made  ct 
the  last  election 
Butler  feels  i 
I  had  promiiM 


[No.  164.] 
ynur  letter  for  I 
When  the  timt 
^r.  C.  [Coddir 
1  expect  soon  n 

Van  Buren'a  IV 

Van  Buren'i 

Jacob  Barke 

[No.  165. 

Dear  Sir — li 

or  three  weeks 

1  shewed  it  to 

under  all  circu 

the  Senate,  an 

OR  RUIN  HI 

it  became  nec« 

positive  imprc 

wrong  if  he  bl 

pointed,  and 

offices  to  two 

a  young  man 

has  already  b< 

CONVENTl 

tervelt  after 

BEEN  NO^ 

t  A  friend  in  : 
t)ecii  n  gnicer,  ' 
in  cihIi,  with  re 

J  If  Van  Bun 

tornppenrs  to  I 

from  Poughke 

Conpresi  m  !»■ 

recommend  it : 

and  r.ondemne 

the  Legislatiir 

yoii  deny  thi' 

huve  uutlioris 

Mr.  Tnllnin 

wlint  he  knev 

exlrii  session 

to  All'nny,  lif 

titicntiun  hIII 

a|ienly  oimde 

I       at  the  c<iiir?e 

after  it.  I  Inn 

were  froely 

liniiw  Ihht  II 

Giiv.  Marty 

ens,  optnlij 

(!ovr.  Mnr 
coiidnrt      Y 
fur  ciindiict 
itnte  to  do.  t 

<j  Mnrk  w 
preventing  t 
and,  ns  Hut 
and  person 
18% ,  no  ni 
Ms  appoint 
tiun  in  18-i^ 
and  to  nnni 
body's  dirt; 


Ibutler. 


•the  OREAT  salvation'  OF  MARCy     THE  DOCTOR     V.  BUREN  i:  CO. 


207 


^posed.    Of  the  200 
.  or  any  part  of  that 
|ipbell. 
V.  HAMILTON. 


^rk. 
ihe  Major  [Noah,. 
a  hand  which  is  not 
nelody  in  5-8  time, 
for  the  whole  Jacl^iJ 
■b  was  now  goin»f  over 
Jackson  candidutcs 
Please  cominuiii. 

the  U.  S.]  looks  so 
In  person  and  appear- 
f  ours,        G.  C.  V. 

LnANv,  Jan.  4,  18:2!) 
essage.  The  earliesi 
be  as  soon  as  you  de- 
•"ith  equal  freedom.    I 

great  political  vice,  a 
to  my  office,  and /caiv 
)  Mrs.  H.  and  believe 
M.  V.  BUREN. 

lended  by  the  elite  ol 
friends.     /  do  not  see 


•  Forinan,  and  give  the 
Chancellor  Kent. 
M.  V.  BUREN. 

•ice~Westprvelt,  If,,. 

'ork. 

ccounts  of  your  affairs 
B  indispensable  neces- 
they  gain  something' 
he  nomination  of  At- 
Her,  was  his  conduct 
onian  in  both  houses 
d.  Mr.  B.  depended 
Arnold,  Alburtus,  and 
pon  you  not  mention- 
'.  if  you  please,  to  see 
tile  to  follow  hta  ad- 
I  see  him  that  I  have 
le  account,  decidedly 
Governor  Tompkins, 
red  for  this  State.  I 
ibute  to  his  memory. 

Democrat  from  his 
Officer,  until  he  was 
nowledge,  owed  his 
ipkin-.  Havens  has 
liis  litL'.  All  that  I 
isfy  myself  that  Dr. 
II.  I  cannot  dismiss 
poverty,  and  misfor- 

but  failed   to  get  a 
'  the  State  of  unprc. 


eedfuted  extent.  Mr.  Clinton  was  so  sensible  of  if  ihiit  In.'  unci!  actually  nominated  liim  for 
health  officer,  and  was  upon  the  point  of  doing  it  again  liie  very  week  when  lie  died.  Hia  re- 
rttoval  if  made  could  only  be  placed  on  political  groundi,  and  an  hi:  was  a  zealous  Jackson  man  at 
the  last  election  that  could  not  have  ber.n  done  wilhuut  dantitr, 

Builer  feels  less  ihan  any  of  his  friends.  Yours  truly,        M.  V.  BUREN. 

I  had  promised  not  to  interfere  and  did  not. 

TAe  Time  to  strike  fur  Coddington. 

[No.  164.]  C.  C.  Cambreleng  to  J.  Hoyt. — Washington,  7  Feb.,  1829.  Dear  H. — I  have 
jrnur  letter  for  the  Major  [Noah,]  who  has  not  yet  arrived — when  he  does  he  shall  have  it. 
When  ihe  time  comes  to  atrike  there  is  no  man  for  whom  I  would  do  more  than  for  our  friend 
Mr.  C.  [Coddington,]  none  deserves  more  than  he  does.f  You  are  mistaken — Ohio  is  fori^se//. 
I  expect  soon  to  hear  the  result  of  your  balloiinys.        Very  truly  youis, 

C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

Van  Buren'a  Neutrality — Marey  placed  on  the  bench  to  sace  him  from  ruin — A  physician  saves 
Van  Buren'a  party,  and  is  paid  with  an  office! — nirhrr,  how  dangerous  ! — Dr.  M'Neven — 
Jacob  Barker. 

[No.  165.]  Governor  Van  Bunn  to  .TesHi-  Hoyt,  N.  Y.  Af-bany,  Feb.  8,  1821) 

Dear  Sir — It  is  impossible  to  judge  correctly  without  a  view  of  the  whole  groimd.  Some  two 
or  three  weeks  before  the  meeting  of  the  Legisliiture,  Sudani  by  Iftter  requested  my  neutrality. 
I  shewed  it  to  Mr.  Butler,  and,  with  his  approbation,  replied,  that  I  would  consider  it  my  duty, 
under  all  circumstances,  not  to  interfere.  IJron.son's  friends  had  the  address  to  push  Dudley  into 
the  Senate,  and  MARCY  WAS  SO  SITUATED  THAT  I  MUST  MAKE  HIM  A  JUDGE 
OR  RUIN  HIM.t  These  circumstances  gave  color  to  the  clamour  about  Albany  dictation,  whieh 
it  became  necessary  to  respect.  No  one  was  better  satisfied  th;m  Mr.  Butler  of  the  impolicy  and 
positive  impropriety  of  my  interference,  as  matters  stood.  My  friend  Campbell  is  certainly 
wrong  if  he  blames  me.  He  was  as  anxious  to  have  Manley  retained  an  to  liiive  Hitchcock  ap. 
pointed,  and  tli'-  amount  of  his  advice,  therefore,  was,  that  I  should  give  the  two  most  valuable 
ofiices  to  two  oi.i  Federalists  who  never  acted  with  us  till  last  fall,  and  that  to  the  exclusion  of 
a  young  man  who,  with  all  his  connexions,  have  been  Republicans  in  the  worst  of  times — who 
has  already  been  sorely  persecuted,  and  whose  firmness  SAVED  US  AT  THE  HERKIMER 
CONVENTION — for,  had  it  not  been  for  the  fearless  and  prompt  stand  taken  liy  Dr.  Wes. 
tervelt  after  the  Jirst  informal  ballot,  PITCHER  WOULD  UNDOUBTEDLY  HAVE 
BEEN  NOMINATED.^     After  all,  it  is  very  doubtful  whether  he  g'-ts  through  the  Senate. 

t  A  friend  in  Sew  York,  who  wns  well  informed  on  iniiiiy  pointb.  nt  these  times,  lelU  me  that  Coddington,  whohnd 
lieen  n  grocer,  licside^  hcing  roiicpriicd  in  speculutions  with  and  fur  ihe  piirty  lenders,  hud  advunced  a  heavy  lum 
in  caKh,  with  rertnin  promises,  when,  &c. 

J  If  Vnn  liiiren  unved  Murcy  from  ruin  liy  nmkinshimaSiiiireme  Court  .Iiiiijre,  Marcy'ssuhservienretohlsbenefnc- 
tor  nppenrs  to  hiive  been  liuundlens.  On  the  l.'itli  of  Oct.  ISHSt.  Mr.  N.  I'.  Tiillnmdge  nddresscd  a  letter  to  Gov.  Marcy 
from  I'oughkeepsle,  as  follows — "Hir:  I  have  stated  on  ditfcrcnt  occasions,  thai.  prrvUms  to  \\\e  e.\trn  session  of 
Congresi  in  IH37,  you  advised  ine,  at  my  house,  to  oppose  the  SubTrensiirv  Scliciiie,  if  Mr.  Vnn  Kuren  should 
recommend  it;  that  nftrr  the  extra  session,  oft  hoard  of  the  steanihont,  yo.i  ,  ivpil  of  my  course  in  opposing  it, 
snil  condemned  Mr.  Van  Riiren's  in  recommending  it,  and  said  that  yon  would  not  endorse  it  in  your  message  to 
the  Legislature.  Such  opinions  I  al«o  understand  you  freely  c.xpres.'sed  to  otliers.  I  wish  you  to  siiy,  whether 
yon  deny  the  truth  o(  the  ahovc  stuleinciit,  or  whether,  in  the  article  in  the  .\lliaiiy  Ari'iis  of  the  I4th  inst.,  you 
have  authorised  or  intended  a  denial  of  it.  N.  P.  TALI.MADdE." 

Mr.  Tallnmdge  also  wrote  to  Levi  Iliihhell,  who  had  hecn  adjutant -general,  hy  Marcy's  ap|iiiiiitnient,  to  .state 
what  he  knew  lie  replied  fr.ini  Ithaca.  Oct.  19.  "Dear  Sir  ♦  *  *  I  wns  in  New  York  at  the  close  of  the 
extra  session  in  18.17.  and  know  that  (Jov.  Marcv  was  there,  and  retnrnod  soon  after.  A  lew  days  after  his  return 
to  Albany,  he  told  me,  at  his  house,  that  he  had  returned  in  the  hoiit  with  you ;  and  he  then  expressed  much  gra- 
titicntion  nlthe  course  pursued  by  yourself  and  the  Conservatives  in  Congress.  He  at  the  siime  time,  strongly  and 
ogienly  cimdemiied  the  SiiliTreasiiry  Scheme  recommended  liy  .Mr.  Van  (luren.  and  expressed  his  dissatisfaction 
at  the  course  f  the  Wiishington  (ilobe  and  the  leading  Loco  Focos  In  this  .State  During  the  extra  session  and 
after  it.  I  had  several  conversations  with  (iov.  Murcy,  in  all  of  which  he  expressed  the  same  views.  Ills  opinions 
were  freely  miidc  known  to  any  of  his  political  friends  who  were  near  hliii.  I  was  not  then  a  state  officer,  but  I 
know  that  a  ditl'erence  of  opinion  existed  between  the  stiite  officers  in  reference  to  the  Siib-Trensiirv  Scheme,  and 
(job.  Marey  ilrclnreil  to  me  that  on  tkr  rcciptinn  of  the  special  mes.iaf;e  he  had.  in  presence  ofsevrral  of  Ihe  state  (ijffi- 
tet s^oprnl  11  expressed  hi.^  (tisapjrrubation  of  the  President's  Ttcommtnilatitin.     *    ♦     *  LKVI  lll'HKEIiL." 

(!ovr.  Marcv  made  no  reply ;  of  course  ho  admitted  thai  Mr.  I'allmadffe  hail  triilv  described  his  laniMiiige  and 
conduct  Vet  Marey  ciime  out  strong  in  his  ne.\t  annual  message  the  other  way.  and  the  .Argus  alinscd  Tiillinndge 
for  conduct  which  had  privately  received  Mnrey's  hich  aiijiroval.  \Vbat  is  it  that  such  u  clmract(!rus  this  will  lies- 
itiite  to  do,  to  secure  power  and  inllnence  under  I'olk  I 

^Mnrk  well  Van  Hiiren's  language.  Fie  tells  his  creature,  Moyt.  that  Westcrvelt's  "firmness  P.AVFP  CS"  hy 
preventing  t lie  noniiimtion  of  Pitcher  as  lieiit.  governor.  Pitchei  ivns  a  Inicktail  bad  been  a  niember  of  Congress, 
and,  as  Rutler  i-Uewliere  writes,  was  a  rigidly  Aoiicst  man.  It  was  his  high  chariicter.  great  kindness  of  dispnsiti  n, 
Ktrd  personal  populnritv  that  bad  achieved  .success  in  IH20.  and  given  to  the  party  the  exciiitive  patronage  of 
1828,  no  man  accused  him  of  political  sin  ;  his  measures  while  acting  as  governor,  bad  pleased  all  classes;  "and 
his  appointments  (snys  Hammond)  had  been  such  as  would  have  donclionnr  to  any  e.vecntive."  Even  tbeConven 
tlon  hi  18^8,  whii'h  obeyed  Van  Buren's  nod  to  set  this  able,  well  tried,  nnd  pntriolic  statesman  nni\  farmer  aside, 
und  to  name  Laayer  Throop,  because  he  was  an  anti-mason,  nnd  ready,  (like  .lohii  Van  Biircn  since,)  "to  donnv 
body's  dirty  work,*'  una^imouslii  voted  hlni  (Pitcher,'^  the  thunks  of  the  democracy  of  the  state,  for  the  intogrjty 


.:'.i-h 


■■i'i^} 


1  ?>■-»■.•' 


(i       ^ 


■'::-y^ 


>k-*i 


20B 


V.  BUKF.N   RKFOn.M — GULL  THE  MANV  ;  TlIK  tl'OlLS  TO  THE  FEW. 


Mr.  Schcnck  U  co-operiiing  with  the  opposition  in  the  Senate,  and  all  the  old  enemies  of 
Toinpkma,  ti)  jj:i't  iiim  njicie  I.  AI)out  one-third  of  the  Senate  are  absent,  and  the  probabihty 
is  that  he  will  liiil.  II' so,  I  ali  ill  not  nominate  Havens.  I  have  been  very  friendly  to  him,  and 
have  done  nil  tliii  wis  n  oo-siry  lo  secure  him  (with  good  conduct  on  his  part)  in  his  present 
place,  niid  i  e  in  nevi-r  kii  I  niy.iell  to  promote  the  views  of  those  who  coalesce  with  our  enemies 
10  sucriHce  Repu'ili'iins,  who  stay  at  home,  and  trust  to  their  friends  that  they  may  get  their 
places.  /  alviuld  nut  /tuiic  given  Man/ey  the  office  originalbj  if  I  could  have  found  a  competent 
Republican  to  take  it.  But  being  coiripetent  and  poor  1  could  not  think  in  proper  to  ra- 
move  one  Clintoniiin  .lueksim  man  to  put  in  another.  J)r.  JMcNeven  was  his  only  competitor. 
Tarjjee  has  had  as  little  to  do  with  the  matter  as  you  have,  and  less  than  Mr.  Bloodgoiid,  or 
about  as  tnuch.  I  ro^rrct  the  state  of  uffjirs  with  you.  It  will  work  itself  clear  in  the  snd. 
The  general  remeiiy  is  an  alteration  of  the  time  of  your  charter  elections. 

Believe  me  to  be,  very  sincerely  your  friend,        M.  V.  BUREN. 

Barker  yesterdnv  pre-ientod  his  formal  complaint  against  the  Recorder.     He  behaved  wi?li 
great  propne.y ;  you  must  say  nothing  of  my  views  in  regard  to  Havens. 


Postmaxter  Coddington  electioneering  for  the  office  Noah  got. 
[No.  IGC  ]  .lonaihan  I.  Coddington  to  J.  Hoyt. 

New  YoiiK,  Feb.  l.l'h,  ]S2\). —  D.  ar  Hoyt :  1  have  seen  Al.  Coe,  he  has  signed  in  your  favor, 
making  live  ;  and  he  infurm.s  me  there  is  no  doubt  of  your  getting  the  eight  that  voted  for  you 
in  cam  us —and  in  addition  I  have  no  doubt  you  will  get  Lee,  which  is  all  that  is  required. 
You  no  diii'it  iciiii'ml)er  wlmt  I  tulil  you  three  weeks  before  the  election  f.f  Mayor,  That 
Bowne  nvi.il  and  should  he  the  Mnjoy — that  I  setdoin  failed  in  what  I  undertook  in  earnest 
(partioulurl/  for  other  people — hov\-  it  will  be  with  my.self  I  know  not)  in  the  way  of  politics. 
The  res  lit  will  be  this  in  the  end.  You'll  be  District  Attorney  and  Sherman  clerk.  Noah's 
having  aoue  to  VV.ishington,  several  of  those  who  voted  for  him  in  caucus  have  left  him,  under 
the  impr*  ssioii  ho  will  get  somethimr  there.  His  claims  are  certainly  far  ^.'renter  than  Sherman's 
and  1  have  not  the  least  doubt  he  wnuld  have  succeeded  but  for  this  impte^wion.  You  may  rest 
assured  I  shall  leave  nothing  undone  that  can  be  done  I'airly  and  honorably  to  promote  your  in- 
terest. (Jeneral  Diifl'Green  was  elected  Printer  to  the  House  on  Tcuaday  by  a  majority  of  two 
votes,  and  (fOneral  Jackson  was  in  the  neighborhood  and  expected  in  Washington  on  Wednes. 
day.  I  o')s»"rve  that  our  friend  Silas  IVright,  Jr.  Esq.,  has  reached  Albany.  I  want  you  to 
go  with  CurgiU  and  .Arnold  to  the  Chancellor,  to  Judt^e  Murcy,  the  Comptroller,  and  Secretary 
of  State,  ll  they  do  not  like  to  sign  my  naked  application,  you'll  please  draw  up  a  joint  letter 
for  them  to  .i^gn  in  my  favor,  addressed  to  our  two  Senators  in  Congress,  stating  they  are  per- 
aonaily  acquainted  xoith  me,  and  recommending  me  ag  a  suitable  person  to  Jill  the  office  of  Sur. 
veyar  and  Inspector  of  the  Port  of  New  York.  This  I  want  you  to  attend  to  without  delay,  as 
they  may  gt»t  committed.  Recollect  that  T.  L.  Smith  (the  Calhoun  man,)  is  a  candidate — don't 
let  him  or  his  friends  know  that  I  am  an  applicant  until  after  we  get  all  the  signers  we  can.  If 
any  thing  of  interest  occurs  I  will  write  you  again.     Yours  truly,        J.  I.  CODDlNfJTON 


Sunday  Morning  at  St.  Tammany — New  York  Politics. 
[No.  167.]  Postmaster  Coddington,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  Albany. 

SUNDAY  morning.  New  York,  Feb.  K).  1829.— Dear  Hoyt:  We  had  a  full  meeting  THIS 
mornir.g  at  Head  Quarters — Alderman  C.  of  the  first  was  there — also  Judge  O.  (I  mean  his 
broiher  Jes,se,)  Capt.  Coffin,  &,c.  &c.  We  had  under  consideration  the  Major's  letter  from 
Washingicm,  whieh  you'll  see  in  this  morning's  Enquirer — also  your  nomination  for  District  At. 
torney.  Alderman  Cebra  declines  signing  any  paper,  but  says  they  know  where  to  find  him, 
anil  is  willing  to  go  into  a  ballot  immediately,  and  would  vote  for  you.  Colonel  Robert  Arnold 
of  New  Jersey  dined  with  me  to-day.  He  is  just  arrived  from  Washington,  and  informs  mt* 
that  there  is  no  doubt  of  our  friend  Governor  Van  Buren's  being  Secretary  of  State.  I  hav« 
availed  myself  to  write  thus  much  in  time  to  send  you  through  my  neighbour  Gideon  Tuckwr, 
who  leaves  here  this  morning,  for  Albany,     Very  respectfully,  &.c.      J.  I.  CODDINGTON. 

nnd  iiliility  lie  Imd  (li.spliiycd  u.s  licut.  froveriior :  und  when  they  had  npgiitivcd  fiencrnl  Root's  resolution  to  con- 
tinue in  dIUco  the  iiiiin  who  hud  thus  given  iiniversiil  siitisfuctioii,  they  voted  for  Knos  T.Throop  ns  his  successor  1 1 
Is  it  not  evident  ihiit  Tlirooi)  wiis  setTclly  selected  hy  Vnn  UuriMi  nnd  the  regency  ns  n  convenient  instrument  for 
re;uluting  future  stiite  elections  througli  a  chain  of  hnnks,  controlled  hy  county  jonto-i  of  i;reedy  politicians  his 
ereatiircd,  no  thiil  no  one  would  he  nppninted  to  oHice  hut  the  rral  nominees  of  the  Van  Ruren,  Butler.  Hoyt. 
Wriuht  nnd  Htephen  .\llen  cahnn  Col.  Pitcher  never  forjot  the  trencliery  nnd  in}:rntitude  thus  ninnifested  by 
Van  lluren,  whose  steiidy  nnd  conscientious  supporter  he  hnd  hitherto  hecii.  The  Morsiin  e.vcitemeut  wan  ftinnod 
by  Vnn  Buren,  who  wiis  nt  the  hottoni  of  Houthwick's  numinatiun.  Served  us  his  decoy,  to  draw  oiT  from 
Thompsun  those  western  uiiti-miijoiiic  voters  who  would  not  support  him  (V.  B.)  He  (V.  B.)  had  Throop  placed 
on  fait  ticket  to  cutch  fur  himself  und  his  re;;eiicy  ns  niuny  unti-masoiiic  votes  as  pnssihie. 


[No.  168 
New  Yori 
and  am  pleasi 
the  improprii 
from  Town  o 
and  also  in  o 
niemb«r  signi 
but  if  I  reco 
much  with  tfi 
shall  be  perfe 
Before  the  rn 
boldly  that  hi 
called  to-day 
me  that  the  F 
lent  snow  stc 
sign,  and  I  th 
that  our  frien 

two  Senators 
eral)  tells  me 
about,  tho'i  p 
1  have  one  ni 
Albany  for  V 
[No.  161 
6dential  lettei 
bids  Hoyt  tal 
of  Saturday, 
leave  Albany 
"  P.  S.  1  e 
General  Jack 


[No.  17 
Departme 
ceived  your  '. 
ner— "  Whil 
casion  of  gr 
pers,')  was 
turn  a  tingei 
FOR  THE 
W 


[No.  i-; 

have  receiv< 
of  the  Treai 
the  several 
in  action  th 
short  letters 

SkaUI"g( 

[No. 
Washing 
mg  letter  > 
NOD- 


purpose  of 
or  mercy, 
WHET 
BI,E  FOR 
not  yet  so 
•tandsai 
vO. 


"f, 


E  FEW. 


JACK80N  TIMES — THE  flENERAl-  SCRAJTELE  FOll  PLUNDER. 


209 


he  old  enemies  of 
and  the  probabihty 
rieiidly  to  him.  and 
part)  in  hi»  present 
ce  witli  uur  enemiei 
they  may  get  their 
c  found  a  competent 
Ilk  ill   proper  to  Ti- 
kis only  competitor. 
Mr.  Bloudgodd,  or 
iU"  clenr  in  the  and. 

M.  V.  BUREN. 
He  behaved  wi^h 


gut. 

signed  in  your  favor, 

i.t  that  voted  for  you 

all  that  ia  required. 

ion  (,(  Mayor,  That 

undertook  in  earnest 

the  way  of  politic). 

Irman  clerk.     Noah's 

have  left  him,  under 

enter  than  Sherman's 

jision.     You  may  rest 

'  to  promote  your  in- 

by  n  majority  of  two 

shington  on  Wednes. 

lany.     I  want  you  to 

(roller,  and  Secretary 

draw  up  a  joint  letter 

stating  thry  are  per- 

J  fill  the  office  of  Sur. 

d  to  without  delay,  as 

is  a  candidate — <lon't 

e  signr^rs  we  can.     If 

CODDINfJTON 


'Y- 

a  full  meeting  THIS 
udge  O.  (I  mean  his 
le  Major's  letter  from 
lation  for  District  At- 
V  where  to  find  hiui, 
olonel  Robert  Arnold 
ton,  and  informs  m« 
ry  of  State.  I  hava 
)our  Gideon  Tuck«r, 
CODDINGTON. 


Root's  resolution  to  roii- 
riiroop  ns  Ills  successor!  I 
onrenlent  iiistruinnnt  for 
of  (jreedy  |iolitlciaii»  lii^ 
an  Ruren,  Butler.  Hoyt. 
itiide  thus  mnnifesteil  by 
n  excJteineut  won  ftinnoii 
decoy,  to  drnw  off  from 
f.  It.)  had  Tliroop  placed 


'  An  Old  Hunker  of  Tammany,  electioneering  for  a  fat  Office. 

[No.  168  ]  Jonathan  I.  Coddington,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  Albany. 

New  York,  Feb  20th,  182!). — Dear  Sir:  I  am  in  receipt  of  your  favors  of  the  16th  and  18th, 
and  am  pleasf-d  to  learn  thai  Mr.  T.  L.  Smith  is  not  an  oppliciint — but  n  ally  i  don't  understand 
the  impropriety  of  getting  the  support  of  our  Republican  Friend'^  in  the  Legislature,  whether 
from  Town  or  Cuuntry.  It  is  not  ii  new  thing.  I  have  known  it  to  be  done  both  in  this  State, 
and  also  in  other  States,  by  persons  afiplying  for  offices  under  the  General  Government.  1  re- 
member signing  for  the  friends  of  teveral  of  the  Country  Members  the  winter  1  was  at  Albany, 
but  if  1  recollect  right  I  told  you  my  object  in  getting  the  Country  Meniiieis  was  not  lo 
much  with  the  view  of  strengthening  mens  it  was  to  prevent  others  from  getting  them.  I 
shall  be  perfectly  satisfied  with  any  course  you  and  my  other  friends  may  think  proper  to  adopt. 
Before  the  receipt  of  your  last  letter  I  saw  Al.  C.  of  the  1st  on  Change  yesterday.  He  asserted 
boldly  that  he  would  support  you  for  District  Attorney.  He  cannot  nor  dare  not  back  out.  I 
called  to.day  at  Coe's  to  know  if  any  more  had  signed,  but  he  had  not  the  paper,  and  informed 
me  that  the  Recorder  had  it — and  I  intend  to  see  it  lo-iiiorrow,  (would  to.day,  but  for  the  vio- 
lent snow  storm — at  least  12  inches  has  fallen  since  morning,)  and  endeavor  to  get  the  S)  to 
sign,  and  I  think  there  is  no  doubt  of  getting  that  number.  I  ob.«ervo  you  wish  it  kept  a  secret, 
that  our  friend  the  Governor  is  going  to  Washington.  Why  even  our  opponents  know  it  here. 
As  1  have  got  Allen  and  Bogardus,  would  it  not  be  well  enough  to  get  our  other 
two  Senators  from  this  district? — This  I  leave  entirely  to  you  to  do  or  not  to  do.  Muir  (Gen- 
eral) tells  me  that  Arnold  told  him  that  he  had  got  the  Chancellor  on,  but  as  you  say  nothing 
about,  tho't  perhaps  he  was  mistaken.  If  he  has  not  signed  should  like  you  to  get  him. 
1  have  one  more  favor  to  ask  you — let  me  know  the  day  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  wil.  probably  leave 
Albany  for  Wasliington.  Your  friend,  J.  I.  CODDINGTON. 

[No.  169.]  In  a  long  letter  of  Feb.  23d,  182D,  J.  I.  Coddington  says  he  has  had  a  con- 
Odential  letter  from  Wushiiigion,  announcing  who  the  members  of  the  Jackson  Cabinet  were, 
bids  Hoyt  take  the  list  to  Gov.  V.  B. — then  winds  up — "  1  have  to  renew  my  request  in  mine 
of  Saturday,  which  is,  that  you'll  ascertain  as  near  as  you  can  what  time  Mr.  Van  Buren  will 
leave  Albany." 

"  P.  S.  1  open  this  to  say  that  my  Washington  letter  says  that  the  general  opinion  was  that 
General  Jackson  meant  to  take  [care]  of  his  friends.  J.  I.  C." 

James  A.  Hamilton  declaiea  himself  a  good  and  true  Spoilsman. 
[No.  170.]  James  A.  Hamilton,  Acting  Sec.  of  State,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York. 
Department  of  State,  [Washington,]  March  10,  1H29.  Dear  Sir  :  I  have  with  pleasure  re- 
ceived your  letter.  As  to  Mr.  Diier,  I  will  say  to  yon,  as  I  said  to  his  brother-in-law  Mr.  Bun- 
ner — "  While  I  am  not  called  upon  to  make  an  elFort  to  displace  Duer,  his  conduct  on  an  oc. 
casion  of  great  feeling  and  delicacy,  (the  controversy  with  Mr.  Kinc  about  the  'Hamilton  Pa- 
pers,') was  not  such  as  to  occasion  regret  to  me  if  he  should  loose  his  office,  or  to  induce  me  to 
turn  a  finger  to  retain  him.'  /  agref  with  you  entirely  in  the  propriety  of  making  changes 
FOR  THE  REASON  YOU  SUGGEST. 

With  very  great  regard,  your  friend  and  servant,  JAMES  A.  HAMILTON. 


An  Application  for  Office — very  briefly  answered. 

[No.  171.]  Mr.  Src.  Ingham  to  Jesse  Hoyt.— Washington,  11  March,  '29.— Dear  Sir:  I 
have  received  yours.  The  District  Attorneys  have  usually  been  recommended  by  the  Secretary 
of  the  Treasury — but  often  the  applications  have  been  made  directly  to  the  President.  As  to 
the  several  particulars  noticed  in  your  favor,  I  can  only  say  that  it  becomes  us  to  speak  rather 
in  action  than  by  words,  lest  the  latter  may  be  misunderstood — the  former  cannot  be.  Excuse 
short  letters — necessity  compels  me  to  be  very  brief.     Yours  sincerely,       S.  D.  INGHAM. 

Shail  I"  get  anything  in  the  general  scramble  for  plunder  ?"—"  Push  like  a  DeviV* — out  with 

the  Adams  men .' 
[No.  172.]  Samuel  Swartwout's  advice  to  hia  successor,  J.  Hoyt 

Washington,  14  March,  1829.  My  Dear  Jessika  :  Your  vry  beautiful  and  intire  interest, 
ing  letter  of  the  8h  was  received  in  due  course  of  law.     /  hold  to  ynur  doctrine  fully,  that 

NO  D D  RASCAL  WHO  MADE  USE  OF  HIS  OFFICE  OR  ITS  PROFITS  for  the 

purpose  of  keeping  Mr.  Adams  in,  and  Gen.  Jackson  out  of  power,  is  entitled  to  the  least  Unity 
or  mercy,  save  that  of  hanging.     So  we  think  both  alike  or  thr.f  head. 

WHETHER  OR  NOT,  I  SHALL  GET  ANY  THING  IN  THE  GENERAL  SCRAM- 
BI.E  FOR  PLUNDER,  remains  to  be  proven ;  but  I  -ather  guess  I  shall.  What  it  will  be  is 
not  yet  so  certain ;  perhaps  Keeper  of  the  Bergen  light  house.  I  rather  think  Massa  Pomp 
itandBa  smart  chance  of  going  somewhere,  perl^ije  to  the  place  you  have  named,  or  te  tiU  Dt- 


■■      i! 


(■• 


«'■■  ■  '•''■ 


in    •: 


.'  ";• 


,i 


SIO 


SPAVINED  AND  11IN»-B«NED— A  QTTEER  TRIO — W.  A.  DDEK. 


Your  man,  if  you  wnnt  a  place,  is  Col.  Hamilton.  He  being  now  the  second  officnr  in  tha 
Govemnienl  of  'he  Union,  and  in  all  probability,  our  next  President.  Moke  your  suit  to  hini, 
then,  and  you  will  get  what  you  want.  I  know  Mr.  Ingham  slightly,  and  would  recomntend 
you  to  PUSH  LIKK  A  DfciViL,  if  you  expect  any  thing  Iroin  thiii  nuiirter.  lean  do  you  no 
good  in  any  quarter  of  the  world,  having  mighty  liiile  intluence  beyond  Hoboken.  The  great 
goers  are  the  new  men ;  the  old  troopers  being  all  spavined  and  ringb-med  from  previoui 
hard  travel.  I've  got  the  hots,  the  fet-lock,  hip.joint,  gravel,  halt  and  founders  ;  and  1  aature 
you  if  I  can  only  keep  my  own  legga.  I  shall  do  well ;  but  I'm  darned  if  I  can  carry  any  weight 
with  me.  When  I  left  home,  I  thought  my  nag  sound  and  strong,  but  the  beast  is  rather  bro. 
ken  down  here.     I'll  tell  you  more  about  it  when  I  see  you  in  New  York. 

In  seriousness,  my  dear  sir,  your  support  must  come  from  Mr.  Van  Buuren  and  Mr.  Col.  Ham. 
ilton ;  I  could  not  help  you  any  more  than  your  clerk  ;  if  I  had  the  ability,  rest  assured  1  would  do 
it  without  prompting.  Tell  Robert  Sands  that  I  am  offended  with  him ;  he  promised  to  write 
to  me  and  Mr.  H.  on  business,  and  he  has  not  done  it.  My  best  respects  to  him.  I  shall  be 
home  in  two  or  three  days.  Till  when,  do  all  vim  can  lo  iiiiprovi-  your  foriuiiew,  and  believe 
Bincerely  Yours,  S?AM.  SVVARTWOUT. 

[No.  173.]  Senator  Dudley  to  .T.  Hoyt. 

Wasiiinoto.n  City,  March  14, 1629.  My  Dear  Sir :  I  have  been  favored  with  your  esteemed 
letter,  dated  the  9th  inst.  In  reply  to  your  question,  I  will  state,  that  from  no  other  person  ex- 
cepting  yourself  have  I  received  any  communication  touching  the  office  of  District  Attorney, 
Mr.  Sanford  tells  me  he  has  also  received  a  letter  from  you,  and  that  the  office  in  question,  the 
bestownient  of  it,  is  with  the  Department  of  State  ;  Mr.  Van  Buren  will,  of  course,  have  niucli 
to  say  in  it,  and  to  whom  you  observe  that  you  have  written.  There -.rill  not  beaiiii  removalu 
from  office  before  the  Semite  udjoiirna,  at  least  from  offices  in  your  city,  aa  I  am  inf()rmed.  It 
was  expected  that  we  should  adjourn  this  day  sine  die;  but  we  meet  again  on  Monday,  when 
there  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  be  an  absolute  adjournment.  Thn  appointments  are  all  announced 
in  the  papers— the  few  nominations  left  to  act  on  are  of  a  military  nature — Brevets.  &c.  With 
great  respect,  I  am,  dear  Sir,  your  faithful  and  obed't  serv't,  CHAS.  K.  DUDLEY. 

£utler  thinks  Hoyt  may  turn  Van  Bnrcn  asninst  office-seekers  he  cannot  depend  on.     We  baiel. 

ed  for  Jackson  when  we  meant  the  Spoils  ! 

[No.  174.]  Lorenzo  Hoyt  to  his  brother  Jes.«e.  At, n.vsv,  March  17,1829.  My  Dear 
Brother*  I  have  received  your  letters  of  late — those  on  the  subject  of  District  Attorney  amnw]!^ 
the  rest,  and  I  have  seen  and  read  the  one  to  Mrs.  Ihitler.  It  suem?i  to  me  to  have  been  labor 
lost,  for  at  the  last  conversation  I  hud  with  her  about  tho  NVnshinijfoii  expedition,  she  seemed  ns 
firm  in  her  opposition  as  ever.  What  they  will  ultimately  conclude  about  it,  I  don't  know  ;  they 
will  probably  come  to  no  determination  at  pre.aent.  I  also  saw  your  letter  to  Mr.  Butler.  Hi^ 
opinions  and  feelings  had  undergone  a  great  chani^e  about  the  District  Attorney  matter  sinm- 
he  saw  you.  I  met  him  in  at  .Mr.  V.  Buren's  Saturday  afternoon,  and  tho  conversation  be- 
tween us  three,  .ho  were  alone,  accideiitly  turned  upon  that  subjfci ;  and  Mr.  Butler  then  ob- 
served, that  he  began  to  think  quite  differently  about  it ;  and  he  now  snys,  what  I  could  not  but 
think  he  would  say,  that  he  can  do  nothing  for  Diur.  He  thinks  your  last  letter  places  ihi' 
subject  on  a  strong  ground;  ami  that  sueh  arguments,  addressed  to  Mr.  Van  Hiiren,  would  hi 
very  apt  to  kindle  it  proper  feeling  of  resentment  AG.\IN6T  A  SluT  OF  .MI^^N  WHO  HAV'K 
NOT  IT  IN  THK.M  TO  BE  HONKST  AND  TIIUIO  TO  III.M.  Mr.  Van  Buren  observed, 
on  the  occasion  that  I  have  mentioned,  that  he  had  a  letter  from  you  that  morning,  and  that  yoii 
had  set  about  the  matter  with  a  very  determined  .spirit.  I  I'urther  understood  him  to  say,  ilw. 
he  should  not  interfere,  especially  to  save  Duer.  Before  much  had  boen  said  on  the  subject  we 
were  interrupted  by  persons  coming  in.  I  am  a  good  denl  surprised  that  Mr.  Van  Buren  can 
be  neutral  in  this,  and  that  he  wiU  not  lend  the  utmost  weight  of  his  influence  to  displace  from 
ofice  such  men  as  John  Duer.  He  ought  to  be  satisfied  by  this  time,  that  that  class  of  men  can 
never  be  his  real  or  pretended  friends,  any  further  than  is  necessary  to  promote  their  own  inter- 
est ;  but  strange  as  it  may  seem,  I  do  believe  that  his  fear  of  the  effect  of  such  a  measure,  is 
the  only  motive  that  wouldprevent  his  conferring  on  W.  A.  Duer,  any  office  within  his  ditposal,' 
You  will  probably  see  him  when  in  New  Yurk,an<]  you  ought  then  to  present  your  views  ro 
him  in  the  plainest  manner.     If  we  have  been  struggling  for  the  success  of  Jackson  and  the  ac- 

*  William  A.  Uuer,  recently  President  of  Colunibln  College,  N.  Y.,  fs  a  pranrtson  of  Lord  Stirling,  one  of  tha 
most  eminent  of  the  Amcrieun  ueneraU  during  the  wur  of  the  revolution.  His  fiither.  Colonel  William  Duer,  mar- 
ried Lady  Catherine,  •  Lord  ti's  daujiht^r,  and  wus  a  member  of  the  (Congress  of  1778.  luid  ii  signer  of  the  first  feder- 
al constitution.  William  married  the  Flon.  W.  Denning's  youngest  daughter,  at  Beverley  in  Hutchess  county,  in 
Sept.  ISIMi;  was  a  federalist,  and  one  of  the  leaders  in  the  great  nnti- war  meeting  in  that  county,  Oct.  7,  1812,  at 
which  I'hilo  Kiig^'les,  Williuiii  Bard,  William  .A.  Duer,  and  Thomas  J.  Onkley  were  elected  as  delegates  '  from  the 
friend.i  of  Peace'  to  a  general  onti  war  convention,  and  Madison's  administration  censured  for  rashness  and  ptecini 
tanc^.  Towards  the  close  of  the  contest,  however,  he  roused  the  people  to  take  part  in  thestrnggle — and  in  ISZJ, 
wo  had  him  nominated  liy  the  .Albany  Regency,  through  Van  Rnren's  influence  and  exertions,  us  u  buekttiil  jndge 
for  the  Hrd  circuit  and  accepted  by  an  ultrademncrutic  legislature,  in  opposition  to  Ambrose  L.  Jordan  of  Hudson, 
who  had  always  been  an  active  member  of  the  republican  party,  und  was  n  firm  supporter  of  the  war.  Mr.  Van 
BttfWr  M  Hoyt  juAly  etatm,  wanted  to  elevate  men  who  wtiiild  tie  true  to  lujn.  John  Diwr,  to  whom  the  iloyts  M  lo 


t^iritwn  of 

know  how  lo 
thus  far,  I  at 

Mr.  Van  I 

derkook  or  I 

[No.  17 

Dear  Sir :  I 

Hotel.    Yoi 

It  would  f. 
way.  On  ft 
Bteam  boat  r 
other  favor  u 


Jeiae  puahea 
the  Spoils 
Duer — boi 

[No.  i: 

Saturday, 

ing  this  even 

and  I  prcsuii 

has  called  e 

to-day,  but  I 

Bryan  Farn 

Mr.  Prime, 

sober,  honet 

man  who  w 

that  failing 

servant.    Hi 

concerns,  an 

(and  as  the  ' 

Richie  said  i 

ral  Jackson. 

your  confide 

1  cannot  reii 

toardness.' 

not  conside 

niencemen 

in  power 

this  doctri 

This  is  not 

of  the  peop 

timents  of 

aids  and  ab 

all  persona 

politicians 

than  Tho 

tain  Mr.  ' 

will  be  ren 

son  and  yo 

power  who 

back  a  reb 

with  impu 

we  sancti 

the  expen 

which  we 

recollectio 

be  handec 


th 


strong  an 
Clinton — an 
tinn,  but  w( 
Tattle  died 
generally  vi 
about  them 
pointed,  by 
Iniled,  hew 
wuaetiul 


uru. 

econd  oflicnr  in  th« 
c  your  buit  10  him, 

would  recommend 
I  can  do  you  no 

bokeii.  The  great 
ned  from  previouj 
dcra  ;  and  1  assure 
an  carry  any  weight 
beast  is  rather  bro. 

and  Mr.  Col.  Ham. 

assured  I  would  do 

le  promised  to  write 

to  him.     I  shall  be 

oriuiies,  and  believe 

WARTWOUT. 

with  your  esteemed 

no  other  person  ex- 
District  Attorney, 

Hire  in  question,  thi? 
)f  course,  have  mucli 

not  be  anif  removah 
(  I  uni  informed,  it 
in  on  Monday,  when 
Its  are  all  announced 
-Hrevefa,  &c.  With 
AS.  10.  DUDLEY. 

rj)pn<l  fill.     We  bawl. 

17,  18'J!),     My  Dear 

>rirl  Attorney  amoni; 
ie  to  have  been  labor 
pdiiion,  she  seemed  n-i 
it,  I  don't  know  ;  they 
r  to  Mr.  Butler.  Hi^ 
ittorney  matter  since 

tho  conversation  be- 
I  Mr.  Butler  then  ob- 
,  what  I  could  not  but 

last  letter  places  ihi' 
Van   Baren,  would  hi 

MKN  WHO  HAVi; 

Van  Buren  observed. 
Homing,  and  that  yoii 
<food  him  to  say,  thai 
said  on  the  subject  we 
It  Mr.  Van  Buren  can 
ence  tu  displace  from 

that  class  of  men  can 
imote  their  own  inter- 
>f  sur.h  a  measure,  is 
s  xnithin  his  diapotal.* 
present  your  views  to 
f  Jackson  and  the  ac. 

Lord  Stirling,  one  ot"  th« 
olonel  VVillinnn  Duer,  mar- 
i  a  signer  of  the  first  feder- 
ley  in  Dutchess  county,  in 
i:it  county,  Oct.  7,  1812,  at 
■ted  as  delegates  '  from  the 
d  for  riishne!>8  and  precipi- 

the  9trnggle— and  in  182.1, 
rtions.  us  a  bucktiiil  jndge 
rose  L.  Jordun  of  Hudson, 
ter  of  the  war.  Mr.  Van 
,  to  whom  Uie  Uoytt  M  w 


Tni!  HTmCRY  OFTICB  mTIfTBR — THB  fOLITICAL  WOLF. 


211 


^uintUm  of  political  power,  for  the  benefit  of  our  opponents,  I  winh  to  know  it,  no  that  I  may 
know  how  toad  hcreajtcr.  Fnun  the  maimer  in  which  the  President  has  exercised  his  power 
thus  far,  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  he  will  go  "  the  whole  Mot;." 

Mr.  Van  Buren  left  this  morning  about  1 1  o'(^lock.  Mr.  Butler  went  with  liim  as  far  as  Kin- 
derkook  or  Hudson.     Write  mu.     Yours  atlectionately,  L.  H. 

[No.  175.]  M.  Van  Buren  to  J.  Hoyt.  [Post  murk,  Albtny.]— March  17,  1820.— My 
Dear  Sir:  I  will  bo  in  New  York  on  Friday,  and  wish  you  to  take  lodgings  for  me  at  the  City 
Hotel.     Yours,  M.  V.  B. 

It  would  seem  that  no  Regency  Governor  could  visit  New  York,  until  Jtsae  hc;d  prepared  the 
way.  On  May  9th  he  had  lyjoiher  epistle  from  another  Governor — "  Dear  Sir,  I  shall  take  the 
steam  boat  next  Tuesday  morning,  and  reach  New  York  in  the  evening.  You  will  confer  an- 
other favor  upon  me,  if  you  will  mention  it  t.j  Mr.  Jennings,  that  he  may  provide  rooms  for  me. 

E.  T.  THROOP."      j 

Jesse  pushes '  like  a  devil ' — Hires,  for  Van  Buren,  a  cross  grained  valet — To  the  Victors '  belong 
the  Spoils' — '  We  the  people  ' — '  the  blood  of  the  martyrs  ' — the  P.  M.'s  Bet — put  out  John 
Duer — bold  measures — Rudolph  Banner  is  faithless  to  us  !  '" 

[No.  176.]  Jesse  Hoyt  to  Martin  Van  Buren,  Sec.  of  State,  Washington. 

Saturday,  11  o'clock,  A.  M.,  March  21,  1829.  Dear  Sir:  lam  under  the  necessity  of  leav- 
ing this  evening  so  as  to  be  in  Albany  .Monday  morning  at  the  opening  of  the  Court  of  Chancery, 
and  1  presume  1  shall  not  be  able  to  see  you.  Tlie  man  wlijiri  I  had  spoken  to  as  your  valet, 
has  called  every  day  this  week  to  see  when  you  was  to  be  in  town,  but  1  have  not  seen  him 
to-day,  but  i  have  left  word  at  myolTice  if  he  calls  to  send  him  to  the  City  Ilottl.  His  name  is 
Bryan  Farrell.  He  has  good  recommendations  from  Mr.  W.  B.  Astor.  He  has  lived  with 
Mr.  Prime,  from  whom  I  have  learned  more  particularly  his  character.  He  is  very  capable, 
sober,  honest — his  only  fault  is  his  bad  temper,  for  which  Mr.  Prime  discharged  him — but  a 
man  who  would  not  suit  Mr.  Prim*'  in  this  particular,  would  never  have  occasion  to  exhibit 
that  tailing  to  you,  but  of  thi.><  you  are  to  judge.  Asa  general  rule  it  is  an  objection  to  a 
servant.  He  is  married,  but  woulc'  leave  his  family  here.  This  i.s  all  I  have  to  say  on  domestic 
concerns,  and  what  else  I  have  to  say  is  not  upon  subjects  of  less  importance,  but  which  yon  may 
(and  as  the  world  goes,  perhaps  justly,;  consider  as  partaking  a  little  of  selfislinpss — but  as  Mr. 
Richie  said  the  other  day  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Noah,  "  Mr.  Van  Beuren  must  tell  the  truth  to  Gene, 
ral  Jackson."  So  I  ought  to  tell  the  truth  to  you,  and  I  will  do  so,  at  the  hazard  of  forfeiting 
your  confidence  and  good  opinion  ;  for,  if  1  have  it  now  I  am  under  serious  apprehensions  that 
1  cannot  retain  it  long  without  abandoning  all  political  honesty,  consistency,  and  "  straight  for. 
vjardness."  I  take  it  for  granted  that  all  who  do  not  support  the  present  administration  you  will 
not  consider  your  friends  ;  and  of  course  will  lo.sc  your  confidence.  I  have  said  from  the  com- 
mencement of  the  contest  that  I  would  not  support  any  administratiim  who  would  support  men 
in  power  that  hud  contributed  to  overthrow  the  democratic  puny  in  this  State.  1  have  preached 
this  doctrine  too  long,  and  it  has  taken  too  a  footing  here,   to  be   easily  got  rid  of. 

This  is  not  only  the  doctrine  in  theory,  but  we  require  it  to  be  reduced  to  practice  by  the  servants 
of  the  people  to  whom  we  have  temporarily  delegated  the  trust.  I  speak  now  the  universal  sen- 
timents of  the  democracy  of  this  city,  and  you  may  rely  upon  it  no  man  can  be  sustained  who 
aids  and  abets  in  the  disappointment  of  the  just  expectations  of  the  people  on  this  subject — and 
all  personal  considerations  and  private  friendships  must  yield  to  political  justice.  The  leading 
politicians  of  this  city  (Mr.  Targee  and  Mr.  Bowne  excepted)  require  the  removal  of  Mr.  Jona- 
than  Thompson  ;  and  Mr.  Bnwne  will  put  in  jeopardy  his  own  situation  by  attempting  to  sus- 
tain Mr.  Thompson.  Mr.  Peter  Stagg  and  the  appraiser  every  body  seems  to  lake  it  for  granted 
will  be  removed.  We  have  in  this  Stale  fought  off  the  infamous  charges  against  General  Jack- 
son and  yourself  and  gave  the  lie  to  the  authors  and  publishers  of  them.  To  continue  those  in 
power  who  contributed  to  sustaining  those  charges  would  but  admit  the  truth  of  ihem,  and  throw 
back  a  rebuke  upon  us  for  contradicting  them.  This  rebuke  is  unjust  and  we  will  not  receive  it 
with  impunity  from  an  administration  which  WE  THE  PEOPLE  have  created.  Nor  can 
we  saiiction  the  doctrine  of  the  administration,  or  any  of  its  members,  buying  up  its  enemies  at 
the  expense  of  its  friends.  "  The  blood  of  the  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  the  church,"  and  that  blood 
which  we  nobly  shed  in  1H24  in  defending  cur  principles  and  our  party,  is  still  curdled  by  the 
recollection  of  OUR  SUFFERINGS  in  that  memorable  fight,  and  we  will  not  now  permit  it  to 
be  handed  over  to  the  mercy  or  magnanimity  of  those  who  were  the  cause  of  its  being  shed,  but  we 

strong  an  aversion,  is  W.  A'h  brother— came  round  to  the  buektaiU  after  the  war — helped  Vun  Gnren  to  injure 
Clinton — and  set  up  early  in  1831  as  a  burktnil  candidate  for  Congress  from  Orunge  county,  received  the  nomina- 
tion, but  was  defeated  by  a  Capt.  Selnh  Tiittle  of  a  North  tiver  sloop,  in  whom  Van  Buren  had  more  confidence. 
Tattle  died  that  full,  and  Duer  was  ugain  defeated,  by  C.  Borland.  Duer  was  in  the  state  convention  IKl,  and 
generally  voted  with  Vt.n  Buren.  He  is  a  financier;  wrote  upon  credit  and  currency  in  London,  and  has  lectured 
about  them  in  New  York  ;  he  is  also  a  l.iwyer,  and  was  one  of  the  revisers  of  the  state  laws.  John  Duer  was  ap- 
pointed, by  Adams  and  Clay.  U.  S.  Attorney,  N.  Y  ,  in  Feb.  1828.  When  the  Baltimore  Lite  and  Trust  Companv 
ntiled,  he  was  its  president,  and  owed  it  $200,000,  or  moie,  secured  on  a  pledge  of  it6  stuck  held  by  him.  Ittitook 
wu  Mtoally  ran  up  to  90  per  cent  pietuium : 


did 


THE  FAIASITK's  UEWAllD^FIRST  MINISTKt  OF  JVtTKt. 


r.  ■  ■ 

■  ■.:'■- 

i- 

^'•<  >■ 

,• 

I.- 

■v,»- ' 

.1     .., 

.-* 

I    vv  : 

^;- 

V 

•  *f 

H^  '  - 

1-  -' 

]      1 

.  ■  • 

uk  (hat  retributive  juitliee  nhnll  he  dealt  out  to  those  who  from  that  time  to  thii  hare  net  thentked 
thtir  awordnor  ccniedin  their  rjfortt  to  prnstrnte  us.  la  ciillnii;  upon  uiir  fiibiidHin  ;iri  in  ilii»mat> 
t(T,  we  ahull  as  we  always  have  done,  repudiate  the  doctrine  o(  neiiirnlity.  We  tthall  exp«ot 
every  man  to  take  sides  one  way  or  the  other,  either  for  or  against  removals.  The  old  niaxitn 
of  "those  not  for  uh  itre  agiiinsi  uft,"  you  have  ad  often  rtcogni/ed  that  its  authority  cannot  be 
denied.  I  liuve  one  word  to  say  upon  a  particular  cn.-e  aliout  which  I  ntn  particularly  exiited 
for  various  reasons — it  is  the  case  of  Mr.  Diicr.  He  was  appoint)  d  hy  Mr  Charles  King,  and 
his  removal  or  retention  in  probably  lift  with  you.  at  UnM  so  snys  Mr.  Sanford  uiid  Mr.  Dudley, 
If  I  read  the  letter  of  the  latier  correctly.  Mr.  Bunner,  I  presume,  has  made  his  bargaia  with 
tomr  Southern  Interest  for  his  retention.  I  judije  so  from  vnriona  circumstances,  one  of  which  is 
that  Mr.  Samuel  L.  Guuverneur  offered  a  bet  of  ^100  day  before  i/eflrrday  that  hr  would  not  be  re- 
moved.  He  his  his  advices  daily  from  Mr.  Calhoun  or  s.nne  of  his  Iriends,  I  h  tve  not  the  slightest 
doubt.  The  conversation  I  had  with  you  at  Albany  satisjicd  me  that  you  would  retain  Mr  Duer, 
if  you  could  Jind  a  satisfact'iry  apolagy.  ^iiice  whicii  I  li  ivo  heunl  from  Mr.  Ducr'n  friends  that 
you  would  MuiiiPiirt  him,  anJ  from  yours  I'lnt  yi'U  would  ri'inuiii  iii'iitrnl.  When  I  lefi  Albany  I  wa« 
not  a  candidate,  ami  I  Ivcnmi'  ho,  as  I  wroie  Mr  lnyiiiim,  by  the  iidvici  of  my  pdiiiciil  tricnds, 
who  could  insist  upon  Mr.  i).'s  removal.  I  told  Mr.  Rowne  that  I  would  not  tako  the  office  of 
District  Attorney  for  this  city  if  I  could  get  it,  till  Mr.  Duir  was  removed,  niul  now  repent  that 
I  will  hold  no  office  from  any  political  party  that  will  keep  Mr.  Dui'r  in  his  present  station.  The 
very  idea  that  you  would  hy  thought  or  deed  contribute  to  such  n  nsult  has<jiven  me  more  awful 
feelings  thun  I  experienced  when  I  held  n  conversation  with  you  in  your  room  over  Crittenden's 
dining  room,  in  the  evening  of  the  day  of  the  choice  of  the  Klector-f  in  IH'J.l,  when  our  very  senses 
were  stunned  by  the  shouts  of  Mr.  Duer  and  his  friends  over  their  chnnipaiizne  in  the  room  below. 
What  you  told  me  in  that  conversation  I  well  recollect,  and  I  thoiiL'ht  you  wcrescriou*  and  would 
not  under  any  circumstances,  forget  them  for  at  least  six  years,  thr  ordinary  stutiite  limitation  for 
parol  promisea  :  but  if  the  statute  had  attached  the  promises  and  the  consideration  have  been  re. 
ceived  by  Mr.  Duer's  connection  with  Judge  Thompson,  Anti-Masonry,  nnd  (Jod  knows  what, 
last  fall ;  nnd,  if  1  recollect  right,  Mr.  D.  was  to  hu  one  of  the  body  jriiiirci  to  give  yon  an  escort 
to  Kinderhook  the  Friday  after  the  last  November  election.  I  do  not  remind  you  of  these  things 
to  excite  your  prejudices,  but  na  evidence  of  overt  acts  against  llie  democrney  of  the  State.  To 
retain  Mr.  Duer  would  be  to  disappoint  friends  nml  enemies,  for  it  is  considered  by  all  upon  gene- 
ral principles  thnt  he  is  to  be  removed,  and  if  he  is  retained  you  tret  no  credit  for  it  even  from 
them.  They  will  attribute  it  to  your  fears,  nnd  your  party  friends  will  charge  yon  with  bargain- 
ing to  buy  up  your  enemies  nt  the  expense  of  the  party  who  have  labored  to  sustain  you.  There 
is  a  charm  attending  bold  measures  extremely  fascinating — it  has  'riven  to  (Jeneral  Jackson  nil 
his  glory,  nnd  it  will  give  to  Mr.  Clay  hereafter  power  and  strength,  and  the  s|)"'-i  h  \w  mude  at 
the  Washington  dinner  is  admired  for  its  impudence,  lindrprndrnrf  '■']  nnd  the  manly  spirit  it 
breathes.  In  regard  to  the  npplicants  for  Mr.  Duer's  pince,  I  have  nothins;  to  say  further  than 
that  it  18  not  just  to  import  n  man  from  the  country — l>v  this  I  mean  .Vc.  Unnner,  who  is  not  at 
heattwith  us,  ns  you  plainly  discovered  on  your  vi.-^it  two  yenrs  n^-o  to  C)sweso — liesides  many 
other  objections  that  could  be  raised,  it  would  amount  to  a  le-nppointment  of  Mr.  Duer.  I  have 
done  nothing  since  I  wrote  to  yon,  in  regard  to  myself  Many  p.i»ple  have  oflrred  to  interfere 
in  my  behalf  but  1  have  delayed  taking  any  measures  till  I  had  seen  yon.  My  first  nnd  principal 
object  is  the  removal  of  Mr.  D.,  and  when  thnt  is  done  1  am  willint:  to  leave  my  claims  to  the 
justice  and  not  to  the  policy  of  the  appointing  power.  If  Mr.  D.  is  not  removed  by  the  time  F  re- 
turn from  Albany,  I  shall  visit  Washington,  to  hnnd,  in  person,  t  '-very  nieniher  of  the  Cabinet 
"  The  Life  and  adventures  of  John  Duer'' — for  as  long  as  God  spnr^  a  my  lite  I  shall  not  spare  my 
exertions  to  get  him  out  of  office  as  well  as  all  thos»e  who  have  b'  frayed  their  friends,  their  party, 
and  their  principles.  In  doing  this,  however,  I  will  not  as  he  nnd  his  frii'uds  ha>^e  dime,  violate 
the  sanctify  of  private  friendship  and  private  confidence,  but  the  menns  I  shall  resort  to  will  be 
free  from  concealment,  but  shnll  be  open  and  manly,  nnd  upon  the  same  principles  thnt  hns  actuafd 
me  in  opposing  him  during  the  late  contest.  I  shall  therefore,  if  driven  to  ffo  to  Washington  to 
prefer  my  complaints  shall  go,  not  ns  a  candidate  myself,  for  I  should  not  then  be  listened  to  with 
as  much  consideration  ns  I  otherwise  should,  hecau.se  men  in  p.iwer  are  not  prone  to  look  upon 
office  seekers  in  so  favorable  a  light.  I  have  written  this  in  the  hurry  of  departure,  and  subject 
to  the  interruptions  of  olfice  business.  I  have  not  time  to  read  it  over  nnd  prune  it  of  any  doubt- 
ful expressions,  if  any  such  there  be.  I  therefore  send  if,  subject  to  nny  explanations  that  may  bo 
proper  to  convey  my  true  meaning.  So  far  as  I  have  taken  a  general  or  cpeeial  view  of  the  sub. 
ject  spoken  of  I  am  borne  out  by  a  vast  majority  of  your  political  frien<ls  in  the  city,  all  of  whom 
feel  this  to  be  a  critical  point  in  your  political  fate.  The  theory  of  youruddres-sio  the  Committee 
of  the  Legislature  we  all  admire— tiie  practice  under  it,  if  conformuble  to  the  theory,  is  ull  that 
we  require.  In  great  haste,  very  truly,  your  friend,        J.  HOYT. 


it     A  Tamman 
A 


ICK. 

hii  hart  not  »htat\»i 

iiditin  ;iri  In  iliitt  mat- 

y .     \W  tthall    ex|i«ot 

U.     The  old  maxim 

uiiluirity  cnnrioi  be 

imriuMilarly  exuied 

r  Chnrli's  King,  and 

ixA  iiiid    Mr.  Dudley, 

fide  hiH  bargain   leilk 

iiK-es,  one  of  which  ig 

al  lif  xDould  not  be  re- 

h;ive  not  the  ftlightest 

oitld  rtluin  Mr  Duer, 

Ir.  Door's  friendathat 

oil  I  lel'i  Alb;iny  I  \va« 

iiiy   p>'liiiciil  iVa'iul-i, 

ot   t;ik<"  tlie  ofJic  oi' 

II  11(1  now  roprnt  that 

)resont  sintioii.     The 

<!tvrn  nu'  more  awful 

lotii  ovor  Crittenden's 

,  when  our  very  flenses 

;nr  in  the  room  below. 

ere  porious  and  would 

y  ptiitiite  limitation  for 

leration  hiive  been  re. 

ind  (Jod  liiiowa  what, 

til  give  you   nn  escort 

id  you  of  these  things 

lu'v  of  t lie  Stntp.     To 

erod  by  nil  upon  genc- 

redit   fur  it  even  from 

iri;e  you  with  bargain- 

I)  sii!»tiiin  you.     There 

>  (ieiirral  .Fnckaon   nil 

ho  sp»-n  h  I;,  iiiude  at 

nd  the  mnnly  spirit  it 

iiir  to  say  further  than 

liNiiiier,  ir/io  is  not  at 

swego — besides  many 

of  Mr.  Duer.     1  have 

ve  oflired  to    interfere 

My  first  and  principal 

cnve  my  cliiima  to  the 

loved  by  tlie  lime  \  re- 

iieniber  of  the  Cabinet 

fe  I  shall  not  spare  my 

oir  friends,  their  party, 

nds  har^e  dime,  violate 

shall  resort  to  will  be 

liples  that  ha«nciuat«'d 

I  ffo  to  Washington  to 

len  be  listened  to  with 

lol  prone  to  look  upon 

departure,  and  subject 

prune  it  of  any  doubt- 

plniiations  that  may  bo 

lieeial  view  of  the  sub. 

I  the  city,  all  of  whom 

Ires-sio  the  Committee 

the  theory,  is  all  that 

ind,        J.  HOYT. 


>ATRIOTS  FOR  HIRE,  OVR  U.VfON'.S  LASTIN«  SHAME. 


213 


JIfr.  Stilwell  would  like  Office — is  injured  by  the  N.  Y.  L)iw  ^Fotmjioly — has  an  itching  Jor poli- 
tics— he.  nets  to  be   IJ.  S.  Mitinhnl. 
[No.  177.]  Silas  .M.  rftilwell  to  Siiiiiiiul  S^vartwout,  II  iliok'  ii,  N.  J. 

Nbw  yoRK,  March  'J4,  1»2.). — [I'riviiUi  ] — Dear  Sir:  After  lenvin;,'  you,  on  yesierday,  an 
iiiea  popped  into  my  head  that  I  would  like  a  siluntiuu  in  the  jmsi  oj/irr  «/  this  city,  for  one  or 
ttvo  years,  or  uiitiU  1  can  completely  concentrate  my  |iroperty  hi  re.  1  an,  iinw  using  every 
means  to  turn  my  western  and  souihern  properly  into  money,  for  ihe  purpose  of  piirchnsinR  real 
Mtate  in  New  York — and  m  ikinjj  iliis  (my  iiativcj  city  my  permum  iit  re.^irioncc.  While  my 
buifness  is  going  on,  I  can  iis  wull  be  employe  i  in  soini;  bui.iiiosis,  iliat  wilt  make  me  Roine  re. 
turn.  My  legal  prof esaion  is  of  nn  use  tit  mr  here,  inasmuch  us  my  licence  icns  qraiiled  by  the 
courts  of  Virginia  f  I  feel  ;)iill  an  itcliiiii»  dewire  to  write  uii  political  sulijecf",  ami  take  an  active 
part  ill  political  atlhirs,  but  1  shall  restrain  my  inclination  until/  a  more  convenient  period  shall 
arrive.  Vou  are  no  doubt,  surprised  at  the  request  1  make,  but  1  bola-ve  you  will  eventually 
xt  that  1  have  taken  a  proper  course.  You  will  be  appointed  (beyond  all  duubt)  to  the  ollice, 
and  1  should  bu  gratified  if  you  are  pleased  with  my  npplicaiiin.  I'lease  drupn  line  in  the  post- 
utfice,  naying  where  and  when  I  shall  have  the  pleasure  of  seeiiii;  you.  He  pleased  to  txcepl  of 
the  asduraiice  ot  iny  high  consideraiion  and  respect.  a.  M.  STILWELL. 

General  Prosper  M,  IVetmore's  President  refers  to  his  friend  Van  Jliiren, 
[No.  178.]  General  P.  W.  Spicer,  e.x-President,  L'.  S.  Lombard,  to  Smiiuel  Swartwout. 
Niiw  York,  March  21th,  18529 — Sir:  1  have  been  informed  that  the  ollire  of  Collector  of 
this  Port  has  been  tendered  for  your  acceptance.  Should  this  infortnation  be  authentic,  and 
!<hould  you  conclude  to  accept  the  aiipointment,  I  toke  the  liberty  of  otrorin;,'  my  services  for  your 
acceptance  in  the  situation  of  deputy.  Iferl.  a  canvietinn  that  my  VLr.i'ANTit.v;  ejrperienre  would 
tnable  me  to  dischargo  the  duties  of  the  ofTice  to  your  saiisfartion,  and  with  advantage  to  the 
public  interests.  If  you  are  not  already  committed  on  tlie  siilijeet  of  your  appointment,  I  can, 
with  confidence,  refer  to  the  members  of  the  RKPUurjcAN  ji'irty  at  larsc  in  our  city  and  State 
for  the  claims  I  may  be  concidered  to  possess  to  your  favorable  eoneideration.  /  am  AUTHOR. 
IZED  to  refer  to  the  linn.  M.  Van  Ihinn  and  the  /{on.  C.  f.  CamhreleviX  fur  MY  POLITI- 
CAL  ."^T.'VNDINCi.  I  likewise  feel  justified  in  adding  the  names  of  Benjamin  Bailey  and 
the  Hon.  C.  P.  White,  who  have  assured  me  of  their  tli-positinii  to  advance  my  views.  May  I 
ask  to  be  favored  with  an  interview  when  you  convenienee  will  jienuit,  in  reliilion  to  this  busi. 
ness.  1  have  the  honor  to  be,  itc.  P.  W.  SPICER. 


fi     A  Tammany  Offir.e-Uunter  in  the  dumps — the  Postmaster  of  New  York  ready  to  rebel  against 
Andrew  Jackson,  and  why — Hector  Crnis — Xoah  on  Clay  and  Van  Burcn. 
[No.  179.]  .loiiatlian   I.  Cixldington  to  .lesse  flnyt. — Confidential. 

New  York,  Miirrih  i29ili,  1829. — My  Dear  Sir:  I  havn  received  ytnir  fivorof  the  25th.  My 
interview  with  Mr.  Van  Biiren  was  not  quite  as  Hitisfiicmry  ss  I  could  wi.sh,  or  indeed  had  a 
right  to  i.'xpect,  nfter  hearing;  what  Silas  Wright,  .Ir..  said  to  .Arnold.  I  will  expKiin  further 
when  I  see  you.  It  may  all  end  very  wtU,  hut.  1  am  prepared  to  hear  of  Nuah,  or  Hector 
Craigt  receieing  the  appointment.  You  no  doubt  have  heard  ere  tliis  that  Major  Swartwout, 
of  Hobnken,  is  to  be  Collector  of  New  York. 6  He  told  me  so  hinis'-lf.  The  General  had  pro- 
mised it  to  him,  provided  ho  could  make  certain  arrangement.s,  w  liicli  he  says  he  very  soon  ac- 
complished, and  sent  on — and  expects  hisCommission  on  Tewsdav  morning.  But  noiwithstand- 
iiig  all  he  siys,  Alley,  Fish,  tind  others  dont  believo  it.  or  rather,  wont  believe  it.  Frank  Ogdeii, 
it  is  said,  will  go  to  Liverpool.  You  well,  recollect  that  Cam' releng  expects  this  appointment. 
Thus  (if  true)  are  TWO  OF   THIi)  VERY  BEST   OFFICES  in  the   gift  of  the  Government 

t  Silirn  M.  Stilwell's  letters  to  Uoyt  iinH  .Swartwmit,  r-opicd  into  this  rorre^ponileiico,  nre  reiilly  curious  prochie- 
tion».  He  is  from  New  Yorl<,  went  early  in  life  to  Virgiiiiii,  stinlied  liiw  there,  hecnine  n  Van  Biireii  niemhcr  of  the 
N.  Y.  Lejislnfre,  hut  voted  in  fiivor  of  the  U.  rt  Hunk,  la  I8.'t4.  ho  wns  on  the  whig  side,  and  iinniinnted  hvthnt 
pnrty  fwith  Seward)  ns  lieutennnl-jioverniir.  He  ha»  been  iin  Alderman  of  New  Yi  rk.  nrd  a  bnnliriipt.  In  1841  be 
professed  astrnngnttorhment  to  President  Tvler,  who  Rnve  him  tlio  lucrutivo  postof  t'nileil  Stntes  Mnrshnl  in  New 
York,  now  held  by  Kli  Moore,  tleers's  Bank,  or  the  North  Amerinin  Trust  Co.,  w;is  [ilnnned  by  him,  nnd  n  lew 
others  of  his  way  of  thinkini;;  he  is  charged  with  horrowing  he.iiuit'iil  piissafrcs  from  Broushnm,  &c,,  and  passing 
them  otr  for  native  maniifictiircs  ;  nnd  is  probably  a  >elf  eilnoiitod  ninn.  He  Marteil  n  Imot.  nnd  .shoe  store  in 
.\ew  York  ;  and  in  1834,  was,  I  believe,  leijislat.or,  aldermao.  lawyer,  shocmiil  er,  iiiid  speciiliil.ir. 

X  Hector  Craiir  succeeded  Noah  os  snrvovor  of  the  port  of  New  York  in  If"  ;i.  He  was  socretnry  to  Tammany 
(Martling's)  in  IhlW.  When  n  tm-inher  of  Congress,  and  fr;cnillv  lo  Do  Witt  Cliulon,  in  \>-'t.  he  voted  for  .lai'k- 
siin  nnd  nsniiist  Adams  ii.s  I'lesident.  His  Tither  wns  from  .'^'■i-othuiil,  ami  a  paper  maker  at  ,\e«bursh.  N.  Y., 
Mr.  C.  had  been  a  merchant  in  , New  York,  and  in  IKl*  wn.s  nn  anii  ulHrra-iuy  <on.>erviitive.  EN  Sloore  suc- 
ceeded Craig  as  Surveyor.     W.  F.  Flavemeyer,  mayor  of  N.  Y.  married  ('rii^-'s  il^iiightcr.    He  (Craig)  is  dead. 

^Tho' enraged  at  Swurtwont's  success,  Coddington  was  hi3  par.'^nnal  and  poljtiral  friend,  and  wrote  liim.  May 
8,  1829.  Dear  Sir— Mr.  Isaac  Warren  is  Me  Old  Democratic  Jityuntic  in  i.i  whuse  lavnr  I  spoke  to  you  sometime 
•inee.  He  has  been  trying  to  get  nn  appointment  from  Mr.  'I'hompion.  the  last  sevon  years — and  hope  lie  m.iy  now 
succeed.  Mr.  White  and  Mr.  McDerni'itt  have  also  requested  mo  to  speak  to  yon  iii  thuir  favor  for  a  siti'ation. 
Ihmt  also  to  request  that  so  able  and  efticicnt  an  officer  as  -Vr.  ^'athaniel  ffmt  nuy  not  lie  remnvril. 

Yours  moit  resreci:'ii:y,  J- 1-  COPPIJTGTON. 


h 


• 

'  >si 

••  v; 

,=  t?? 

'■J 

'i-? 

214     roTiD. — AN  OFIICh  OK  A  .nuflNV  ! — RITCHIE — OFFICK  ;    i'lE  FOR  SHAME* 


!  ^i  • 


tM:^-- 


I'-^in^;.- 


I  ■  ♦-.  .  , 
i' :  -V  • 


'    »■ 


k- 

'   I* 


GIVEN  TO  rCRSONAL  FI111;M)S,  and  withuut  ecen  consultins  /(/.i  Cabinet.  There  ig 
coiisideriilile  iliss^iitis^thction  Irti;  tli;it  .Mr.  Van  Ourci!  \v<is  not  at  \V!it;hiiif!ton  sooner.  Messrs. 
Bailey,  Alley,  Uloodijoo;!  .iiid  Fish,  ami  others,  tailed  on  Governor  Van  Buren  on  Monday,  and 
expressed  til  liiiu  irhaf.  they  deemed  the  wixhca  of  the  party — that  Thompson,  Duer,  i^c.  ought 
to  he  remnvrd.  The  (Jovernor  told  them  that  he  hud  received  Q  lone;  letter  from  you  respecting 
removals — hut  iKiriiciilarly  ahout  the  Uistrict  Attorney.  It  is  said  G.  D.  Golden  is  a  candidate 
lor  Du'm's  pliKo.     If  so,  there  is  xmoXhcr  persoiml  fiif.nd  of  the  General's  in  your  way. 

n-  IF  THK  PRF.SIDENT  I'iiHSUES  THIS  COURSK  THE  PARTY  IS  RUINED, 
ILF  ArVD  THE  SOONER  WE  BEGIN  TO  BUILD  UP  A  NEW  THE  BETTER. 

Lt  t  me  hear  from  you  again  soon,  and  believe,  me  to  bo  yours,  truly, 

J.  I.  CODDINGTON. 

IIkjiakks,  hy  W.  L.  M. — The  impression  on  my  mind,  from  the  mercenary  character  of 
Noali,  and  the  intrii;uin!^,  politician-buying  ways  of  Van  Buren,  and  what  I  see  in  this  corres- 
•pondence,  is,  that  Van  Buren  iiad  burRained  for  Noah's  support,  payable  by  some  fat  office  in 
.lackson's  gift,  if  the  attempt  to  get  the  Sheriffship  for  him  failed.  In  Van  Buren's  letter  to 
Iloyt,  No.  15(!,  he  "  sorely  reurets"'  Noah's)  failure  ;  and  when  Coddiugton  saw  him,  [as  aimve,] 
he  found  that  Noah  was  ahead  of  hiui,  and  w;is  so  chagrined  that  he  was  ready  to  revolt.  Noah, 
in  I'.is  Star  of  Aug.  ;>,  IHIJt,  .^nys  that  ho  jileaded  in  18^i),to  .lacksoii.at  Washington,  "  the  con- 
dition of  the  fNoah'sl  Enquirer,  almost  broken  down,  and  Jj'JS.OOO  in  debt,  from  a  fierce  politi- 
cal coiiiliet  " — that  Ritchie  opp(jsed  him — that  he  wrote  Ritchie,  tvho  replied,  [see  his  letters, 
No.s.  ll'Jn,  and  171)i,] — and  that  when  he  [Noaii]  took  sides  with  VVel)b,  against  Van  Buren, 
Ritchie  called  him  "  the  Swiss  Mercenary,"  &.c.  Noah,  again  says,  in  his  Star  of  June  S3,  that 
Van  Biiren  got  up  a  candidate  a::aiu8t  him  (Coddiugton  ?)  and  pushed  him  with  all  his  force  ; 
but,  he  adds,  "  I  was  still  Van  Buren's  friend."  He  praised  Clay  to  the  skies  ;  but  had  prcvi- 
ously,  when  ordered  by  "  that  tyramiical  and  mercenary  oligarchy  known  by  the  name  of  the  Al- 
bany Regency,"  described  him  as  '•  the  man  who  had  bar,'aiiie<l  away  the  presidency,"  "  the 
aijostate  ixiliticiim,"  "  the  despicable  demagogue,"  '*  who,  by  a  i)nse  bargain,  brought  into  the 
presidential  chair  th;-  head  of  the  old  aristocracy,  the  revilcr  of  Jefl'eraoij" — adiling  [Enquirer, 
May  17,  18'28,)  "  Wo  shall  not  tind  fault  with  Mr.  Clay  in  turning  religious,  and  renouncing 
cards,  dice,  und  women — it  is  time  tor  him  to  do  .so,''  &,c.t 


[No.  171),  n.]  Thomas  Ritcliie,  now  Editor  of  the  Union,  to  .Mordecai  M,  Noah,  Editor 
of  llic  Enquirer,  N.  Y. — Rk  iimun;),  March  '2^^,  18^1). — Dear  Sir:  I  take  blame  to  myself  for 
not  meeting,  more  directly,  a  suggestion  which  you  maile  in  tlie  letter  you  were  so  kind  as  to 
addre.s.s  me  a  few  days  ago.  But  since  replyitig  to  it,  I  see  so  much  to  draw  my  attention  to 
the  subject ;  so  much  in  what  has  been  <ione  in  the  case  of  others,  and  so  much  in  wliat  has 
been  rumored  in  your  own  case,  that  I  cannot  reconcile  it  to  the  regard  I  have  for  you,  or 
the  resjject  I  wish  to  preserve  for  myself,  to  puss  it  over  in  the  general  and  delicate  way  I  have 
done. 

1  will  not  content  myself  iiy  saying,  as  I  then  did,  that  I  wish  for  nothing  from  the  Adminis- 
tration, but  I  will  take  the  liberty  of  noiiig  fiirther,  and,  in  the  most  respectful  manner,  of  ask- 
ing whetl'.er  you.  (at  the  head  of  such  a  press  as  the  N.  Y.  Enquirer,)  should  accept  of  an  of- 
tice  at  their  hands  ?  The  dkjnmty  of  tijk  t'RKns  is  alriiadv  iN.ifKi:i),  I  (inEATi.v  fear,  by  the 
.M'jinF.ROF  KDiTons  WHO  iiAvii  (inrAi.vF.ii  offkk.s — tmi;  two  Grekns,  Danforth,  Kf-ndalt,,  Hill, 

A.vn  IF  YOU    AUr,  ADPEI)  TO  TIIF.  LIST,    IT  MAY   BK  TRIT.Y  SAID  THAT  THi:   MOST  ACTIVK    AND  ABLEST 

>:t)itohs  i.v  iHU  ti.DTio.v  OF  Gf.v.  .T.  HAVE  oiiTAiNHn  OFFKK.S',     A  luiud  like  yours  will  see  at 

till  NniiliV  S'nr,  Juno  ilH,  IKlf.  ho  tlius  oxpliiiiis  liif  .'oniit'i'iiiiii  with  Viiti  Hiiren  : 

"  I  \vii»  ii,  niifiirtiinnte  in  In  rniriinit  !\Ir.  Vnii  Buren  ia  fiivDr  (ifWni.  H.  Criiwilird  for  tlic  |ire«irlrncy,  nnd  to 
bold  liitii  lust  in  his  pled:.'o  nt'  lidclitv,  so  far  nt  least  iiu  to  vdIa  I'or  liiin  on  thu  first  hnllot,  afli-r  wiiirh  it  was  hin 
inlentioii  to  Imva  voted  for.loiin  (Iniiicy  Adiiiiis  ;  to  secure  his  clci'tioii.aiid  to  nnceiit  in  return  .^ui'li  continpent  ro- 
wtird  ns  services  iind  inlhinnro  oftliat  iiiituru  liuve  rendurcil  uimvoidiibli;  -.—for  be  it  known  tliiit  iit  timt  time,  and 
nt  no  time,  was  Mr.  Vnn  Union  I'ricndly  to  Gen.  .Inrkson,  or  Imd  nny  runfidence  in  ills  litneis  or  nliiiinn  to  the  ofllce 
'if  president.  Tlie  colinnns  of  tliu  Ar^jns  will  hear  me  out  in  tliis  ns^ertion.  Mr.  Cluv,  however,  was  too  quick  and 
loo  sagacious  for  the  Little  Magician,  and  Mr.  Adams  was  elected  hy  Congress  on  the  tirst  ballot.  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
ren'.-. re-election  for  Penator  w.is  imi-t  desirable  to  him,  and  he  taw  alonco  that  he  could  only  succeed  by  obtuin- 
ins  the  vo.es  of  the  friends  of  Mr.  Ailams  in  our  lecisliiluro  ;  s.i  ho  Bro/ii.icd  to  he  sniislied  with  his  udininistratiuii 
and  took  no  hostile  attitude  until,  hy  the  votes  of  trie  ,\dams  men,  he  hucccedod  in  securing  bin  sent  in  thei^enate. 
Ho  then  attempted  to  obtain  oHice  under  Mr.  .\dums,  and  several  effort.*  were  made  to  secure  hi.-!  cinifidonce.  Find- 
ii:;;  that  Mr.  ^'nn  Buren  wat>  attemptit  '^  m  soil  the  democratic  party  in  Mr.  .\danit>,  I  forthwith  run  uji  the  Jock- 
sun  niifi  under  iho  head  of  the  New  Yo.!.  .".ninirer,  nnd  by  this  act  incurred  the  severe  displeasure  of  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
ren and  the  lU-pency,  for  presuming  m  ..iic!ar«  in  fiivor  of  Mister  .lacksun,  as  they  cal'ed  hiin,  before  they  had  ex- 
hausted their  efforts  to  win  over  Hresidcnt  .v., nil';,  jr  had  time  to  open  nej^otiations  with  (Jen.  Jauksun  s  friends. 
Mr.  Adams,  hoivever,  was  dctermi!  A  -.'o  t  y  ';,'i  .urtuni;  without  Van  Buren,  and  be  declined  piirchasinit  him  ;  and 
when  Mr.  Rufus  King  wusBppointt:  J  m.ni'.ier  lolR  .^lar.d,  andRen.  .Incksou's  prospects  strengthened,  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
ren threw  hinuelf  into  the  currtnl,  snJ  ti.oie  our  Jiif  the  General  after  the  battle  Itad  been  fought,  and  in  sight  of 
•metonj.  giving  as  bm  reasons,  t  j  i  ^lm-/  York  poiiuciitii,  wbo  I  can  immo,  if  ncceiiury,  that  General  JtoUoo,  of  of) 
i^e  caniiiiittCn,  tias  the  HuttAtoMtnun/*:' 


once  the  han< 
thevwillbein 

latedto 

LIKE  THE 
POWER. 

I  entreat  y 
and  less  for  tl 
contend  again 
torinl  partiza 
to  witness. 

[No.  17£ 

I  could  eincei 

THE  PEOe 

QUARREL 

SherifT,  or  tht 

your  success. 

brethren,  I  s! 

There  is  gi 

of  being  depe 

BY  MAKIN 

SHALL  Wl 

PARTY,  01 

1  think,  it 

be  shut  out 

Congrefs — U 

which  the  fit 

partiner.ts,  J 

won't  at  th< 

clotii.      Whi 

possible  hell 

under  the  sr 

tion,  are  thi 

editors  ani 

I  will  ml 

It  has  e.\citi 

among  its  I 

Take  office 


\ 

'SS 

il 

lie 
v 


t  Our  read< 
shewn  that 
buy  liis  prei- 
killed  his  Ol 

(Prom  tl 

npreemcnt 

Messrs  Bite 

him  and  Mr 

llict,  closed 

of  the  aloh' 

Van  Uureii 

the  deiiiocr 

the  present 

new  otl'icia 

cessary  to  i 

man  wlio  i 

we  are  nov 

realized  by 

niucracvt  t 

Next  da) 

the  energy 

his  or).'nn 

of  manly  I' 

ing  the  pc 

plunJeriii; 

Presidii 

and  conti 

jentionubl 

the  rcveii 

as  in  me 

has  so  lot 

tbim. 


'for  shame  J 

Cabinet.  There » 
Ion  sooner.  MessfB. 
Iren  on  Monday,  and 
mn,  Ducr,  i(c.  uufiht 
Ifrom  you  respecting 
polden  is  a  candidate 
'  yovr  wiry. 
^TY  IS  RUINED 
JETTfOR. 

ICODDINGTON. 

:enary   character  of 

I  ste  in  this  corres- 
;y  some  fat  office  in 

an  Buren's  letter  to 
saw  him,  [as  ai)ove,] 
My  to  revolt.  Nonh, 
|ashiiigton,  "  the  con- 

froni  a  lierce  politi- 
lied,  [see  his  letters, 
against  Van  Buren, 

Siar  of  June  23,  that 

1  with  all  Ids  force  ; 

kies  ;  but  had  previ. 

the  name  of  the  Ai- 
:  presidency,"  <«  the 
•  in,  brought  into  the 
—adding  [Enquirer, 
ous,  and  renouncing 


iii  M.  Noah,  Editor 

blame  to  myself  for 

II  were  so  kind  as  to 

haw  my  attention  to 

0  much  in  what  has 

1  I  iiave  for  you,  or 
delicate  way  I  have 

;  from  tlie  Adminis- 
'ftil  manner,  of  usk- 
ild  accept  of  an  of- 

EATf.V  FEAR,  BY  THE 

Til,  Ke.vdalt.,  Hill, 

ACTIVK    AND  ABLEST 

p  yours  will  see  at 


tlie  presirlrncy,  nnd  to 
afti-r  wliich  it  was  hiit 

iirii.iiii'li  contrnfrent  re- 
I  tliiit  lit  timt  time,  ami 
kornliiiinK  tothoofllce 
iver.  wmtoo<]iiick  and 
'  Ijallot.  Mr.  Vim  Bu- 
nly  snrceeii  l»y  obtain- 
ivitli  his  adininiatratjuii 

his  sent  in  the  Senate. 

his  cdnfirtence.  Find- 
with  run  iiit  the  Jnck- 
Siniire  of  .Mr.  Van  Bu- 
n,  before  they  hnd  ex- 
en.  Jnckton'i  fiiendi. 

IMirchnsinjT  hlin ;  nnd 
?thened,  Mr.  Van  Bu- 
'tr/it.  and  in  tight  at 
enural  JaokwOfOfol) 


WE  LOVE  THE  PEOFU! — ^DEAStY  LOVE  TO  PLUNDER  'eM  ? 


215 


once  the  handle  which  will  be  made  of  these  accumulated  appointments,  and  with  what  force 
thevwill  be  made  to  bearagainst  those  who  confer,  and  those  who  accept,  ofliceH.  ITISCALCU. 
LATED  TO  BRING  DOWN  THE  LOFTY  INDEPENDENCE  OE  THE  PRESS,  WHICH, 
LIKE  THE  SENSITIVE  PLANT,  SHRINKS  EROM  THE  TOUCH  OF  EXECUTIVE 
POWER. 

I  entreat  you  to  excuse  these  hasty  lines.  II I  respected  you  lesu — if  I  cared  less  for  you, 
and  less  for  the  grest  cause  in  which  vve  have  fought  together,  and  in  which  we  may  have  to 
contend  again,  I  would  not  venture  to  write  them.  The  appoinUneiU  of  personal  friends  and  edi. 
iorial  purlizans  has  already  produced  a  feeling  in  same  of  our  friends  thai.  I  iienr  expected 
to  witness.  In  great  huste,  yours,        THOS.  RITCHIE. 

[No.  179,  b.]  The  same  to  the  same— Rich.\iond,  April  II,  182!}.— My  Dear  Sir  *  »  » 
I  could  sincerely  wish  you  not  to  accept  of  any  appoiniment  under  the  Aduiiiiistration.  WHAT 
THE  PEOPLE  OR  THE  LEGISLATURE  MIGHT  GIVE  YOU.  WE  WOULD  NOT 
QUARREL  ABOUT.  Had  the  good  people  of  N.  York  thoui-ht  propLT  to  re-elect  you  their 
Sheriff,  or  the  legislature  to  invest  you  wiih  one  of  their  appointments,  I  should  be  haj)py  to  greet 
your  success.  But,  I  confes;*,  that  after  the  favors  which  have  ulnio.st  been  showered  upon  our 
brethren,  1  should  wish  you  neither  to  ask  nor  accept  an  office. 

There  is  great  force  in  your  remark,  that  if  the  editor  be  kept  poor,  the  press  is  in  great  danger 
of  being  dependent.  Yet  I  AM  AFRAID  VVE  SHALL  SC.4  RCELY  MEND  THE  MATTER 
BY  MAKING  THE  EDITOR  OWE  HIS  FORTUNES  10  THE  EXECUTIVE  POWER. 
SHALL  WE  NOT  MERELY  SHIFT  THE  DANGER,  FROM  A  DEPENDENCE  ON  A 
PARTY,  OR  THE  PEOPLE,  TO  A  DEPENDENCE  ON  THE  ADMINISTRATION  ? 

I  think,  in  this  respect,  we  are,  and  should  be  a  proscribed  cltjss — that  is  to  suy,  we  should 
be  shut  out  from  the  ordinary  executive  otficcs ;  but  I  would  equally  proscribe  u  member  of 
Congress — leaving  both  of  tiiem,  however,  at  liberty  to  accept  the  highest  grades  of  oifices,  for 
which  the  field  of  selection  ought  to  be  as  wide  ns  the  nation  itself:  such  as  Secretaries  of  De- 
partments, Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and  Foreign  Ministers  to  the  highest  Courts.  But  I 
won't  al  the  same  time,  throw  open  every  other  honor  in  the  Rcpiiliiic  to  gentlemen  of  our 
clotii.  What  I  would  ask  is,  that,  for  ordinary  offices,  there  should  he  as  Utile  connexion  as 
possible  between  the  press  and  the  Excculire.  1  would  put  editors  and  members  of  Congress 
Uiider  the  same  rule  and  exceptions ;  because  the  liberty  of  the  press,  and  the  freedom  of  eleC' 
tion,  are  the  greitt  safeijuurds  of  our  lihcrti.es;  and  if  the  Picsidiiit  can  injure  both,  by  calling 
editors  and  representatives  into  office,  wr  shall  place  both  of  them  at  his  fect.f 

I  will  m.t  however,  trouble  you  further  upon  this  subject :  nor  do  I  wish  to  trouble  the  public. 
It  has  excited  grciit  clamor  among  the  enemies  ol  the  Administration /icce,  and  great  censure 
among  its  best  friends :  and  I  really  wish  that  not  more  than  one  (if  one)  case  had  occurred. 
Take  office,  nowcver,  or  not,  be  assured  of  niv  kind  wishes  for  your  health  and  happiness. 

■Respectfully  yours,        THOMAS  RITCHIE. 

t  Our  readers  will  be  pleased  to  ttirii  to  IMiiiol  Jackson's  lutler,  f.N'o.  iWiJ  of  lliis  correspondence,)  in  which  it  it 
ihewn  thut  Vun  Knren's  friends  set  up  BInIr  iis  a  printer,  (which  was  the  same  as  if  a  liiiiik  hiul  ient  him  cash  to 
hoy  his  presses  and  types.) — they  may  then  be  iiuicli  edified  by  a  pernsnl  of  llhiir's  dying  s;  eech,  when  Polk  hud 
killed  his  Qlobc.  nnd  chosen  liilchie,  who  hnd  such  n  h"rror  nt  odice.  as  his  sncccsxir. 

(Prom  the  Globe.]  Wasminiiton,  April  M,  \f\Tt. — 'I'lie  (ilnbe  otlice  and  ils  nppnrtennnocs,  (in  virtue  of  the 
npreement  which  we  annex  for  the  inforninlion  f  ils  siibscriliers.)  passed,  on  r^atiirduv  !■  -U  into  the  hands  of 
Messrs  Ritchie  it.  Weiss.  TIIIO  (;U)UK  H.\I)  IT.S  OUKJIN  IN  Till'.  WILL  OI'  (;i;.\.  J.XCKSU.'V,  and  owes  to 
him  and  .Mr.  Van  Bnrcn,  and  their  political  friends,  the  snccess  which  lins  attended  it  ihron^'h  lifteen  years  of  con- 
flict, closed  by  the  Inle  trinmpli  of  the  deindcriicy,  which  e:?Uced  the  disaster  of  IS40.  It  has  been  the  misfortune 
(if  the  IHohc.  in  sn.sininin^'  ilie  Airong  adminislration  of  (ien.  Jncltsoii — tliH  iinconipniniisiiig  adniinislnition  of  Mr. 
Van  Uuren  and  in  opposins  the  abuses  of  .Mr.  Tyler's  adminislration,  ti,  make  tnoniies  df  some  who  united  with 
the  democracy  in  its  last  slrn!.'i,'le.  The  interest  nf  the  cause  reipiires  that  all  who  ciintrihnted  to  the  electiiin  of 
the  present  Chief  .Masislrale  slinnld  I'lintinne  In  give  their  snppnrl.  It  is  the  ifnoil  fiirlnno  of  tiie  cnndnctnr  of  the 
new  otlicinl  ori;an,  ITIionias  Uitclne]  not  to  have  ofl'cnded  any  portion  ot  thnse  whnse  adiiesion  to  tlie  party  is  ne- 
cessary to  its  safely  and  <ncci;s>.  VVo  have  nnhoundod  coiilideiire  in  tie  iiliiliiy,  iiile;,'nly.  and  p.ntriolisni  of  the 
man  who  is  now  to  preside  iivcr  the  establishment,  and  shall  consider  onr-elves  amply  i'iini|iensalc(i  for  the  sacrifice 
we  are  now  culled  nn  to  innke,  if  our  anticipations  of  the  continued  union  and  sn(ce>-b  ot  the  democracy  shall  be 
reali/ed  hy  the  otticial  .jonrnal,  under  its  now  name  and  new  auspices.  We  raiinol  express  onr  iralilude  to  the  de- 
mocracy, to  'ihich  wo  owe  every  ihing.  !''■  P.  KL.MH,  JOH.NT.  RIVIiB. 

Next  day,  the  Glohe  remarks,  that  "  Fortunately  there  is  nothing  of  moment  at  this  time  to  rail  into  requisition 
tliceneruy  of  the  organ  ofdemocrarv  at  VVashin^ton."  When,  or  in  what  in>lance,  diiriiiK  l.'i  years,  did  Blair  and 
his  ornnn  display  ninch  enerKV,  except  when  baltlin!.'  fur  the  spoils,  or  tiahtin?  in  the  cause  of  faction,  regardless 
of  manly  freedom,  or  free  inslitntioiu  ?  Ritchie,  Blair's  successor,  was  ouito  aiiiinaled  when  abusing  me  I'or  shew- 
ing the  people,  on  the  best  of  evidence,  llie  holluwlieartcd  rutteiuiess  of  Van  Bnreii,  tjunihielung,  Butler,  and  their 
plundering  associates. 

Presid.Mit  Tyler's  Ihmrii  was  like  Ritchie's;  he  iiistrnctcd  Mr.  Ilobbie,  Sept.  -28,  lb41,  that  'the  appointment  to, 
nnd  continuance  in  the  o'llico  of  postmaster  of  any  one  editing  u  political  newspaper,  is,  i.i  the  highest  degree,  oh- 
jectionuhle.  It  involves  most  of  the  conseipiences  uiiiiic  staled— introduces  pnlitics  into  the  post  ndice— diininishei 
the  revenues  und  confers  privileges  on  one  editor  which  all  ivinnot  enjciy.  In  a  wnrd.  ii  is  my  ti.\eil  purpnse,  ns  fnr 
as  in  me  lies,  to  separate  the  I'ost  Office  Department  from  pulilics,  and  bring  abunf  that  refurin  which  the  country 
has  so  loHdly  demanded."  Mr.  Tyler,  like  Mr.  Ritchie,  did  uut  act  up  to  these  prinoiiilcs,  but  in  coi|tradiciion  o| 
•I**""-  ,     ••   ,      .-.,.  Til 


216     *My  DIRTY  work's  V,'F,LL  done — UNCLE  SAM  SHALL  FOOT  YOUR  BILL.' 


YOt 


Irl  in,--'.''" 
:•'"■ . '  :•.'.'•■' 


Noah  introduces  to  Sieartiean/  for  an  Assistant  Cashier,  his  Hebrew  Cuusiu,  Phillips,  who  was 
afterwards  pntscr.ulrd  for  taking  ,$600,000,  or  so,  from  Uncle  t'Sum'.i  Till. 

[No.  180. J  M.  M.  Noah  to  Major  Swartwout,  Hoboken. — New  York,  xVIarch  31, 

1629. — My  Dear  Sir;  1  riu'niioned  to  you  that  Mr.  Joshua  and  Anroii  N.  Phillips  have  been 
many  years  in  the  Customs.  THKY  ARE  AT  IMPORTANT  DESKS,  and  TilEIR  CAPA- 
CITY  and  thorough  knowledge  of  the  business  is  excelled  by  none  in  the  department.  In  in- 
troducing  them  to  your  tVieudly  notice  I  can  only  assure  you  that  their  experience  and  attention 
to  thtir  duties,  will  ho  useful  to  von  and  serviceable  to  the  revenue,  and  that  THEY  MERIT 
BY  THEIR  INTEGRITY  YOUR  ENTIRE  CONFIDENCE. 

Truly  yours,        M.  M,  NOAH. 


l''an  Burcn  complains  of  his  friend  Hoyt's  harshness  and  rudeness — 'be  cieil  or  I'll  cut  the 

connexion' — take  office  and  ask  no  questions — Jir.  Hills — Van  Biiren  and  Jackson  understood 

each  other. 

[No.  181.]         ^I'Prrtnry  Van  Buren  to  .Trsse  Hoyt,  New  York.     (Private.) 

Washixuto.v,  .April  13,  18:29. — Dear  Sir:  I  never  e.xpectcd  to  sec  the  day  when  I  fhould  be 
constrained,  as  I  now  am,  to  luldress  you  in  the  lanijuasie  of  complaint.  Nothing  biit  uiy  strong 
conviction  ot  the  e.xtent  and  sincerity  of  your  friendship  could  sustain  me  ii;  rps'sling  the  belief 
that  you  have  a  settled  purpose  to  (luarrcl  with  me.  Here  I  am  engaged  in  the  most  intricate 
and  important  affairs,  which  are  new  tome,  and  upon  the  successful  conduct  of  which  my  repu- 
tation as  well  as  the  inteivsrs  of  the  country  depend,  and  which  keep  me  occupied  from  early  in 
the  morning,  until  Inte  at  niuht,  and  can  you  think  it  kind  or  just  to  harrass  me  under  such  cir- 
cumstances with  Intiers,  which  no  man  of  common  sensibility  can  read  without  pain  7  Your 
letter  to  ine  at  New  York  contained  many  truths,  for  which  I  was  tiiankful,  and  reHections 
which  I  thought  just,  tu^  the  whole  were  expressed  in  terms  so  harsh,  not  to  say  rude,  as  to 
distress  me  exceedingly.  I  have  scarcely  recovered  from  the  effect  of  so  great  an  eiTor  in  judge- 
ment, to  say  nothini;  else,  when  I  am  favored  with  another  e|)istle  from  you,  still  transcending 
its  predecessor  in  its  most  ohjectionahlc  features.  I  must  bo  plain  with  yon.  I  have  all  my 
life  (at  le;ist  since  I  have  known  you,)  cherished  the  kindest  solicitude  for  your  welfare, and 
have  manifested  at  lea.st  my  Rood  will  towards  you,  and  should  be  extremely  sorry  to  have  occa- 
sion to  change  tho.^e  feelini^s,  but  ii  is  due  to  us  both  that  1  should  say,  that  the  terms  upon 
which  rjou  hare  seen  Jit  to  place  our  intercourse  arc  as  inndmi.H.'iahlr.  It  grieves  me  exceedingly, 
more  than  you  imagine,  lo  be  obliwd  to  say  fo.  When  I  was  favored  with  your  epistle  in  New 
York  I  had  just  rot;;rned  from  an  interview  with  Mr.  Howne,  in  which  1  had  made  your  im- 
mediate appoiniment  as  District  Attorney,  a  point  that  could  be  no  longer  delayed.  I  have  since 
had  an  increased  desire  to  sec  it  done,  have  taken  steps  to  effect  it,  and  with  the  mail  that 
brings  your  accus-itory  letter,  I  have  information  that  it  shall  be  done  ;  but  that  you  are  hesitating 
whether  you  will  accept  it  or  not.     Let  me  adcise  von  \rithout  liieing  my  reason  why,  to  do  so. 

The  story  y,m  tell  [the  leord  illegible,]  as  coming  from  .Mr.  Hiil.-i  (a  man  who,  if  I  know  him, 
is  without  the  slightest  cons^ideration  in  society)  about  the  President's  great  confidence  in  Mr. 
Berrien,  and  little  in  me,  is  the  veriest  stuff  that  could  be  conceived.  The  repetition  of  such 
idle  gossip  constrains  nie  to  say,  what  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  do,  that  I  have  found  the  Presi- 
dent affectionate,  confiJential,  and  kind  to  the  iast  degree  ;  and  that  I  am  entirely  satisfied  that 
there  is  no  degree  of  good  feeling  or  e(mfidenco  which  he  does  not  entertain  for  ine.  He  has, 
however,  his  own  wishes  and  favorite  views  upon  points  which  it  is  not  my  province  to  attempt 
controul.  Upon  every  matter  he  wishes  to  have  the  truth  and  respects  it ;  and  will  in  the  end 
satisfy  all  of  the  purity  of  his  views  and  intentions,     I  have  not  time  to  add  another  word. 

Your  friind  and  humble  servant  in  extreme  haste,  M.  V.  BUREN. 

Office  Beggars  rebuked — Hints  to  Hoyt  about  emhexzling  other  people's  ca^h. 
[No.  182.]  .Secretary  Ingham  to  .Tesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York. 

Washi.ngto.v,  Nth  April,  li^'i9. — Dear  Sir  :  Your  favor  is  duly  received,  but  yon  must  per. 
mit  me  to  say  in  great  Koberiiess,  that  an  cxcit';mcnt  without  reason  cannot  be  founded  in  sober 
judgment,  and  ought  never  to  be  made  the  cause  of  action  on  the  part  of  an  administration,  who 
are  bound  to  consult,  in  great  soberness,  the  great  interests  of  the  country,  and  not  the  feverish 
feeling  even  of  the  best  of  friends,  for  which  no  reason  can  bo  given.  If  there  were  an  enemy 
menacing  your  good  city  with  desolation,  that  would  bo  a  good  reason  for  excitement,  or  if  it 
wnt  known  that  your  Culleetor  was  embezzling  the  public  money,  or  corrupting  the  Community 
by  official  abuses,  there  would  be  aood  errii.ie ;  but  reolly  for  so  many  wise  men  as  we  claim 
among  our  friends  in  New  York  to  sutler  themselves  to  be  imt  into  hysteric  spasms  because  of 
the  continuance  of  Mr.  Thompson  to  collect  the  duties  a  few  days  or  weeks  longer,  or  shorter, 
is  really  matter  of  surprise — and  if  it  indicates  anything  for  consideration  here,  it  is,  that  it 
would  be  better  to  let  the  Fever  evaporate  before  we  throw  in  any  more  stimulants.  I  am  sure 
that  sedatives  are  better  adapted  to  such  u  condition  than  any  other  prescription — but  to  be  more 
wrious,  my  dev  m,  let  me  teU  you  that  there  ib  a  '/uet  tnw>a  of  eeUuh  intcre&t  at  wtfrk  ftbrosd. 


to  excite  jealo 
on  one  hobby, 
passions,  and 
there  was  sob 
hopes  shall  yi 
menae  mass  ol 
much  more  se 
1  do  assure  yo 
out  reading  t 
ments  can  be 
late  administ 
they  were  cru 
only  at  interv 
ments.  Thei 
the  appointmt 
and  yet  such 
ablest  friends 
cause  he  was 
the  Administ 
have  not  yet 
chiefly  remoo 
friends  were 
luent,  where 
where  we  ha 
nothing  can  s 
wearied  with 
dubbed  secre 


Hoyt  Ulls  Vi 
ed  at  asri 
Vice  Chai 
puffs  hi  mi 

[No.  IS 
1829.     Deal 
sufficient  tin 
its  perusal  n 
pose  to  guar 
(piarrel  icilh 
intercourse 
be  no  less  n 
advance  yo 
to  this  city 
niay  say  th 
ot  some  ovt 
make  the  ii 
As  T  am 
&.C.,  I  am 
n'nders 
'.riends  I  hf 
Ecery  id 
.-eference  t 
ed  would  h 
[cast  to  sue 
detracts  fr 
ment  of  tli 
ancestors'' 
liDTO  Y 
eradicated 
LARS  AT 
GAIN,  bu 
motive  to 
time  you  i 
.<inme  iegr 
evinced  ai 


a 


)nR  HILL.' 


'YOU  MADE  ME  "WHAT  I  AM,'  SAID  VAN's  POOR,  SPAVINED  TROOPEH. 


2ir 


iPliillips,  who  uao 
Till. 

[York,  March  31, 
rhillips  have  been 

THEIR  CAPA- 
Ipartnient.  In  in. 
pnce  and  attention 

THEY  MERIT 

M.  M.  NOAH, 

kcj/  or  I'll  cut  the 
fackson  understood 

ite.) 

when  I  fihoulil  he 
liinw  hut  inystronisf 
rfsisiing  the  belief 
the  most  intricate 
Jof  which  my  repii- 
ipied  from  early  in 
ne  under  such  cir- 
hout  pain  .'     Your 
ul,  and  reHeotions 
It  to  say  rude,  an  to 
an  error  in  judge- 
,  Hiill  transcending 
II,     I  have  all  my 
your  welfare,  and 
sorry  to  have  occa- 
at  t/ie  terms  upon 
es  me  exceedingly, 
our  epistle  in  New 
iiid  made  your  iin- 
»yed.     I  have  since 
ivith  the  mail  that 
you  are  hesitating 
ison  irA;/,  to  do  so, 
ho,  if  I  know  him, 
confidence  in  Mr, 
repetition  of  such 
e  found  the  Presi- 
tirrly  satisfied  that 
I  for  me.     He  has, 
rovince  to  attempt 
nd  will  in  the  end 
mother  word, 
d.  V,  BUREN. 

tie's  cash. 

)ut  you  must  per. 
!  founded  in  sober 
Iministrntion,  who 
id  not  the  feverish 
re  were  an  enemy 
xcitement,  or  if  it 
ig  the  Community 
men  as  we  claim 
tpasms  because  of 
longer,  or  thorter, 
lerc,  it  is,  that  it 
lants.  I  am  sure 
I — but  to  be  more 
t  at  wtn-k  abroad. 


to  excite  jealousies  among  us  here,  and  produce  distraction,  by  which  some  may  ride  into  office 
on  one  hobby,  some  on  another,  while  we  are  endcavorintj  to  stand  unmoved  by  those  ruffling 
passions,  and  by  harmonious  action,  to  keep  the  dhip  steady  on  her  course — and  1  should  hope 
there  was  soberness  enough  among  you  to  resist  the  impotence  of  expectants,  until  their  vain 
hopes  shall  yield  to  reason  and  common  sense.  There  is,  moreover,  you  must  know  an  im- 
mense mass  of  severe  and  constant  labor  to  be  performed  by  the  officers  of  the  government,  and 
much  more  severe  to  those  who  come  newly  into  office.  These  duties  cannot  be  postponed,  and 
I  do  assure  you  that  I  am  compelled  daily  to  file  away  long  lists  of  recommendations,  i^c.,  with- 
out reading  them,  although  I  work  18  hours  of  the  24,  with  all  my  diligence.  The  appoint- 
ments can  be  postponed — other  matters  cannot — and  it  was  one  of  the  prominent  errors  of  the 
late  administration,  that  they  suffered  many  important  public  interests  to  be  neglected,  while 
they  were  cruizing  about  to  secure  or  buy  up  partizans.  This  we  must  not  do,  and  hence  it  is 
only  at  intervals,  "  few  and  far  between,"  that  we  can  find  a  moment's  time  to  consider  appoint- 
ments. Then  let  us  come  to  New  York.  Our  friends  there  have  settled  down  on  about  two  of 
the  appointments,  but  you  are  wholly  unsettled  as  to  the  Collectorship  ;  and  I  believe  as  to  D.  A., 
and  yet  such  impatience  I  Why,  sir,  let  me  tell  you,  that  one  of  our  best,  and  I  had  almost  said, 
ablest  friends  in  Baltimore,  left  here  on  the  Gth  March,  leaving  his  imprecation  behind  him,  be. 
cause  he  was  not  appointed  to  an  office,  not  then  vacant,  and  because  we  had  not  removed  all 
llie  Administration  Inspectors,  not  one  of  whom  could  have  been  known  here,  and  of  whom  they 
have  not  yet  accurately  informed  me,  lie  has  since  come  to  his  senses — the  inspectors  are 
chiefly  removed,  and  matters  are  getting  right  there.  Boston,  tou,  has  been  in  a  fever,  where  our 
friends  were  so  strong,  that  they  have  divided  into  two  parties.  Providtnce,  too,  hna  had  a  fer- 
ment, where  we  had  72  votes,  all  told.  There  has  also  been  the  same  at  Little  Egg  Harbour, 
where  we  had  five  votes  !  These  mtilters  proceed  from  the  morbid  parts  of  our  system — but 
nothing  can  sink  deep  which  is  not  founded  in  something  rational  and  substantial.  Are  you  not 
wearied  with  my  long  letter  '  I  am.  It  is  the  most  lengthy  epistle  I  have  written,  since  I  was 
dubbed  secretary — and  despair  of  getting  tiine  to  write  such  another,  for  this  year  at  least. 

Yours,  truly,        S.  D.  INGHAM. 


»•  >'■ 


ffoyt  tells  Van  Buren  how  he  had  strved  him — fs  annoyed  at  having  his '  literary  property  '  sneer, 
ed  at  as  rudeness — is  Van  liuren's  pupil — very  disinterested — no  sycophant  or  intriguer — the 
Vice  Chancellor's  ntfirt  part  of  the  spoils — Why  Butler  and  Jloyt  were  obnoxious — Hoyt 
puffs  himself — down  with  Duvr, 

[No.  183.].  Jesse  lloyt  to  Secretary  Van  Buren,  at  Washington,  New  York,  April  24, 
18iJ9.  Dear  Sir  :  I  received  your  letter  of  the  13,  on  Monday  morning  last  at  Albany,  and 
sufficient  time  has  elapsed  I  think  to  enable  me  to  answer  it  without  induiaing  in  those  feelinga 
its  perusal  naturally  g.ive  ri^se  to.  I  have  not  now  and  at  n()  time  have  I  had  any  "  settled  pur. 
pose  to  quarrel  with  yon,"  fur  I  have  too  often  quarreled  for  you,  to  be  at  this  time  willing  to 
»Hmrrel  with  you.  It  would  lie  extremely  hnmilinting  to  be  obl«t'f/ged  to  admit,  that  in  all  my 
intercourse  with  you  I  had  not  sufficient  sacriieity  to  understand  your  character ;  and  it  would 
be  no  less  mortifying  to  have  cause  to  unsay  all  1  hnve  said  for  the  last  12  years,  calculated  to 
advance  your  reputation  as  a  tnini,  and  ynur  INTEGRITY  as  a  politician.  When  I  first  came 
to  this  city  to  live,  your  democrniic  adherents  were  not  numerous — and  without  any  vanity  I 
may  say  that  my  e.vertions  tended  to  increase  the  numb.'r — and  until  I  have  been  found  guilty 
ot  some  overt  net  in  deros^ation  of  my  I'ormer  conduct,  I  question  with  great  respect  your  right  to 
make  the  insinuation  your  letter  seems  to  convey. 

A'^  lam  not  favored  with  a  bill  ol' particulars  of  my  "  indiscretions,"  "  error  of  judgment,"  &c, 
&,c.,  I  am  deprived  of  the  power  of  explanation,  but  if  the  plain  truth,  spoken  in  a  plain  way, 
renders  "  an  intercourse  inadmissable,"  then  am  I  content  to  he  cut  off  from  the  world  and  the 
triends  I  hnve  hitherto  been  ardently  attached  to. 

Every  idea  I  conveyed  in  the  letter  you  received  from  vie  while  here  were  conveyed  more  in 
reference  to  your  interest  than  my  own,  and  the  language  in  which  ihey  were  clothed  I  Buppns- 
ed  would  have  been  sufficiently  softened  by  the  P'servation  I  made  at  the  close  of  the  letter — at 
Least  to  such  nn  extent  as  would  have  protected  ine  iVom  the  charge  "  of  rudeness,"  which  olways 
detracts  from  the  gentlemanly  deportment  I  am  most  anxious  to  preserve.  The  political  senti- 
ment of  that  letter  I  still  adhere  to.  My  politicMl  sentiments  I  inherited  from  a  "  long  line  of 
anccg/ors"  (such  as  they  were.)  MY  POLITICAL  EDUCATION  I  A!VI  MAINLY  INDEBT- 
•^D  TO  YOV  FOR,  and  the  priricii>les  f  imbibed  from  birth  as  well  as  education  cannot  be 
eradicated  at  this  time  of  life.  I  HWE  NOT  M.ADH:  POLITICS  A  MATTER  OF  DOL- 
LARS AND  CENTS,  NOIl  HAVE  I  ADHERED  TO  PARTY  WITH  THE  HOPE  OF 
GAIN,  but  I  have  labored  in  them  under  your  immediate  auspices  for  12  years  with  the  leading 
motive  to  serve  you,  but  against  the  advice  of  many  powerful  business  friends,  During  this 
time  you  have  met  with  occasional  reverses,  and  I  believe  my  fidelity  and  faithfulness,  and  even 
.time  degree  of  efficiency  to  you,  were  never  questioned  by  any  owe — nor  am  I  aware  of  having 
evinced  any  dieposition  to  ehnnk  from  tho  consequeaces  of  adversity  which  attended  you.    u 


■■■■Xi 


:i'i 


918 


THE  SOW  AND  PIOS — SUCTION  FROM  WITHODT  ! 


"K:^': 


'  •'.{■ ' 


i.i.  *'<:... 


r  '.-i    .- 


I   • 


II  :•".;• 


r;,\  • 


(•     '/ 


perchane«  T  should  now  fail  <o  pour  out  hcnrtle^s  ndulRtion  less  copiously  than  sycophants  and 
intregerit  who  have  the  good  fortune  to  surround  yourperson  nt  this  rime,  t<  nwy  be  a  just  ground 
"for  letting  me  down  the  wind  a  pn  y  to  fortune.''  I  have  no  ambition  to  be  in  the  train  of 
great  men,  if  I  am  to  sacrifice  iny  independence  or  to  be  prohibited  in  expressing  an  honest 
opinion,  I  frankly  admit  I  wrote  the  letter  referred  to  under  pome  excitement.  I  was  assured 
by  Mr.  Duer's  friends  that  you  had  protnised  to  sustain  him.  My  conversation  with  you  at  AU 
bany  led  me  to  the  same  conclusion.  I  had  that  morning  received  information  from  Albany 
that  you  had  spoken  to  Governor  Throop,  at  the  request  and  in  behalf  of  Judge  Duer,  for  Vice- 
Chancellor.  If  this  was  not  enough  to  justify  plain  dealing  from  one  who  had  given  some  proofs 
of  devotion  to  you,  and  who  felt  the  guat  interest  you  had  at  stake,  I  am  at  a  loss  to  know 
what  would  have  been.  I  know  the  sevse  of  your  partizava  in  relation  to  thiae  men,  and  I 
know  a  more  indiscreet  measure  you  could  not  have  adopted,  if  you  desired  to  retiiin  your  pow- 
er and  influence  with  the  party  to  which  you  have  acknowledged  obligations. 

As  I  wrote  that  letter  my  confidential  clerk  copied  the  sheets  (I  kept  a  copy  without  reading 
over  the  original  or  even  the  copy  before  I  got  to  Albany)  for  the  purpose  of  enabling  me  to  shew 
it  to  Mr.  Bntler.  I  did  so,  and  he  remarked  that  it  was  ail  risiht,  and  he  was  glad  I  wrote  it. 
He  said  the  ideas  were  very  strongly  expressed  but  the  reservation  I  refer  to  rendered  that  harm- 
less in  point  of  language,  and  I  must  thercfire  confe.ss  I  was  surprised  to  find  that  the  charac- 
ter of  the  hinguage  I  ui^ed  had  found  its  way  to  your  "  Sensibilitv,"  or  that  you  could  for  one 
moment  consider  me  guilty  of  "  rudeness."  As  to  the  other  letter,  I  am  equally  surprised  nt 
the  exception.  If  these  were  cotisidered  exceptionable,  then  I  fear  the  one  F  wrote  covering  one  to 
Mr.  Hamilton  would  be  deemed  still  more  so.  I  had  reason  to  be  dissatisfied  with  Mr.  Hamilton 
for  having  misled  me  in  his  letter  early  in  March.  I  may  have  written  the  last  letter  under  th« 
influence  of  that  feeling.  When  I  tell  you.  however,  that  I  meant  nothing  inconsistent  with  my 
former  relation  to  you,  and  that  J  shall  not  herenftrr  nhtriide  either  my  opinions  or  advice  vpon 
you  in  relation  to  any  subject,  I  should  hope  I  had  made  satisfactory  atonement.  1  am  per> 
lectly  aware  of  the  responsibility  of  your  situation,  and  God  knows  there  is  no  man  living  that 
would  be  more  gratified  than  I  shotild  to  have  you  acquit  yourself  with  reputation.  I  am  very 
much  oblefdgfd  to  you  for  your  interference  with  Mr.  Howne.  I  shall  luit  get  that  place,  and 
I  can  tell  you  how  I  was  kept  out  of  it.  Mr.  Ma.xwell.  when  he  got  alarmed,  ."oes  to  .Tudge 
HoflTman  and  tells  him  he  was  to  be  removed,  and  that  his  son.Otrden.had  better  be  "a  .candidate 
for  the  oflSce.  Mr.  Bowne  tells  Riker.  confidentially,  and  lie  tells  an  Alderman  that  you  would 
be  pleased  to  see  me  put  there.     This  comes  to  the  ear  of  Hoflnian,  and  he  sacs  to  all  the  Clin- 

tonian  Aldermen of  the -lili  and  Fth  wanls. dkc.  &,c.,  and  insinuates  this  idea 

to  them,  and  with  all  the  adroitness  peculiar  to  that  taniilv,  rnk-s  up  old  prejudices,  enlists  Duer, 
who  is  attached  to  young  Moflhian,  with  all  thu  coodje.s,  hicli  minded,  and  Cliiifoninn!',  and  I 
was  defeated.  Duer  was  in  the  thickest  of  this.  No  Clintouiaii  in  the  Legislature  voted  for 
Butler,  save  one  or  two  ;  not  one  of  the  corporation  voted  for  nio.  fl-V  had  become  obnoxious 
for  our  services  in  the  cause  of  another  leader.  There  is  not  old  staunch  democracy  enough  in 
the  Common  Council  to  elect  ine.  It  is  not  then  siiiprising  that  my  inveteracy  to  that  concern, 
coodies,  high  minded  and  all,  should  he  as  siront;  as  it  i.'^.  Mr.  Duer  is  now  playing  the  same 
game  that  Ma.xwell  plaved  on  Wednesday  (.lainea  (^impliell  authori.-ied  me  to  say  so) — he  went 
to  .Judge  Hoffmnn  and  told  him  that  he  had  such  inionnulion  as  satisfied  him  that  he  would  be 
removed,  and  that  he  did  not  know  why  his  son  Ggdcn  should  not  be  appointed.  Mr.  Duer  had 
then  been  informed  that  Mr.  Hamilton  had  iho  option  lo  take  the  ofllen.  He  told  me  on  Tues. 
day  that  Mr.  Hamilton  could  not  take  it,  i'or  on  that  subject  he  was  "  I'oinmitted  on  paper," 
Mr.  Biinner  told  tne  the  .same  thing  oil  Mond.iv,  at  Albany.  After  this  Mr.  Duer  goes  to  Judge 
Iloflftnan,  and,  with  what  motive  it  is  not  dillicult  to  divine. 

I  did  state  to  Mr.  Bo"ne  that,  a^  tliitiiT'^  now  stood,  I  could  nut  Except  the  oflrice  of  Attorney  for 
this  County,  nor  can  I  if  it  could  be  given  me,  after  what  f  write  you,  with  any  detrree  of  honor. 
I  informed  the  gentlemen  who  were  iii^trnniental  in  getting  up  acnucns  here  on  Saturday  and 
Wednesday  last,  fwhieb,  by  the  bye,  were  perfect  abortions.)  that  I  had  no  expectations  of  Mr. 
Duer's  office,  for  I  knew  t'roni  the  hcrinning  if  ynii  were  not  for  me  it  was  idle  to  say  any  thing 
on  the  subiect :  and  I  need  not  sa>'  that  I  have  not  been  promised  any  aid  from  you,  though  I 
thought  then  and  now  think  I  had  siionir  claims  on  yon  as  n  party  man  and  a  personal  friend — 
and  such  T  under'ake  to  say  is  the  universal  sentiment  of  every  hcdv  here,  of  all  parlies  who  have 
wilnes.«ied  my  exertions  to  sustain  \o\\  against  the  infamous  attacks  of  your  enemies.  More 
than  20  leading  men  here  tendered  their  names  and  .luuing  the  test  Mr.  J.  C  Hamilton;  your 
silence  induced  me  to  decline  the  profTc  r.  I  HAVH  NO  INIIP^RHNT  LOVE  OF  OFFICE, 
and  f  have  not  therefore  studied  diserrtion  or  weighed  prononns  and  ndvi  rhs  in  my  letters  to 
"Constitution"!  advisers'' and  advisers  not  eonst'tirion.il  at  Wnshinfton.  /  ^Hotn  the  fxact 
EXTFNT  nf  mv pretensions,  mv scrrices,  claims, <Z  W kilWY ,  and  POWRR — they  are  small  and 
inconsiderable — But  when  all  or  any  ef  them — hall  not  he  pr'  perly  rcperted  by  those  whom  I 
think  ought  to  respect  them,  I  should  be  unwi'linjr  to  submit  in  silence  without  being  niarmed 
at  any  fate  tbatmig;ht  await  mc.    Political  fidelity^  untiring  industry  and  per^eocrance  will 


<'i'\ 


one  day  or  otl 
which  I  deem 
one  can  conin 
more  than  it  j 
ance  of  that  fi 
Attorney,  but 
to  do  it.  Yel 
lence  to  the  p 
is  so  much  ch 
tioii.  Lorenz 
and  high  mir 
say.  and  perl 
as  seemed  to 
feelings  were 
you  were  to  d 
to  ask  for  th 
friendly  advie( 
me,  whatever 
tending  it,  leci 
in,  hotch-poic 
be  reduced  to 
to  the  danger 
doinewhat  les 


[No.  184.]  A' 

New  York 
Mr.  Benj.  C. 
deserves  the  > 


"  New  Yoi 
Maurice,  A^ 
and  is  worth; 

Mr.  Mauri 
Jackson. 


New  Yorl 
Abraham  M 
gladly  se  hir 
Jackson. 
MUS  JOHI 

Immediat 
page  of  pap 

"  Dear  Si 
Custom  ho 
MEMORY 
brother  Ber 
by  a  strong 
ISA  VAC 
him  a  coini 

[No. 
.\Ir.  Jacob 
been  one  oj 
AND  AC^ 

rATRONAGE 

To  Sam 
tlemnn  I  s 
an  appoint 
a  few  line 


sycophants  and 
y  be  a  just  ground 
be  in  the  train  of 
rcseiiig  an  honest 
It.  I  was  Dsuured 
n  with  you  at  AU 
tion  from  Albany 
ge  Duer,  for  Vice- 
given  somepruofg 
at  a  loss  to  know 
these  men,  and  I 
retain  your  pow- 

py  without  reading 
nabling  nie  to  shew 
as  glad  I  wrote  it. 
endered  that  harm- 
that  the  charac- 
you  could  for  one 
qually  surprised  at 
rote  covering  one  to 
with  Mr.  Hnmillon 
last  letter  under  th« 
icnnsistent  with  my 
inns  or  advice  vpon 
ement.     1  nin   per- 
no  man  living  that 
iitalion.     I  am  very 
pet  that  place,  and 
med.  sjoea  to  JuHee 
•etter  be'S^candidate 
r.ian  that  you  would 
0OPS  to  all  the  Clin- 
insinuates  this  idea 
udiors,  enlists  Diier, 
1  Clinfonian!»,  and  I 
jpfiislature  voted  for 
d  become  obnoxioui 
emocrncv  enough  in 
racy  to  that  concern, 
IV  playing  the  same 
to  any  so) — lie  went 
iin  that  he  would  be 
ited.     Mr.  Duer  had 
[c  told  me  on  Tues- 
inmifted  on   pnper." 
Duer  goes  to  Judge 

ifTice  of  Attorney  for 
niiy  dearcii  of  honor, 
*rc  on  Saturday  and 

expectations  of  Mr. 
file  to  say  ani)  thing 

from  you,  though  I 
I  a  personal  f'riend — 
'nil  ))artieH  who  have 
iiir  enemies.     More 

C  Hnmilton  ;  your 
DVE  OF  OFFICE, 
rb^  in  my  letters  to 

/  know  THE  FXACT 

— tlipy  are  small  and 
led  by  those  whom  I 
bout  being  aiarmed 
d  perteetnnce  will 


"  I'vE  GOT  THE  BOTTS,  HIP-JOINT,  GRAVEL,  HALT,  AND  FOUNDERS."        219 

one  day  or  other  find  their  value  in  the  political  market.  These  qualities  I  claim  to  possess,  and 
which  I  deem  important  ingredients  iu  forinin!;  and  which  nearly  make  up  a  capital,  on  which 
one  can  commence  business  on  hid  own  account.  It  would  grieve  me  as  much  arfd  infinitely 
more  than  it  possibly  could  you  to  be  under  the  necessity  of  ditfering  so  far  as  to  lead  to  a  sever- 
ance of  that  friendship  which  I  know  has  existed.  You  have  the  power  to  make  me  District 
Attorney,  but  I  could  not  sufficiently  abhor  myself  if  I  was  "  to  quarrel  with  you"  for  omitting 
to  do  it.  Yet  if  Mr.  Duer  is  not  removed  or  any  but  a  democrat  is  appointed  I  should  do  vio- 
lence to  the  principles  you  have  taught  me  not  to  be  dissatisfied  ;  and  1  do  not  think  your  nature 
is  so  much  changed  as  that  you  would  require  me  to  withhold  the  exprr ssion  of  that  dissatisfac- 
tion. Lorenzo  tells  me  I  had  better  abandon  all  ideas  of  political  preferment  till  the  coodics 
and  high  minded  have  become  exterminated.  Perhaps  he  is  right.  I  have  said  all  I  have  to 
say,  and  perhaps  more  than  1  should  have  said,  but  the  ground  upon  which  your  letter  places 
lis  seemed  to  require  equal  candor  on  my  part.  I  will  not  attempt  to  disguise  the  tact  that  my 
feelings  were  such  toward  you  that  I  fancied  I  was  entitled  to  know  the  principles  upon  which 
you  were  to  dispense  your  political  power,  and  to  be  informed  frankly  whether  it  was  expedient 
to  ask  for  the  jdare  of  an  obnoxious  incumbent.  The  confidence  I  should  have  reposed  in  your 
friendly  advice,  which  I  tliouuht  myself  entitled  to,  but  which  wiis  withheld,  would  have  satisfied 
me,  whatever  it  might  have  been.  Your  total  silence  on  this  subject,  with  the  apprehension  at- 
tending it,  led  to  the  anxiety  to  be  informed  whether  your  friends  and  enemies  were  to  be  put 
in,  hotch-potch,  without  any  more  adhesive  qualities  than  oil  and  water,  and  which  could  never 
be  reduced  to  a  reasonable  consistence.  It  was  not  inconsistent  with  my  regard  for  you  to  point 
to  the  danger  of  such  a  course  :  whether  I  have  by  so  doing  forfeited  your  confidence  is  a  matter 
somewhat  lessened  m  importance  to  me,  from  a  conviction  ot  the  purity  of  my  motives. 

Yet,  as  I  ever  have  been,  Your  friend,  J.  HOYT. 


to 


[No.  184.]  Eecenue  Offices  dispensed  in  payment  of  Political  services — for  electioneering- 
uphold  needy  families,  b^c. — a  Frimitivr  Jackson-man  ! 
New  York,  28  April,  182'J.-'ro  the  Collector  of  the  Port  of  New  York. — Sir:  The  bearer, 
Mr.  Benj.  C.  Burden,  WAS  ZEALOl.'SLY  ENGAGED  IN  OUR  LATE  CONTEST  and 
deserves  the  apttoiniment  he  solicits,  which  I  understand  to  be  that  of  an  Inspector. 

I  am,  &c.        C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

"New  York,  30  April,  1890.— The  collector  of  the  Port  of  New  York.— Sir:  Mr.  James 
Maurice,  AN  OLD  AND  ACTIVE  POLITICIAN,  desires  a  station  in  our  Custom  House, 
and  is  worthy  of  THE  PATRONAGE  of  the  government.  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

Mr.  Maurice  is  a  Republican  of  the  old  school,  and  a  warm  and  devoted  friend  to  Gen. 
Jackson.  JEROMUS  JOHNSON— JOHN  HILLYER— M.  M.  NOAH." 

Here  is  another  wonderful  document — 
New  York,  April  39th  1829.  To  S.  Swartwout,  Esq.  We  the  undersigned  doo  recommend 
Abraham  Meserole,  as  a  very  suitable  person  for  one  of  the  Custom  House  Inspectors,  and  would 
eladlv  se  him  appointed,  knowinu'  'nm  ton  allwnys  having  been  a  warm  supporter  of  Gen'l. 
Jackson.  M.  M.  NOAH,  H.  I  KFORD,  WM.  S.  COE,  JEREMIAH  DODGE,  JERO- 
MUS JOHNSON." 

Immediately  below  this,  is  the  ibllowing  rare  and  curious  request,  on  the  same  sheet  and 

page  of  paper, 

"  Dear  Sir When  you  have  lensure,  and  take  up  the  numerous  applications  for  offices  in  the 

Custom  hiiuse  fleparfment,  I  m^ike  this  memorandom  FOR  FEAR  IT  MAY  ESCAPE  YOUR 
MEMORY,  THAT  MR.  ABRAHAM  MESEROLE  IS  A  NEPHEW  OF  MINE.  His 
brother  Bernard  the  Alderman  of  the  10th  Ward,  was  a  candidate  for  the  office  I  fill,  supported 
by  a  strong  p«tition  of  Jackson's  friends — would  take  it  as  u  particular  t'livor,  O*  IF  TflEUE 
IS  A  VACANCY  AFTER  REMEMBERING  YOUR  RELATIVES.  JTI  if  you  would  give 
him  a  commission.  Yours  truly,        JEROMUS  JOHNSON. 

[No.  185.1  C.  C.  Cambreleng  to  Collector  Swartwout,  New  Yoric,  98  April,  1829.~Sir: 
,\Ir  Jacob  L  Dickenson  is,  I  understand,  an  applicant  for  the  office  of  Inspector.  Mr.  D.  has 
hee'n  one  of  our  most  uniform  republicans,  AND  WAS  DISTINCUISHED  FOR  HIS  ZEAL 
AND  ACTIVITY  IN  OUR  LATE  CONTEST,     ^o  man  deserves  more  than  he  does  the 

PATRONAGE  OF  HIS  PARTT.  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

To  Samuel  Gouverneur,  Postmaster,  N.  Y.— Dear  Sir  :  The  bearer,  Mr.  Wlmley,  is  the  gen- 
tleman I  spoke  to  you  -thoMt  yest^iday— HE  IS  A  VERY  ACTIVE  POLITICIAN,  and  wants 
an  appointment  in  the  Custom  House.  You  will  confer  a  particular  favor  (.n  me  bv  giving  him 
a  few  lines  of  recommendation  to  Mr.  Swartvi^out.  M.  M.  QUACKENB088. 


■  I 


.:»(•! 


V 


,1 


'.-'l- 


920 


THE  KNAVE  AND  FOOl's  TEST — WASSON,  A  JACKSON-MAN  ! 


be; 


■-;:;■•:•:■..,- 


■r-f 


:r-^'- 


/«"  , , 


-..V 


M«m.  (Handwriting  of  S.  Swnrtwout.) — "  Alexander  Whaley  is  strongly  recomrnendea  by 
Mangle  M.  Qijuciitiiboss.     He  is  aho  opposed  to  rurdy."     [VVliuley  yoi  jjgl  lUO  a  yeur.] 

John  Morris,  "  «n  ardent  and  capable  poliiiciaii,"  applied  for  his  share  (if  the  spoils  to  Colleo- 
tor  iSwdrtwoui,  in  lti3l,  iinii.edi^tely  after  the  close  ol  liis  (Morrir^'s)  political  exertions  at  the 
fall  f-leciinn  of  that  yur.  lie  was  recomiiieruled  by  ihc  signatures  of  John  Yutts  Cebra,  Daniel 
Jackson,  C.  P.  White,  Chas.  Hiinry  Hull,  Waller  Bowne,  aiui  Jeromus  Johnson.  Alderman  Cebra 
wrote  his  triend  Hwariwout  as  lodows  :  "  New  York,  Nov.  21,  1631. — Mr.  Morris  has  for  seve- 
ral yearn  been  one  of  our  must  active  and  etlicient  Jackson  republicans  in  the  liiat  ward — and 
Umw  ACriVELY  AND  ZEALOUSLY  engaged  with  us." 


[No.  186.]  William  M.  Price,  to  Samuid  tiwiirtwout,  Collector,  N.  Y.  March  30,  1829.— 
My  Dear  Sir  :  Alderm  in  Dickenson  of  the  13ih  Ward  is  one  of  the  primitive  Jackson  men.i 
He  is  an  upright,  worthy  tellow,  and  is  withal  very  poor.  He  is  an  applicant  fur  an  Inspector's 
place,  and  1  believe  his  appointment  would  be  generally  well  received. 

Yours  truly,        WILLIAM  M.  PRICE. 


[No.  187.]  Silas  M.  Stilwell,  to  Collector  Swnrtwout,  N.  Y. 

New  Yoik,29  April,  1829. — Sir:  I  apply  on  behalf  of  Stli'iikn  .Stilweli,  for  one  of  the  un- 
der olHces  ill  your  gift — desiignaic  the  one  you  see  proper.  1  stand  re.'-ponsiblc  for  his  capability. 
He  iS  (ine  of  the  oUI  residemer.s  of  this  city,  nnd  as  deservina:  aa  nny  in  it — a  thorough  democrat 
of  '98,  and  A  JACKSON  REFORMKR  from  the  beginning  of  the  cuntest — a  prisoner  in  the 
Revolution — wealthy  in  lb(lO  and  1814 — now  without  property,  but  always  honorable — and 
eaqual  to  any  bu^«ne^9  attached  to  the  duties  of  a  Custom  House  officer.  Until  your  perple.xiiig 
season  is  over  I  expect  not  to  see  you — but  rest  assured,  uiu'cr  all  circnmxliiucex,  of  my  una- 
bated devoiion  and  esteem.  S.  M.  STILWELL. 
[Remark. — Stephen  went  into  office,  at  j!^1095  a  year,  in  due  course.] 


/.  Oakley,  SwartwouVs  security,  endorses  the  too  notorious  George  A.  IVasson, 

[No.  188.]  J.  Oakley  to  S.  Swartwout,  Collector  of  Customs,  2  Cedar  St. 

"April  28,  1829. — Dear  Sir:  Tlu're  is  a  very  deserving  iiNin  by  ilie  name  of  George  A, 
Wasson  a  measurer  attached  to  the  public  store.  1  du  not  know  tluit  lie  would,  under  any  cir- 
rumstances,  be  removed,  as  1  understtind  he  has  been  a  Jackson-nian,  nnd  was  appointed 
tlirough  the  influence  of  .Mr.  Baldwin  of  Pittsburs,  who  is  his  friend.  As  it  is  u  matter  of  great 
importance  to  him,  however,  he  hits  requested  me  to  speak  to  you  on  the  subject.  I  wish  you 
would  have  the  goodness,  it  his  removal  is  contemplated,  to  let  me  sec  you.     Yours  truly, 

J  OAKLEY. 

P.  S.  Permit  me  to  sugi^ost,  by  way  of  manifesting  my  regard  for  yourcomfoit,  that  yon  had 
better  make  the  removals  and  appointments  which  you  contemplate,  at  oucc.  If  you  do  net, 
there  will  not  be  as  much  of  you  left  in  a  few  days  as  there  was  of  the  Kilkenny  Cats." 

[No.  189.]  Commodore  Isaac  Chauncey  to  Cullertor  Swartxcont — A  very  good  sailor  endorses  a 

cenj  bad  note. 

Navy  Yard,  Brooklyn,  May  1,  1829. — Dear  Sir  :  Allow  me  to  introduce  to  your  notice,  Mr, 
George  A.  Wasson,  who  was  appointed  by  Mr.  [Jonaihaii]  Thoniiismi  aH  inspector  of  the  Cus- 
toms, last  Summer,  partly  by  my  solicitatior,.  Mr.  Wasson  is  a  worthy  man,  in  whose  welfare 
I  feel  much  interest ;  and  is  the  individual  that  I  sjioke  to  ymi  about  some  time  since.  He  will 
relate  to  you  his  situation  and  wishes.  If  you  can  continue  him  in  office  you  will  not  only 
serve  a  worthy  man  BUT  RETAIN  A  Gt)bD  OFFICER,  and  confer  u  personal  favor  upon, 

Dear  Sir,  your  faithful  friend,        I.  CHAUNCEY. 

[No.  190]  Jacob  Birker,  New  York,  to  Lorenzo  Hoyt,  Albany. 

New  York,  1st  May,  1H30. — Dhar  Sir:  You  h.ive  herewith  recommendation  of  sundry  per. 
sons  interested  in  the  Bank  of  Washington  and  Warren.  If  Mr.  Sliprman  should  he  selected, 
he  will  give  Alderman  Gideon  Lpp  nnd  John  R.  H.'dley,  Esqs..  as  security — they  are  highly  re- 
spectable and  responsible  men.     Alderman  Lee  is  very  rich.     The  names  of  some  stocAholders 

t  nicken.snn's  cn«e  is  nnnther  illiintrntion  of  the  dishonest,  system  of  seloetin!.'  revenue  ofllner>i  be(*nu«e  of  their  po- 
litical opinion«,  nnd  |)iiviii<;tliein  fir  their  professinn  of  the  principlos,  or  tlif>ir  ndlierence  to  the  men.  that  prove 
succeMfiil.  Dickenson  writes  Swiirtwcnit,  Miirrh  .'iO,  IS'.M)  Jiefnre  it  wiis  ev.Mi  known  imlilu'lv  thnt  he  wonlj  he 
collector.)  "  [n  principle  ami  youl  [  iini,  Ihnoli  (lod.  .Incksan.  nml  tMl<e  some  llttl'-  credit  fur  heinff  n  printiitlvo 
one  "  Mntthew  I,  Davis  writes  PwMrlwoiit.  tiiret'diiys  mIut,  ■•  ll(?i<  »  (loiiiocrit,  and  sn|)|ioni>d  Iheclectoriil  ticket 
thiitvotfd  f  irtionernl.Iackson."  Aldennnn  (,'ownn  writes  nnd  tell*  ."wnrlwonf,  thnt  "  on  the  score  of.liicksnni'tn  he 
1ms  stron?  rinims.  iis  he  wns  one  of  tlie  lirst  .liicksonConijn'tteoever  ("iriiicd  Im  this  ritv."  Mr.  Snmnel  To»vnsend 
auures  him  that  Dickentun  "has  for  a  long  time  been  ii  .sirennniis  supporter  of  the  mnn  whonow  swavsthedeMir)let 
r'.  9  Anerican  people."  Mr.  Jesse  Oakley  certifies  that  D.  "  is  cue  of  the  original  Jacikson  men— not  of  the 
•lov^uth  hour." 


htTe  been  meni 
the  aei  of  iiicor] 
fore  I  hope  that 


Col.  Dee 
[No.  191.] 

PORTSMOL'TII, 

Mr.  Jxhn  Blan 
take  much  pleat 
place,  and  in  ir 
in  mercantile  ti 
I  have  at  all  tii 
and  wAere  it  pt 
lect  to  the  lirst 
llif.  claims  of  oi 
has  been  such  i 
successfully.  I 
(//  the  maligna 
general  sweep 
man  than  this  : 
am  already  un 

[Remarks.- 
irracefully  intei 
tably  in  the  CI 
N.  H.,in  Apri 
Buren's  adven 

iVebb  and  thi 
Wire  Pulle 
the  Press. 

[No.  192 
iiig  New  Yo 
niise  still  goo( 
lug  Jackson 
'  utter  aston 
in  New  Yorl 
you  again  fro 
up  Butler  for 

[No. 
terdny .  I  c 
ocralic  pniK- 
here  as  in 
Major  M.)oi 
are  making 


1£ 


[No. 

friends  in  tl 

Crosweli. 

New  York 

Mr.  Camb! 

of  Mr.  Bar 

am  sorely 

portunity 

to-day  tha 

would  be 

there  and 

lerests  of 

cient  for 

such  patr 

appointee 

udopin 


Irecommendeu  by 
JO  a  yeur.] 

le  spoils  to  Coll«^o. 
Ill  exertions  at  the 
ktt's  Cebra,  Daniel 
I.  Aldermun  Cebra 
1  arris  has  forseve- 
l>e  first  ward — and 


larch  30,  1829.-- 

|vE  Jackson  men.t 

for  ail  Inspector's 

lM  m.  price. 


for  one  of  the  un- 

leforhiscnpability. 

thorough  democrat 

—a  prisoner  in  the 

ys  honorable — and 

nil  your  perplexing 

■iiireii,  of  my  una- 

VI.  STILWELL. 

oiiisc] 

.1.  Wasmn. 
ytidar  St. 

lanie  of  George  A, 

)uld,  under  any  cir- 

imd  was  appointed 

is  a  mutter  of  great 

subject.     I  wish  you 

Yours  truly, 

.T  OAKLEY. 

Jinfort,  I  hat  yoii  had 

i':c.     If  you  do  net, 

cnny  Cats." 

od  sailor  endortes  a 

to  your  notice,  Mr. 
is-pector  of  the  Cus- 
1,  in  whose  welfare 
inc  since.  He  will 
you  will  not  only 
ersoiial  favor  upon, 
:.  CHAUNCEY. 


ilion  of  sundry  per. 

"Iioiild  be  selected, 

■they  are  hig;Iil-'  rc- 

some  Btocrtholders 

srs  bcraiioe  of  tlieir  po- 
f)  tin;  men,  flmt  provo 
lii'lv  thnt  he  wniili)  Im 
fur  heins  n  primitivo 
110(1  tlieclectoriillirket 
'(lore  (ir.lriRksnni'm  h« 
Ur.  ^nrniiel  To\vn«enrt 
ow  swnyg  the  debt  iniet 
lam  meh^not  of  the 


BENNETT,  BAHITRR  ANB  BECATPB— A  TAMMANY?  TBEE  PWESS. 


221 


have  b#en  mentioned,  but  as  a  question  of  liability  will  arise  from  the  peculiar  phraseology  of 
the  a  I' I  of  incorporation,  1  think  n  would  be  very  unwise  to  iippomi  ay  party  mteresied,  there- 
fore I  hope  that  Mr.  Luihrop  or  Mr.  Sherman  will  be  ;  iipoiuied,  or  boih  of  tneni. 

Yours  sincerely,        JACOB  BARKER. 


Col.  Decatur,  a  worthless  official,  juslijien  Cliutuii''s  condemnation  of  his  conduct. 
[No.   191.]  Col.  John  Uecaiur  to  Cullndor  Swartwoiit. 

PoRTSiMoUTU,  May  4,  lbi29. — Deiir  Sir  :  This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  my  particular  friend, 
Mr.  John  Blunt,  lately  a  resident  of  thi.s  town.  In  making  you  acquniimd  with  Mr.  Blunt,  I 
take  much  pleasure.  He  is  a  geniluinaii  wno  has  been  e.^-.tennvelv  en^ngid  in  l)uajnesa  in  this 
place,  and  m  my  otHcial  duties,  as  Inie  Naval  Siore  Keeper,  h.ive  been  daily  engaged  with  him 
in  mercantile  transactions.  For  a  number  of  years  Mr.  Biuni  bus  supplied  our  IN:ivy  Yard,  and 
I  have  at  all  times  found  him  prompt,  energetic,  and  laithtul  in  the  perform  a  ice  of  bis  contracts  ; 
and  wAere  it  possible  for  Mr.  B.  to  reside  witli  us,  1  kii^w  of  no  man  whom  I  would  sooner  se- 
lect to  the  (list  office  in  my  gift.  Fur  the  last  Jnitr  yenr.i  hr  /(«,s'  ((-lire:/!  nnd  niietilij  adcncated 
llm  claims  of  our  present  worthy  chief  magistrate,  and  ilic  rtpiiiaiiori  iii:iiiiiaiiied  by  Mr.  Blunt 
has  been  such  in  this  section  of  the  country,  that  we  truut  liis  laleiiis  have  not  been  engaged  un. 
successfully.  Should  it  be  necessary  to  have  an  assinlant  rililur,  to  aid  Mr.  Nouh  in  warding 
tiff  the  malignant  shafts  of  the  coalition  party,  which  will  lie  nuide  on  i/ou,  in  consequence  of  the 
general  sweep  which  I  presume  you  intend  to  make  in  your  office,  1  know  of  no  more  suitable 
man  than  this  said  Cod  of  mine,  and  I  therefore  request  ilmt  you  will  add  one  more  oliligalion  I 
am  already  under,  by  giving  him  an  appointment  in  thr  Curium  Jlmise. 

Yours  with  p=teeiii  and  iifleeiion,  DECATUR. 

[Remarks. — Col.  John  P.  Decatur,  whom  Gov.  Clinton  had  exhibited  to  tiic  world,  iis  very  dis- 
gracefully interfering  in  State  elections  some  years  before  at  Brooklyn,  and  who  figured  disrepu. 
tably  in  the  Chemical  Bank  trial,  was  appointed  by  General  Jiickson,  Colli  cior  of  Portsmouth, 
N.  H.,  in  April,  1829.  In  May,  he  wrote  to  his  friend  Swartwoiu  as  aoovi-.  Jackson  and  Van 
Buren's  advent  to  power,  was  fortunate  for  jockies,  jugglers,  ganiblirs  uiid  Lilacklegs.] 

IVebb  and  the  Courier — Flagg,  Wright  and  Croswell — an  Editnr  in  lending  strings  to  the 
Wire  Pullers  of  Tammany — What  am  I  to  do  ? — Butler  and  TiObets — Making  terms  with 
the  Press. 

[Three  letters — Janieb  Gordon  Bennett  to  Jesse  lloyt,  N.  Y.] 
[No.  192.]  Philadelphia,  7th  June,  1829. — Dear  i;'ir :  When  I  first  contemplated  leav- 
ing New  York  a  few  days,  I  promised  to  write  you  occasionally.  Of  course  I  consider  the  pro- 
mise still  good.  I  have  been  part  of  three  days  here,  and  have  mixed  a  good  deal  with  the  lead- 
ing Jackson  men.  They  received  the  account  of  tiie  Union  ot  ihe  Enquirer  and  the  Courier  with 
'utter  astonishment.'  So  they  told  mc  in  express  terms.  'I'liey  cminot  conceive  how  the  party 
in  New  York  can  repose  confidence  in  Mr.  Webb.  Such  is  the  seiiiimont  here.  I  shall  write 
you  again  from  Washington.  In  the  meantime,  will  you  do  all  you  can  about  the  paper  !  Spur 
up  Butler  for  ho  wants  it.  1  am,  Dear  Sir,  yours  truly,         JAMES  G.  BENNETT. 

[No.  19.3.]  Washington,  11  June,  1829. — Dear  sir :  I  arrived  here  the  day  before  yes- 
terday,  I  called  on  Mr.  Van  Buien  and  Mr.  Ingham.  They  nro  boih  in  favor  of  the  new  Dem- 
ocratic paper  or  the  old  one  renovated.  The  feeling  against  the  coalition  runs  about  as  strong 
here  as  in  New  York.  They  knew  it  would  be  corrected  by  the  public  men  in  New  York. 
Major  Miiore  of  Kentucky  is  here.  He  brings  accounts  from  the  west  that  some  movements 
are  making  of  a  curious  nature  between  Judge  McLean  (late  postmaster)  and   Mr.  Clay.     *     * 

J.  G.  BENNETT. 
[No.  194.]  Albany,  20ih  July,  1829. — Dear  Sir:  Since  I  arrived  here  1  have  seen  onr 
friends  in  the  Argii^  office  and  State  department — I  mean  Major  Flag:i,  Mr.  Wright,  and  Mr. 
Croswell.  They  are  very  friendly,  but  they  say  they  have  heard  little  of  our  local  matters  in 
New  York,  consequent  on  the  sale  of  the  Enquirer,  with  the  exception  of  a  passing  remark  from 
Mr.  Gambreleng,  as  he  passed  ihroiigh  here  a  few  weeks  iigo.  They  speak  in  the  highest  terms 
of  Mr.  Bamum,  and  assure  me  that  he  is  every  way  ca,)able  for  tlie  position  in  New  York.  I 
am  sorely  puzzled  to  know  what  to  do.  Although  our  friends  here  think  it  a  very  favorable  op- 
portunity to  start  a  new  paper,  yet  they  think  a  very  hazardous  experiment.  They  told  nie 
to-day  that  if  the  pa'ty  had  the  control  of  the  political  course  of  the  Courier  and  Enquirer,  it 
would  be  more  eligible  than  a  new  paper.  This  they  think  could  be  done  by  placinj;  an  editor 
there  under  the  auspices  of  the  General  Commiltee — an  f'Mitor  who  would  tnke  c.ire  of  the  in- 
terests o/ t/te  parti/ a/ir/ j<s /rteHrfs.  They  are  afraid  that  t!ie  political  paironage  is  not  suffi- 
cient for  the  support  of  a  new  paper,  and  they  are  of  opinion  that  a  jiniinal  which  now  enjoys  all 
such  patronage  as  the  Courier  and  Enquirer  ought  to  give  up  its  columns  to  a  political  Editor 
appointed  by  the  General  Committee.  1  wish  you  could  gf  t  me  oui  of  the.-e  contradictory  views 
and  opinions.    If  you  and  Mr.  OAKLEY,  and  Mr.  CODDINGTON,  and  a  few  oilier  of  our 


.•;«' 


If 


I; 

f ; 


^■. 


922 


BENNETT,  BURROWS,  BUTLER,  VAN  BUREN,  WEBB  Ic  MACKENZIE. 


fry   :;j,.^  ••-    .'     .  ■ 


1: 


1    /      •       -     r 


Xk 


I 


friends  could  »e«;e  u)Aa<  course  I  shall  take  premous  to  my  return,  I  DO  NOT  CARE  WHAT  IT 
IS — 1  shall  adopt  it — I  know  it  will  be  a  proper  course.  Which  is  the  best  and  cheapest  mode 
of  expressing  the  views  of  tho  party  ?  A  new  or  an  old  paper.  1  shall  he  impatient  for  action 
when  I  return.  Now  is  the  time  to  sow  the  seed.  This  is  the  spring  of  politics.  The  birds 
are  beginning  to  sing.  I  cannot  resist  those  influences,  and  if  you  set  yourself  to  work,  I  know 
you  can  accomplish  the  matter  to  .»  T.  Do  not  call  me  a  heretic,  and  a  trif/ling  fellow,  becauRe 
I  have  spoken  thus  much  of  C.  and  E.  //  it  he  heresy,  then  undoubtedly  must  head-quarters  be 
in  a  bad  way. 

On  the  evening  before  I  left  New  York,  I  received  a  letter  informing  me  that  the  Herald  in- 
tended to  publish  on  Saturday  morning  last  this — "  The  last  rallying  point  of  the  Republican 
Party  has  been  surrendered,  by  the  purchase  by  the  Courier  of  the  services  and  prospects  of  the 
gentleman  who  was  to  have  published  the  N.  Y.  State  Enquirer,  &c.  &c.  &c."  I  went  to  the 
office  of  the  Herald  and  told  them  it  was  imtrue,  and  forbid  its  publication.  Snowden  will  tell 
you  the  whole  story.  It  appears  that  Mumford  went  to  the  Herald  and  told  them  the  story. 
Yon  can  see  in  this  the  finger  of  our  friend  BUTLER  and  Elisha  Tibbets  probably,  who  want  to 
wake  as  much  mischief  as  possible.  I  hope  old  King  Caucus  will  remember  them,  I  shall 
write  nothing  for  the  C.  and  E.  during  my  tour — that  you  requested  to  do.  Tell  Mr.  Oakley 
that  my  next  letter  1  shall  write  to  him  probably  from  the  Springs. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  yours  truly,         JAMES  G.  BENNETT. 

P.  S. — If  you  have  any  thing  to  say  particularly  in  the  course  of  this  week  write  to  BufTalo  to 
me.  Mr.  Croswell  thinks  that  under  present  circumstances  the  Republican  General  Committee 
can  make  their  own  terms  with  Webb  and  Tylee.  Would  not  a  private  meeting  of  our  friends 
on  the  subject  be  a  good  first  step? 

Van  Buren  disclaims  all  knowledge  of  the  revolutionary  intentions  ascribed  to  Mackenzie. 
[No.  194a]        Daniel  Brent,  to  W.  L.  Mackenzie,  York.  U.  C. 

Department  of  State,  Washington-,  28th  .Tuly,  1830.  Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  first  of  thi^ 
month  to  the  Secretary  on  the  subject  of  an  article  which  appeared  some  time  ago  in  the  columns 
of  the  New  York  Courier  and  Enquirer,  and  has  since  been  republished  in  other  public  jour- 
nals, both  of  Canada  and  the  United  States,  with  additional  innuendos  and  particulars,  was  re- 
ceived on  the  18th  instant  ut  this  office,  during  his  absence  ;  but  I  lost  no  time  in  communica- 
ting its  contents  to  him.  The  object  of  the  article  or  articles  referred  to  is,  to  indicate  a  visit  tn 
the  United  States  and  to  this  capital  during  the  last  summer,  as  connected  with  some  revolution- 
ary movement  in  the  Canadas,  in  relation  to  which  your  agency  was  employed  with  the  Fedc. 
rai  Government ;  and  you  call  upon  the  Secretary  in  his  official  capacity  positively  and  decided- 
ly to  contradict  it. 

I  have,  accordingly,  just  received  a  letter  from  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  Secretary,  dated  at  Albany, 
the  23d  of  this  month,  expressly  authorising  me  to  deny  all  knowledge  of,  or  belief,  on  his  part,  in 
the  designs  imputed  to  you,  as  I  now  have  the  honor  of  doing,  and  to  state  moreover,  that  he  has 
not  the  smallest  ground  for  believing,  that  your  visit  had  anything  political  for  its  «»bject.  He 
directs  me  also  to  add,  that  if  the  President  were  not  likewise  absent  from  the  seat  of  Govern- 
ment he  is  well  persuaded  he  would  readily  concur  in  the  declaration  which  I  have  thus  had  the  ho. 
nor  of  making  in  his  behalf.  I  am,  &c,         DANIEL  BRENT,  Chief  Clerk. 

Silas  E,  Burrows  and  his  schemes — Swartwout  puffs  hi::,  lo  General  Jackson,  of  whom  he  was 
long  an  adviser  by  the  back  stairs — iSi7a.»  wants  his  Consul  at  Panama^  ifc. 

[No.  194,  b.]  Collector  Swartwout  to  General  Andrew  Jackson. 

New  York,  loth  August,  1829.  Dear  Sir:  The  accompanying  letter  has  just  been  handed 
to  me  by  the  enterprising  and  intelligenl  writer  of  it,  with  a  request  that  I  would  forward  it  to 
you.  Mr.  Burrows  has  not  his  equal,  in  our  City,  for  commercial  enterprise.  You  will  readily 
perceive  on  perusing  his  communication,  the  extent  and  utility  of  the  proposed  line  of  communi- 
cation between  different  and  very  distant  parts  of  South  America.  It  is  really  surprising  that  a 
gentleman,  sinttle  handed  and  without  the  aid  of  the  Government,  should  have  projected  and 
actually  carried  into  execution,  such  an  extensive  and  very  important  operation.  But  his  zeal  is 
not  surpassed  by  his  perfect  independence  of  character.  It  was  intimated  to  him  a  year  or  two 
ago,  that  Government  felt  so  deep  an  interest  in  this  afTair,  that  they  would  be  willing  to  contri. 
bute  largely  towards  its  completion,  but  Mi  Burrows,  being  a  gentleman  of  fortune  and  great 
pride  of  feeling,  said  NO.  He  preferred  the  whole  expence  and  the  whole  credit  of  it,  and  he 
will  not  swerve  from  that  determination.  All  the  aid  he  requires  from  Government,  is  the  ap- 
pointment of  Mr.  Everet  as  Consul  at  Panama,  where  there  never  was  one  before,  and  where 
there  aru  no  Americans  residing  at  present.  This  appointment  is  important  to  him,  for  the  sin- 
gle reason,  that  he  knowu  that  his  commercial  agent,  if  clothed  with  consular  dignity  and  authority, 
will  be  more  respected,  in  that  country  particularly,  than  if  he  went  there  as  a  mere  merchant. 
The  person  selected,  Mr.  Everet,  is  active  and  intelligent,  and  a  warm  and  zealoua  friend  of 
ike  present  adminittratum. 


IKENZIE. 

'CARE  WHAT  IT 
It  and  cheapest  inode 
Vntpatient  for  action 
Tpolitics.  The  birds 
belf  to  work,  I  know 
J/ling  fellow,  becoupe 
just  head-quarters  be 

|-  that  the  Herald  in- 

pt  of  the  Republican 

J  and  prospects  of  the 

l&c."     I  went  to  the 

Snowden  will  tell 

Ifold  them  the  story. 

Irobably,  who  want  to 

niber  them.     I  shall 

Tell  Mr.  Oakley 

G.  BENNETT. 

k  write  to  Buffalo  to 

General  Committee 

leeting  of  our  friends 

ibed  to  Mackenzie. 

er  of  the  first  of  thi« 

lie  ago  in  the  columns 

in  other  public  jour- 

d  particulars,  was  re- 

>  time  in  communicn- 

,  to  indicate  a  visit  tn 

with  some  revolution. 

Jloyed  with  the  Fedc. 

)sitively  and  decided- 

Jry,  dated  at  Albany, 
r  belief,  on  his  part,  in 
moreover,  that  he  has 
lil  for  its  object.  He 
1  the  scat  of  Goveni- 
have  thus  had  ihe  ho. 
:NT,  Chief  Clerk. 

son,  of  whom  he  teas 
anama,  ifc.  kS. 

laB  just  been  handed 
would  forward  it  to 
2.  You  will  readily 
<ed  line  of  communi- 
illy  surprising  that  a 
have  projected  and 
tion.  But  his  zeal  is 
o  him  a  year  or  two 
be  willing  to  contri. 
/  fortune  and  great 
credit  of  it,  and  he 
ernment,  is  the  ap- 
e  before,  and  where 
t  to  him,  for  the  sin- 
ignity  and  authority, 
88  a  mere  merchant. 
td  zetUoua  friend  of 


SWAlTWOtTT  SEir»  TO  ADVANTASE — WARRING  WITH  FRA0D, 


223 


Independently  of  the  merit  of  this  Enterpriie,  Mr.  Burrown  ia  considfred,  universally  in  our 
City  as  one  of  the  most  upright,  honorable  and  genUemanly  men  m  the  community.  1  am  pf  rson- 
ally  known  to  him,  and  I  can  assure  your  Excellency  tiiai  no  man  possesses  more  of  my  confi- 
dence and  esteem  than  Mr.  Burrows.  As  this  gentleman  has  aln  ady  done  a  great  deal  tor  that 
country  which  cannot  (nil  lo  benefit  his  own,  and  which  has,  in  (net  alrfady  benetitied  it  exceed- 
ingly, he  certainly  merits  the  coLinteiiance  o(  Govt  rniiuni.  Thesteurn  vessel  which  he  has  sent 
thither,  and  which  I  visited  in  compmy  with  Mr.  Moore,  our  niin-ster,  beiore  his  departure,  can- 
not fail  to  increase  the  facilities  o<'communicntion  to  iin  extent  certiiinly  never  before  contemplated 
by  its  inhabtnnis  or  by  strangers  iind  whilst  we  have  a  minister  there  (ir  im  agent  of  Guvernment  of 
inferior  rank,  this  little  boat  aloi  ,e  will  be  worth  thousands  of  dollars  annually  to  our  Government 
and  its  citizens.  The  request,  therefore,  of  Mr.  B.,  that  Mr.  Everet  may  be  appointed  a  consul 
where  there  never  was  one  before,  and  where  it  is  important  that  Mr.  B.  should  have-  an  agent,  and 
where  the  Government  of  the  United  States  will  also  soon  require  one  is  a  very  small  request — 
and  I  feel  persuaded,  your  Excellency  will  consider  it  so  reasonable  and  proper  as  to  give  it 
your  immediate  sanction.t 


The  '  Eefurni'  Appraisers,  Cne  if  Co.  dem-ribeil  by  Hwartwuut — Justice  to  the  Merchants,  OM 
doled  out  by  Bernard  J.  Messerole,  Jcromus  Johnson,  Ichabod  Prull,  and  the  Custom  House 
Politicians  of  1830 — Espionage  boldly  defended. 

[Remarks. — I  do  not  know  whether  the  follovvins;  letter,  marked  *  Private,'  is,  or  is  not  an 
official  document.  If  it  is,  it  is  perhaps  the  only  one  I  have  copied  from  Custom  House  manuscripts, 
into  this  book.  While  I  was  copying  it,  Mr.  Webber  went  down  to  Mr.  Hunter,  the  assistant- 
auditor,  and  told  him  what  I  was  doin'^.  Hunter  went  lo  th(!  auditor,  Mr.  Ogden,  who  said  that 
the  Records  were  in  charge  of  Mr.  Bogardus— who,  with  Hiinttr,  came  up,  stopt  about  twenty 
minutes,  but  made  no  remarks.     The  original  is  among  the  old  letters,  &c. 

In  May  and  June.  1830,  Jeromus  Johnson,  William  S.  Coc,  npp'd  April  181:29,  and  A.  B. 
Mead,  went  into  office  as  appraisers  at  New  York,  iind  Bernard  J.  Mes^serolc,  D.  L.  Dodge, 
Ichabod  Prall,  and  Ben.  Brewster,  as  assistant-ap\naiaer3.  They  were,  nearly  all,  convenient, 
plausible,  serviceable  party  instruments  ;  pretenders  to  republican  principles,  of  which  they  had 
but  little  ;  but  grossly  ignorant  of  the  prices  and  qualities  of  goods  which  it  was  their  duty  to  ex- 
amine and  value.  Mr.  Swartwout's  letter,  written  three  months  after,  shows  how  they  conduct- 
ed business  The  Mr.  Gardner  he  speaks  of  was,  /  suppose,  the  Samuel  S.  Gardner,  who  had 
been  a  deputy-collector  under  Thompson,  Stephen  .Mien,  &c.,  and  clerk  to  Receivers  of  the 
Tradesmen's  Bank  in  182G.  It  could  not  have  been  D.  (Jard/iier,  the  Inspector.  By  rewarding 
worthless,  artful,  electioneering  hacks  to  selfish  party  leaders,  with  very  influential  offices,  the 
duties  of  which  are  unconnected  with  politics,  business  sufi'ers,  honesty  is  punished,  undermined, 
or  crushed,  and  the  public  morals  arc  deeply  injured, — W.  L.  M] 

[No.  195.]  Collector  Swartwout  to  Secretary  Ingham,  Washington. 

New  York,  1st  Sept.  1830. — Private. — Dear  Sir  :  I  am  very  sorry  that  the  removal  of  Mr.  Gar- 
dner from  the  appraiser's  office,  should  be  considered  by  you  as  «»  act  of  prr.iiinal  hostility  on 
TKi/par^  or  that  of  any  other  disinterested  person.  I  have  often  inl'oriiieil  yoa  that  Mr.  Gard- 
-NKR  Assu.MED  AT  Ti.Mi;s> — or  had  it  granted  to  him — of  api'r.xisinl;  Tin;  MERCiiANnisi;,  icAicA  was 
sent  to  the  amnaiser's  office,  for  vxuminnlion,  and  WHICH  WAS  CERTIFIKI)  TO  BY  THE 
APPRAISERS  [sworn  officers! !]  WITHOUT  THEIR  HAVING  SEEN  THE  GOODS.  I 
had  even  spoken  to  the  appraisers  about  it.  /  saio  it  myself,  and  so  reported  it  to  you.  I  did 
consider  it,  and  do  now  consider  it,  a  piece  of  gross  asisuraiice  on  the  pari  of  Mr.  Gardner,  and 
of  most  culpable  neglect  an  the  part  of  the  appraisers,  I  could  not  remedy  it,  and  wrote  you  that 
it  was  so.  Was  I  lo  blame  for  that  ?  But  further. — Many  merchants  did  complain  to  me  of 
Mr.  Gardner's  interference,  while  the  appraisers  were  examining  goods — and  of  his  saying  to 
them  such  and  such  goods  are  too  high — and  tiie^  adopted  iiis  judgment.  This  was  com- 
plained of. 

He  was  not  a  clerk,  but  styled  himself  un  assistant  to  the  appraisers.  His  constant  occupa. 
tion,  to  my  knowledge,  for  I  saw  it  daily,  was  to  hand  them  goods,  stating  their  value,  and  get. 

t  Kilns  E.  Burrow",  (son  of  Enoch)  and  his  history  are  well  known  in  New  Yurk.  He  npjiefrs  to  hnve  heen 
deeply  concerned  with  Collector  Swnrtwout.  mid  other  deep  speriilntors  pnrt  nfthiit  linnd  who  jrined  "  in  the  gen- 
eral «criinnble  for  plunder,"  which  they  so  artfnilv  cnvered  np,  in  IS-.'8 — 0.  with  tlie  cloiik  of  piil.inli-m.  Binruws 
got  in  debt,  ami  failed,  but  $10,000  of  his  creditors  moans  expemled  on  a  tondi  to  the  mother  nl'  Washington,  a 
show  of  patriotism,  with  a  world  of  pulTs.  Irom  dwiirtwout  and  otlier>.  hiid  helped  him  uloi.g.  lie  went  strong  for 
.Tiickson — nejotiated  a  loan  for  his  very  dear  friend  Noah — went  with  Swnrtwout  as  a  conservative — and  at  the 
Tallmadge  dinner.  New  York  .May  26.  1H4I,  when  Van  IJnren's  successor  had  gone  to  Ins  last  rest,  toasted  "John 
Tyler,  the  disciple  of  .lefferson,  the  bosom  friend  of  W.  H.  Harrison."  In  t^ept  IM'.I  or  :10,  Swartwuut  enclosed  to 
Viin  Ruren,  llien  .Sec'y  of  State,  Burrow's  correspondence  with  the  Imrori  Kriideiier,  and  iis^kcd  s  me  hiph  mark  of 
executive  appridialion  for  him.  "  Mr.  B.  (said  Swnrlwout)  is  one  of  our  boldest  and  most  deserving  mercharts  and 
a  gentleman  of  the  noblest  and  most  chlvalrick  feelings — hence  this  prompt  and  generous  conduct  towaidi  hi»  un 
fortunate  fellow  beings.    But  Ihe  privote  virtue*  are  so  happily  blended,"  &c. 


j>  i: 
i  ■ 


9M 


AMER1C)»>'  MERCHANTS  PLUNDERED  AT  THE  CUSTOM  HOUSE. 


■■/  ■<'  ■' 


:  ":*'.•■■ 


;i  • 


ting  them  to  mark  them  accordingly.  If  auch  conduct  was  right,  I  waa  wrong  in  giving  you 
infurmation  of  it — not  otherwise. 

Again. — Mr. ,  a  very  respectable  merchant,  called  upon  me  at  my  lodgings,  to  inform 

me  confidentmlly,  (and  men-hants  will  not  give  informaiion  in  any  other  way,)  that  gouda  had 
passed  the  appraisers  the  day  before,  AT  A  LESS  DUTY  BY  50  PER  CENT  than  he  had 
paid  for  similar  goods  in  the  same  vensel :  and  to  convince  me  of  ii,  he  hud  bought  a  bale  of  the 
very  goods  thus  passed,  and  had  them  in  his  store,  where  he  would  shew  me,  and  satisl'y  me  of 
the  truth  of  what  he  said,  by  marks  nnd  numbers.  1  did  visit  hia  store,  and  found  the  facts,  as 
stated  by  him,  to  be  true.  On  enquiring  at  the  appraisers,  I  found  that  it  iou8  Mr.  Gardner 
who  had  INFLUENCED  the  appraisers  in  their  decision — and,  so  paramount  was  his  authority 
or  ,  that  his  opinion  prevailed — and  this  is  not  all. 

The  Book  in  which  a  Clerk  in  the  appraiser's  ofHce  had  recorded  another  decision,  waa  taken 
from  his  desk,  in  his  absence,  and  altered  so  as  to  correspond  with  his  [Mr.  Gardner's]  own  de- 
cision.  This  was  done,  too,  with  the  mtry,  which  was  altered  by  the  same  person,  to  eorrts. 
pond  with  the  alterations  in  the  Books.  The  Clerk  in  whose  Books  this  was  done,  gave  me 
the  information — secretly  I  admit,  but  not  feloniously  nor  improperly.  Th«y  were  no  spies,  but 
honest  clerks. 

To  show  you  that  I  waa  disposed  to  do  my  duty,  I  SENT  FOR  MR.  COE,  one  of  the  ap- 
praisers, and  informed  him  of  it.  He  appeared  to  be  very  much  shocked  at  the  thing,  and 
promised  me  he  would  probe  it  to  the  bottom,  let  who  would  suffer.  I  told  him  I  waa  convinced 
it  was  Mr.  Gardner  from  all  the  circumstances,  the  hand-writing,  the  erasures,  &c. — O"  but  I 
never  heard  any  thing  more  about  it  from  the  appraisers.  This  is  what  I  meant  by  "  infidelity 
to  his  trust." 

It  was  not  necessary  that  you  should  do  this  act  upon  the  faith  of  what  I  stated.  Mr.  Gard. 
ner  is  nothing  lo  me,  but  /  was  obliged  to  notice  hia  conduct,  and  what  they  said  of  it,  but  you 
were  not  compelled  lo  believe  me  or  them.  I  am  willing  to  make  oath  to  what  I  have  stated, 
but  I  may  not  be  able  to  get  merchants  to  do  the  same.  What  took  place  in  the  appraiser's 
office  can  be  testified  to  by  the  clerks  and  others  ;  but  they  would  do  it  with  reluctance,  I  ap- 
prehend, if  the  Treasury  should  attribute  it  to  "  improper  passions." 

I  cannot  give  you  the  names  of  those  who  communicate  to  me  cor\fidentially.  I  obtain  in. 
formation,  daily  something  of  great  importance — secretly,  to  be  sure,  but  I  cannot  divulge  the 
sources  of  it.     I  would  rather  not  act  than  compromit  my  honor  in  a  matter  of  such  importance. 

You  appear  to  be  surprised  that  Mr.  Gardner  is  removed.  I  acted  upon  the  authority  of  your 
letter  to  remove  him  from  the  appraisers'  office,  and  give  him  employment  somewhere  else.  I 
wrote  to  Mr.  Gardner  a  very  polite  note,  stating  that  I  had  the  honor  to  enclose  him  a  letter  I 
had  that  day  received  from  the  Treasury  Department,  and  I  also  sent  the  original  to  the  apprais- 
ers. Mr.  G.  never  came  near  me  from  that  day  to  this.  lie  lef  the  appraisers,  but  did  not  ac- 
cept the  offer  to  be  employed  elsewhere,  because  he  is  rich,  being  worth,  it  is  supposed,  sixty 
thousand  dollars — and  does  not  want  and  would  not  accept  a  subordinate  situation  elsewhere  at 
half  his  former  salary.  I  am,  &c.,  S.  S. 

[No.  196.]  Churchill  C.  Cambreleng,  M.C.,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Albany. 

Washington,  30th  Dec,  1830. — Dear  Sir:  See  our  Engineer,  Mr.  Jervis,  and  see  every  man 
who  can  aid  our  Branch  Railway  petition,  or  who  will  help  us  to  give  the  Turnpike  Company 
its  quietus.  There  is  a  secret  about  Judge  Peck^s  trial — the  federal  minority  in  the  Senal*. 
mean  to  sustain  him — the  case  is  an  outrageous  violation  of  the  rights  of  a  citizen.  The  Planet, 
a  new  locomotive  of  Stevenson's,  has  gone  from  Liverpool  to  Manchester  and  back  again  in  60 
minutes,  including  two  minutes  stoppage  !  See  the  members  of  the  Committee  in  the  two 
Houses — and  let  me  know  to  whom  I  can  send  of  our  charters. 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

The  Quartermaster  Generalship — Prosper  M.  IVetmorc  and  the  Flash  Fire  Co's. —  Wetmore 
and  Webb  candidates — the  militia  mixed  up  with  party  services —  Webbs  great  military  ex- 
perience— Noah  n  candidate  unknown  to  Webb — Wetmore  denounced  by  Webb  and  Noah — 
Sandford  goes  for  Wetmore. 

[No.  197.]        Col.  .Tames  Watson  Webb,  N.  Y.,  to  Jesse  Hovt,  Esq.,  Albany. 

Private.  New  York,  Jany  8,  1831. 

Dear  Hoyt :  A  gentleman  called  upon  me  to-day  and  o.sked  whether  I  would  prefer  being 
Q'r.  Master  General  to  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the  Governor's  Guard  ;  and  proceeded  to  atate  that 
Bayard  being  absent  in  Florida,  Prosfier  M.  Wetmore,  was  pushing  very  hard  to  be  appointed 
in  hia  stead.  He  informed  me  that  Lawsoa  had  pledged  himself  to  get  it  for  him,  and  made  a 
visit  to  Albany  last  week,  solely  and  exclusively  on  that  account.  He  also  told  me  what  I  did 
not  before  know,  that  in  consequence  of  WETMORE'S  connexion  with  the  "  Life  and  Fire" 
or  some  other  such  company,  the  27th  Regiment  of  Artillery  compelled  him  to  rtsign.  He  is 
consequently  obnoxious  to  the  Military,  many  of  whom  turned  their  eyes  to  m»— not  for 


love,  afTection 

Wetmore  only 

Swartwout  am 

whether   in    h 

wttter  short, 

(juty  will  be  ie 

the  office,  and 

Biiion.     Ten  y 

;,ay,  make  niu 

(>videnre  of  he 

last  I  was  elei 

but  one  oifici'r 

You  know  wh 

fhroop  last  Si 

as  to  consider 

applicant  sd  'c 

to  the  followir 

to    ny  person! 

ser  ice.    1  wr( 

and  Hubbard 

any  other  you 

delegation,  ur 

more.     All  w 

make  me  pub 

N.  B.     Yo 

to.— W. 

N.  B,  II 
Selden.— W. 
P.  S.  If] 
to  him. — W. 
you  will  perc 
enclose  to  tli 

[No.  19 

To  His  E 

quence  of  A 

ter  General. 

does  not  int 

that  the  situ 

event  of  his 

applicant  to 

I  may  be  c( 

to  be  foun  J 

(ronpra',    IV 

have  no  otl 

vernor's  Gi 

elected,  toe 

be  known  i 

Military  in 

intimation 

be  promptl 

me  the  fav 


SUNDi 
that  his  ni 
Mr.  Noah 
do  not  sue 
person  1 1 

[No. 
military 
which  wo 
tary  natu 
re»dy 


OfSK. 
long  in  giving  you 

lodgings,  to  inform 
W,)  that  goods  had 
ENT  than  he  had 
Jiughl  a  bale  of  tlie 
J,  and  sutisl'y  me  of 
Ifuund  the  facts,  as 
I  teas  Mr.  Gardner 
It  was  his  authority 

lecision,  was  token 
jJardner's]  own  de- 
person,  to  corret. 
■was  done,  gave  me 
I  were  no  spies,  but 

E,  one  of  the  ap. 

at  the  thing,  and 

m  I  was  convinced 

ea,  &c — O"  but  I 

leant  by  "  infidehty 

stated.     Mr.  Gard. 

said  of  it,  but  you 
n'hat  I  have  stated, 

ill  the  appraiser's 
th  reluctance,  I  ap- 

tally.  I  obtain  in. 
cannot  divulge  the 
of  such  importance, 
he  authority  of  your 
somewhere  else.  I 
iclose  him  a  letter  I 
?inal  to  the  apprais- 
sers,  but  did  not  ac- 
t  is  supposed,  sixty 
uation  elsewhere  at 
t.,  S.  S. 


and  see  every  man 
Furnpike  Company 
rity  in  the  Senaf: 
izen.  The  Planet, 
d  back  again  in  60 
imittee  in  the  two 

4MBRELENG. 

'e  Co'a.—  Wetmore 
great  military  ex- 
Webb  and  Noah— 

.Ibany. 

.  Jany  8,  1831. 
ould  prefer  being 
eded  to  state  that 
d  to  be  appointed 
'  him,  and  made  a 
old  me  what  F  did 
"  Life  and  Fire'* 
to  uaign.  He  is 
>  to  me— not  for 


WKTMORE,  WEBB,  AND  NOABf,  RACINr,  FOR  A  OtlT  TITLE. 


225 


lovB,  aflfpction  or  respect,  but  simply  because  th-y  thousht  I  rotild  difrnt  Wetmorc.  I  know 
Wetmore  only  as  the  nuihor  of  Lexington  und  other  pofiic  produciions,  und  a*  the  great  gun  of 
Swartwout  and  Lnicson.  I  owu  him  no  ill  will,  nor  do  I  I't'cl  ii  incunilient  upon  me  to  osk 
whether  in  bceking  my  own  advimcement  I  tread  upon  his  tufs  or  not.  To  cut  the 
niiitter  short,  I  want  In  be  Q'r.  Planter  Geiicrnl.  It  gives  iw  t/if  niukof  Brigndiir,  and  the 
duly  will  be  leas  than  that  of  my  present  appointiiieiit.  Theru  are  no  enrjluuieiita  atinc.hed  to 
ihe  office,  and  coi/sequpiitly  even  an  Ed'tur  iiiiiy  hi-  appointed  without  the  censure  of  the  oppo- 
sition. Ten  years  of  my  lile  spent  in  the  army,  qunlify  itie  for  it,  ;iiid  I  nny,  without  vanity, 
;,ay,  make  inc  more  competent  to  the  dischurj;ii  ol  its  duties  than  any  other  iipplicant.  As  an 
cvidenne  of  how  the  Military  estimate  my  army  sorvicLs,  I  need  only  nu'iiiion  iliat  in  January 
iaiit  I  was  elected  Lieut.  Colonel  of  the  Guards,  when  in  Albany,  wiihoiit  knowing  personally 
but  one  offieer  of  the  Regiment,  and  this,  too,  withi)Ut  my  having  been  consulted  on  the  subject. 
You  know  what  would  liave  been  the  consequence  of  my  huvins^  come  out  for  Root  instead  of 
fhroop  last  Summer,  and  it  will  bp.  somewhat  strange  if  he  refuse.^  tn  gniiU  so  amnll  a  favor 
at  to  consider  me  os  icorthy  of  Ihe  office  as  P.  M.  IVctmore.  1  do  not  wish  to  be  known  as  an 
applicant  so  'ong  as  there  is  a  possibility  of  defeat,  and  have  therefore  determined  to  write  only 
10  the  following  persons  on  this  subject.  From  you  I  expect  all  you  can  do,  nor  would  I  write 
to  ny  persons  on  such  a  subject  unless  I  felt  that  I  would  be  pleased  to  reniler  them  a  similar 
Iter  ice.  1  wrote  to  Selden,  C.  L.  Livin£;si(>n,  the  (Jnvcrnor,  Li.  Governor,  Messrs.  Dix,  Tallmadge 
and  Hubbard  of  the  Senate,  and  Fldmonds  of  the  Imusc!.  With  any  of  these  speak  freelv,  and  to 
any  other  you  choose,  but  not  to  let  it  be  known  that  I  do  apply  unless  I  succeed.  Caigyl  of  our 
delegiition,  und  also  Ostrander,  are  very  friendly.  In  short.  Do  iis  I  would  do  by  you — nothing 
more.  All  well  here,  and  1  ben  you  to  accept  our  thanks  lor  your  letters,  although  you  did 
make  me  publish  your  hit  at  Monroe.         Your  friend,  in  haste,      .IAS.  WATSON  WEBB. 

N.  B.  You  entirely  misapprehended  our  remarks  about  Selden.  Say  it  shall  be  attended 
to.— W. 

N.  B.  I  have  written  to  Edmonds  telling  him  to  call  and  ask  to  see  this. — W. — also  to 
Selden.— W. 

P.  S.  If  I  am  not  appointed  W.  must  not  get  it — it  will  injure  the  Governor  if  he  gives  it 
to  him. — W.  I  enclose  you  the  letter  to  the  Governor,  which  read  and  hand  to  him.  Noah 
you  will  perceive  has  been  named  but  he  cares  nothing  about  it.  I  do.  Send  all  the  letlera  I 
enclose  to  the  persons  to  whom  directed. 

[No.  198.]  Lieut.  Col.  Webb  to  Lieut.  Governor  Throop. 

Office  of  the  Courier  and  E.vquirer,  New  York,  Jany.  8,  1831, 
To  His  Excellency,  &.c. — Dear  Sir :  I  have  learnt  to  day,  for  the  first  time,  that  in  conse- 
quence of  Mr.  Bayard's  ol)s«'ncc,  applications  have  been  made  lor  the  appointment  of  Qr.  Mas. 
ter  General.  I  am  not  in  possession  of  any  facts  which  authorize  me  to  say  that  Mr.  Bayard 
does  not  intend  to  return  to  the  City  ;  on  the  contrary,  he  su.^i^ested  about  eighteen  months  since 
that  the  situation  would  suit  me — said  he  bad  som(!  idea  of  leaving  the  stale  ;  and  that,  in  the 
event  of  his  doing  so,  he  would  let  me  forward  his  resignation,  and  at  the  same  time  become  an 
applicant  to  succeed  him.  If,  however,  it  is  in  contemplation  to  appoint  a  successor,  I  beg  that 
I  may  be  considered  an  applicant.  Of  my  fitness  for  the  situation,  perhaps  the  best  evidence  is 
to  be  founJ  iu  nearly  ten  years  service  in  the  U.  S.  Army  ;  with  what  reputation  your  Adjutant 
(rpner.Tl,  Maj'  r  Dix,  can  inform  you.  Of  the  value  pl^icrd  upon  those  services  here.  I 
have  no  other  evidence  than  my  being  ('lected,  in  .January  last.  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  the  Go- 
vernor's Guard,  by  the  otTieers  of  that  Regiment,  without  being  known  to  iuit  one  of  them  ;  and 
electi^d,  too,  wiihoui  any  previous  consultation  or  information  on  the  subject.  It  is  not  my  wish  to 
be  known  as  an  applicant  unless  I  succeed,  and  therefore  1  have  not  applied  to  the  officers  of  the 
Military  in  this  City  ;  but  if  their  recommendation  is  only  necessary  to  ensure  my  success,  an 
intimation  to  that  etfect  to  Mr.  Hoyt,  who  is  now  in  Albany,  or  to  IMr.  Selden,  or  Livingston,  will 
be  promptly  acted  upon.  I  beg,  Sir,  that  my  claims  may  be  considered,  and  that  you  will  do 
me  the  favor  to  inform  some  one  of  my  friends  of  your  determination. 

I  am,  Sir,  very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant,        .TAS.  WATSON  WEBB. 

SUNDAY  MORNING  — On  showing  this  to  Nonh,  a  few  minutes  since,  he  informed  me 
that  his  name  has  been  used  for  this  appointment,  but  that  he  is  in  lifierent  about  it.  I  consider 
Mr.  Noah  as  well  qualified  for  the  situation,  and  would  be  pleased  o  see  him  appointed  if  I  do 
do  not  succeed  myself  At  all  events,  his  appointment  would  be  more  popular  than  that  of  any 
person  I  have  heard  named.  Yours,  &c.         .T.  W.  WEBB. 

[No.  199.]  Dear  Sir:  You  know  well  the  delicacy  of  these  military  appointments  among 
military  men.  I  am  indilTerent,  ns  Mr.  W.  says,  about  it,  but  there  are  many  circumstances 
which  would  render  THE  APPOINTMENT  OF  COL.  WET.MORK,  both  of  a  civil  and  mili- 
tary nature,  HIGHLY  EXCEPTIONABLE.  Several  have  spoken  to  me  on  this  subject  al- 
ready '  Yours  truly,        M.  M.  NOAH. 


'il 


(|. 


986 


THE  ARMY,  THE  BANKS,  THE  CAMBIIELENOS,  AND  THE  STOCIS. 


•'!•':•■,'. 


.  :-K:' 


.■••.V 


l  "  .  . 


(No,  200.]  C.  W.  Sandford.  to  Lieut.  Col.  J.  W.  Webb. 

ThompBoii  Street,  tiaturdny  Ev'g.,  Joa.  8. 
Dear  CoIoppI  ■  I  have  just  received  yours  of  iliiw  ul'teriioon,  and  regret  sincerely  ilmt  I  cannot 
comply  with  yonr  r'  qufSt  to  address  the  Governor  in  favor  of  your  appliLution  for  tlie  appointment 
ofQr.  Master  Generul — simply  because,  before  iieiiring  of  your  being  a  candidaif*,  at  the  request 
ot  8ome  friends  of  Col.  VVeiniore,  I  wrote  to  His  fcixcellency  in  his  behalf.  Had  1  known  you  wer? 
an  applicant  1  would  unquestionably  have  advocated  your  appointment — your  practical  military 
education  and  experience  having  given  you  great  advantages  (which  you  have  well  used)  in  ac- 
quiring information  in  military  affairs.  But  having  already  addressed  the  Goverror,  I  cannot 
with  any  delicacy  or  proprioty,  intrude  myself  again  on  this  subject. 

Yours  very  truly,        C.  W,  SANDFORD. 

[No.  201.]  R.  H.  Nevina,  Broker,  Wall  Street,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  Albony,  dated  New  York 

14th  .Ian>.  1831. 
"  Dear  Hoyt — I  must  trouble  you  to  lit  nie  know,  whether  our  Banks,  now  being  willing  to 
take  renewals  of  their  Charters  on  the  terms  offered  to  them  last  winter,  will  all  bo  able  to  get 
them  ?  It  was  predicted  by  some  persons  that  some  of  them  might  not  have  another  chance. 
And  as  to  a  new  Trust  Co. — do  you  think  that  an  application  from  a  very  respectable  list  of  peti. 
tionera  will  succeed  in  gelling  a  Charter  similar  to  the  one  granted  at  the  last  session?  ]  shall 
be  much  obliged  for  your  opinion  on  the  obove,  or  on  any  other  subjects  that  may  have  to  do 
with  Wall  street.  I  am  willing  to  run  the  risk  of  your  opinions,  and  I  hereby  bind  myself  not, 
either  by  word,  deed,  or  look,  to  manifest  any  niortitication  or  disappointment  should  any  bad 
result  come  of  your  advices.  I  hold  considerable  Life  and  Trust  Co.  titock,  which  will  rise  or 
fall  probably  when  the  question  is  settled  about  oilier  charters. 

Yours  very  sincerely,        R.  H.  NEVINS." 

[No.  202  ]  Frederick  A.  Tracy  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  .\lbany. 

New  Yohk,  Jan.  26,  1831. — Yours  of  the  2:2d  inst.  did  not  reach  me  yesterday  till  late  in 
the  day,  so  that  nothing  could  be  done.  To. day,  ot  the  Bonrd,  it  wna  not  my  luck  to  get  hold 
of  any  of  this  stock,  altho'  some  sales  were  made  at  from  !(tl j  to  D? J— but  I  have  some  prospect 
of  concluding  a  bargain  for  300  shares.  If  1  make  any  purchases  it  will  he  for  vour  account 
solely,  as  I  think  the  stock  high.  FRED'K.  A.'  TRACY. 

[No.  203.]  Chur'-hill  C.  Canibrelemr,  M.  C,  to  .Tesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y. 

Washington,  10  Feb.  1831. — Dear  H :  Tlie  Senate  only  wait  fir  our  slow  Committee 

on  Foreign  Relations  to  get  up  and  pass  the  bill  organizing  the  [Danisli  ?]   ConTnission there 

is  no  other  difficulty  that  I  havi*  heard  of.  Simpson's  nomination  may  encounter  opposition 
but  I  have  heard  ofnone.  I  differ  in  opinion  wii'i  our  Directors,  ab  mt  the  sir  at  importance  of 
a  branch  line,  as  it  regardu  our  ow.n  lnteri^t — that  lies  at  the  eastern  lerniination — we  wish, 
however,  to  accommodate  Albany,  hut  if  the  two  sections  of  the  town  quarrel  among  theni. 
selves  and  defeat  our  bill  we  cant  help  it.  The  northern  part  of  the  town  will  suffer,  and  the 
southern  part  will  be  benefited  by  our  haviiitr  no  branch.  We  sh  ill  earrv  the  business  where- 
ver our  road  goes.  Combinations  of  t'racments  cant  hurt  us  in  general  politics — incorporation 
matters  we  shall  eternally  have  local  divisions.  In  t,'cneral  divisions  we  have  none  to  fight  hut 
Clay's  friends — and  we  have  Old  Hickory  airninst  him.  Between  ourselves,  I  don't  care 
two  and  sixpence  about  having  a  branch  line  passed — we  can  get  alon!:  well  enough  without  it. 
Next  year  the  people  of  Allmny  will  c  glad  enough  to  present  the  petition  themselves — it's  in- 
finitely more  important  to  them  than  to  ns. 

Very  sincerely  your  friend,  C.  C.  CAMBRF.LENG. 

[No.  204.]  Silas  M.  Slilwell,  Albany,  to  .lesse  Hoyt,  New  York. 

Albany,  \^  Feb.  1831. — Dear  Hoyt:  Yonr  fivors  have  reached  ine,  and  I  hasten  to  answer 
them.  The  name  of  Stf.vhf.n  CAMiiRF.r.F.NO  has  hoeii  sent  into  the  Senate.  1  give  you  this  in. 
formation  because  I  know  f-oni  yonr  letter  that  it  will  plens,-  voii,  and  bec-mse  I  like  to  please 
you — but  I  am  hound  to  say  that  nl'hnueh  I  have  no  objection  to  Cninlir''|ene.  yet  I  gave  Van 
Wyck  the  preferenrp — and  if  I  could  h''ve  hntl  niv  way — ifpersoniij  weic'it  "nl  nnxietv  of  feel. 
ine  conld  have  given  the  office  to  Van  Wyek.  so  far  as  rel.ites  to  me  le  would  have  had  it. 
Van  Wyck  i«  my  I'riend — I  owe  him  much  friend-hip.  This  yon  know — and  nf  cour'-"  he  wns 
mvman.  T  have  been  defeited,  and  Ihave  the  conso'ation  that  you  will  be  p!»Ti"d.  n"d  that 
Camb''eleng  is  a  clever  fellow.  I  am  vour  friend.  S.  M.  STILWELL. 


Thinks   Cnlhniin  sntne  '  pnnr   thriVx   rliifif' — T'";;- '7;/r'"'    !>kf<ril  to  tJipli's^'.ifpiritfrl'hor*e 

Spenihttors  fo  be  put  down — Throop's  nomination  of  Vice  Cfinncellor  McCoun  hangs  heavy 
in  the  Sfnnte. 

(No.  20.'>  ]         D'ldlev  S.'ld.  n,  M   C   &f;.  to  .Tes»p  ITnvt,  N.  York. 
At.bany,  March  4,  18.? I. —My  Dear  Hnyt :  My  friend's  leffnra  have  not  perhaps  been  an. 
•wf  red  as  soon  as  he  thinks  they  ought— but  1  have  not  been  able  to  read  them  yet — and  a  inao 


is  ceriainljr 

he  has  peru: 

You  need 

•     »     »     ♦ 

that  he  had 
gious  folly  I 
teems  to  ha 
am  glad  th< 
and  expuaeti 

No  news 
in  sending  i 
will,  if  I  cat 

McCoun 
per  withdrew 


Helden  a  mt 
[No.  2f 

Al.BA.NV, 

begins  to  pn 
of  my  Bill  o 
the  Financei 
that  report  \ 
mined  the  w 
thy  fellow. 

THERE  IS  BUI 

We  should  t 
cannot  prese 
than  Selden 
pleasure.     I 

CIOUS  VUFF  / 

friend's  reji 
know  yon  ti 
can  do  for  \i 
report.  I  in 
portunity  ofl 
intention  toj 
dom  fail  in] 
can  be  carrl 
return  homi 
constantly,! 
— and  be  al 


[No. 

SavannJ 
would  obsJ 
to  close  thi 
handsome  I 

To-day| 
low.     Tbf 
day's  mai( 
part  of  yo 
On  the  co| 
will  perce 
extinguisti 
very  necJ 
afeio  dal 

ExtraI 
"  have  ei 
"PLACj 
"  you  wil 
"  were  hi 


3KII. 


JUDICfOrS  PUFFS  TO  POTOBf  AND  THE  POLITIcrANS.      BASSWOOD, 


227 


ly  Ev'g.,  Jon.  8, 

srely  thut  I  cannot 

JT  tlie  appointment 

llate,  at  the  request 

1  known  you  wer? 

Ir  practical  military 

le  well  used)  in  ac- 

poverror,  I  cannot 

[.  SANDFORD. 
dated  New  York, 

»w  beinij  willing  to 
ill  all  be  able  to  gKt 
Ive  nnoilier  chance. 
Ipectabie  list  of  peti. 
Ist  session  ?  ]  shall 
[hat  may  have  to  do 
;by  bind  myself  not, 
icnt  should  any  bad 
whidi  will  rise  or 

R.  H.  NEVINS." 


Yesterday  till  late  in 
my  luck  to  get  hold 

[  have  Slime  prospect 
1)0  for  vour  account 

DK.  A.  TRACY. 

Y. 

our  (slow  Committee 
1  Coinnipsion — there 
■ncounicr  opposition, 
i-  strnt  importance  of 
'rniiiiation — we  wish, 
unrrcl   lunong  them. 

I  will  suffer,  and  the 
the  hiipiiirss  where- 

iliiirs — in  corporntion 
ivp  tioHP  to  fight  but 
selves,   I  don't  care 

II  eiiouijh  without  it. 
I  themselves — it's  in- 

CAMURF.LENG. 


d  f  linsfen  to  answer 
1  ffivp  you  this  in. 
•■'Use  I  like  to  please 
lens,  yet  I  gave  Van 
I  "nl  nn.xietv  of  feel. 

woiilil  hiivp  hai)  it. 
111(1  iif  cnur>-«>  he  wns 
i(.  ploTo..,!.  ti"H  that 

M.  STILWELL. 

h'jjh.Rpiriteif  hor*e — 
IcCoun  hangs  heavy 


t  ppfhaps  been  an. 
lem  yet — and  a  man 


is  certainly  entitled  tu  be  praised  for  his  punctuality  who  makes  his  rettirn  to  a  letter  as  soon  as 
he  ha.s  perused  it. 

You  need  not  endorse  '  cmifidrniiol'  on  any  of  your  coinniunicaiions  to  Livin!;«on  or  Stilwell 
*•*♦•*  (III  rending  Cai.ikil.m'.s  riii inKpciKlincc,  /  matlf  up  my  mind  very  aoon 
that  he  had  been  the  dupr  oj  some  poor  ilecil  behind  the  rnrtnin,  and  had  exhibited  most  egre. 
gious  folly  ill  being  caunht.  Your  auccennjul  competitor  fur  "  high  place  [J.  A.  flumilton  ?] 
teems  tu  have  been  the  most  conspicuous  man  in  bringing  up  thin  bij.gouc  trannactiun — and  I 
am  glad  thai  Mr.  Va.s  Bure.v,  like  the  hishsprited  horse,  han  shaken  the  dew  Jromhia  mane, 
and  exposed  the  rogue  tu  be  tukfin. 

No  news  here.  Your  kind  etlorts  of  the  D.  and  H.  are  duly  appreciated.  I  felt  satisfied  that 
in  sending  nie  the  little  piniiphlct,  your  whole  oliject  was  the  ptiblie  (^ood.  Su  is  mine — and  / 
will,  if  I  can.^ive  the  rascally  speculators  upon  time  a  thrust  under  the  short  ribs. 

McCoun  [Vice  Chuiicelloi]  haiiqs  heavy  in  the  denote.  I  know  not  why.  As  soon  as  Slee- 
per withdrew  (and  so  I  read  liis  letter  to  the  Chuncellor^  1  have  aided  him  all  I  could. 

Yours  truly,  DUDLEY  SELDEN. 


iSelden  a  man  of  talent — First  rate  Democratic  timber  a  srarre  commodity — '  a  judicious  puff' 
— thanks  the  Courier  an  I  Enquirer. — Lobbying  from  within. 
[No.  aOli.]  Silas  M.  Stilwell  to  Jesse  Moyt,  New  York. 

Alba-nv,  7  Mnrch  1831.  Denr  Hoyt ;  Ishoiild  litivc  writti  n  you  before,  but  that  business 
begins  to  press  upon  us  of  the  city,  more  and  more — and  ngnin  you  know  we  are  in  the  midst 
of  my  Bill  on  Imprisonment.  I  have  great  hopes.  You  have  doubtless  --epn  Selden's  report  on 
the  Finances,  &,c.  You  may  depend  there  is  an  exhibition  of  talent  and  business  habits  about 
that  report  which  is  worthy  of  all  commendation — Seklen  is  a  man  of  talent — and  I  am  deter- 
mined the  world  shall  know  it.  Nothing  gives  nio  greater  pltasure  than  to  back  a  clever  wor- 
thy  fellow.     I  can  look  the  world  in  the  Icce  and    say  he  is  honest,  he  is  capable.     You  know 

THERE  IS  BUT    MTTI.E  FIRST  RATE  TIMBER  IN  THE  DEMOrRATIC    RA.NKS,   THAT  HAS  BEEN  DISCOVERED. 

We  should  therefore  prize  what  we  have  the  more.  But  I  am  inclined  to  think  that  your  bar 
cannot  present  to  us  one  who  (if  hacked  by  bis  friends)  will  he  n  irrenter  ornament  to  the  party 
than  Selden.  I  will  not  speak  more  on  the  subject,  nitho'  there  is  no  topic  which  yields  me  more 
pleasure.  Now  permit  mo  to  say  that  nothing  will  help  a  political  friend  so  much  as  a  judi- 
cious I'UFF  through  a  party  paper.  Never  tons  there  a  finer  opportunity,  and  I  commit  our 
friend's  repulationin  that  respect  to  you.  Hovf,  remember,  we  np"er  can  do  too  much  (and  I 
know  yon  think  so)  for  a  warm  hearted,  talented  friend.  Be  judirious,  and  let  us  see  what  we 
can  do  for  him.  1  was  much  sratified  on  seeing  in  the  Courier  and  Enquirer,  a  notice  of  my 
report.  I  ma^t  think  better  of  that  establishment  t  i;m  I  have  done,  niid  will  take  ;he  first  op- 
portunity of  assiirinn  th(i«e  concerned  that  I  cannot  h.  outdone  in  frenerBUs  conduct.  It  is  my 
intenti>>n  to  back  Selden  to  the  utmost  of  my  ability  in  the  fax  proposed — and  you  know  T  sel- 
dom fail  in  my  undertakings,  for  what  cannot  be  done  by  argument  and  conduct  in  the  House 
can  be  carried  hy  activity  and  clevrrne!is  out  doors.  I  feel  very  anxious  to  get  through  and 
return  home  ;  this  business  is  a  great  saerifiee  to  me  ;  and  did  I  not  employ  my  mind  and  body 
constantly,  I  should  not  be  able  to  remain  here.  Let  me  hear  from  you.  I  write  in  great  haste 
— and  be  assured  I  remain,  with  great  respect  and  esteem,  your  friend,    S.  M.  STILWELL. 

McAllister  of  Georgia,  and  the  Gold  Mine  of  New  Potosi. 

[No.  207.]         R.  J.  Arnold  and  M.  II.  McAllister  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Wall  street. 

Savannah,  May  l.'i,  18.31. — Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  oth  inst.  is  received.  In  reply,  wc 
would  observe  that  our  Mr.  Arnold  sails  for  New  Yo'k  on  the  2.3d  inst.,  and  will  be  authorised 
to  close  this  business  upon  the  terms  he  may  think  best.  Tho'  what  part  is  sold,  must  be  at  a 
handsome  profit,  for  every  day  we  are  receiving  more  favorable  accounts  from  the  Mine. 

To-day  McAllister  received  a  letter  from  the  Gold  Region  ;  an  extract  from  it  will  be  given  be- 
low. Theteport  alluded  to  in  your  letter  from  the  Doctor,  will  no  doubt  come  to  hand  by  to- 
day's mail.  We  shall  wait  with  anxiety  until  it  is  received.  In  the  meantime  we  note  that 
part  of  your  letter  which  requests  us  not  to  interest  any  person  here.  This  has  not  heen  done. 
On  the  contrary,  every  iierson  here  is  ignorant  of  our  being  interested  in  the  Potosi  mine.  You 
will  perceive  by  the  extract  from  the  letter  above  alluded  to,  that  the  claim  has  no*  as  yet,  been 
extinguished,  although  we  so  considered  it  the  last  tinip  we  wrote  Mr.  Watd.  i  is  therefore 
very  necessary  that  this  business  be  kept  an  entire  secret  for  the  present.  McAllister  will,  in 
afeto  days,  as  soon  as  the  Court  rises,  smrt  for  the  Gold  Resion. 

R.  J.  ARNOLD,  M.  H.  McALLISTER. 

Extract. — "  With  iPCTrd  to  the  claim  on  Pntnsi,  they  wish  to  hold  on,  on  account  that  they 
"  have  examined  the  mine  more  thnroushlv,  and  find  it  much  hetter  than  thev  expected.  THAT 
"PLACE  IS  THE  MOST  ASTONISHING  IN  ALL  THE  GOLD  REGION  ;  and  I  hope 
"  you  will  believe  me  when  I  say  its  prospects  are  very  much  more  flattering  than  when  you 
"  were  here— in  the  language  of  the  writer,  50  per  cent  better." 


5. 


■\5' 


228 


Omi  NAVY.      S33,500'S  WORTH  OF  ALBANV  REGENCY  BAIT. 


V  ;...  '., 


r    ■.,.•■ 


I'- 

.'  t.   . 

1 

1     '      '  ' 

■»' 

? 


■    r 


PwiUng  in  the  Naval  Service — Sioarttoont  wants  hie  Nephew  sent  ahead  of  his  Seniora.     The 

way  a  thing  might  he  done. 
[No.  208]  Collector  Swartwout  to  Levi  Woodbury,  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  Washington. 
New  York,  28th  May,  1831.— Sir  :  This  letter  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Samuel  Smith 
Swartwouf,  my  nephew,  at  prcwcnt  a  passed  niidshipmnn  in  the  U.  S.  Navy.  This  young  gen- 
tleman entered  as  midshipman  the  lOih  May,  1820.  He  was  entitled  by  law,  to  an  examination 
in  1828,  but  being  absent  on  duty,  he  did  not  offer  till  January,  1829.  HI  health  and  extreme 
diffidence  lost  him  the  opinion  of  the  Board,  and  lie  was  rejected.  This  unfortunate  mishap  pro. 
duced  so  much  distress,  that,  on  a  second  trial,  from  mere  embarrasament  alone,  he  failed  again ; 
but  the  Board,  as  well  as  the  Secretary  of  the  Navy,  from  his  known  talents  as  an  officer,  deter- 
mined  to  encourage  him  to  make  a  manly  effort  to  overcome  a  constitutional  defect;  and  he  has 
recently  passed  an  excellent  and  most  creditable  examination,  and  now  presents  himself  to  the 
Secretary  in  the  expectation  that  he  will  be  placed  as  several  officers  similarly  situated  hereto- 
fore have  been,  upon  active  duty  as  a  Lieutenant,  it  is  also  greatly  to  be  desired,  if  consistent 
with  the  regulations  of  the  Niivi,.  ihat  his  commission  as  Lieutenant,  when  issued,  siiould  take 
date  with  those  of  the  midshipmen  whose  warrants  bear  date  with  his  own,  but  who  passed  in 
1828  The  private  character  of  Midshipman  Swarf/out  is  irreproachable,  and  his  honor  unim- 
peached.  He  will  explam  more  fully  to  you,  in  person,  the  causes  of  Ais /ai/i/re  to  pass  in  1828, 
and  give  you  such  other  information  as  may  bo  of  consequence  for  you  to  know.  S.  S. 

Railroads — Tiirnjiikcs — Huyl  and  Cambrelerig. 
[No.  209.]  C.  C.  CnmbreleniT.  M.  C,  to  .le.^se  Hoyi,  Now  York. 

Albany,  22d  August,  1831. — Dear  Sir:  I  am  informed  about  the  turnpike  movement.  The 
stock  was  appraised  at  20  per  cent,  and  the  charter  wiis  valued  at  $10,000,  making  in  all  about 
$33,300 — about  a  fair  valuation.  The  disiributlon  of  the  new  sioek  not  yet  made.  That  dis- 
tribution will  give  offence.  Si.i  le  of  the  Directors  are  anxious  to  push  on  wiih  thu  road^-others 
arc  for  compromising  with  our  company.  The  latter  have  most  money,  but  the  result  is  uncer- 
tain. When  they  see  our  locoinoiive  in  operation  ihey  will  abandon  their  plan  of  a  turnpike  and 
rail-road.  We  should  have  no  trouble  wiih  it  ut  all ;  but  there  are  some  who  want  merely  to 
make  a  BUBBLE  of  it  and  take  in  honest  men.  I  have  a  perfect  understanding  with  Mr.  Corn- 
ing, and  if  he  can  in  the  distribution  cet  a  majority,  or  a  controul  of  it,  wc  shall  compromise  the 
matter.  In  the  meantime  we  have  advertised  for  ti  branch  line,  and  Mr.  French  is  privately  at 
work,  getting  the  consent  of  owners  of  prciperty  throiipih  which  the  line  will  pass.  If  no  compro' 
mise  should  be  made,  wc  will  make  them  a  pri)po,siiion  which  will  give  satisfaction  to  nine-tenths 
of  the  people  of  Albany,  and  send  the  sperulalors  in  the  new  stork  with  a  bad  grace  to  the  lo. 
gislature.  But  after  all,  they  must  keep  up  the  turnpike,  and  thru  kills  their  rail-niad  project  at 
once.  The  two  never  can  be  combined  without  tiinkinit  the  cni)ital  laid  out  in  both.  We  shall 
have  our  locomotive  at  work  Uy  the  end  of  the  week.  The  boiler  went  back  to  the  road  to.day. 
Ours  will  be  an  immense  stock.     1  am  certain  we  shall  next  year  averu^e  about  800  a  day. 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 


Mr.  McAllister  condemns  the  Democratic  f.oiislatnre  of  Georgia,  as  stupid,  envious  and  igno. 

rant— J,  M.  Berrien's  efforts  to  enlighten  them — effort  to  obtain  xpecial  pricileges  for  Hoyt's 

gold  mine,  New  Polosi — IV/ii/  should  rii'porntionsi  p'ly  their  debts  ^     Checks  on  party  legis. 

lation— McAllister  swears  at   'em! — Purgatory — The  asses  who  bray  fur  the  public. 
[No.  210.]         M.  H.  McAllister,  of  r.enriiia,  to  Ward  and  H..yt,  New  York. 

M11.LEDOEVILLE,  [Georgia.]  Nov.  27  11^31.— Ontlenien  :  All  is  orer.  1  have  just  come  from 
the  State  House.  After  a  striisrgle  of  three  days  in  the  Senate,  wherein  nil  unremitted  and  hot 
debate  has  been  maintained  from  morniiie  until  niijlit,  for  two  days,  we  have  failed  in  our  object 
of  obtaining  an  Act  of  Incorporation.  The  intelligence  of  the  Sennie  has  been  beaten  by  the 
ignorant-wise,  grass-fed  members  who  comprise  a  larce  'nnjoritv  of  the  Ijet'iilatiire.  No  effort 
has  been  pretermitted,  no  exertion  spared.  Berrien  in  behalf  of  the  T'lrod.  Miirrav  in  behalf  of 
Beers,  Booth,  and  St.  .lohn,  and  ourselves,  have  all  made  united  and  untiring  exertions,  but  nil  in 
vain.  Against  US  the  prejudice  is  unsparinc  Thev  si:v  that  the  Rlrod  people  have  but  the 
lease  of  one  mine,  whereas  we  have  monopoli/ed  a  creai  and  valuable  ininin'j  interest ;  and  to 
incorporate  us  would  be  to  hold  out  an  iudiieenient  to  northern  men  to  emhaik  in  it;  and  the 
effect  of  their  einbarkinw  to  work  the  interest  would  lie  to  create  an  immen'se  monied  interest  in 
the  Statfi,  which  would  revolutionize  its  polities.  The  Cl'irk  men,  with  a  f^w  exceptions,  opposed 
it  with  df-ndly  ho«tility.  The  body  of  the  opposite  party  went  for  the  charter.  Fourteen  >ir(;u. 
ments  were  suhmiited  to  the  Senate,  \.y  as  many  of  the  most  ili  lui'ruished  men  in  'he  H.iuse, 
and  altho'  but  two  sp;ke  asninst  the  Bill,  such  was  the  daiiuerappn  bended  fr.  m  our  immense 
wealth  (that  is  to  b.)  th'tt  thu  Hill  was  vi.ied  down.  I  cannot  Imve  patience  to  wri'e  or  »peak 
deliberately  on  the  subject.     For  three  weeks,  day  and  night,  our  rxertKins,  together  with  the 

1  C«n  III!  he  the  Mmihew  Hull  Mc  Allinier  who  wiis  Dis.  Aitv.  fur  Oeorglii,  and  more  recently  a  Democratic  cbb- 
didittr  fur  the  uffice  or  Uuvernur ) 


A  G£OR( 

iforta  of  many 
finyed — all  in 
ISa  ENVY  C 
lor  the  obtainm 
the  25th)  our 
IMS  proposed  ' 
.orporation." 
I  were  sustainc 
iY  BEING  1 
jniurday — the 
advocates  of  th 
fhe  arguments 
let  of  men  in  1 
vould  be  to  mc 
I  man.  The 
liiree  votes.  1 
he  hope  of  ult 
s  majority  of  « 
iriends  and  opp 
nire,  as  many 
titers  were  re 
Kiting  against 
Sill  has  to  be 
■ns  made  kno 
iimi  we  were  ^ 
«liole  of  Monc 
:!ie  whole  num 
hibited  in  a  Si 
ot  the  day  to  « 
Dr.  Baber,  om 
vocateB  of  our 
apun  the  subjei 
■or  PoTOSi  son 
There  is  no  d 
otherwise   tha 

his  worse  tlu 
wife  nor  my  \ 
adopted  to  wc 
when  I  next 
PUBLIC  at 
tax  of  two  pi 
\n  be  a  corpor 
induced  the 
"  between  then 
as  such,  than 
brose  Baber, 
made  liable. 
(2  o'clock, 

Van  Burt 
[No.  21 

LoNDO.V,  I 

'.lienewspapt 
mid  auspicio 
the  utter  hoj 
iheir  wonted 
a  fair  chanc 

I  was  not 
LY  ARRIV 

There  is  n 
out  doubt,  p 
iu  constant 
losKned  out 


BAIT. 

of  his  Seniors.     The 

e  Navy,  Washington. 
on  by  Satnuel  Smith 
'y.  This  young  gen- 
w,  to  nil  examination 
health  and  extreme 
fortunate  mishap  pro. 
lone,  he  failed  again ; 
3  as  an  officer,  deter- 
al  defect ;  and  he  has 
iresents  himself  to  the 
larly  sit.wited  hereto- 
desired,  if  consistent 
en  issued,  should  take 
n,  lint  itho  passed  in 
,  and  his  honor  unim- 
iliire  to  pass  in  1828, 
know.  S,  S. 


like  movement.     The 

),  making  in  nil  about 

yet  made.     That  die- 

with  the  road— others 

ut  the  result  is  uncer- 

plan  of  a  turnpike  and 

who  want   merely  to 

ndlnt;  with  Mr.  Corn- 

shnll  compromise  the 

French  is  privately  at 

|l  pass.     If  no  compro- 

isfaction  to  nine.ienths 

a  bnd  grace  to  the  lo. 

ir  rnil-road  project  at 

lilt  in  both.     We  shall 

ck  to  I  he  road  to.day. 

about  800  a  day. 

CAMBRELENG. 

niil,  envious  and  igno. 
I  pricileges  for  Hoyt's 
Checks  on  party  legis. 
V  fur  thr  public. 
ew  York. 

1  have  jupf  come  from 
Ml  unremitted  and  hot 
vp  failed  in  our  object 
IS  been  beaten  by  the 
firi-latiire.     No  effort 

Murrnv  in  behalf  of 
Iff  exertions,  but  nil  in 

people  have  but  the 
niuL'  intpfpst ;  nnd  to 
■mbntk  in  it ;  nnd  the 
T<e  monied  interest  in 
w  exceptions,  opposed 
rter.  Fourteen  'irifu. 
d  men  in  'he  House, 
ed  fri  m  our  immense 
ire  to  write  or  »penk 
ns,  together  with  the 

icentty  a  DemoeraUQ  c«n- 


!■ 


A  GEORGIA  tEGrgLATURE,  OR  <  THE  ASSES  WHO  BRAY  FOR  THE  PUBLIC.'       229 

iforts  of  many  of  the  leading  men  in  the  Senate,  backed  by  Berrien,  have  been  unceasingly  em- 
fioyed—all  in  vain.  THE  BESO  .  ::D  IGNOUANCE  AND  THE  BLIND  AND  FOOL- 
ISH ENVy  OF  THE  MA-IORl''.  Y  have  curried  the  day.  1  have  never  laboured  so  severely 
lor  the  obtainment  of  any  object  as  of  this,  and  am  pro[)oriioiial>ly,  dis,ipt>oinied.  On  Saturday 
ihe  25ih)  our  bill  was  taken  up  by  sections.  On  coiiiinij  to  the  rind  Mreiion  an  amendment 
pis  proposed  "  to  make  the  inditstdunl  property  of  rach  Stockholder  liiible  for  the  debt  of  the 
forporation."  On  this  motion  the  struggle  took  plarr,  as  the  advocnies  of  liie  Hill  knew  that  if 
twere  sustained  there  was  an  end  to  the  Bill,  as  THE  ONLY  OB.IECT  CONTEMPLATED 
iY  BEING  INCORPORATED  WOULD  BE  DKFl^ATEU.  The  discussion  continued  all 
jaiurday — the  excitement  was  greater  than  on  any  question  whicli  has  arisen  this  Hcssion.  The 
advocates  of  the  Bill  urged  every  consideration  that  men  could  express  ;  but  all  lo  no  purpose. 
The  arguments  of  the  opponents  to  the  Bill  wert;,  that  we  had  an  interest  too  valuable  for  any 
fci  of  men  in  this  state,  and  to  induce  capitalists  to  work  it  by  giviiii,'  ini  act  of  incorporation 
vould  be  to  make  us  dangerous  to  the  State,  &c.  Such  stull"  never  before  issued  from  ihe  mouth 
I'rnan.  The  yeas  and  nays  on  the  motion  were  called,  and  it  was  sustaiiit'd  by  a  majority  of 
uiree  votes.  This  small  majority  (there  beint;  7G  Senators)  inspired  the  fi lends  of  flie  Bill  with 
he  hope  of  ultimate  succes:^ — they  moved  for  an  immediate  adjournment,  which  was  carried  by 
a  majority  of  one.  Saturday  night  and  Sunday  were  consumed  bv  the  nnitual  etlorts  of  the 
:nends  and  opponents  of  the  Bill  in  canvassinif  for  and  niiainsi  it.  Mondmi  morning  wc  felt  se- 
mre.asmanyas  SEVEN  MEMBERS  HAVLNG  HllEN  (iAINKD  OVEll ;  when  behold! 
t'.ters  were  received  by  o.  number  of  the  mt  mbi  rs  of  Utilh  IIunst:s  from  their  constituents,  pro. 
kiting  against  their  extending  legislalicc  protection  to  us.  By  the  rules  of  the  House,  every 
Edl  has  to  be  published  for  a  certain  time  previondy  to  a  third  reading ;  and  thus  our  eHbrt 
'.vas  made  known  to  the  people,  who  itistead  of  regarding  the  iiuitier  in  lis  true  light  determined 
liial  we  were  going  to  swallt)w  them  alive.  These  leiieis  determined  the  fute  of  our  Bill.  The 
whole  of  Monday  (this  day)  bus  been  consumed  by  the  intLlligent  nieiiil)erH  (about  twenty  out  of 

;!ie  whole  number)  in  contending  against  prejudice,  ignorance,  and  the  d t  folly  ever   ex- 

iibited  in  a  Senate  Chamber;  but  all  in  vain  ;  and  1  have  just  strength  enough  alter  the  latigue 
ot  the  day  to  write  you  this  much.  Berrien  is  wilting  the  laie  of  the  Bill  to  Mr.  Bolton.  *  *  *  « 
Dr.  Baber,  one  of  the  most  intelligent  members  of  the  Senate  nnd  one  of  the  most  active  ad- 
looatee  of  our  Act,  will  write  you  from  time  to  lime  as  to  any  thing  iliat  may  arise  hereafter 
apun  the  subject  of  our  Bill.  1  leave  this  infernal  place  ^<-morrow  niorinng.  Arnold  lift  here 
:'iir  PoTOSi  some  few  days  since.  I  wrote  you  about  the  title  to  ilie  Keith  Mine — that  it  was 
There  is  no  difficulty  about  title  to  any  of  our  lots,  and  thank  God  for  this!  for  I  believe 
vtherwise  that  this  rascally  apology  for  a  Legislature  wmdd  take  them  away  if  they  could. 
«  «  «  #  »   *  J  pm,  |g||  y„|,  ||,.,(  jj-  fiiiy  Qiig  uj-  yfiii  ]i„fi  i,f,,<ii  j,)  /I,,'  siluution  I  have  been  in 

this  worse  than  Purgatory,  you  would  expresj  no  such  surprise.  I  hnve  not  written  to  my 
wife  nor  my  partner.  *  *  *  *  \  Mr.  Dickson  has  submitted  to  me  the  plan  the  English  liave 
adopted  to  work  mines  in  Mexico,  where  then  have  no  incorpnrntion-i ;  1  will  submit  the  same 
when  I  next  write  you.  TO  INDUCE  THE  ASSES  HERE  WHO  BRAY  FOR  THE 
PUBLIC  at  the  expense  of  $4  per  diem,  to  puss  our  Bill.,  everything  was  gi%)e.n  up,  "  and  a 
tax  of  two  per  centum  on  the  nett  profits,  nay  five  per  centum  was  offered. '"  We  asked  simply 
in  be  a  corporate  body,  and  this  they  denied  I  1  should  suppose  lUat. lympathy  alone  would  have 
induced  the  majority  to  vote  for  corporations,  innsmiieli  a>-  there  is  a  marvellous  resemblance 
between  them — they  are  '  bodies  without  souls.'  «  «  *  *  They  can't  touch  us  as  Individuals— 
as  such,  thank  God  !  wc  liuve  the  federal  conotitution  to  protect  us.  Write  to  the  Hon.  Am. 
brose  Baber,  thanking  him,  &.C.,  and  state  whether  you  will  have  an  net  if  the  private  property  ia 
made  liable.  We  think  it  would  be  worse  than  useless,  &c. 
(:]  o'clock,  A.  M.,  28  Nov.,  1831.)  M.  II.  McALLISTER. 


Van  Buren  in  London — Evaporation  of  Anti-Masonry — the  Reform.  Bill — the  Cholera, 

[No.  121 1,1        M.  Van  Buren,  American  Minister,  to  .(esse  Hovt,  at  N.  York. 

LoNDO.v,  Dec.  14,  1831. — My  Dear  Sir :  I  thank  you  kindly  lor  your  attention  in  sending  me 
the  newspapers.  The  result  in  New  York  is  truly  gratifyin;,',  and  ennnot  tail  to  have  a  decided 
niid  auspicious  effect  upon  the  character  of  the  next  session  of  Coiigre<is.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that 
:he  utter  hopelessness  of  their  cause  will  induce  the  opposition  to  withhold  a  portiiui  at  least  of 
their  wonted  opposition  o  the  measures  of  the  peniTul  administration,  nnd  lo  give  the  Old  Chief 
a  fair  chance  in  his  zealous  labours  to  advance  the  interest  of  the  eoiintry. 

I  was  not  at  nil  disappointed  at  the  result  in  New  York,  AS  THE  TIME  HAD  OBVIOUS- 
LY  ARRIVED  FOR  THE  IIVAPORATION  OF  ANTI-MASONRY. 

There  is  nothing  new  liere  that  you  will  not  find  in  the  pnpeis.  The  F{i  form  Bill  will,  with- 
out doubt,  pass  by  or  without  a  creation  of  Peers,  as  eirenmhtanees  may  reqiiiie.  We  hnve  been 
ill  constant  dread  of  the  Cholera,  but  notwithstanding  that  the  danger  h  is  increased,  habit  hni 
loBKned  our  fears.    This  city  is,  1  have  nu  doubt, as  yet  entirely  exempt  from  the  malignant  aud 


;.vj 


I 


■H 


•'^J 


230 


WEBB,  CAMBIIELS.VG,  THE  ASS,  McLANE  AND  THE  BISHOPS. 


"f.  ,■■ 


I.  ; 


fatal  disorder.  My  health,  and  consequently  my  spirits,  have  not  been  better  for  many  yean. 
Our  situation  is  very  eomfortaole  (always  saving  its  enormous  expenses)  and  the  Town  is  full  of 
objects  of  intense  interest — annnate  and  inanimate.  Remember  me  kindly  to  Mrs.  Hoyi,  and) 
beaeve  me  to  be,  Very  truly,  yours,  M.  VAN  BUREN. 

McLanc's  Treasury  lieport  condemned — the.  Lords  and  Eisliops. 
[No.  212.]  C.  C.  Cambreleng,  M.  C,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York. 

Washinuton,  29lh  Dec,  1831. — Dear  Hoyt :  1  have  yours  with  the  papers.  We  have  strange 
notions  about  such  cases — I  mean  we  Lawyers.  What  the  committee  may  think  about  it,  I  don't 
know — I  w  ill  get  along  as  well  as  I  can  wiih  it,  and  hope  for  the  best.  It's  lucky  you  sent  a 
petition  'i  a  decent  hand-writing,  or  I  should  never  have  known  what  you  wanted.  Ten  years 
iMfo  the  case  would  have  been  rejected.  1  have  hopes  now,  as  we  have  reversed  some  of  the  old 
{Ainciples. 

The  Treasury  Reporlt  is  as  bad  as  it  possibly  can  be — a  new  version  of  Alexander  Hami!. 
ton's  two  reports  on  a  National  Bank  uiid  manufactures,  and  totally  unsuited  to  this  age  of  de- 
mocracy and  reform.  The  battle  on  these  grounds  has  not  yet  begun — it  will  go  like  wild- 
fire WHEN  WE  COMMENCE  OUR  WAR  AGAINST  THE  LoRDS  AND  BlSHOFS. 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

The  Friar's  jump  oner  thv  Ass — the  Courier  and  Enquirer, 

[No.  213.]  C.  C.  Cainbielensto.I.  Hoyt.  Wasiiingto.v,  29th  Dec,  1831.— Dear  H.i 
I  am  quite  amused  with  the  new  Bank  convert,!  the  Courier  and  Enquirer — it  reminds  me  of 
the  Friar  who  was  trying  to  mount  an  A.«s.  After  jumping  up  two  or  three  times  without  sue. 
cess,  ho  put  up  a  fervent  prayer  to  the  Virgin  Mary — jumped  again,  and  went  entirely  over  to 
the  other  side — the  Virgin  wap  too  kind.  Sincerely  yours,        C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

The  Debenture  case — Laxcycrs'  Justice.  ' 

[No.  214.]  C.  C.  Cambrelenfr,  M.  C,  to  .[esse  Hoyt,  N.  Y. 

Washington,  3d  January,  1832. — Dear  H :  I  dare  Siiy  you  are  surprised  that  there  should 

be  any  doubt  about  I  and  McJ's  cn.se — but  you  will  cense  to  doubt  when  I  tell  you  that  for  twen. 
ty  years  the  debentures  were  forfeited /(ccuu.9e  Me  onth  \e as  not  taken  icithin  the  ten  days! 
This  was  Lawyers'  justice — but  men  of  common  sense  took  up  the  subject  about  five  ypars  ago, 
and  reversed  all  the  old  decisions,  and  granted  relief  in  all  such  cases  for  thirty  years  back, 
Youra  is  a  new  case,  and  I  don't  know  what  queer  notions  the  Lawyers  may  have  about.  I 
hope  I  shall  get  along  with  it.  I  may  report  a  bill  to-morrow  morning,  if  I  get  the  consent  of 
our  committee.     If  1  get  it  from  Smith  when  I  go  home,  I  will  send  you  the  (§750. 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

[No.  215.]         C.  C.  Cambreleng,  to  Jesse  Hoyt.  Washington  7,  Jan.,  1832. 

Dear  H — I  have  your  letter — all  ri^ht — and  will  go  right.  Why  does  not  Glover  hand  over 
the  $2000  to  Bucknor  ?  I  thought  it  was  paid  a  month  ago.  1  wish  you  would  say  to  Mr.  Cod- 
dington  that  Bucknor  has  not  yet  received  one  cent  from  Mr,  Jackson— he  talks  of  paying  $175 
— but  nothing  was  paid  on  the  5th  unless  on  that  day. 

Sincerely  yours,        C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

Colonel  Webb  spurns  Poor  Dec  its  who  sell  ihemscloes  fur  Office — is  independent  of  Jackson  ani 
the  Regency — but  the  warmest  friend  of  Jackson  and  Van  Duren — A  hint  to  Blair — lika 
Jesse — but  away  with  Parasites  ! 

[No.  216.]         Colonel  Janios  Watson  Webb,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  Washington. 

Oll'ice  of  tlir  Courier  and  Enquirer,  Nrw  York,  January  19lh,  1832. 
Dear  Sir — Yours  of  liie  16ih  has  just  been  received,  and  has  been  taken  as  it  was  meant; 
yet,  permit  me  to  add,  it  has  not  had  any  influence  upon  the  course  I  intend  to  pursue. 

If  my  course  has  disgusted  every  honest  friend  of  the  President,  that  is,  kvery  Poor  Devii 

WHO  IS  willing  Tii  SICLL  HIS  iNDEI'f^NnLNt'E  KCIR  AN  OFFICE,  why  SO  be  it. 

You  know,  as  you  ought  to  know,  that  I  am  not  to  be  driven  from  any  course  I  consider  cor 
rect,  even  if  the  friends  of  General  Jackson  should  attempt  it,  or  professed  friends  of  my  own, 
write,  or  procure  to  be  written,  articles  in  ilie  Globe  iniertering  between  us  and  the  Arous. 

If,  as  you  say,  my  "  friends  are  fast  falling  ofl'"  in  Washington,  and  you  have  been  made  their 
confidant,  please  tell  them  that  I  do  not  value  such  friendship  a  rush,  and  no  matter  what  their 
stations  are,  whether  high  or  low,  they  are  most  welcome  to  pursue  such  a  course  as  to  thfin 
Bcemn  proper. 

Thank  God  I  am  independent  of  General  Jackson,  and  those  wiio  would  fain  have  the  wodd 

»  By  Louis  M'l.nne,  who  iiiicceeilpd  Mr.  IriRlmin  ns  Hci'retnry,  In  June,  1831. 

t  In  a  letter  to  Hoyt,  Feb.  I3tli,  183-2,  it  is  stated  thai  a  credi:  for  )».">0.()0<),  -.r  upwdrdx,  had  been  |iven  to  Mmm, 
Webb  k.  Noah,  by  the  U-  S.  Bank,  on  n  note  or  notes  drnwn  hy  tlio  rormer  «nd  endorsed  by  the  latter.  Hoythl4 
very  early  notice  of  tliU  V.  S.  Bank  loan,  and  urged  Cambreleng  to  probe  it  in  Congreii,  which  he  did. 


bflieve  they  have 

and  family  depei 

great  men,  you  s 

/  would  like  i 

ESTLY  and  D 

JACKSON  TH 

SUCH  AN  0 

to  think  for  mys< 

Ihend  of  the  Pr( 

and  I  must  say 

In  plain  termi 

pleased  in  the  wa 

tin  days— and  e 

ul'  communicati 

be  as  well  to  sh^ 

our  columns. 

Yours  has  be 

By  way  of  ni 

as  well  for  Mr. 

When  we  wi 

requests  of  thos 

Do  not  imag 

and  thank  you 

my  true  charac 

make  me  despi 

pendence  is  tin 


[No.  217 
Washingto; 
of  the  United  I 
tration,  but  /  I 
td  to  our  delei 
William  Neils 
tration. 
P.  S.     Ipr 

[No.  218 
and  doing  on 

Colo7ik  Webl 
Angel,  Bei 
for  Van  D 


[No. 


ai 

City  of  V 
ING  TO  G 

BUREN ,+ a 


t In  1832, C< 

Buren.    More 

Oiur.  iS-  F-nq-, 

Mio.cesi  of  poli 

hit  person,  vai 

and  his  elevnl 

Uticnl  mnniiR 

(rreiu  imblic  s« 

hii  political  ili 

We  know  I 

extent  of  his  f 

We  know  (ir« 

ijie  cold  blciot 

for  himself,  if 

witnessed  l<is 

lillcalfav.irs 

but  parficulii 

life,  mnstenr 

be  took  A  AM 

preuion  of  hi 

— ItiuMdl 


WBBB  ON  VAN  BUREN— CAMBRELENG  ON  THE  BANK. 


SSI 


I  of  Alexander  Hami! 


CAMBRELENG. 


CAMBRELENG. 


Id  fain  have  the  world 


I  bflieve  they  have  the  keeping  of  his  conscience — and  if  I  am  not — if  my  daily  bread  for  myself 
and  family  depended  upon  trucke/ling  to  his  friends — to  the  Argus  and  its  coterie  of  would  bo 
great  men,  you  should  know  enough  of  me  to  believe  that  I  would  do  what  I  thought  correct. 

I  would  like  to  see  an  individual  in  the  United  Slates  designated,  WHO  IS  MOKE  HON. 
ESTLY«nd  DISINTERESTEDLY  ATTACHED  TO  VAN  BUREN  AND  GENERAL 
JACKSON  THAN  MYSELF. 

SUCH  AN  ONE  CANNOT  BE  FOUND— and  yet  I  am  to  be  told,  that  because  I  presume 
to  think  for  myself,  and  argue  from  appearances  when  facts  are  withheld,  1  '  disgust  every  honest 
Iriend  of  the  President' — that  my  friends  '  are  fast  failing  ofl','  &.c.  &e.  This  is  sheer  nonsense, 
and  I  must  say  you  are  the  last  man  from  whom  I  expected  such  idle  and  ridiculous  threats. 

In  plain  terms,  those  who  are  offended  with  our  [Webb  &.  Noah's]  course,  have  only  to  get 
pleased  in  the  way  that  is  most  convenient  to  them — and  so  I  will  tell  them  PERSONALLY  within 
tin  days — and  so  you  may  tell  them  now  if  you  please.  Indeed,  as  you  have  been  made  the  organ 
ul' communicating  the  'disgust'  I  have  inspired,  and  the  'falling  off'  of  their  friendship,  it  may 
be  as  well  to  show  thoni  this  letter,  which  I  would  not  have  the  slightest  objection  to  publish  in 
iiur  columns.  It  contiiins  my  true  sentiments,  and  you  arc  at  liberty  to  use  it  as  you  please. 
Yours  has  been  BURNT. 

By  way  of  news  I  can  inform  you,  that  we  have  not  yet  done  with  the  Argus,  and  it  may  be 
as  well  for  Mr.  Blair  to  let  us  row  our  own  boat. 

When  we  want  his  interference  we  will  ask  it — but  until  then,  he  had  better  not  yield  to  the 
requests  of  those  who  would  sacrifice  all  personal  independence  to  party  subserviency. 

Do  not  imagine  me  offended  at  what  you  have  written.  Not  so.  1  appreciate  your  motive, 
and  thank  you  for  your  kind  intention,  but  I  feel  mortified  to  think  you  should  know  so  little  of 
my  true  character  as  to  suppose  that  such  a  letter  ns  yours  could  have  iiny  other  effect  than  to 
make  me  despise  more  than  I  now  do,  THOSE  WHOSE  GOD  IS  OFFICE,  and  whose  Inde- 
pendence is  the  nod  or  heck  of  those  in  poicer. 

Sincerely  your  Friend,        .TAS.  WATSON  WEBB. 

The  Workies,  Cambreleng,  and  the  friends  of  the  Hank. 

[No.  217.]  [Private.]  G.  C.  Cambreleng  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York.  • 
Washington,  5th  Feb.,  1832. — Dear  H. :  1  received  to-day  the  memorial  in  favor  of  the  Bank 
of  the  United  States — it  is  signed  by  a  host — said  to  he  principally  the  friends  of  the  Adminis- 
tration, but  /  have  looked  over  the  list.  Our  friends  should  be  up  and  doing.  This  is  forward- 
ed to  our  delegation  in  a  letter  signed  by  Gideon  Lee,  Meigs  D.  Benjamin,  Dudley  Selden  and 
William  Neilson.  It  says  the  memorial  originated  with  the  supporters  of  the  present  adminis- 
tration. Sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 
P.  S.     I  presume  it  is  signed  by  every  merchant  who  keeps  an  aecount  at  the  Bunk. 

[No.  218.]     [Private.]     Wasiii.vgton,  Feb.  6.  1832. — Dear  H.  :  Get  the  Workies  to  be  up 
and  doing  on  the  U.  S.  B.  question.     Thev  are  democrats  in  principle. 

■  Very  truly  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRy'  MNG. 


Colonm  Webb,  the  Champion  of  Van  Duren  and  the  United.  Slutis  Bank — hi/>  ''V-  d — Hoffman, 
Angel,  Bergen,  Suule,  Clement,  Poindcjrtir — Mimre,  a  dirlij  fi'llmn  —  Woma  Croswell  fight 
for  Van  Duren  ? — Webb  would — Webb  gets  a  new  light,  like  the  Compiler  of  this  book, 

[No.  219.]            Col.  .Tames  Wntson  Webb,  to  .le.ose  Hoyt,  New  York. 
City  of  Washi.ngton,  Feb.  12.  [1832,]  Sunday  Niahi.— Dear  Hoyt  :  F  HAVE  AN  ITCH- 
ING TO  GET  HOLD  OF  THE  D D   RASCALS  THAT  VOTED  AGAINST  VAN 

BUREN.t  and  you  will  perceive  by  MY  '  CARD'  that  I  have  a  prospect  ahead.     Hoffman,  An- 

t  In  1832,  Col.  VVebl),  the  friend  of  Murry  nnd  tlie  United  Stales  n«nk,  is  renrtv  to  spill  liis  life's  Mood  for  Vnn 
Buren.  More  thnn  eleven  venrs  cinpje.  iViends  henome  enemies,  nnd  Wkbb  thus  desrrilies  liis  old  idfl,  In  the 
Caur.  d-  Kvq.,  of  Sept.  l(i,  I84H.  "  I'nilcd  In  the  most  implicit  confidence  in  the  aiillihihty  of  the  people  und  the 
mccesi  of  politicnl  maiiaKcmcHt,  Mr.  Van  Hi  rkn  unfiiriiiualcly  posscses  great  /(o-.'iowa/ viinity.  He  is  vn in  of 
hit  person,  vain  of  his  dre$s  and  nddre>s.  vain  nf  his  infliit^iire  with  the  ladies,  vain  nf  hi>  aristocratic  nssocislions 
and  his  elevation  nliove  what  he  cimsiders  the  vnlsiir  lienl  tVdin  which  lie  sprung — and  ahove  all,  vain  of  hit  po- 
litical mnnHfjement  and  his  nhility  to  ohtoin  liv  intrigue  and  linusse  what  others  can  only  accomplish  through 
irrent  public  services  nnd  iin  honest  devotion  to  the  welfitre  of  the  public.  And  this  vanity,  hub  been  the  cause  of 
hit  political  destruction. 

We  know  Mr.  Van  Hurkn  quite  n»  well  ns  any  itlier  person  in  the  I'nitcd  Stales.  VVc  understand  precisely  the 
extent  of  his  grntitiide  for  services  rendered,  and  his  npprecialion  of  those  who  have  literally  mailc  him  what  lie  is. 
We  know  precisely  how  fir  he  will  ffo  In  court  I  he  friend^hip  of  ihi'se  who  have  it  in  their  power  to  serve  him,  and 
the  cold  blooded  delilierntion  with  which  he  will  cive  up  thi'«e  who  have  done  more  for  Inm  than  he  ever  cuiild  do 
for  himself,  if  hv  the  sacrifice  he  siippnses  it  possilde  to  increase  his  poliitcal  cnpitnl.  We  know,  hecniise  we  hnve 
witnessed  his  niter  heart  lessness,  his  ilisgnsting  selllsliness.  and  his  hiiliii'iil  •.ni-eringHl  gralilndefor  perionni  or  po 
litical  f'lvort  Wo  well  iinderitnnd  his  theorv  that  all  niankiiid  are  "cltish — that  liuior  and  nmirnnnlniitv  in  men, 
hut  pnrticnlarly  in  politicians,  is  the  dream  of  vonlh— ami  Ihiit  he  who  would  prnsper  eiti  private  or  public 

life,  must  enrly  orrive  at  the  conclusion  \hn\  frinids  are  mily  to  he  u.^nl  not  careil  for.     \\  sv  that  from  the  Hny 

be  took  Aakon  Ri>kr  as  his  niiMlel  fi  i  his  manners,  nnd  made  every  moveinrni  of  his  hands  and  body— every  t%- 
preuion  nf  hi«  fore  and  every  intonition  nf  his  voice — conform  as  far  as  pnss  hie  tothi  se  of  his  brau  ideal,  he  at  the 
I  tiin*  dettrmined  to  mall*  hia  (irtctue  in  all  the  aflTuirs  of  life  cunfortn  in  like  niuiiner  to  hi>  great  Idol." 


■*.  I 


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t 


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:■•■!■' 

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:V    ■•'    .-.. 


''l   ■ 


232  WEBB,  WITH  HIS  ARMOUR  ON,  0^  FIGHTING  PtTELS  FOR  VAN  BUREN, 

gel,  Bergen  and  Soule  are  the  members  whose  names  I'll  give  these  fighting  Senators  ;  but  at 
the  s:iini!  time,  I'll  inform  them  that  they  are  only  responsible  for  the  fact  that  Clement  did  make 
the  communicatiiin  to  them  which  I  mentioned.  Const  quently,  IF  THLY  WISH  A  FIGHT; 
or  rather,  if  they  dn  nut  wish  to  be  the  laughing  stock  of  the  nation,  ONK  OF  THEM  MUST 
CHALLENGE  VIE.  Moorv  is  a  dirty  fellow,  and  if  I  rait,  I'll  gctholdof  Poindexter ;  but  as 
the  saymg  is,  '  half  a  loaf  is  intier  than  no  bread,'  and  I'll  be  content  with  cither.  Your  friend 
Croswellsays  that  I'm  an  enemy  to  VnuBuren.  Quere.— WOULD  HrHE  FIGHT  FOR  HIM? 
By  the  bye,  have  you  written  to  Lynn  on  the  subject  I  mentioned  ? 

Your  friend,  JA'S  WATSON  WEBB. 

P.  S.  Marcj,  'he  President,  and  all  his  friendsi,  think  the  people  in  Albany  mad  in  talking 
of  making  V.  B.  [Van  Buren]  Governor,  «s  if  New  York  can  make  amends  for  an  insult  offered 
by  fourteen  States  of  the  Union !     Miircy  has  written  to  them,  and  you  should  do  so  too. 

WEBB. 
Colonel  Webb's  Card,  referred  to  above. 

A  CARD. 
WAsniNGTOM  City,  Gadsby's  Hotel,  February  11, 1832. 

In  "  A  Card"  published  in  the  National  Intelligencer  and  United  States  Telegraph  this  day, 
Gov.  Poindexter  of  Mississippi,  and  Gov.  Moore  of  Alnbamarr-both  members  of  the  Senate  of 
the  United  Siateb — charge  the  Surveyor  of  the  Port  of  New  York,  [M.  M.  Noah,]  with  writing 
the  article  which  appeared  in  ihe  editorial  columns  of  the  New  York  Courier  and  Enquirer  on 
Uie  7ih  m8t.,aiid  of  which  the  following  is  an  extract :     [Here  t'ollows  the  extract.] 

The  undersigned  docs  nut  deem  it  necessary  to  comment  upon  the  undignified  character  of 
the  "  Card"  of  the  Honorable  Senators,  but  begs  leave  respectfully  to  assure  them,  that  the  en- 
tire article  ret'erred  to,  was  written  by  him,  and  forwarded  for  publication  from  this  city.  The 
two  material /«c<s  alleged  in  that  article,  are — first,  that  the  disclosures  said  to  have  been  made 
by  Mr.  Van  Buren  to  Clement,  were,  according  to  Clement's  own  adini.ssion,  made  at  his  first 
interview  with  Mr.  Van  Buren,  whicl:  was  purely  accidental  and  never  but  once  repealed.  &'e. 
cond,  that  Clement  had  asstrtcd  that  Gov.  Poindexter  and  Gov.  Moore  offered  to  furnish  him 
wi'.h  funds  for  the  establisliment  of  a  newspaper  in  the  State  of  Mississippi.  These  two  charges 
are  now  repeated — ii;ey  are  huipcii-iib!:'  .)f  ;  loof  nt  any  moment,  and  for  their  truth,  as  well  as 
for  vhntevef  opinions  or  seminieiiis  are  cuntained  in  the  article  alluded  to,  the  undersigned 
holds  himself  personally  n sponsible.  He  would  further  inform  these  honorable  Senators,  that 
the  members  of  Congress  from  New  York  referred  to  in  the  foregoing  extract,  do  not  seek  con- 
cealment "  behind"  a  "  dark  curtain,"  and  that  an  application  to  the  undersigned  for  their  names, 
or  for  any  other  purpose,  "  will  meet  with  the  most  prompt  and  respectful  attention  from"  their 

Obedient  servant,  JAMES  WATSON  WEBB. 

Isaac  Hill's  Speech — horn  to  make  capital  out  of  Clay's  quarrel — Tihbetif  very  good  plan  of  a 
Bank — Who  shall  we  wake  (lovnrnor? — Tariff's — taking  care  of  the  Mammoth — FollovDing 
the  Boslonians  for  a  new  U.  S.  Rank. 

[  Vl.ree  letters,  C.  C.  Carnbreleng,  to  Jesse  Hoyt  ot  New  York.]  ''" 

[No.  219  ]  Washington,  12th  Feb.,  1832. 

Dear  fl. — Mr.  Ilill'.s  speech  will  go  all  over  the  Union — that  notices  Clay's  attack  upon  Mr. 
Gallatin  in  the  best  possible  manner — it  drives  it  home  upon  him.  His  quarrel,  too,  with  Gen- 
eral Smith  you  will  have  seen — that  ought  to  be  noticed  conspicuously.  He  is  one  of  our  revo- 
lutionary Heroes,  upwards  of  80 — one  who  gallantly  defended  what  was  then  called  Mud  Fort 
on  the  Delaware,  when  attacked  by  a  British  ."(quadron. 

With  regard  to  the  Bunk  it  is  not  worth  while  to  have  any  public  meeting  about — a  remon- 
strance against  it  is  enough — I  don't  think  the  debate  will  come  up  for  a  month — Mr.  Tibbett 
sent  me  A  VERY  GOOD  PLAN  OF  A  HANK— which  I  have  returned.  Ask  him  to  send  me 
a  copy  of  it.  *  Very  sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

*  VVIiilo  this  iinprinciplert  confeitemte  (if  Van  Riiren,  thin  nenreetly  ncknowMged  to  Hoyt  hia  iteaire  for  a  United 
Stiitei  Riink,  (see  iilso  his  letter  nf  the  Ifiih,  with  its  nrtful  hints)  lie  thus  ptihiicly  reprobated  it,  to  pay  court  to  tiie 
party  who  hud  graspeil  llie  piihhc  Irensiite  us  poliliriii  iiiiil  pcrsnnul  plumler: 

( Kxirnots  fr(im  his  (.peech,  in  Congrens,  nf  .Fnn.  U,  1834. J 
"  Of  nil  the  ciirreiiCBS  llmt  were  rvor  c.niitrived  by  man,  the  innst  vipioin  in  principle,  the  mnit  cnlamitoiii  in  its 
efTecIa  upon  trade,  the  most  ilclr.meiitiil  to  the  piibli  •  intorei<t,  uml  the  must  iinsiife,  ns  it  respeelalhe  preservntinnnfu 
metnllic  currency,  is  tlmt,  which  is  f  miuled  <in  the  crerlit  nf  n  iinlionni  hank,  not  only  connected  with  the  finances 
of  a  |;nvernnient,  hut  like  <iiir<,  involved  in  all  the  fluctuations  of  every  npcciea  of  coinmercml  credit  and  denlinij 
in  them  upon  a  iiiitioniil  sciile." 

"  It  is  II  C'lmiiiiin  opinion,  tmi,  thnt  n  nntionalhnnk  prevents  the  multiplicaf ion  of  State  banks.  It  ninybeio,  sir; 
but  if  it  is.  it  ia  contrnry  to  princinle,  find  in  this  country  and  in  Knglnnd  contradicted  by  experience.  It  ia  true  that 
immediiitely  upon  a  dissolu'.iiii  of  a  i  itinnal  liuiik,  there  will  he.  as  the  ttentleinnn  from  I'vnnsvlvania  has  ahiiwn, 
an  unuaiiu!  niiuilier  of  appliciilmns  fo  Ht  itn  institutions ;  hut  in  n  long  seriea  of  yeiirs,  the  Ipndency  of  n  national 
bank  note  currency  ii.  more  powerful  man  all  our  local  circnjiitions.  in  constantly  impelling  trade,  banking,  and 
•very  apeeies  of  credit  and  speculation  lioyond  thoae  prudent  liniita,  which,  without  the  ofreney  of  aiieh  an  inititu- 
tioD,  would  uiually  be  prescribed  by  the  annual  am!  ateody  accumulation  of  the  capital  of  the  country." 


ASK 

[No.  221 
merely  wisii 
I  have  wriite 
THE  Bank  f 
shall  become 
Gentleman  v 

(No.  22 
Dear  H.- 
will  offer  it  i 
night — who 
care  of  the  T 
enough  to  le 
Boatonians  < 
but  on  the  t 
might  be  mt 
fortoard  a  & 


Subsidizing 

[No.  25 

To  Jesse    1 

Sam 

Gentleme 
for  the  purp 

At  the  m< 
quired — but 
nished  and 
be  procured 
bers — and  8 
he  has  com 
with  Mr 
paying  the 
ought  not 
the  Press- 
to  pay  imn 
at  the  BanI 


h 


He  conclu: 
the  foundatii 

We  find  in 
CanihrelerB 

"  Splendic 
aelf  and  A«s 
lion,  for  a  In 
"  National  ' 
of  re-charte 
liunal  oiijec 
fours  witli  ll 

JiVr»e— Tl 
five  years, 
and  the  cilij 
tion  shall  be 
of  lapilul. 
re(]uiiition  i 
the  notea  of 
ble  to  taxea 
put  an  end 
the  State  R 

*  See  No 

t  Daniel . 
in  hia  Plain 
eatera  stnni 
ulating  nni 
of  taking  t 
of  a  beggn 

Again  b 
Lm,  and  tl 
Daniel  had 


.;> 


VAN  BURE^f , 

[iting  Senators ;  but  at 
hat  Clement  did  make 
lY  WISH  A  FIGHT- 
IH  OF  THEM  MUST 
.  of  Poindexttr  ;  but  as 
fi  cither.  Your  friend. 
FIGHT  FOR  HIM? 

|WATSON  WEBB, 
klbaiiy  mad  in  talking 
is  fur  an  insult  offered 

|should  do  80  too. 

WEBB. 


,  February  11,  1832. 
tea  Telegraph  this  day, 
[iiibers  of  the  Senate  of 
Noah,]  with  writing 
ourier  and  Enquirer  on 
'  txtract.] 

ndignified  character  of 

Hire  them,  that  the  en- 

111  from  this  city.     The 

siiid  to  have  been  made 

isioii,  made  at  his  first 

JUt  once  repealed.     &. 

ofTered  to  furnish  him 

pi.     These  two  charges 

r  their  truth,  as  well  as 

led  to,  the  undersigned 

onorable  Senators,  that 

xtrnct,  do  not  seek  con- 

irsigned  for  their  names, 

ful  attention  from"  their 

WATSON  WEBB. 

-til'  very  good  plan  of  a 
•  Mammoth — Following 

■  York] 

ON,  12th  Feb.,  1832. 
Clay's  attack  upon  Mr. 
quarrel,  too,  with  Gen. 
He  is  one  of  our  revo- 
1  then  called  Mud  Fort 

cting  about— a  renion- 
a  month— 71/r.  Tibbeti 
Ask  him  to  send  me 
.  CAMBRELENG. 

Hoyt  hig  deaire  for  a  United 
bated  it,  to  poy  court  to  the 


,  the  moit  cnlnmitoni  in  il« 
specti  thx  pre»nrvnlinn  of  it 
lonnerted  with  the  finnnres 
merninl  credit  and  denlini; 

(hnnks.  It  ninv  be  in,  ilr; 
expcrienre.  It  ii  true  that 
I'f  nnsvlviinia  has  shown, 
he  tpndency  of  n  nntionil 
leljinir  trade,  banking,  and 
Biwncy  of  lueh  an  fnitltU' 
of  the  countt/." 


ASK  FOR  A  NETV  NATIONAL  BANK !      IIOYT  !c  NOAII  HELPING  BLAIR. 


233 


[No.  Q20.]  Washington,  I4th  Feb.,  1833.     Dear  H.— The  knowing  ones  at  Albany 

merely  wish  to  mancEUvre  a  little  about  the  Governor  to  get  a  change.  That  is  as  I  suspect. 
I  have  written  Wright,  Edwards,  and  Flngg — Cioswell,  I  wrote  liiin  also.  We  shall  not  get  at 
THE  Bank  for  4  weeks — at  least  I  shou'd  think  not.  The  more  ws  discuss  it  the  stronger  we 
shitll  become.  McDuffie's,  alias  Calhoun's,  Tariff,  is  on  one  extreme — Clny's  on  t'other.  The 
Gentleman  who  wrote  Mr.  Mumford  is  not  our  friend — He  is  of  the  Sutherhnd  school.  * 

Sincerely  youts,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

(No.  221.]  Washington,  16ih  Feb.,  1832. 

Dear  H. — I  'fturn  you  the  letter — Judge  Clayton  of  Georgia  has  a  resolution  prepared  and 
will  offer  it  as  soon  as  he  can — it  will  cover  the  object  in  view — I  nha]l  see  the  President  to- 
night— who  has  a  co/j/i</eH<ir// director  on  the  spot.  You  nerd  not  fenr  Imt  what  we  shall  take 
care  of  the  Mammoth  in  someway  or  other — IthinhO^  REFLECTION  that  ittnouldbe  well 
enough  to  let  the  plan  Mr.  Tiblets  had  in  view  alone  for  the  present.  Let  them  follotc  the 
Bottonians  and  Portland  people  in  asking  for  a  new  bank  from  the  federal  gavernment — 
but  on  the  plan  they  propose — this  is  on  the  whole  better  than  to  set  up  for  onr.selves,  which 
might  be  made  use  of  by  the  Pennsylvnnians  against  us,  here  and  elsewhere — We  can  bring 
forward  a  State  bank  next  year — mention  this  to  Mr.  Tibhets. 

Sincerely  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

I  did  not  know  before  why  that  paper  was  so  bitter  against  Van  Buren. 

Subsidizing  the  Press  in  earnest — Francis  P.  Blnir  of  the  Globe,  set  vp  as  an  Editor  for  Van 

Buren,  by  Officers  of  the  Custom  House  and  Post  Office  of  New  York. 

[No.  222.1  Ne-.v  York,  Saturday,  18ih  February,  1832. 

To  Jesse    Hoyt — M.   M.  Nonh — Samuel  Gouverneur — WniierBowne — William   P.  Haliett— • 

Samuel  Swartwout — Cornelius  W.  Lawrence — James  A.  Hamilton,  and  others. 

Gentlemen — When  F.  P.  Blair,  Esq.  was  in  ihi'^city,  you  each  subscribed  a  certain  amount, 
for  the  purpose  of  furnishing  him  with  a  Printing  Pp.'f^s. 

At  the  meeting  of  his  friends  on  that  occasion,  the  subscription  was  short  of  the  amount  re- 
quired— but  I  well  recollect  the  Pledge  you  made — which  ua? — that  the  Press  should  be  fur- 
nished  and  paid  for — and  that  he  might  rest  assured  of  its  beinir  forwarded  as  soon  as  it  could 
be  procured.  The  preRS  has  been  sent  to  Mr.  Blair,  under  the  direction  of  some  of  the  subscri- 
bers — and  $1370  paid  on  account  of  it — the  balance  due  the  maker  is  )56.')2  50  cents,  for  which 
he  has  commenced  suit  agninst  mo.  As  I  did  not  either  contract  with,  or  have  any  thing  to  do 
with  Mr.  Hoe,  the  maker  of  the  Press,  except  my  exertions  in  collecting  the  subscriptions,  and 
paying  them  over,  I  shall  of  course  resist  the  payme.it  of  it.  //  appears  tn  me  that  this  matter 
ought  not  to  be  subjected  to  an  investigation  in  a  Court  of  Justice.  Mr.  Hoe  should  be  paid  for 
the  Press — and  I  think  the  gentlemen  whopledeed  themselves  to  Mr.  Blair,  are  in  honor  bound, 
to  pay  immediate  attention  to  the  subject.  I  therefore  suggest  that  you  meet  for  the  purpose, 
at  the  Bank  Coffee  House,  on  Tuesday  evening  at  7  o  clock. 

Yours  very  respectfully,  DANIEL  JACKSON.t 

Ife  concluded  liy  snying — "  do  not  enlnil  upon  pnslpiity  tlie  cnlnniitiesof  a  nntionni  bank  note  currency,  and  lay 
the  foundntinn  of  iinother  revolution  in  your  government." 

We  find  in  the  New  York  Advertiier.  tlie  fnllowiii?  account  of  Tibbets's  "very  oood  PtAN  or  a  hank,"  which 
Canihrelenir  secretly  deniretl  and  publicly  dennnnreil : 

"  Splendid  Hank  Project  — We  ol)serve  an  ndvertisemcnt  in  the  pnners  signed  by  "  Ki.isiia  TtanrTJ,  for  him- 
self and  Assnciates,"  givinff  notice  of  nn  npplifntion  to  be  ninde  to  the  LmislHlnre  of  this  Stnte  at  Its  present  ses- 
lion,  for  a  bank  with  n  cnpilnl  ol  thirtv  five  millions,  to  be  lorntel  in  this  rjtv,  and  to  be  known  by  the  name  of  the 
"  National  Union  Hank."  As  the  piiin  is  soinewhiit  new.  nnd  ninv.  perhaps',  if  ndupled.  save  Pongrefs  the  Ironble 
of  re-chiirtering  the  present  Hank  of*  the  United  Sliites,  by  presenting  iin  inititiilion  to  whirh  there  are  no  constitu- 
tioniil  objections,  we  bnsten  to  make  onr  re,ideri  acquainted  with  the  project.  It  will  be  seen  that  it  runs  on  all 
funrs  with  the  Rank  of  the  I'niled  States. 

Wr»t— The  charter  is  to  take  etfect  on  the  termination  of  llie  present  charter  of  the  V.  S.  Bank,  and  tn  last  tliirty 
five  yeiirs.  Second — Hrnnches  shnll  be  established  in  each  State  of  the  fnlun,  with  the  consent  of  its  legislature, 
and  the  citir,ens  of  snob  State  shall  be  e.xclnsively  entitled  to  subscribe  for  the  stock.  Third — All  notes  for  circula- 
tion shnll  be  issned  by  the  .Mother  Rank  at  New  York,  nnd  made  payiible  there.  They  are  not  to  exceed  the  nmonnt 
of  lapilal.  Fburth — The  Bank  is  to  collect  nnd  trnnsmit  the  funds  nnd  revenue  of  the  gencrni  government  on  the 
requisition  of  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  nnd  allow  three  per  cent,  on  all  government  deposits,  nn  condition  that 
the  notes  of  the  Bank  be  received  in  p.iyments  to  the  Tnited  Stntes.  fi/fA— The  capilnl  of  this  Bank  is  to  be  lia- 
ble to  taxes  in  the  States  where  the  branches  are  locnteil.  Sijth — The  Stiites  which  thnll  authorize  branches  may 
put  nn  end  to  the  same  on  three  years  notice,  nnd  on  authorizing  the  Mother  Bank  to  make  an  arrangement  with 
the  State  Ranks  for  transacting  the  business  of  the  United  States. 

♦See  No.  93,  page  lf*2.  Or.  Joel  B.  Sutherland. 

t  Daniel  .Inckson,  chief-beggar  fiir  Rlair,  and  one  of  Van  Buren's  grcedv  spoilsmen,  is  thus  described  by  Leggett 
in  his  Phiindealer.  .Ian.  IHHT. — "  There  is  at  this  very  moment,  n  striking  specimen  of  this  class  of  politicnl  opium- 
eaters  standing  at  thecountarof  the  Albany  manufacturers  of  the  drug,  and  hepging  for  one  more  dose  of  thest'm- 
ulatini  narcotick  This  unfortunate  political  opium-eater  is  Mr.  DanirlJacksun,  who  has  long  been  in  the  hiiliit 
of  taking  this  species  of  neryuus  excitement.  The  drug  which  he  is  petitioning  for,  with  all  the  humble  eameitnesi 
of  a  beggar  at  a  bolted  door,  is  known  by  the  name  of  Special  Charter." 

Again  Leggett  says,  p.ige  5!)2  :— "  These  are  the  leading  spirits— the  smooth,  sly,  anil  supple,  nnd  plausible  Gideon 
Lm,  and  the  loud-muuthed  Daniel  Jackson— of  the  monopoly  clique  of  which  the  Timet  is  but  tne  gentle  Mho." 
Daniel  had  declared  peremptorily,  "  We  must  and  will  have  «  national  )»nuk." 


i^.Xwv:^-^ 


234    ROOT,  FISH,  SUTHERLAND;  WEBb's  PRIVATE  LETTERS;  THE  BANK. 

Cambreleng  to  Hoyt  on  Fish,  Root,  Angel  and  the  Bank. 
[No.  223  ]        Washington,  Uih  March,  lt?38.     Dear  H. — You  ought  not  to  appoint  any 
reprtseiitativo  in  Cougiess.     We  shiill  be  in  the  midst  of  Tariff,  Bank,  &,c.,  and  can't  go^take 

good,  honest,  and  stuuacli  men — at-nd  such  men  as  Mr.   [Pre.-erved]   Fish.     Our  Friend  S . 

whose  letter  you  read  when  here,  is  in  a  great  fidget  because  he  did  not  see  his  memorial  in 
fuvor  of  tiie  Bank  of  the  U.  S.  announced  in  the  paper.  1  had  thai  important  event  rsgularly 
announced!  Rout  will  not  trouble  us  much  longer.  Aiigcl  [of  N.  Y.|  hammered  him  with. 
out  gloves — he  had  nobody  to  detend  him  but  an  unti-mason. 

Sincerely  yours,        C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 


To  Hoyt  on  Webb  and  Noah's  "  sincere  attachment  to  the  cause  of  Mr.  Van  Buren" — they  put 
forward  a  bad  candidate — Boot  goes  for  the  pewter  mug — Wickliffe  and  Daniels,  enemttsof 
Jackson — the  Bank, 

[No.  224.]  Private.  Wasiunoton,  15ih  March,  1832. 

Dear  H. — I  never  doubted  the  sincere  attachment  of  the  Editors  of  the  Courier  and  Enquirer 
to  the  cause  of  Mr.  Van  Buren,  the  President  and  our  party  generally— but  the  course  they  pur. 
sue  in  relation  to  General  Root,  is  calculated  to  injure  the  cause  of  the  administration.  1  carp 
not  for  the  quarrel  with  the  Argus — or  who  may  be  our  next  Governor — that  matter  will  b^  m 
doubt  amicably  adjusted — but  1  do  care  about  putting  forward  a  candidate  who  is  us  much 
opposed  to  this  administration  as  Joel  B.  Sutherland  t  and  his  votes  will  prove  it,  as  they  havr 
done  already.  He  and  Pitcher  vote  iinil'ormly  with  the  opposition — and  Root  yesterday  denouneui 
Tammany  Hall,  and  went  openly  for  the  Pewter  Mug.  Another  course  is  pursued  which  iliev 
will  find  in  the  end  will  be  hij;hly  injurious  to  the  President — that  is,  pressing  the  Bank  bill  upnii 
him  at  this  session  with  a  moral  certainty  that  if  it  reaches  him  the  obligation  of  public  duif 
will  coini)cl  him  to  return  it — as  entirely  premature — four  years  before  the  charter  expires.  Tli'' 
charter  of  the  Bank  of  England  expires  next  year  and  has  not  yet  been  renewed — the  charteroi 
the  East  India  Company  was  not  renewed  till  one  year  before  it  expired — three-fourths  of  the 
President's  friends  are  opposed  to  the  Bank — and  lie  can  never  under  such  circumstances,  dn 
otherwise  than  to  send  the  bill  back — if  he  had  no  other  motive,  the  adjustment  of  the  tariff  and 
the  extinguishment  of  the  public  debt — both  occurring  before  the  charter  expires — are  alone  suf- 
ficient. It  is  the  enemies  of  the  President,  such  as  Branch,  Wickliffe,  Daniel,  &c.,  &c.,  united 
with  the  friends  of  the  Bank,  who  are  determined  to  send  this  bill  to  him,  expecting  to  do  him  an 
injury,  and  lull  the  bank  too — which  its  friends  arc  certainly  doing  by  pressing  it  now. 

Sincerely  yours,         C.  C.  CAMBRELENG, 


Lessons  on  the  proper  use  of  Confidential  Letters  on  Politics. 

[No.  225.]  Mr.  Cambreleng's  views  of  the  sanctity  of  confidential  correspondence,  may  b< 
readily  inferred  from  the  contents  of  the  following  letter,  mtirked  "private,"  addressed  to  hn 
friend,  Mr.  Jesse  Hoyt,  at  New  York,  from  Washington,  and  dated  May  19tli,  1832. 

"  Dkar  II :  I  have  seen  a  copy  of  W 's  PRIVA  TE  letter  to  Clayton.  It  is  a  de- 
liberate BUT  CONFIDENTIAL  attack  on  me,  and  was  designed  to  coax  the  Judge  to  favor 
him,  which  was  of  course  repelled.  W — asked  to  have  the  letter  returned — it  was  so — but  what 
W —  does  not  knoto — the  Judge  took  a  copv  ov  it.  IT'S  A  ROD  IN  PICKLE,  and  wiliex. 
pose  some  small  contradictions  of  his  present  statements,  and  show  some  little  duplicity.  The 
Judge  can  tell  him  that  he  found  my  statement  of  the  Webb  and  Noah  case  too  moderate,  niul 
that  he  wrote  it  over  himself.  Don't  mention  about  the  letter  to  Clayton — he  will  })robubly  pd. 
lith  it.  The  Bank  will  come  up  in  the  Senate  next  week — it  won't  disturb  us  before  the  middli' 
of  June.                                                              Sincerely  yours,        C.  C.  CAMBRELENG." 


Private  Arrangements  for  Nominating  a  Party  Governor,  four  months  before  a  Convention  oi 

the  I'eople  wait  called. 

[No.  226.]  Senator  Marcy  to  Jesse  Hoyt  at  New  York. — WAsniNaTON,  Senate  Chamber, 
May  26,  1832. — Mv  Dear  Sir:  I  have  received  your  several  letters,  and  feel  much  obliged  to 
you  for  the  inlereHt  you  have  taken  in  the  matter.  Our  friends  from  Albany  are  here  now,  and 
I  am  to  have  a  full  conversation  with  some  of  them  on  the  matter  to  which  our  correspondence 
relates.  I  have  no  doubt  they  have  cooled  a  griiat  deal  since  they  left  home.  I  will  give  yon 
shortly  the  resu!    of  our  interview,  which  will  take  place  to-morrow.J 

Yours  sincerely,        W.  L.  MARCY 

fgeenanie  piirticulnrs  uliout  tlie  redoubtnble  Dr.  Siilhurlunil  in  No.  91  of  this  correipondenca. 

X  Colonel  Yiiiing,  who  wsi  for  Henry  Clay  in  1824.  presided  nt  the  Herkimer  Convention,  vrhlch  nomintten 
Mnrcy  as  Governor,  Sept.  19,  \KVi.  Who  did  the  Colunel  lupport  for  the  Presidency  in  1838  7  In  1832  ha  wrote 
a  pamphlet  to  prove  that  stute  bunk  charters  are  cnnstutionni,  and  a  national  biinfc  ehsrter  not  lo;  next  bought 
the  itock  of  slate  bankiioni|>«culation,  nndlhus  became  once  more  an  active  confe<lernta  of  Van  Buren.  One  (real 
difficulty  In  the  wiiv  of  a  suoceMl'iil  Democratic  government  it  improper  ryitemi  of  mominati«m<i.  I  an  pie- 
pared  to  prove  that  eveu  that  of  England  it  much  more  Oemoeratio  than  eun. 


TB 

^ow  the  Party 

[No.  227.] 
Mv  Dear  S 
suit  of  the  inter 
[jght  and  prope 
but  I  failed  in  < 
lection  of  a  pre 
not  to  persist  in 
out  injury  to  th 
tial  fellow.  Y 
Wtbb  has  no 
fever  of  those  > 
will  be  said  by 
There  is  a  gi 
on  the  Tariff- 
manufacturers 
flERS— I  thii 


No.  228. 
[1832.]  (The 
this  morning  n 
to  him  on  the  i 
nf  him  were  pe 
well  as  himseli 
in  the  matter  r 
has  undoubted  I 
certain  extent 
make  to  him  si 

t  Colonel  Wei 
<nvereign  contem 
II  deliance  of  tl 
Mmilai  tools, 
our  course. 
have  never  been 
ml833. 

Leggett  joine( 
\nl,  I.  poge  450. 
"  About  the  r 
editor  of  the  C 
ernor  Marcy  hai 
riiive  man  .  . 
to  their  unwortl 
'  his  iwverty  a 

♦  On  the  leth 

nfihe  Cour.  an 

1829,  an  artici 

month  Jackson 

machine,  ho  n 

10  months— all 

inent  affairs. 

line  of  them.  » 

Imnks  which 

scrilwri,  a  larg 

ns  an  advocate 

show  that  lie  % 

in  1834.  tlie  W 

lowing  versioi 

"  In  1832,  d 

fuirer,  enjnyii 

WHS  then  a  m( 

lliiring  that  >i 

walk  up  Penn 

mind,  which 

to  be  brought 

York  in  antic 

in  all  ill  aape 

qmrer,  and  \> 

to  the  party, 

previously  br 

to  Mr.  Webb. 

rable  ninverr 

their  uwu  gi< 


ur 
He 


t 


3 


;   THE  BANK. 

tank. 

lught  not  to  appoint  snyj 

l&c,  and  can't  go~iake 

■sh.     Our  Friend  S .  f 

[not  Bee  his  nifimorjal  J 
Ijjortant   event   r«gula,|y 
I  hammered  him  wkI,. 

Ic.  CAxMBRELENG. 

.  Van  Buren  "—they  put 
\  and  Daniels,  enemies  of 

15th  March,  1832. 

[he  Courier  and  Enquirer 

•but  the  course  they  pur. 

ndminisiration.     I  carp 

-that  matter  will  be  nn 

ididute   who  is  as  much 

ill  prove  it,  as  they  hav. 

oot  yesterday  denounml 

se  i.s  pursued  which  ihe;- 

■stiing  the  Bank  bill  upnii 

lilijs'ation  of  public  dutv 

le  charter  expires.     Th- 

renewed — die  charter  of 

:ud — three-fourths  of  ili? 

■  such  circumstances,  do 

justment  of  the  tariff  anj 

?r  expires— are  alone  suf- 

Daniel,  &c.,  &c.,  uniM 

1,  expecting  10  do  hiinan 

pressing  it  now. 

C.  CAMBRELENG. 

Politics. 

correspondence,  may  b( 
rivate,"  addressed  to  hn 
ay  19th,  1832. 
to  Clayton.  It  iS  a  lie- 
coax  the  Judge  to  favor 
■d— it  was  so — but  whai 
f  PICKLE,  and  will  M. 
ne  little  duplicity.  Th^ 
case  too  moderate,  nml 
1 — he  will  probably  puh. 
urb  us  before  the  middle 
.  CAMBRELENG." 

before  a  Convention  oi 

aTON,  Senate  Chamber, 
nd  feel  much  obliged  to 
bany  are  here  now,  and 
lich  our  correspondence 
home.     I  will  give  yoii 

W.  L.  MARCY 


iraiidsnce. 

ivention,  which  tiominiten 
n  18981  In  1832  he  wrote 
hsrter  not  lo ;  nsxt  bnught 
I  or  Van  Buran.  On*  grea  t 
HOMlNATlnMI.     Ian  pr*- 


THE  MYSTERY  OF  MANUFACTURING  A  DEMOCRATIC  GOVERNOR. 


235 


JIoio  the  Party  Press  prepares  the  Party  to  nominate  a  Candidate  who  has  settled  certain  ques. 
tions  with  the  Party  Leaders  and  Trading  Politicians, 
[No.  227.]        Senator   Marcy  to  .lesse  Hoyt,  at   N.  Y.— VVasiii.ngton,  3d  June,  [1832.] 

My  Dear  Sir  :  I  have  been  shamefully  negligent  of  my  piomise  to  you  in  relation  to  the  re- 
suit  of  the  interview  with  my  Albany  friends.  I  hoped  to  be  able  to  convince  tliein  that  it  was 
right  and  proper  for  me  to  adhere  to  the  determiiiatiun  which  I  hud  communicated  to  Criiswsll ; 
but  I  failed  in  doing  so.  They  convinced  me  that  there  were  more  diHiculties  attending  the  se. 
lection  of  a  proper  candidate  than  hud  presented  themselves  to  me.  The  result  was  that  [  am 
not  to  persist  in  declining  now,  but  am  to  be  let  alone  it  it  can  be  done — as  1  think  it  may  with. 
out  injury  to  the  party. t  It  would  seem  to  imply  (il  it  cannot  be)  that  I  um  a  mighty  consequen- 
tial fellow.     You  or  any  body  else  may  think  so  if  you  will,  but  I  do  not. 

Webb  has  not  modijied  and  published  your  articks.  So  long  time  has  now  elapsed,  and  the 
fever  of  those  who  culled  for  rae  to  come  out  baa  so  much  subsided,  that  probably  nothing  more 
will  be  said  by  him.     How  stand  affairs  in  N.  Y.? 

There  is  a  great  effort  making  we  learn  by  the  manufacturing  interest  to  get  up  nn  excitement 
on  the  Tariff — our  friends  from  Albany  and  elsewhere  thouglit  it  would  not  .succeed.  Bodies  of 
manufacturers  are  flocking  in  here,  and  they  appear  about  AS  CRAZY  AS  THE  NULLl- 
FIERS — I  think  the  extremes  wjU  unite  and  defeat  all  attempts  at  compromise. 

Yours,  &c.        ^V.  L.  MARCY. 


,  •'•■>• 


No.  228.]  Senator  Marcy  to  Jes.se  Hoyt,  at  New  York. — Wasiiixgto.v,  Saturday, 
[1832.]  (The  date,  signature,  and  a  few  words  ot'ihe  conclu.sion,  torn  off) — Dear  Sir:  I  have 
this  morning  received  a  note  from  Webb,  and  1  learn  from  the  tenor  of  it  that  you  had  written 
to  him  on  the  subject  wliich  engaged  us  in  two  or  three  conversations.  I  lind  that  our  opinions 
of  him  were  perfectly  correct.  Attacked  as  he  is  on  all  sides  he  is  willing  to  attend  to  others  as 
well  as  himself.  I  find  iny  intimation  to  you  is  well  founded  that  Bennett  had  been  too  sanguine 
in  the  matter  referred  to  and  had  understood  from  me  more  th.in  I  intended  to  convey.  Webb 
has  undoubtedly  every  disposition  to  put  thing-i  right  and  he  ought  to  bo  permitted  to  do  so  to  a 
certain  extent  in  his  own  way — I  have  had  lull  conversations  with  you  and  from  them  you  can 
make  to  him  such  suggestions  as  will  apprise  him  of  my  views. t     He  may  think  I  ought  to  write 

t Colonel  Webb  rftmnrks  on  thete  letters,  tliat  "  lirinj  the  frictul  of  VV.  Ij.  Mnrcy,  nnj  entertaining  the  moit 
vnvereign  contempt  of  the  Albany  Regency,  he  iilnccd  .Mr.  Murcy's  nnme  at  the  lieail  of"  his  roltimns  for  (Governor, 
in  deliance  of  tlie  intrigues  of  the  Regency  to  defeut  hi^  nuniiiiiitidn.  Tlie  li^ditor  of  the  Argus  (Croswell)  and 
Mmilar  tools,  urged  upon  Senator  Marry  lo  outhorit>elheni  to  declare  ihnt  lie  liiiii  not  connived  at  or  sanctioned 

our  course.     He  refewd  to  do  su The  |)ersonnl  relutmnii  livtween  (iovcnmr  Murcy  niid  us  (Mr.  Webb) 

have  never  been  interrupted,  although  the  .Argus  did  abuse  hiin  lor  dining  with  us  iininediately  after  his  election 
in  1832. 

Leggett  joined  Croswell  in  denouncing  Mnrcy  for  dining  with  Welib.  t  copy  \\U  remarks  from  the  Plaindealer, 
Mil.  I.  page  450,  June  17,  1837.  omitting  I.regiU'.i  harfh  epithets,  ns  uiicnllcd  for  liere. 

"  About  the  time  it  became  known  tliut  tiie  tjiiitril  Stiites  lliiiiK  liiiil  purchased  [Colonel  Webb's  influence,  us 
pditor  of  the  O.  tt  K.J  and  while  the  newspapers  were  still  rinsing  with  the  story,  it  was  duly  chronicled  that  iio\- 
ernur  Marcy  had  been  entertained  at  a  private  dinner  liy  [thet^oKmeli  .  .  ,  .lie  (Marcy)  is  a  weak,  cringing  iiide- 
riiive  man  ....  the  mere  tool  of  u  monopoly  Junto,  their  convenient  instrument :  uiid  tvhile  lie  gives  bisianction 
to  their  unworthy  measures,  we  survey  him  witli  contempt,  and  can  otVer  nu  betterexcuse  for  his  conduct  than  that 
■his  poverty  and  not  hii  will  cunsenti.'  " 

*0n  the  18lh  of  .August,  183'J,  Colonel  Webb  dissolved  partnership  with  M.  .^[.  Nonh,  and  became  sole  owner 
nfthe  Cnur.  and  Enq.  On  the  0th  of  Oct.  Ihiit  yenr,  he  addressed  the  public  thro'  his  jonriiul.stiitiiig  that  in  Nov. 
1829,  an  article  against  rechnrtering  the  IF  H.  Bank  hail  been  surreptitiously  published  in  his  paper — that  next 
month  Jackson  came  out  with  a  similar  paragraph  in  his  message — that,  believing  the  IJ.  S.  II.  to  be  a  political 
machine,  ho  assented  to  the  attacks  made  on  it  in  the  ("ourier  mid  Kmiiiirer,  from  Nov,  1820.  until  March  1831 — 
Ifi  months — after  which  he  advocated  a  modilied  rerhurter,  believing  tliiit  the  Hank  hud  not  meddled  in  govern- 
ment nflHirs.  The  loan  obtained  by  Silas  E.  Burrows  from  the  I.'.  S.  Hank,  of  .firLOOO,  for  Noah,  Webb,  or  some 
line  of  them,  was  in  .March  IKII,  the  month  in  which  the  Courieriiiiil  l''n(|iiirnr  changed  its  course.  I  presume  the 
liiiiiki  which  were  struggling  for  the  depusites  and  the  power,  would  have  lent  Webb  and  Noah,  with  i)5t)U  siih- 
scnberi,  a  large  sum  tu  continue  to  advocate  the  Safety  Fund,  the  Deposiies,  and  no  re-chaitcr — and  if  so,  Webb, 
ns  an  advocate,  chose  his  side.  Marcy  could  not  have  been  very  strong  on  the  other  tack,  fur  the  above  letters 
show  that  he  was  in  close  political  alliance  with  Welib  till  the  fall  of  that  year.  James  (iordnn  Bennett,  who  was, 
in  183*2.  the  Washington  correspondent  of  Webb  and  Noah's  press,  gives,  in  his  Herald.  (Sept.  iili,  1843,)  the  fol- 
lowing version  of  his  intercourse  with  Marcy  about  his  noiiiinatioii  as  (.ovcriior : 

"  In  1833,  during  the  session  of  (.'ongress,  I  was  at  Washiii'jtun  as  one  of  the  editors  of  the  Giuricr  and  F.n- 
juirer,  enjoying  the  confidence  of  the  party  and  all  concerned,  and  corresponding  with  that  journal.  Mr.  Marcy 
was  then  n  member  of  the  Senate.  I  had  frequent  personal  intercourse  with  hini  on  politics  alone.  i<  *  *  *  * 
During  that  session  1  used  tu  see  Mr.  Marcy  almost  every  day.  In  the  course  of  conversation,  one  day,  during  n 
walk  up  Pennsylvania  Avenue,  to  which  he  invit.'d  lue,  I  found  that  the  Senator  had  something  heavy  on  his 
mind,  which  he  wished  to  disclose.  I  discovered  that  the  heavy  business  on  the  heart  of  the  Senator  was  a  deiirn 
to  be  brought  forth  in  the  columns  of  the  Courier  and  Enquirer  ns  n  candidate  fur  the  gubernatorial  chair  of  New 
York  in  anticipation  of  tlieCmivention  of  the  party,  to  be  held  in  Herkimer  in  the  full.  We  discussed  the  matter 
in  all  ill  atpecti  fur  several  weeks.  I  concluded  that  it  would  Le  a  famous  movement  for  the  Courier  and  En- 
fut'rer,  and  particularly  for  my  friend  Webb  t4i  take  up,  ns  he  was  in  rather  an  awkward  jiredicument  in  relation 
to  the  party,  growing  out  of  the  discluiures  about  the  .S.')",OU<)  afl'air  of  the  I'liited  States  Bunk,  which  had  been 
prtviously  brought  out  by  Cambteleng.  In  this  view  nfthe  case.  I  commenced  a  series  of  iirivateletterg,  addressed 
to  Mr.  Webb,  stating  all  the  views  of  the  ease— Senator  Marcv's  opinions — the  position  of  Webb  himself,  and  the  admi- 
rable movement  it  would  be  in  enabling  the  Courier  and  Enquirer  to  checkniute  the  Jlrgus  and  'the  regency'  on 
their  uwu  ground.    Theee  letten  contained  u  variety  of  the  views  communicated  to  me  lot  that  special  purpoie  by 


■■..l 


23ft 


WEBB,  BENNETT,  NATIVEISM.  VAN  BPREN  ANP  HOTT. 


•■.'* 


.v.-(; 


V         V 


to  him — nnd  so  T  should  pf  rh'ips — but  I  h  ive  (wo  reasons  for  not  doing  so — the  one  Is  th«»  jf 
Bhoulii  go  over  the  whole  matter  ns  I  dul  with  you  in  cuiiveraaiion  it  would  muk«  a  prodiuiousl 
lona  letter,  and  1  am  tipi>  much  enunged  to  iilford  ihe  time  to  write  it,  hut  the  second  is  1  ||.,y 
declined  to  "vrite  to  all  Kditors  on  the  siiiiject  (rxeept  one  [Croswcll  >.  ]  whicli  I  explained  to  vou 
This  r»8  diitioii  wns  early  t.ikeii  to  pre-eive  my  position — tu  kerpnilerit.  lie  will  upprfciatt m 
nioiivus  and  1  hope  approve  of  the  couri-e.     ... 

Col.  Webb's  iwlioiis  about  I'nviitP  Letters. 
[No.  229]         Jamr."  Monroe,  fc^sn  ,  io.fes.se  lloyt,  Wall  street,  N.  Y. 
Bia).imingdam:,  An;j;Msi  9,  lb32. — 1> -irlloyt:  »  »  *  I  enclo-e  you  a  letter  received  from  ni 
friend  Gait.     Ymi  will  see  that  it  cuntiiins  iln;  last  accounts  from  the  Army.     You  may,  if  y, 
think  proper,  give  the  facts  therein  continued  to  some  Ediior,  &u<  nut  topublish  Ihekt 

ter,  aa  IVcbb  did  mine  the  oilier  dnij.  much  to  my  aiinoymice  1  had  written  a  letter  to  Gotv 
erneurand  given  ceriain  fuels,  and  he  sent  my  Letter  to  Webb  to  take  the  facts — and  hr.  ;,ui 
lished  most  of  the  letter — and  you  have  seen  it,  you  may  judge  it  was  not  written  for  pub 
lication.     *     »     •     »     How  is  I3remner  ?  Yours  truly,  J.  MONROE. 

'Deadly  hoatility'  of  the  Van  Biireti  native  faction  to  our  brethren  from  other  lands— Ho 
long  Bennett  would  stand  up  fur  Van  Buren — Co/.  Webb — Bennett  su»pected — $^00  in  thi 
Big  Gun. 

[No.  230.]  .luiTies  Gordon  Bennett  to  J.  Iloyt,  N.  York. — Philadelphia,  16th  Augus 
1832. t — Dear  lloyt :  Your  letter  amuses  me.  The  only  point  of  consequence  is  that  conveyini 
the  refusal.  This  is  the  best  evidence  of  the  deadly  hostility  which  yuu  all  have  entertuinet 
towards  me.  It  explains,  too,  the  course  ol  lite  Standard  and  Post,  in  their  aggressions  uponnii 
ever  since  I  came  to  Fliiladelphia.  The  name  for  such  a  feeling  in  the  breasts  of  those  1  ha 
only  served  and  aided  at  my  own  cost  and  my  own  sacrifice,  puzzles  me  beyond  example.  I  car 
account  for  it  in  no  oilier  way  than  tlie  simple  fact  that  I  happen  to  have  been  born  in  aimih 
country.  I  must  put  up  wiili  it  a.s  well  as  I  can.  -4s  tu  your  doubts  and  surmises  about  my  ju 
iure  course,  rest  perfectly  easy — /  shall  never  ■ibandon  my  party  or  my  friends,  I'll  go  to  ilii 
bottom  sooner.  The  assaults  of  the  Post  and  Standard,  I  shall  put  down  like  the  grass  iha 
grows.  1  shell  carry  the  wnr  into  AlVica,  and  "  curat  be  he  who  cries  hold,  enough."  Neiilii 
Mr.  Van  Buren  and  the  Ar<Tus  nur  any  of  their  true  friends,  will  or  can  have  any  fellow  feeiinj 
with  the  men — the  siockjobliers — who,  for  the  last  two  years  have  been  trying  to  destroy  m 
character  and  reputation.  1  know  Mr.  Van  Biircn  better — and  I  will  stand  vp  in  his  dejenct 
AS  LONG  AS  HE  FIOELS  FRIENDLY  TO  ME.  1  will  endeavour  to  do  the  best  I  can 
get  along.  I  will  no  among  my  personal  (neiitls  who  are  unshackled  as  to  politics  or  banks,  anj 
who  will  leave  ine  free  to  act  as  a  man  of  honor  and  principle.     So  my  dear  Hoyt,  do  not  los^ 

Senator  Mnrny  liimself.  I  deny  timt  t  hnd  iinilerstnod  ind  coininunicnted  more  to  Mr.  Webb  tlian  Morcy  intended 
Convey.  Indeed,  iihridsl  every  day.  or  every  other  day  at  that  linie.  Heiintur  .Murey  used  tu  meet  me  in  thecapilol.ur.J 
at  hit  own  nioni.  nnd  there  he  wuiiM  ih<rhi'<e  to  me  all  the  iiitunnatioii  vvhirh  he  had  received  Irom  the  renen  v 
cain|i,  nt  Alhnny,  In  order  lha(  I  mi:;ht  he  enabled  to  npjiri'e  Mr  Webb  of  the  facts,  nnd  i|iialify  him  to  cotniilc* 
the  checkmate  which  »e  iiiteiideil  to  fjive  thcni.  In  nil  this  liiifit  ?!<!',  Senator  Mnrcy  wished  to  stand  still  lielwet 
the  two  conlending  clic/iits,  while  I  wus  to  work  the  wires  in  Wubhinglini,  and  Mr.  Webb  was  tu  tire  otf  the  bi, 
gun  in  New  York,  iijenator  Marcv  and  I  in  Washiiifiton,  used  to  luiij^'h  uiid  chuckle  most  amusingly  met  iii 
movements  by  whicli,  throu^'h  the  Caiirirr  and  Enquinr,  we  accoinphshed  iiltimately  his  nomination — clieckmsit! 
hii  iiersonul  fnes  at  Alliany — nnd  elected  hini  triiini|diantly  Governor  of  this  State  for  the  first  time.  Before  tk 
summer  was  over,  however,Mr.  Webb  bulled  Irom  the  democratic  party  on  the  United  tSlates  Bankquestinn.andcurrr 
out  nguinsi  the  re-election  of  4>eiiernl  .hickson.  inchidiii);  uUo  the  election  of  the  very  man,  VVilliuin  L.  .Mam 
whom  he  had  so  iiiiich  contributed  to  bring  before  the  public.  1  stuck  tu  the  movemeut,  and  left  the  Cgun'fT  »nj 
Enquirer  on  account  of  this  bolting." 

t  Mr.  Bennett  republished  this  letter  in  the  N.  Y.  Ilernid,  but  dated  it  n  year  later  (1833,)  and  tried  to  expliin 
that  the  S-JtMl  in  specie  was  not  a  bribe  from  the  'I'limmany  Hunkers  for  attnckin^  the  U.  t^  Bonk,  by  referrinit  Im 
letter  ot  Hoyt's  written  twelve  months  nf>er,  about  ^ilMJ.CKX).  The  explanation  is  lame,  clumsy,  and  built  on  b  fnl^e 
foundation.  The  followin"  eilrnct  from  a  letter  of  llovt  to  Bennett,  in  August,  IH3.3,  will  show  that  Van  Buret 
and  his  men  believed  that  Bennett,  like  Webb  nnd  Nonh.  was  retained  against  their  plausible  plunder  achetne;  In:' 
1  see  no  evidence  of  it. 

"  Vuu  have  lieard  me  tnlk  to  Webb,  by  the  hour  [savs  llovt]  tif  Ihe  folly  of  his  being  on  the  face  of  the  ret^ntil; 
friend  of  Mr.  Van  Uiiren's,  and  nt  the  s  me  time  attacking  l)M  MttST  I'MIIM  AND  CONSISTENT  FKIEMi 
viz  the  editor  of  the  Jtrgui ;  and  yon  stand  in  nhnoiit  the  same  atlitinle,  nnd  there  are  many  here  who  believe  llir 
your  friendship  will  end  lu  .Mr.  Webb's  lins.  I  willdn  you  lhe,j<Htice  to  snv  that  I  believe  no  such  thing,  butai  iIk 
tame  time  I  will  e.\erclse  the  frankness  to  soy,  that  the  course  of  your  paper  lays  yon  open  to  the  suspicion.  I  knc 
enough  of  alluirs  to  know  that  you  had  high  iinthority  for  the  gr<;un(i  ymi  have  taken  onthedeposlte  quegtion,  si 
I  thought  you  managed  the  subject  well  tiir  the  meridian  yon  are  in.  I  was  told  by  a  person  a  day  or  two  since,  tliti 
^ou  would  be  aided  from  another  quarter;  I  could  not  learn  how.  Hut  you  ougMt  not  to  ex|iect  my  friend  at  the 
north  to  do  any  thing,  not  that  he  has  an  indisposition  to  do  what  is  right,  or  that  he  would  not  serve  a  friend,  bui 
he  if  in  the  attitude  that  requires  the  must  fistidiuiiy  reserve.  The  peiqde  are  jealous  of  the  public  press,  end  tlie 
momdnt  it  is  attempted  to  be  conlrolleil,  its  iiseriilnest  is  not  only  destroyed,  but  he  who  would  gain  public  fsvui 
through  its  columns  is  quite  sure  to  fail.  I  am  satisfied  the  press  has  lost  some  portion  of  its  hold  upon  public  con 
fideoce ;  recent  dcvelonements  have  hnd  a  tendency  to  satisfy  the  iteople,  that  it»  conductors,  or  many  of  thein,  ni 
least,  are  as  negotiable  as  a  promissory  no.'e.  "fhis  impression  can  only  lie  removed  by  a  firm  adherence  tu 
prineiple  in  adversity  nk  well  as  nrusjierity.  ;  ;an,  my  dear  sir,  only  say,  ai  I  have  befor«  said  to  you,  bo  patient, 
'  lovo  toem  who  persecute  yuu.'  *' 


LOBBYI.VG, 

ry\r  ."leep  on 
f.-ar  pnthins 
ail,:  standard 
principle.-'  am 
not  30  m  ich  i 
Your  lightin" 
bencon-lie;ht  ti 
hearted  fellow 
newspapers  a 
the  C.  &  E. 
to  do  me  all  I 

P.  S.     Thi 
ahroads'de. 
This  is  the  B 
only  the  Pyr 


[No.  Q3l 
Albany,  S 

W<ishington 
till  winter,  o 
BYING,  tni 

Marry  despn 


[No,  232.] 
ofThuiwiay 
.sure.  I  tliii 
I  have  looki 
beat.  I  wo 
secret.  All 
distrusted 
thousand  dt 
eonfidencei 

op  SOMK  1.1 

you  will  fir 
the  result, 
not.  Yet 
York.  If 
favor,  h'tt 
BUT  SPl 
ed  to  dcsei 


Van  Bur 

[No.  2; 
Before  it 
former  Id 
has  consit 
gain  ther 
with  refe 
be  conjee 
recent  tie 
Thwtf  is 
The  proc 
understa 
candidal 
meet  rjf'ur 
hands, 
vigilanc 
in  yestei 
made  a 


HOVT. 


LOBBYIXG,  DESPONDING,  ELECTFONEKRING,  BRIBING  AND  BARGAINING.  237 


so— the  one  is  ihot  jf  j 
luld  muk«  u  prodi«j,  J 
Ihiit  the  second  is  J  |^.,^^ 
picli  I  explained  tovouj 
He  will  upprfciateij 


LY. 

letter  received  from  nJ 

^rniy.     You  mny,  jf  j.,1 

|6tt<  nut  to publigh  the  i(ti 

vritton  a  letter  to  Gut  J 

niE    FACTS— onrf  tin  j,iil 

I  was  not  written  for  uM 
J.  MONROE. 

J/rom  other  lamls—fh^ 
su»pected~^''^00  (,,  ^J 

IX.ADEI,rHIA,  16th  August 

'(|iience  is  t»iat  conveyin,' 

yi/u  all  hate  entertmm 

itir  aggressions  iiponm 

e  breasts  of  those  1  hai 

:  beyond  example.    ]« 

have  been  born  in  annlh, 

nd  surmises  about  my  in. 

y  friends.     I'll  go  lo  \k 

down  like  the  grass  thai 

hold,  enough."     Neiihn 

in  have  any  fellow  feeiin^ 

«en  trying  to  destroy  m 

Hand  up  in  his  dejmt, 

)ur  to  do  the  best  I  can  to 

IS  to  politics  or  banks,  aiij 

y  dear  Hoyt,do  noikw 

.  Webb  than  Marcy  inteniieil  . 
il  to  meet  me  in  the  capiiol,  cr.j 
lit  received  I'rom  the  regen  . 
,  niid  (innlifv  him  to  com|ilt( 
wished  to  stand  still  lielwee, 
Webb  was  lo  lire  otf  ilie  bi< 
kle  most  amusinjjlv  luei  i  < 
1  his  nomination— cliecjimsif; 
iir  the  first  time.  Before  th.; 
Untei  Bank  uuestinn.und  air,* 
Bry  man,  VVillium  L.  .Marn, 
eut,  and  left  the   Courier  mi 

:r  (183.3,)  and  tried  to  eiplnn 
I  U.  S  Bank,  byrererrinftliis 
e.  chinisy,  and  built  on  a  fnk 
W,  will  show  that  Van  Burer 
iluusible  plunder  scheme;  hi;' 

ng  on  the  fare  of  the  reciml ; 
I  CONSISTENT  FIlIEMi 
)  many  here  who  believe  lint 
lieve  no  such  thinjf,  butm  llir 
pen  to  the  suspicion.  1  kno« 
on  the  depusite  quegtinn,  aiu 
erson  n  dny  or  two  since,  lliot 
It  to  ex|)ect  my  friend  at  ilie 
would  not  serve  a  friend,  bu; 
»  of  the  public  press,  and  tlie 
who  Would  gain  public  favm 
I  of  its  hold  upon  public  con 
luctori,  or  many  of  thern,  u\ 
'ed  by  B  firm  adhertnc*  lo 
ifor*  Mid  to  y«u,  b*  fMUicoi, 


rnr  sleep  on  mv  accnunt.  I  am  c  "■tain  of  your  friendship  whatever  the  others  may  say  or  do. 
f.'ar  7irifhinfj  in  the  shape  of  man,  devil,  or  newsnnper ;  I  ciin  row  mv  own  boat,  and  if  the  Post 
ail.;  otandaid  don't  qet  out  of  mv  way,  thoy  mn-^t  sink  me— that  is  M.  If  I  adhere  to  th^same 
priric;ple>  and  ran  hei-enftor  as  I  have  done  heietof  ire,  ami  v:kich  J  mean  t^  do,  recollect  it  is 
not  30  m  ich  lh,at '■  I  love  mv  persecutors"  as  thnt  /  regard  my  mm  lunwr  and  reputation. 
Your  lighting  up  poor  Webb  like  a  fit  tallow  c;indle  at"  one  end,  and  holdina;  him  out  as  a 
bcncon-ncrht  lo  frij<liten  me,  onlv  makes  m?  smile.  Webb  is  a  gentleman  in  private  life,  a  good 
hearted  fellow,  honorable  in  all  his  private  transactions  as  I  have  f  nind  him,  but  in  politics  and 
newspapcis  a  perf-ct  child — a  boy.  You  will  n?ver  find  the  Pennsylvanian  going;  the  career  of 
the  C.  &  E.  That  suspicion  answers  as  a  good  e.Kc^ise  to  tho.se  who  have  resolved  belbre  hand 
to  do  me  all  the  injury  they  can,  bat  it  will  answer  for  nothing  else.    I  am.  Dear  Ho)rt, 

Yours  truly,  J.  O.  B. 

p.  S.  The  $200  in  Specie  I'll  put  ittfn  my  bis;  Gwi  and  trive  the  U.  S.  Dank  and  Stockjobbert 
abroadsiik.  I  wish  you  woild  let  me  know  "an  v  other  U.  S.  Bank  movement  in  your  cltv. 
This  is  the  Battle  ground  of  Bank  contest— here  is  the  field  of  Waterloo.  New  York  now  la 
only  the  Pyrren/es. 


Ilnnt  on  Cnngradnnnl  Lnb/n/ing,  at  M'ashington. 

[No.  23l.]  Lorenzo  Ilovt  to  Jesse,  his  brother,  in  New  York. 

Albany,  Sept.  10,  1832,  Sunday.— I  slio  ild  be  very  much  pleased  to  accompany  you  to 
Washington  this  month  ;  b  it  as  I  shall  not  be  able  to  go  more  than  once,  I  believe  I  shall  wait 
till  winter,  or  early  in  the  spring  Pcrh'ps  I  ah  all  have  a  cnae  fl/ CONGRESSIONAL  LOB- 
BYING, ini  Kkick  I  can  make  it  a  jiniiif  of  pleasure  and  profit. 


Marcy  desponding — ;.s-  terrified  at  the  (Jlccts  of  hank  dull  a  rs — lids  Ilovt  meet  the  DankwUh  Demo~ 

iratic  DolUns  if  he  can. 

Two  letters— William  S.  Marcy  to  J.  Ho;'t,  New  York. 

[No.  232.]  Private.  At.r.AN-v,  1  Oct.  1832.— Mv  Dkar  Sir:  I  did  not  receive  your  letter 
of  Thursday  till  last  evening.  I  hasten  to  reply  tf)  i; — though  :he  answer  will  give  you  no  plea- 
sure. I  think  our  ckince  of  success  doubtful.  Although  otheis  are  full  of  courage,  I  am  not. 
I  have  looked  critically  over  the  Stale,  and  have  r-cime  to  the  conclusion  that  probahly  we  shall  be 
beat.  I  would  not  say  tliis  to  vou  v,ere  1  n,)t  pcrfertly  confident  that  it  will  remain  a  profound 
secret.  All  reports  from  New  York  are  that  we  shall  do  better  than  you  represent:  yet  I  have 
distrusted  them.  The  U.  S.  Dank  is  in  thefirld,  and  I  cannot  but  fear  the  effect  of  50  or  100 
thousand  dollars  expended  in  conducting  the  election  in  such  a  city  as  New  York.  I  have  great 
confidence  in  the  honesty  ofthe  people,  bill  it  will  nnl  withstand  all  temptations.  The  corruption 
op  SOME  i.KAPs  to  the  DncKPi'ioN  OF  MAW.  \ 'lu  ought  to  look  to  the  Upper  Wards.  I  fear 
you  will  find  defections  among  the  active  electioneerers  Though  1  speak  so  discouragingly  of 
the  result,  I  do  not  doubt  if  money  could  be  kept  out  of  use,  we  should  beat  them.  But  it  will 
not.  Yet  great  ellbrts  wiihout  money  may  save  us.  I  hope  these  cfl'orts  will  be  made  in  New 
York.  If  1  thought  that  N.  Y.  would  do  as  others  say  it  will,  I  should  say  the  chance  is  in  our 
favor,  but  I  feared  such  a  result  as  you  predict.  Aly  advice  is — don't  Drt  YOUR  MONEY, 
BUT  SPEND  IT,  as  far  as  you  legally  can,  to  i'romotk  the  election.  We  are  all  determin- 
ed to  deserve  success,  and  do  not  d''^]iair  of  getting  it.     Yours  sincerely,     W.  L.  MARCY. 


Coali- 


Vaji  Durcn  canvassing'  the  infr-tal  district — the  factions  in  Washington  Co.  split  up 
tion  or  bargain  in  M'tsle/icsirr — Miiillicio  L.  Davis  calculates  the  votes. 

[No.  233.]  Ar.aANv,  'Itli  Oct.,  18:!2.  Mv  Dear  Sin  :  Yours  of  yesterday  is  received. 
Before  it  came  to  hand  1  had  delerinined  to  write  you  in  order  to  relieve  the  gloom  which  my 
former  letter  was  calculated  to  east  over  your  mind.  Information  received  siiice  UTiting  to  vou 
has  considerably  raised  my  hopes.  V.  Buren  writes  from /,k-  infected  District  Uvdfwc  shaU 
gain  there  as  much  as  we  can  lose  in  the  other  parts  of  llie  State.  That  we  shall  gain  (^speaking 
with  reference  to  the  last  Governor's  election)  I  do  niit  doubt — but  the  extent  of  that  gain  cannot 
be  conjectured.  I  think  it  wUI  be  ;!()0()  in  tlie  Hth  Disuiet— and  about  20;)0  in  the  6th.  Our 
recent  news  from  Washiuuton  County  is  very  Haltering.  T/ir  FACTIONS  ^^'cre  d,>  not  erakscc 
Thwtf  is  a  reasonable  hope  that  >  e  sh;tll  be  better  otl  by  1000  votes  Ihan  has  been  calcnlated, 
The  proceedings  in  Westchester  have  dissipated  ihe  gloom  that  liung  over  that  ccnty.  We 
understand  that  both  the  Ward  and  Hunter  parties  will  support  our  I'^lecloial  Ticket  and  State 
candidate.  Tlie  charter  election  here  has  nerved  our  friends  and  inspired  a  delormination  to 
mcetrfforrs  bij  ejl'orts.  Upon  the  whole  our  allaiis  look  prcltv  well,  and  success  is  in  our  own 
hands,  but  we' must  labor  to  keep  it.  I  fear  more  for  yt)U  in  N.  Y.  than  any  other  place.  Your 
vigilance  and  vigorous  cfliiits  can  alone  save  you  from  a  disappointment.  Davis's  calculation 
in  yesterday's  C.  &  En.  is,  in  many  particulars,  very  wild.  1  have  run  over  that  calculation  and 
made  a  note  of  deductions  and  additions  which  I  think  may  be  reasonably  depended  on  by 


li 


.l^i^-C: 


■>'•'.  ■ . 


f-f 


"\)- 


f" 


I        -.^ 


238 


MARCY's  ADVinj:  TAKEN,      G/iNERAI.  WARD  RKPORTS  PROGRESS. 


which  I  vnry  the   results.     Alioiii  U0,0  )0  n  pretly  mu:fiial  variation.     .    ._   ,^.    ..   ^,. 

hibited.     Iiulpeil  I  heheva  it  is  rather  in  iiik- ••mployu'eiit  to   lie  liiaking  estimates.     The  best 
rule  is  to  do  the  wurii  !wid  Acc  t!iL- result.     I  nm,  with  c;reat  re.'pect,  youis,     W    '     '" 


I  do  not  with  it   ex. 
ntes.     The  b«i 
L.  MARGY. 


SiBiiriiconl,  Ifoyt  i\  Co.  helping  the  Daily  Srntiml  and  the  Truth  Teller^  N.  Y. 

(No.  234.]  The  lo'lowinij  iti  omi  wiiy  in  wliicli  |)arty  iiiunsigera  u.sacascd  ihem-elvea  in  obe- 
dience  to  Governor  Murcy's  Ifttt-r  of  Oct.  I,  to  carry  the  cleciinn  in  New  York  hy  the  use  o| 
money  in  1632.  Theirs  is  a  perlecily  laii  mode.  Tiiey  ():iid  friiiidly  editors  for  circulating 
papers  containing  opinion.^  Iiivoriil)!!'  ro  iluir  views,  said  ndiiors  having  previously  been  with  theni, 
and  not  having;  iipostati/.ed  lor  a  coiisidcriiiinn  ! 

"  We  tile  undi-rsipiied  ugree  to  pay  the  siuiis  set  opposite  our  names,  towards  giving  a  more 
extended  circulation  to  tl'chailv  Sentinel,  and  the  '  Truth  Tclli  r.'  Oct.  (i,  1832. — J.  Hoyt 
$aO— Tibliets  $20— S.  rfwartwotit  ,f -20— Thad's  Phelps  ,$20—0.  W.  L.  [Lawrence]  igSO- 
J.  C.  !$20— P.  Fish  !«!2()— S.  .iS20— C.  C.  Cainbieleng  )«$20— C.  L.  Livini;aton  ,$20— J.  A. 
Hamilton  ,$20— C.  P,  While  ,«!20— H.  Hone  ,$20— .VI.  Van  Schaiclt  .$20— b.  Jackson  $20— 
J.  1.  Cddington  $20— Aiieliinclosji  §20,  •kc" 

[Editors  when  pour  should  t;ike  all  the  cash  they  can  ^et  tVoin  men  of  all  parlies,  hut  continue 
to  speak  independently  or  not  at  nil.  When  I  published  the  Gu/ette  at  Rochester,  and  the  K.\. 
nmiiier  at  New  York,  no  man  was  more  willing  to  rei'eive  and  thankfully  acknowledge,  pccii. 
niary  aid  from  whiir,  democrat,  native,  loyalist,  and  conservative — and,  to  the  best  of  my  recol- 
lection,  i  got  donaiiiins  fioin  them  all.  If  nliacking  a  fortress  and  scarce  of  powder  would  it 
be  wise  in  ihe  besieging  o.licer  to  refuse  the  gift  of  one  or  a  hundred  barrels  ?] 

Wesichtsler  p')Iitirs — tlie  Yoitns  men   .otnrird — Amen    tn  a  vninn  with  Iluntrr — the  Bank 
huf^iihon — help  lis  to  ,'iji.'}()0 — Wind  electioneers  for  Ward  day  and  ni^ht. 

[No.  235]  General  Aaron  Ward,  M.  C,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y. 

Si.NO  Si.NG,  (Jet.  12,  1^,'J2. — .My  Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  of  the  11th  inst.  lias  been  received, 
and  in  reply,  I  have  to  .say  that  every  honorable  e.xerlion  will  be  made  by  our  party  to  carry  the 
election  in  ilie  County.  I  did  n<t  i-.xpect  the  nomination  this  year,  but  my  friends  considered 
that  tnere  was  no  other  way  of  securing  our  election,  and  the  Hunter  men  said  they  would  not 
go  for  .Mr.  Kemble  because  hi!  was  [my]  friend.  Our  opponents,  beyond  all  doubt,  would  hiivti 
carried  a  large  majority  against  us.  But  I  have  very  many  personal  friends  who  will  make  uw 
of  their  best  endeavors  to  carry  my  election,  of  ihi.s  I  am  assured  ;  and  you  know  that  no  man  ia 
the  county  can  calculate  with  m  <iv  (;ertainty,  as  regards  the  election,  than  I  can.  Our  party  in 
this  county  [Westchester]  has  but  a  small  majority.  When  Van  Buren  ran  we  got  but  150 
majority,  and  we  only  ^ot  80  majority  for  an  elector  when  Jackson  was  elected — hut  1  think  I 
can  now  promise  you  at  least  1000  majority.  We  have  started  the  young  men — they  are  now 
actively  engaged — imd  they  will  hold  a  meeting  upon  my  recommendation  lai  Tuesday — and  thiy 
will  present  us  with  one  candidate  for  the  Assembly.  This  will  bring  them  out  in  their  strength. 
We  shall  give  our  ticket  400  majority  in  this  town.  When  I  was  last  up  I  received  52!i,  ihc 
largest  majority  given  in  any  other  Town  in  the  State.  As  regards  a  union  with  our 
Hunter  friends,  I  say  with  ail  tny  heart.  Amen  to  it — my  friends  have  always  been  in  favor  of 
it.  The  Young  Men's  meeting  will  do  much  to  bring  it  about,  if  they  come  in  they  will  agreo 
to  give  me  their  support,  for  they  know  that  there  was  not  a  firmer  friend  of  the  Administration 
in  Congrca  than  I  was. 

I  fear  THK  B.ANK  influence  more  than  anything  else.  I  have  no  doubt  that  the  Bank 
Manacera  will  expend  a  large  sum  of  money  in  this  county.  If  our  friends  in  town  could  help  U9, 
at  this  particular  crisis,  to  about  THREFi  HUNDRED  DOLLARS,  we  will  make  good  use  of  it. 
We  have  but  few  men  who  are  able  to  help  ns  to  means.  You  must  sup,(ly  us  with  10,000 
tickets  at  least — yon  can  have  them  stereotyped.  Send  them  to  mc  by  some  safe  hand,  and  I 
will  see  them  distributed  in  every  town.  I  have  not  rested  a  moment  since  the  contest  com. 
nienced,  and  if  my  health  and  life  is  spaied  I  shall  devote  all  my  time  to  it.  I  have  been  twice 
about  the  county,  and  our  prospects  are  cheering.  I  liave  met  with  friends  where  I  lea.st 
expected  them,  and  strong  friends  too.  I  wish  you  to  look  into  the  act,  and  see  whether  Con- 
gress and  Electors  go  on  one  ticket.     Look  well  into  this.     From  the  last  act  I  should  think  not. 

Truly,        A.  WARD. 


Jesse's  help  thanlifully  acknowledgid — Ward  will  meet  the  bank  in  its  own  coin — has  spent 
much  money — a  Bank  nge^t — an  office  for  a  friend  is  a  debt  to  be  paid — every  man  has 
his  price — secret  semire—Ward  ready  to  expose  rogues  on  t'other  side,  (MackfHxie  fashion,) 
— expects  to  turn  a  1400  majority. 

[No.  236.]  The  same  to  the  same. 

Sina  Sing,  Oct.  29,  1832. — My  Dear  Friend  :  I  return  you  many  thanks  for  yonrkind  letter— 

and  for  the  assurance  you  have  given  tP"  that  I  shall  have  aid  from  your  good  city,  if  not  before, 


certainly  aftei 
good  work,  I 
individual  in 
self.  /  do  not 
about  the  eoui 
^.THEBA 
SAMECOIP 
much  more  tl 
alion  to  bear 
—and  aa  mat 

The  last  ei 
agents,  and  h 
went — but  ht 
8ome  genllen 
name  of  the  t 
the  purse  sti 
may. 

It  seems  t 
one  of  the  mi 
1400— and  w 
I  sincerely  be 
upon  your  gi 
shall  have  tl 
with  them  in 


Governor 
betting  on  el 
pie: — 
[No.  237.]  ( 

To  Jesse  I 
THE  BR  A  (J 
SUM  WlLl 
In  this  State 
a  decisive 
us.     I  am, 

r/«e  Valian 

[No. 
[Private, 
it  a  breeze 
certain  inf 
less  confidi 
I  am  not 
be  regarde 
duction  to 
enemy  wi 
ply  this — 
many  fraii 
of  the  Jud; 
which  WB 
loons,  for 
the  Comp 
no  danger 


—My  Dent 
acqunintoi! 
of  in»iiepti 
EARNE9' 
ture  day  ' 
ciieinyoi 

t  Weitc 
lowinz  thi 
Cnnrtituti 


WARD  AND  THE  BANK,  HILL  S  BETS,  AND  MARCV's  BREECHES. 


239 


certainly  after  the  close  of  the  election.  As  yon  concluded  by  requi-sting  me  to  go  on  in  the 
good  wurit,  I  havd  lo  suy  in  reply,  that  I  will  go  on;  und  1  doubt  much  whether  there  is  asingia 
individual  in  the  State,  that  i.-<,  or  that  h:iA  been  inort:  active  in  promoting  the  cause  than  my- 
self. /  do  not  allow  myself  to  sleep  half  as  much  us  heretujore.  1  am  cither  writing  letiera  or  riding 
about  the  county  half  the  night  us  long  as  1  can  find  a  man  stirring  witli  whom  I  cun  converse. 
At  THE  Bank  A-j«  its  agents  here,  it  has  become  necessary  Jor  vie  TO  MEET  IT  IN  THE 
SAME  COIN* — und  I  have  been  constrained  in  self-defence  to  expend  a  great  deal  of  moneif— 
much  more  than  I  can  afford — and  I  shall  be  obliged  still  to  expend  more.  I  am  not  in  a  situ- 
ation to  bear  the  whole  expense  of  the  election,  and  yet  all  the  expenses  come  upon  my  shoulders 
—and  as  matters  now  stand,  it  will  not  do  for  me  to  stop  to  inquire  the  costs. 

The  last  evening  Miijor  Sing  and  iiiyseif  had  u  conversation  with  one  of  those  [U.  S.  Bank] 
•gents,  and  he  informed  us  thut  he  did  nut,  as  regards  liiiiiaelf,  care  a  single  pin  huw  the  election 
wen: — but  he  said,  every  man  had  his  price,  und  he  had  his — and  he  hud  received  money  from 
some  gentlemen  in  New  York,  but  before  it  was  pvl  m  his  hands  he  took  an  oath  not  lo  tell  the 
name  of  the  men  from  whom  he  received  it.  If  I  can  find  out  the  name  of  the  man  who  kuldt 
the  purse  strings  in  this  County,  his  name  shall  be  brought  before  the  public  be  \t  whom  it 
may. 

It  seems  that  you  turn  all  your  attention  lo  Long  Nland.  Allow  me  to  tell  you  that  this  is 
one  of  the  most  important  couniies  in  the  state.  Recollect,  the  majority  against  us  laut  yeor  was 
1400 — and  we  are  now  engaged  in  endeavoring  to  curry  a  nia'ority  for  our  entire  ticket — and 
I  sincerely  believe  thnt  wc  shall  give  you  a  good  account  of  ,hi.s  democruiict  county.  1  rely 
upon  your  giving  me  some  aid  hereafter,  and  will  go  on  in  t  it  good  work  most  cheerfully.  I 
shall  have  the  returns  of  this  and  Pumaiii  Counties  on  the  b'>i-  -and  will  come  to  New  York 
with  them  in  person,  if  I  am  not  worn  down  by  my  labors. 

In  haste,  I  am,  truly,        A.  WARD. 

Governor  Hill  of  New  Hampshire,  like  his  friend  Wright  at  Albany,  may  have  denounced 
betting  on  elections,  in  his  public  messages,  but  he  did  not  do  so  in  his  private  ones.     Fur  exam- 
ple : — 
[No.  237.]   Concord.  N.  H.  Oct.  15. 1832.    [Franked,  Concord,  Oct.18— ."  Isaac  Hill,  S.  U.  S."] 

To  Jesse  Hoyt — My  clear  Sir — Yours  of  the  ]2ih  was  last  evening  received.  TO  MEET 
THE  BRAGGARTS  OF  THK  OPPOSITION  I  ADVISE  MY  FRIENDS  THAT  ANY 
SUM  WILL  BE  SAFE  ON  THE  ELEC  TORAL  VOTE  OF  Pennsylvania  and  New  York. 
In  this  State  we  nie  so  strong,  that  should  every  other  desert  liiiii,  we  may  be  relied  on  as  giving 
a  decisive  majority  fir  Andrew  Jackson.  Yet  the  Bank  is  scattering  its  thousands  here  to  affect 
HS.     I  am.  Sir,  respectfully,  Y'our  friend  and  obedient  Serv't,  ISAAC  HILL. 


The  Valiant  Warrior,  Murcy,  on  his  Biarcrii  and  his  Frerches — The  Barber's  Bill — Frauds 

and  Peculations. 
[No.  233.]  Senator  Mnrcy  to   Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York.     Albany,  16th  Oct.,  1832. 

[Private,]  My  Dear  Sir — Your  letter  of  Monday  eveniiiir  I  received  this  morning,  and  with 
it  a  breeze  from  the  South,  that  gives  some  of  our  folks  a  chill.  The  opposition  pretend  to  have 
certain  infonnatioii  that  Rimer  is  elected.  Thouirh  we  do  not  yet  yield  to  this  belief,  still  we  are 
less  confident  than  we  were  yesterday  of  Wolt"'s  Election.  As  to  the  Pantaloons  affair,  perhaps 
I  am  not  the  person  best  qualified  to  advise.  Tlioiitrli  the  charge  was  right  in  itself,  yet  it  must 
be  regarded  as  an  anfurtunate  onr,  because,  ao  easily  turned  into  ridicule.  I  showed  your  pro- 
duction to  Flagg — he  thought  it  very  well,  but  seemed  to  think  it  was  n  little  too  formal.  The 
enemy  will  have  their  laugh,  but  I  hope  it  will  not  do  much  mischief.  The  true  explanation  ip<'im- 
ply  this — When  Comptroller,  I  had  always  made  war  on  lumping  charges,  because  I  wassatit.ied 
many  frauds  against  the  Stale  had  been  perpetrated  by  them.  The  law  provided  the  payment 
ofthe  Judge's  expences  in  holding  the  Special  Circuit.  I  kept  a  particular  account  of  them 
which  was  handed  to  the  Comptroller.  While  on  this  business  some  work  was  done  on  Panta- 
loons, for  which  the  Tailor  charged  Fifty  cents  ;  it  was  entered  on  the  account,  and  went  into 
the  Comptroller's  hands  without  a  particular  retlection  how  it  would  appear  in  print.  1  feared 
no  danger  for  I  knew  no  sin.     lean  not   adrise  huw  it  is  Lest  to  treat  the  subject.     The  article 


i. 


i* 


♦  Aaroa  Wnrd,  M.  C,  to  Ren.  Snimiel  Swnrlwout,  1)0  riinmbere  st. — City  Hotel  [N.  V'.]  Nov.  27.  1834. 
—My  Denr  Cener;il,  1  calleil  tit  your  limisetliiseveiiiii?,  with  a  iiersonnl  I'rioncl  Mr.  Devenn,  in  oriler  to  make  you, 
acnunintod  with  liim.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  sirrliiig  wortli  nnil  InlnKfily.  anil  ho  is  itesiroui  of  getting  the  aituation 
of  lns|iertnr.  I  know  how  ymi  are  pressed,  hut  INTHI.S  I.NRTANCE  I  feel  a  deep  iittcrest,  I.V  FACT  I  AM  IN 
EARNEST;  and  if  you  XDitl  oblige  me  by  givinz  him  the  situation.  I  will  itt  return  do  you  a  service  at  some  fa 
ture  day  which  shall  more  than  requite  you.  Do  not  aay  no,  if  it  is  now  convenient,  lio,  I  entreat  you.  bftar  his 
case  in  your  remembrance.  I  am  truly,  A.WARD. 

t  Westchester  County  was  one  of  the  very  few  which  gave  a  mnjority  of  votes,  in  November,  1845,  aftainst  al- 
lowing the  people  of  New  York  State  to  meet  in  Convention,  in  1846,  for  the  revision  and  improvement  of  the 
Constitution. 


940 


MARCY'S  WAH  services.       RITCHIE  ON  WEBB.       INGHAM  ON  (LAY. 


I:-'. 


at  1 


In  the  Argun,  Iieiided,  '  A  very  ginve  affair,  't  is  perhnps  n^  full  nn  explnnntion  as  the  trunsac- 
tion  will  admit  of.  But  it  will  hf  well  to  connect  it,  ifniucli  niiiRt  bi>  Buid  on  it,  with  the  great 
fraudi  and  peciilr.tiona  of  ilollpy,  Van  Tnyl,  John  V.  N.  Yntta — (who  I  bi'lieve  for  love  of  nif 
writes  nmny  of  thogciirnloim  articles  in  our  pnpera.)  in  appropriating  n'lout  .^t^OO  of  Podlers' 
License  Fees,  &c.  See.  Now  ii»  to  my  War  SrrvicfH,  (a  more  ugrfuable  ouhji-ct,)  I  was  out 
two  campaigns — in  1812  on  the  norihi-rn  frontier — bi'longed  to  the  pnrty  which  took  from  the 
enemy  at  h't.  Reizis  the  first  sttind  of  colors  taken  in  the  latu  wor,  on  land,  and  the  first  prison- 
ers (nboiit  40  in  numhrr.)  These  prisoners  weru  in  n  houNe  huilt  of  Fqnare  timber.  I  personally 
headed  the  party  ih  U  look  them — niynelf  broke  o|H-n  the  hou!<e,  entered  it,  and  took  from  the 
hands  of  the  soldiers  their  arms,  Sn\  1  cnru  not  how  much  this  matter  is  handled,  but  rather 
they  would  let  my  pantalnons  almie.     I  return  your  temark".     Yours,  A-.c.  W.  L.  MARCY. 


Ritchie  prodigiouily  sfnsitive — Wrbb  attacks  him — what  impudence ! — Wehh  denounced  lu  an 

apotlate .' — Mumford'n  help  invoked — Ritchie  betton  Jackson,  as  Butler  pays  at  Sandy 

Hill,  "  in  a  small  way." 

(No.  239.]  Thomas  Ritchie,  Editor  of  the  Enquirer,  to  J.  Iloyt,  N.  Y. 

RicHMONr,  Oct.  20,  183;! — My  dear  Sir:  I  have  been  prevented  by  several  prrs-oing  engage, 
ments  from  prpsentins;  ymi  my  sincere  ocknow!edi»ements  for  the  kindness  you  have  rendered 
me.  In  truth,  I  wished  to  send  yon  the  notire  in  the  Enquirer  which  I  in'.cnded  Co  have  taken 
of  Webb's  illiberal  and  nnwarrantnblo  attack. 

His  attark  by  the  Cholera  delnyed  my  article,  and  then  I  was  eneaged  in  assisting  in  prepar. 
ing  the  Address  of  the  .laekson  Central  Committee — niid  I  really  had  no  time  then  to  write  you, 
I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  .spndinjr  yuu  the  two  lust  Enquirers.  The  one  containing  the  ai'- 
dress,  and  ve»tT(liiy'R  p'lper,  giving  Oufl' Green's  recantation  on  the  subject  of  Mr.  Jeflerson's 
letter  and  Webb's  artiele. 

Permit  me  i/nv,  sir,  to  thank  you  most  cordinlly  for  the  service  yon  have  dour  me.  It  ena- 
bles me  to  i)ut  ''int  ciiliimny  iisniimt  me  at  rest  for  ever.  P^ven  Webb  has  not  ha<l  the  aiidariiy 
to  justify  his  mipreprespntaiion,  or  to  rebut  my  answer,  but  liy  trumping  up  other  calumnies  and 
abuse  acainst  me. 

Between  ourselves,  the  lettter  whieh  closes  my  article,  is  from  the  gentleman  who  marrie.;' 
Mr.  Jefferson's  grand  (hiUL'hter— lived  in  his  fiimilv — and  copied  his  manuscripts  for  the  press 
after  he  was  dead.  He  deserves  the  hisrh  chi)rneter  I  have  given  him.  Indeed  nothing  evr 
did  surprise  me  more,  than  that  Webb  had  the  impudence  to  about  Mr.  Jeffersou's 

opinions. 

There  are  hundreds  in  Vircinia  who  would  to  the  favorable  sentiments  of  that  dis. 

tinciii«bi;d  man  towards  myself. 

Will  you  add  to  ihe  fivor  you  have  done  me  by  askin?  of  Mr.  Miimford  the  kindness  to  re- 
publish in  the  S'audnrd,  my  reply  to  J.  W.  Webb.  The  tipnutate  will  never  do  me  the  justice, 
whi<-h  I  have  lately  done  him  in  a  cnse  into  which  I  was  thrown  into  some  mi-f^ike  about  him. 
Will  Mr.  M.  ilo  me  the  favor  to  spread  my  defence  before  the  People  of  New  York  as  soon  as 
he  cnn  find  spnre  space  for  it? 

I  think  pverv  ihi-nr  is  workint;  riL'ht  for  A.  Jncksnn.  I  AM  RETTTNO  TMR  ER  TO  ONE 
ON  HIS  RE.ELECTIOV,  IN  A  PM  \I,L  WAY.  .Ip  to  Vircinia,  nhe  will  hr  found  right  tn 
the  day  nf  election  next  Mondnv  fortnight.     The  legislative  Ticket  will  prevail. 

Present  me  mo=t  kindly,  with  my  thanks  to  Mr.  Uowne.  and  my  re-peefs,  tho-ieli  (lersonallv 
unknown,  to  Mr.  Livingston.  (iratefiilly  yonr.^,        THOMAS  RITCHIE. 


i  i  ' 


.9.  D.  Jnghnm.  Srr.  Trens.,  to  Jesse  Hmjt,  N.  York. 
[No.  210]  WASuiNT,To>f,  lOili  Nov.  18.12 — Dear  Sir :  I  thank  yon  for  the  information 
in  your  letter  of  the  8th.  This  Election,  toseiherwith  that  of  Pa.,  must  kill  Anti-masonri. 
They  will  not  again  r:ii«e  that  fl^iK  in  the  nation,  and  scarcely  in  ii  State.  It  will  he  driven 
back  into  a  few  counties — but  Mr.  CIny  is  also  done  ;  however  desperately  he  may  fisht  in  a  for- 
lorn  hope,  that  is  not  the  charncler  of  hit  friendx.  They  canmit  npain  be  brought  np  to  tlit- 
charge.  Youre  with  great  respect.         S.  D.  INGHAM. 

I.Tiidie  Marry  wn?  pnnr.  und  nliceii  in  ntlire  to  «nvo  him  tVom  rum.  In  IStn.  tlie  le;islrtliir? of  >'.•«•  York 
pn«fed  n  liw  requlrinj  rino  of  the  Supreme  f'oiirt  .Iiulgp^lii  hnlil  n  ('irniit  in  Ninsorn  Pontitv,  to  trv  the'n  tioiincnii 
fnr  killin?  Mor£(in  t^ir  wrilin?nlioiu  m?uonrv  nnit  ilirpi-toil  thrit  his  expen'"p«  sh'mlil  he  iiniil.  Mnrcv  wt  iselerteil. 
anH  he  ttet't  sn  ncronnt  nf  every  rent  exupmlpcl.  iimoni?  wliirh  h«  eniimerntpil  '3")  rents  tn  n  'liitrnln  I  nrlier,  mil 
!>neent«  to  «  fnilor  f.)r<!ewins  nn  n  verv  nn*ishtly  rent  in  his  hrpcrlici.  Ahniit  this  extrn-indKin?.  cxt  ii-niiv,  unit 
his  tnilnrs  nnd  hurhers'  liills.  n  liinch  wms  rni-.'  1.  whirh  ho  \vt«  woakenniish  iir  wise  enoiish  tn  Irent  n  nbovp.  If 
inrh  cnrefnlness  in  detnils  hiid  l>epn  hi<  wnrst  fiiilt.  I  wonhl  hnvp  heen  nmnn?  his  wnrnipjt  ndmifBr*.  Ilii  wnr 
pntf  npppiirpd  in  due  form  in  t!ie  Arjis  nnd  F.veiim?  I'nst.  nnd  (h>nhtl^?«  ;iiilpd  his  dertion.  He  had  snid  in  the 
United  fMtea  ^<emte,  tliat"  To  the  Vii'lnrR  hph>n;»tlio.-^|MiiK,"  and  on  tlnil  prinripip  did  ho  ;idniin  «ter  the.'jovern- 
mentof  N.  Y.  !Marcv  is  over  tifVy  ycnrs  ofn^p,  I  have  hc:ird,  hnt  nm  nut  snrplliutit  is  ?o,  thut  he  is  from  Man. 
and  eamo  to  Troy,  opened  a  shoe  store  there,  ond  then  turned  lawyer,  like  Iloyt. 


f(»  barefar^d 

uiid'-r  Ui 

(No.  241. 

lit.i.Kt?,    N 

U,  .'Mr.  Vim  I 
urB,  owe  their 
ion  snd  nctlm 
riiinoi  he  a  di 
inblithment,  a 
I  as  Coiiniies, 

I  was  one  o 
I  ind  raised  the 

The  nppera 
w.irk  they  wei 
own  names. 
ty  individuals 
premlsea  Hte  n 

\Uhe.  parly 
would  have  be 
(ji  peeled. 

A  thought  \ 
a\e\  whether 
OKA  BANK 

There  en  no 

The  I  irge  ii 
wnriis  US  coll 
with  the  inipo 
CO.NSlDiilli' 

Tne  folio wi 

The  capital 
of  Tamm  iny 
authorized  lo 
10  he  lor  threi 
would  rec  ive 
kan,  which,  i 

In  the  inea 
WDiild  piiil'.i 
jieriliun  tlie 
citfar  off  the 

My  oiiiniiii 
the  C'ly—hut 
cannot  he  ii 
chnnlnble  nt 

If  you  iliii 
on  due  coiisii 
should  be  pii! 
nitme  of  the  i 

/loi.v/i  it  t' 
institutiii:i- 
chtf'  rtully  nil 

Y.iu  will, 
e.rpeditnt. 

Iloyt  desires 

[No.  2. 
Albany, 
what  I  cou'.i. 

*  Ijorenr.o  di 
H.>vt,.  t'leirle 
.hill.  18:;3,  hiiv 
distrirt  which 
r«iii  ition  WMS 
bv  STEPHF,? 
ii'I'tnn,  with 
v>cre9ucee»iifk 


M  ON  CLAY. 


VAN  BOREVISM  UNMASKED.      ALLFN'S  TAMMANV  BA!ft. 


t41 


Innation  as  the  trunsac- 
lid  on  it,  with  the  great 
bi'lieve  fur  love  of  mf 
'tout  ,$pnO  of  Pcdlefg* 
ble  suhject,)  I  was  out 
y  which  took  from  the 
id,  and  the  first  prison- 
re  timber.  I  personally 
id  it,  and  took  from  the 
^r  IH  handled,  but  rather 
>c.  W.  L.  MARCY. 


-Webb  denounced  at  on 
Butler  pay  a  at  Sandy 

royt,N.  Y.      ,  ,   , 
everal  pressing  enpajje. 
ness  you  have  rendered 
'.  in'.cnded  lo  have  taken 

d  in  assisting  in  prepar. 
o  time  then  to  write  you, 
one  containing  the  ac'- 
bjcct  of  Mr.  JefTerson's 

linvp  (lour  niP.  It  enn- 
loa  not  had  :he  aiidariiy 
up  other  calumnies  anil 

gentleman  who  marrie,,' 
oiiuscripto  for  the  press 
Indeed  nothing  evr 
about  Mr.  JefTersou's 

le  sentiments  of  that  dis. 

ford  the  kindnpss  to  re- 

nevrrdome  iliejustire, 

nnie  mi«f:ikf'  about  him. 

of  New  York  as  soon  as 

fNGTHRRRTOOXE 
hr  will  he  found  right  en 
II  prevail. 

prrfi,  tho'i^h  personailv 
HOMAS  RITCHIK. 


■;;•. 

you  for  the  information 
Hist  kill  Anti-masonr'. 
fate.  It  will  be  driven 
ety  he  mnif  fishl  in  a  for- 
I  be  brought  np  tn  tli'* 
S.  D.  INGHAM. 

tlie  leijslntiir" of  >■'.■«■  York 
■'iiunf V,  til  trv  the  'p  lirtineni) 
e  imiil.  iMnrrv  wr  «sel9rtpil. 
Ills  rn  n  'tntrnln  i  nrlifr,  "ml 
(xtrn-iiiilitinij.  cxt  ii-imv,  <inii 
piuiiiffli  to  Iri'nt  II  nbnv.  If 
wnrriipst  niliiirwrj.  Ilii  wnr 
le-'lliiii.  He  Imd  snid  in  the 
liil  he  admin  «ter  thejjovorn- 
it  is  so,  thut  he  is  from  Mais. 


ftt  barefaced  even  for  ll»yt  ! — Stephen  AUen't  Ta.mnany  Hall  Bank,  to  bring  the.  Denueracy 
uiidir  the  dirrr/  iiijliience  nf  exclus'VC  privileges,  in  o/'ca  niickeiy  nj  their  prinrtplts. 
(No.  241.]  Sitiplieii  Allen,  Riceiver  GeiierulolSub  Tr«osuiy'»  advice  to  Ju9»e  Iloyt  uiN.  Y. 

^t.»\Hi,  Sif.  2i,  183J — 'JMrSir:  N)tliii'4  i*  m  >ro  true  tim  thi;  ooservanon  made 
tiy  Mr.  Vim  Buren  lit  iIk;  Ueiiineratic  fesiivol  ;  tliiit  the  (leiimrriitic  p  iriy,  in  a  great  m«a*> 
lire,  owe  their  present  and  previous  viiiiories  to  Tnnvnany  Hall,  the  pl;ice  of  conceturated  opin- 
)(in  and  notion,  nnd  a  rtillyin;;  p'^ini  of  the  deinocrncy  of  the  city,  or  words  to  ihiit  ellect.  Ttiere 
piiinot  be  a  doubt  but  ihat  the  building  of  that  IIiill,  .iiid  thus  far  prenerving  it  ns  ft  Parly  Ei- 
iiilUhment,  and  a  rallving  place  on  all  occMfiuns  fur  ihe  Republicans  of  liie  City  and  surruuiul* 
in:  Coiiiities,  h'lS  been  one  of  the  means  of  our  triumplis. 

I  was  one  of  the  Cmitiiitice  who  purchased  the  ground — made  the  confracis  for  building— 
and  raised  the  immcy  to  pny  fjr  it. 

The  opperiition*  oi  thut  Committee  ard'ous  and  responsible,  as  during  the  progress  of  the 
wiirk  they  were  fi^quenily  compelled  to  rii.se  coiisidi-rnbltf  sums  cm  the  res  loiivrthility  nf  iheir 
own  names.  The  whole  estahiiBhmeiit  cost  about  $05,000  ;  nil  of  which  i-uin  wns  subecribed 
by  individuals  of  the  p.iriy  except  $18,000  (if  I  recollect  right,)  and  for  which  last  sum  the 
premises  Hre  now  under  mortgage. 

JftA^pir/y  priiperly  esiiinited  ihe  benefit  it  has  received  from  the  establitihmenf,  this  debt 
would  have  been  cleared  olT  by  subscription  long  .since  ;  but  such  a  result,  perhaps,  is  not  to  be 
ciipected. 

A  thought  has  therefore  ocfiirred  to  me,  and  which  it  it"  the  object  of  this  letter  tn  cominunl. 
oniei  whether  the  t'Xiinction  of  ihis  debt  inny  nut  he  ofrnitted  by  obta'nin^  the  CHARTER 
OF  A  BANK,  by  tin-  nnitu-  of  TIIK  TAMMANY  B.^NK. 

7'Aerc  canot  be  a  more  fiinornhle  jierlnd  than  the  present  for  such  an  cpplicntinn. 

The  Itrge  majority  we  have  in  both  IIoiisc-s  and  ih"  good  feelin';  evinced  by  the  Country  to- 
wiriia  US  coii^icjueiit  oi  the  lurgi^  vote  s^iven  by  the  City  tn  ill-' demofratic  candidntes,  lugeiher 
with  the  iinpiirtnnt  ohji'ct  ofr-lievinn  Od  Tonimany  I'rom  its  enibiirinssments,  WITH  OTIIER 
CO.NSlDiiRA  I'iUNS,  1  flioiild  prfsume  wonhi  cirry  the  lull  through  tiiuiiiplianily. 

Tne  followiii,'  pla  i  of;!  Binli,  I  think  woold  elii-ci  tlii-  object. 

Thecipitalto  beKiVC  HUNDRED  TIIOU-SANIJ  DOLLARS  AT  LEA.ST.  The  Society 
of  Tamminy  to  be  PfUVlLlDi.Jl^f^  tosubsciibe  for  $-100,001)  of  the  Stoi-k.  The  Bank  to  be 
authorized  to  Inand  the  uiiionnf  on  their  bond,  nt  an  interest  of  three  per  cent  per  aiiiiiim  the  loan 
to  be  lor  three  or  four  vf.ir:'.  If  tlw-  Uoik  divides  f'lK  pir  ctiit  on  its  stock,  the  SOCIETY 
would  ri'C  ive  THRLE  TIIOUSA.VD  DOLL  •VR.'s  annually,  over  and  above  the  interest  on  t!ie 
loan,  which,  in  ihree  veur's  would  ainoniu  to  ,"$9,000. 

In  the  mean  time  iIk:  etoek  urmhl  iidvunje  in  value,  nnd  ;/  sold  at  tlie  rii<l  of  ihv  e  or  four  years. 
Would  pr'il'iibly  he  v.-oiili  i.n  |  nr  <eni  nliuve  par,  ncttiiiu'  :<  c'eiir  gain  of  ,§10,000,  by  which  op- 
lieratiun  the  Socii  ty  would  be  put  into  posscision  o!"  §19,000,  a  fund  more  than  tufficienl  lo 
dear  off  the  inciiriibr;ince. 

My  niiiniuii  you  nn  diii'jt  know  /?  in  r.pposiiinn  to  nn  increnxc  nf  thi-i^e  Hanking  Munopnlies  in 
the  City — but  the  Lcs:^!ituic  WILL  »ri!>e  thrni—nnd  therefore  IF  Wr.miiM  hnve  iAem,  there 
cannot  be  ii  mo'e  lei^iiiiiKite  ohitct  to  be  effti'tiil,  both  in  u  party  point  of  view,  as  well  as  the 
chnril'tble  .Tttnhutf?  of  the  .So'iciy,  than  ih>-  one  iilimli-d  to. 

If  you  iliiiik  well  of  ihi'  inatUT,  I  wi>h  you  would  consult  ^ome  nf  our  leading  men— nnd  If, 
on  due  considnntion,  the  proj-c'  sluMild  be  deemed  proper,  i;  wid  be  iicci  r.^aiy  that  a  notice 
should  be  published  of  the  iiueruioii  to  apply,  ich'c.'i  you.  know  may  be  published  without  tlie 
name  nf  the  nppUcnul. 

Iwiih  it  In  be  distinctly  uitdrrstnod  that  I  cannot  serve  in  nny  nf  the  offirfu  crtnled  by  such  an 
institution — but  nny  as.-istuncc  I  can  givu  in  advancing  the  interests  of  Old  Tummaiiy  will  be 
che'  rlully  alToriUd. 

You  will,  of  cour  ?.  let  the  matter  drop  u  up  in  a  view  of  the  subject  it  shall  be  deemed  in- 
e.^pedient.         1  am  v. iih  due  respect,  your  o>"t  serv'i,  STEPHEN  ALLEN. 

Hoyt  desires  C.  L.  L'vin^ston  in  be  rc-ehcted  !^,onker  of  A'-^etv'.iUj — ht  him  renounce  his  prin- 
ciple<) — we  must  be  hontilc  !•}  the  pres'i.vt  bunk  of  the  U.  S. 
[No.  212  ]  Lorenzo  Hovi,  Albany,  to  his  brolhir  ,Ies-se,  at  New  Yoik. 

Ai.BA.VY,  Dec'r.  19,  1F.12.— IJiAR  BROTitER  :  In  one  of  your  late  leliers  yon  wislied  me  to  do 
what  I  could  to  make  Cli.irle.i  Liviiicriton,  t  Speaker;  this   I  will  eheeifilly  do;  but  his  cjurse 

M.oienr.odidnot  Iili  iir  in  vain  for  the  OM  Unnkcru  nf  Tnmminy.  nt  l!i  j  rciinost.  of  their  mnn  of  all  work  Je»>« 
H"Vt..  Chiirlee  liivni;'^ti:n  was  re-electcil  SjuvikiT  ufiiio  .Asscinlily  \vi'!i  liut  h  tie  oiv.m-i'timi— nnd  ii  thinl  tima  ia 
,Iiiii. 'l8:!3.  hiivinj  rorp.v.'ilO'.lvcte-^  (■i,l(.liii  C  Sp'jnrci's  C.!.  'I'lif  llunki-r'.  u'-\'.  iivni^)  Imn  'ln'^r  i?«nHtnr  fur  Uie 
district  which  inoludps  tli«  nlv  »l  New  Vork,  nnd  their  tL'|ircscit  ilivu  »r,7.f  rrmj  srnij  uiTtrnj  of  iiis  |inlroi;!>.  A 
rejdiiiion  w:i»  inlnidiic-cl  I'll.i  llio  SlmmIu  iii  I?;)-.'  iininst  rL^'hiirt.'riM';  tlio  ITniti'd  Hmtes  llit'ik.  which  wa-  oppotod 
bv  STEPMF.N  AI-Ll'.N  ii-.il  i'lhiT.<  :iiid  siippurtcd  hv  N.  P. 'riiMniuli.'e.  Kinionds  and  UcinUley.  Sponker  I.iv- 
iiiC«ton.  with  Messrs.  V;iii  c>i-h:nck  nnd  Siilwpll  wont  with  IMino'ids  f.irllif  l',S.  liiil;,  hutlho  pel  hunk  coulitioo 
were iucceiiful.    Lureuzu  lloyl  w.iliCi  Liviiig^ti^n  t'J  ^i^ei"  l**  "^"i'"-'  round  to  tlie  iicls. 


"I 


.7! 

l5* 


■M 


t  H; 


242     THR  PRESENT  (!)  BANK.       AN  ANCHOR  AHEAD.      BI.AIR  DEFEATED,  AND  HOW. 


if 


rM.-t 


.'If  if-!  '  . 


last  month,  in  rrlation  to  the  United  States  Bnnk  resolution,  I  fenr  will  defeat  him,  unless  hig 
mind  on  that  subji'Pt.  hns  undergone  a  change,  and  he  ia  willing  to  avow  it.     Otis  was  a  conspt 
CU0U9  advocate  ot'lhi?  Dlorrhmiufi  rraoliition,  as  originally  introduced,  and  I  think  that  circum- 
stances will  give  hini  a  decided  advantage  in  the  contest  for  Speaker,   over  any  man  that  took 
the  course  that  Livingston  did. 

I  think  the  [[J.  S.j  Hank  question  will  enter,  more  or  less,  into  every  other  political  one  that  ig 
agitated  here  this  winter — and  1  rhink  and  hope  that  our  friends  will  feel  nc  disposition,  to  re- 
trace, in  any  degree,  their  steps  last  winter.  As  a  party  in  this  Stale,  I  think  we  are  fully  com- 
mitted to  a  roune  nf  uncomprnmisins  hmtility  to  'WW,  PKESKNT  Bank — and  if  Old  Hickory 
hassulFered  himself  to  be  duped — which  I  think  tint  iinlike.lxf — by  Livingston  and  McLane,  he 
must  take  the  consequences. 

In  addition  to  Otis  sind  Liviiiszston,  1  have  heard  a  Mr.  Litehfield,  a  member  from  one  of  the 
western  counties,  nanjcd  as  a  cimdidate  for  Speaker  ;  and  if  he  will  consent  to  run,  which  is 
doubtful,  he  will  probably  be  nominated,  lie  is  an  old  member  of  the  House,  and  has  beea 
a  member  of  Con'tress ;  and  there  was  a  strong  disposition  amonji  the  rountry  membera  to 
run  him  last  year,  but  he  deelirted.  If  you  know  anything  about  Livingston's  present  viiws 
on  the  Bank  que«tir,:i,  I  wi;-li  you  to  write  nie  fortluvitli.  if  ho  is  wise  a)i<l  wishes  to  acquire 
and  maintain  a  standing  with  t\m  Democracy  of  this  state,  he  must  renounce  the  principle  by 
hin.  "...owed  la.«  winter.    *     *     »     >•     *     *"  L.  HOYT. 


I\[ork  Democrats  anxious  to  become  United  Slntfis  Hank  Directors. 
[No.  213.]  C.  C.  Cainbrelpng  to  Jesse  llnyt,  N.  Y. 

Wasiiinuto.v,  Jan.  10,  1SH3, — Di'-aii  Sir  :  You  are  surpriied  at  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Alley 
as  Bank  Director  instead  of  .Mr.  Jackson.  I  was  neirliiTeut  in  not  writinrj  to  .Mr.  Jackson  a 
second  time.  Thi-  dav  .Mr.  AVliiti  left  here  hi-  stated  that  Mr.  .McLane  desired  us  to  say  wlio 
should  be  ajipointed,  tliat  he,  Mr.  White,  had  named  ^Ir.  Alley.  I  luKl  him  1  was  coinrnitteit 
to  Mr.  Jackson,  and  should  reeoiiiiticnd  him  —  .Mr.  While  then  said  that  he  would  concur  with 
m«  in  supporting  i\lr.  Jackson,  and  he  wished  me  to  write  to  Mr.  McLane  that  h<'  did  so  concur. 
I  wrote  him  in  beliali'  of  iMr.  White  and  niyseil',  and  also  wrotr  him  that  I  understood  Mr,  Ver- 
planck  to  be  also  liivorable  to  Mr.  Jackson.  After  this  1  presumed  tlu^  matter  settled,  and  so 
wrote  10  Mr.  Jackson,  .'^oinc  day.s  after  I  learned  to  my  surprise,  from  .Mr.  McLane,  that  iti 
consequence  of  Mr,  White's  having  named  Air.  Alley,  wiiom  he  presumed  would  be  satisfactory 
to  the  Delegation,  he  had  gone  too  fir  to  recede,  before  he  recfived  my  letter.  I  ousht  to  havp 
written  this  to  Mr.  Jackson,  but  oniitted  to  do  so.     You  will  oblige  me  by  e.xplaiiiinjr  it  to  him. 

Very  truly  yours,        C.  C.  CAMRRKLKNfJ. 


»'  ■ 


K 


■•'■;, ) ' 


i  '• .  > 


.'  •  .  ♦ 


Very  secret  rea'")iii<  for  appoint iin;  Allrti.     The  vny  our  friend  Coildington  got  in  hr  Poxtmns- 

tfr  of  Xein  York. 

[No.  244.]  Same  to  Same.  Washington,  Iflih  .Tan'y,  1833. 

Prtvatr.  Dear  If. — I  wi.-ih  you  to  sho'.v  the  enclosed  letter  to  Mr.  Jackson.  Air.  MeLaiip, 
besides  which  that  letter  conttiins  i^whieh  is  a  true  statement'i  had  other  >rai>on.t  irhirh  cannot  bt 
explained  on  poprr.  There  was  no  deeeplion — no  want  of  influeiiee  about  it — the  question 
rested  on  other  (.Toundrj  iiltogetlier. 

Say  to  our  friend  C  fCuddinirton"!  in  an-^vver  lo  his  enquiries,  that  I  had  this  mnrnintr  a 
frank  and  f ill  coiners.iiiou  witii  Mr.  Harry,  who  tells  lue  thai  he  never  authorized  .Mr.  Smith  to 
believe  that  he  would  appoint  him,  ai.d  that  li'>  h;ul  no  idea  of  doing  utiy  such  thing.  Mr. 
Smith's  going  on  to  New  Y'ork  has  done  him  injury — hi:  will  not  pet  the  office.  Ir  is  well 
understood  by  the  Pnsident,  Mr,  Barry,  and  by  all  who  have  any  inlhience  here,  that  when  a 
change  takes  pltiee  Mr,  C,  will  iiniloiihtedly  be  the  man.  Although  I  cainiot  and  'vill  not  he 
instrumental  in  the  removal  o'i  .Mr.  (iouveriieur,  I  will  take  care  that  our  republican  fiiends 
ahull  not  be  disippoinied  lor  the  Ir.^t  time.  fl7(cn  a  change  takes  place,  Mr.  Coddin^ton  will 
be  the  choice  of  the  President  and  the  i'.  M.  G. 

.Smcerely  yours,        C,  C,  rAMRRElLPlNG. 

XT  Your  letter  is  destroyed — do  the  like  with  (his.  Gov.  Throop  and  Mr.  Crai:.;  were  nonii- 
nnied  to-day. 


One  excellent  vote  by  Gulian  C.  Vcrplanck — a  pair  of  caniins  hypocrites  nvt-genernlcd. 
[No.  245.]  Same  to  Same,  Wasiii.ngto.v,  l.'ith  Feb.  1833, 

Dear  H. —  Yesterday  Mr.  Verplauck's  vote  xcould  Jtate  elected  Mr.  Blair — to-day  the  Bunk 
have  elect  id  a  printer  for  us  by  one  vote. 

I  understund  Mr.  V.  F's.    The  value  of  pledges  may  now  be  understood. 

Sincerely  yours,       C.  C.  CAMBRELENO. 


ii  •   J.     ■'  •■ 


FEATED,  AND  HOW. 


1 


defeat  him,  unlegg  hig 
it.     Otis  Wits  a  conspl 
nd  I  think  that  circum- 
over  any  man  that  tooli 

ther  political  one  that  is 
el   no  dispii8itii)n,  to  re- 

thiiii;  we  are  fully  com- 
nk— and  if  Old  Hickory 
igstoa  and  McLane,  he 

neinlier  from  one  of  the 

inserit  to  run,  which  is 

House,  and    has  been 

country  members  to 

irrg«!on"s  present  viivs 

mill  wishes  to  acquire 

uoinu'e  the  principle  by 

L.  HOYT. 


Directors. 

ipoinlmenf  of  Mr.  Alley 

iiinr;  to  Mr.  Jackson  !i 

desired  iis  to  say  who 

1   liirn  J  was  coinrnitieil 

t  lie  would  concur  with 

le  that  he  did  so  concur. 

t  I  understood  Mr.  Ver- 

'  iiiiittcr  settled,  andsi. 

n  Mr.  McLane,  that  in 

eii  would  be  siitiafnctory 

letter,     f  oiieht  to  hnve 

by  expliiinine-  it  to  him 

C.  CAMBRKLKNG. 


s(ton  got  to  fir  Puxtmns. 

ov,  lOih  .[.-in'y,  1P33. 
;ieki=on.     Air.  McLniip, 
riMjiis  irhirh  caitmt  bt 
alioiif  it— the  question 

I  iKid  this  tnorningf  « 
iiilioii/cd  .Ml-.  Smiiti  tn 
;  any  such  ihinz.  Mr. 
t/ir  nffirp.  It  is  well 
'nee  lure,  thnt  when  a 
aiiiMt  and  rvill  not  he 
our  reputilirMU  friend? 
,  Mr.  CutUiiijrtou  will 

camrr[.;lf:ng. 

Mr.  Crai;^  wejcnonii- 


itrs  oiil-gcntrnhd. 
■o.v,  L-Jih  Feb.  1833, 
tf,r— to-day  the  Bank 

I 
CAMBRELENC. 


TtiE  GOLD  mini:,  V.  S.  LOMBARD  TRAN.SFER,  AND  BROTHERS  WETMORE. 


J43 


c  oj 


Ptt  of  Gold  Mine  on  Gen'l  Jackson — Clay—  Nullification  dead — the  Golden  L  tlery —  \''nlu 

Gold  Mines— a  $20,000  prize. 

No.  24().]  R.  L  Arnold,  to  Jes.se  Hoyt,   New  York. 

White  EIall,  [Savnnnnh,  Ga.,]  March  14,  1833. — Dear  Sir  •  Since  1  lust  wrote  you  I  have 
not  received  a  line  tVoia  IJoyd  ;  and  the  only  oflieiid  inte'ligince  iliut  1  have  of  his  proceedings, 
1  received  through  your  letter  of  the  IHili  iilt.  which  came  to  hand  a  few  days  since  ;  find  nlso  a 
certificiite  of  one  share  of  tin;  N.  A.  Mining  Go's,  stock,  the  one  due  me  out  of  the  cixshnrca 
remitted  to  pay  the  bet  of  Jice  shat^s  Inst  by  inc  uii  the  re-eler.tinn  of  Gfiirrul  Jiickstni.  It  is 
siran^e  times  in  the  poliiicMl  world,  such  revoluiicns  I  never  helore  witne.'^sied,  and  irere  I  in  the 
jield,  I  should  Le  soiuewhal  at  a  loss  on  what  side  lufighl.  Jiicksoii  has  cert;iinly  rlsfn  in  my 
estimation  since  1  s:iw  yon,  iiiid  of  CIny's  proceediniis  I  do  not  know  what  to  tlinik  or  say,  but  I 
suppose  we  shall  know  more  ere  loiii;.  Nulliticanoii  liein;^  dead,  it  will  not  be  long  be. 
fore  something  else  will  be  tiotten  up  to  create  a  political  c.xi-ittinent :  wlni  that  rn;iy  he  timB 
alone  will  dcvelope.  You  auk  me  how  the  Gold  Lottery  is  crlling  on  ?  and  what  » fleet  it  will 
have  on  our  stock  i  lii  answi.r  to  the  fiisi,  1  know  but  little  re.s;iec.tin2;  it,  e.\ceptini»  that  I  un- 
derstand the  drawing  is  neaily  tinislied  ;  and  with  respect  to  the  last,  1  bhould  nrcsume  it  wuuld 
decrease  the  market  value  uf  all  mines,  so  many  beinir  ofli-icd  for  sale.  Ai  vrt,  linwevr,  I  li.:ve 
not  heard  of  any  rh  iii'^iinir  \i\i\il:f,  thou,';h  I  should  piesunio  some  salt  S  had  been  eiiccled.  I 
know  that  many  pi'isoiis  did  speculate  in  the  chanci u  before  the  drawiPif.  The  best  .spicuiiilion 
i  have  heard  of  laie  was  liy  a  iieiglibour  of  mine  who  went  into  Savannah  last  week,  bontiht  a 
ticket  in  one  of  the  mu-tliern  lotteries,  for  $5,  and  ilu;  f)llowiii;jr  dav  rcTived  the  miclli^^en'-e  of 
iishaving  dravsn  ^-JO.OOtJ— took  $17,000,  and  came  home.      Yours,  &,c.     R.  J.  ARiNOLD. 

General  Prosper  M'f  humble  prnyrr  to  Collictor  Stcarticovt,  for  a  family  ndmi»iiion  into  his  po- 
litical Poor  Hoiixe — a  queer  nrgnnfnt,  backed  by  Cornelius  IV.  Lawrence,  Price,  Lee,  Allen, 
and  other  Wire  Pnllfrit  of  imtendcd  Drnwcrncy. 

[No.  2lG(i.]  General  Prosper  M.  Wetiiiire  to  Collector  Swnrtwont. 

New  YoRii,  April  18,  VS.i3. — Di.ar  Sir  :  I  was  so  un.vell  ilic  day  I  called  on  yoti  that  I  ffar 
I  did  not  succeed  in  impressing  you  with  the  interest,  the  deep  intereet  1  led  in  the  succets  of 
the  application  I  then  inside  to  you. 

I  have  refrained  from  iroubimg  you  again  personally  in  the  matter  from  two  rer.snns— first, 
because  these  soliciting,  are,  I  know,  as  unpleasant  to  you  as  they  are  mortit'ying  to  me.  A 
further  motive  for  my  reiieviinr  you  thus  lo.ig  from  this  nnportuniiy,  has  e.xisted  in  the  probabil- 
ity, that,  while  there  was  an  nncertai'My  about  Mr.  Craven's  continuance  in  office,  you  might 
wish  to  keep  the  other  ap|ioiiii;n.'nt  open. 

Since  i  s;iw  you,  Gen'.il  Spicer  has  agnin  visited  Washington,  and  is  now  returned.  Fie 
expects  to  Ix!  provided  ior  to  t.n  sati.^faction,  and  is  anxious  tliat  Mr.  Ogsbury  may  have  the 
benefit  of  his  vacancy.  Uiid'T  these  circumstances,  I  must  again  throw  my>-eif  upon  your  in- 
dulgence for  permission  to  soy  how  very  much  1  should  feel  obliged  by  your  compliance  with 
the  request. 

Apart  from  the  connection  existin;»  between  us — he  is  my  wife's  father — I  nni  bound  to  him 
for  many  favours  received  in  his  days  of  j)rospcrity,  and  which  I  have  no  means  of  returning, 
llis  character — busi  -oss  talents — industry — integrity — general  popularity — all  would  conspire  to 
tnike  his  appointment  acceptable  to  the  merchants  and  citizens.  If  individual  recommenda- 
tions were  necessary,  they  could  he  furnished  /.»  any  given  number.  1  can  hardly  think  them 
to  he  S.I  for  one  sj  well  known. 

//  I  can  be  sappo-ed  to  have  the  elisthlest  pos.sib'e  influence  loith  you,  or  cl/iim  on  the  ndminis. 
tralion — and  I  do  not  pretend  to  eilJier—l  bee;  that  both  may  be  transferred  to  Mr.  Ogsbury,  W 
they  can  in  any  wav  advance  his  interest  in  this  af)p!ication. 

"There  is  one  viow  of  this  subject  in  which  perhaps  both  Mr.  Oc6bui7  and  myself  mijjht  ba 
justified  in  'Ins  application.  He  has  been  lor  many  years  engaged  in  the  Imiportation  of  Goods. 
I  have,  also  in  former  years  c^ntnhated  to  the  revenue — .Mv  oro'lier,  with  whom  1  now  am,  and 
my  bruiber-in-luw,  George  Treadwell,  who  takes  a  /c/;ye  interest  iii  this  nffmr— are  both 
t.ttensively  engaiied  in  fon-lgi!  importations.  It  mi^ht  be  con.sldeied  that  individuals  to  situated 
hnpe  a  stronger  I'lain  tJtita  those  who  hare  ni'rcr  fnitnbul&d  tu  ihc  rwemtie. 

E.xcuse  me  for  saying  so  inncli ;  I  dni  not  intend  it  \^^l^•ll  I  cominence^l  ihi.slettei.  If  you  can 
tavourably  consider  ilie  application,  I  inoht  sincnely  hope  ynti  will  do  ^o.  Of  one  thing  I  uni 
sure,  yon  will  ni^ver  rt^crei  h  ivniit  conferred  ihe  appomimeni,  km  th?  ^i.-IivUnal  named. 

With  great  rp»|vct,  i  am  your  oh  dent  servant,         "  PRObl'ER  .M.  WETMORE. 
Natno  of  apjiiicant,  fruncis  Ogsbury,  391  Broadway. 

*Ori«rnIPrii«per  \ni»  n  le.'iili.r  iilrrtilnrer  of  cnncliitiOes  fn;  nJire  lit  the  ^ll^ln^l  UniiM).  Hit  iilnlities  Al  80 
ifltcf -l»» 'ifiir  oil  Ills  invn  huhiilfiniv  lio  ial4rr»i  t'rnm  h  »  ii|i|ie'il  f'*  hl>  I'llliBr-ni-liiw  li  mi-ceuil  liii  I'l  I  |i,irtiifr  in 
.lit  I  al  eil  Ri;ito»  I,imilii\r(l,  (;»(H!iiil  ,sipjriT.  wli  -e  minlesi  u,ij.<»il  in  lis  rieii.lilicr  .Swiirlvvoiil  T  r  ii  shi.ri;  of  Iha 
iwitilin  i.liiMiIer  biirkcl  hv  Mr.  Viin  II'  'cn,  t'.irnu  \.>.  \7>,  .>f  tlifc  .eriei,.  In  iiiii.llirr  leMer  Hi  Pwnrtwmil,  (iatert 
l^b.  8i,  mi,  ho  loll!,  liiin  Unit  "  Mr.  llrUermot  U.  Joait  lu  mjf.lj  lur  u  niiuaiiou  uador  ilio  t^'iefi^  «ov9tuo<«nt, 


I     'i. 


244      iMUMFOKU,  BENNETT,  VAN  BCREN  S  CAUSE,  OGSBDRV  AND  I  REE  PRESSES. 

(Ni>.  247  j  Attorney  General  Jolin  Vim  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y.— Dear  Sir  :  Pleane 
pay  Glover  one  huniJit'd  iinil  liity  ilollurH  ami  uccojiiiiiudaie  your  recently  much  ahust-d  trienj. 
At  your  office,  t^utuiday,  2  P.  .M.  (..May,  1S33.)  J.  VAN  UURbiN. 

A  Nutional  Convention — ^-lU.UUU  gircu  to  John  Mumford — Ingratitude. 

[No.  248.]  J.  C.  Dennett  loJ  Hnyt,  N.  York.  Postmark,  Philadelphia,  13ih  June  [IF3,'}] 
DkaR  Hdyt:  Yiiu  will  see  by  ihe  piipeis  what  we  are  ubniit  here  My  object  U  to  (iiake  ih>; 
party  come  out  for  a  National  Convention.  It  can  he  done  by  prudence,  skill,  and  addre.-s.  hi 
relutioii  to  what  1  talki'd  to  you  in  New  York,  1  have  an  earnfcit  word  to  say.  1  really  wish  that 
my  friend.s  there  wi.uld  try  to  aid  iin"  in  the  matter  I  formerly  nieiiiioned.  Morri.-on  I  f«ur  wjlj 
do  nothing.  John  i\Iumfi.rd  has  been  aided  to  the  extent  of  $40,000.  Wiih  a  fourth  -f  thut 
sum  1  Wjuld  hive  done  twice  as  inurh — .-obfily  and  with  some  deceney  too.  1  should  be  sorry 
to  be  compelled  to  believe  ihii  my  friends  in  New  York  shnuld  bestuw  their  friendship  mi)re 

effectually  upon  a  dr en  teilovv  than  me,  who  certainly  has  some  pretensions  to  deceney. 

I  am  sorry  to  speak  h.ush'y  of  my  body,  hui  roally  I  think  there  is  semethiiig  like  inijiratitudc  in 
the  way  I  have  been  tre  lU-d.  I  want  no  fnvor  tliat  I  cannot  repay.  I  »■  iint  no  aid  that  is  nut 
perlVetly  safe.     I  should  like  to  lienr  from  you,  if  ihrie  is  any  likelihood  of  my  socce.-s. 

Yours,  vtc.        J.  GORDON  BENNETT. 

Bennett  of  the  Jlcrald  trying  to  burrow  ,^2,500 /row  Vnn  Buren. 
[No.  249.]  Same  to  sar.ie.  rHiLAnrii.riUA,  27ih  .luly,  1S33  — Dear  FTovt:  I  haw 
written  to  Van  Buren  to-d^jy  about  the  old  alliiir.  I  MUST  hav^  a  loan  oi  $2300  for  a  couple 
of  years  from  :<ome  qiMiter.  I  can't  g^i  on  without  i' — and  if  the  '.'oinmoii  frienHn  of  our 
cause— those  1  liiive  bieii  workiiit;  f.'r  S  years — cannot  d.»  it,  I  mu^i  loo!;  for  it  somewhere  else. 
IVIy  business  here  is  doing  very  v.-i-i! — and  the  money  would  be  peifccily  safe  in  two  years.  You 
see  already  the  eiT>-'Ci  produced  in  Tenu'^ylvaniu — we  c:m  have  the  Siate — But  if  our  friends  woi.t 
lay  aside  their  hearHe.s'.;iie.=;3,  why,  we'll  iro  to  the  devil — that  is  all.  Theie  is  no  man  who  will 
go  further  with  friend-i  than  I  wd! — who  will  sacrifice  more — who  will  work  harder.  You  know 
it  very  well.  1  miisi  be  perfectly  independent  of  the  little  sections  in  this  city,  who  would  hurry 
me  into  their  small  coiir?es,  at  the  ri.:k  of  the  main  object.  Koudall  leaves  Washington  to- 
morrow on  his  tour  of  B.uik  Inspection,  t     Let  me  hear  from  you. 

Yours.  &c.        JA'S  GORDON  BENNETT. 


A  Scotchman's  tlank.t  for  "  nwrking  niglil  and  day  fir  the  cau<>e  of  I\[r.  Van  Buren" — anguish, 
disappointment,  detpair  .' — !>iir.pccted,  Klandercd.  reviled  ! — Bennett't  share  in  Wct/b^aprtnting 
office — Cold,  hc'utless,  careless  Van  Buren  .' —  IVhal  can  J  do? 

[No.  250.]  .Same  to  same.  PHII,ADEI.nII.^,  3rJ  Aui;'t  1833. — Dear  Hoyt:  T  am  ex- 
tremely Sorry  at  t!ie  result  of  your  eflorts.  The  efU'Ct  is  inevitable  :  I  ninsi  break-  down  in  the 
very  midst  of  one  of  the  most  important  contests  which  VAN  BUREN'S  C.AUSfi  ever  i^ot 
iato  in  this  state.  I  do  not  pf-e  how  I  can  avoid  it.  VVith  every  advanta<ie  in  my  favor — 
with  every  preparation  inside— every  thing  in  the  finest  trim  to  eheckiuate  and  corner  all  the 
opposition  to  V^un  Buren,  and  to  force  them  to  come  out  in  his  favor — as  I  know  they  must  do 
soon— I  must  give  way  to  the  counsels  of  thee  who  have  most  hostile  feelinfj;^  to  the  cause — 
and  on  what  ground  ?  Beeausp  neither  ]\Ir.  Van  Buren  nor  his  friends  will  move  a  linger  in  tny 
aid.  I  must  s  ly  thia  is  heartleits  in  the  extreme.  I  do  not  wish  to  use  any  (Uher  Imguatie  thnn 
what  will  convey  mildly  the  aiisiiish,  the  ilixapp'jintment,  the  de/'pair  I  vinii  xav,  ifhich  broods 
OTxr  7ne.  If  I  had  been  a  stransii'r  to  jlr.  Van  Bmenaiid  his  I'riends — if  I  had  been  unknown — 
if  I  had  been  blest  in  being  a  blockhead — I  mi'rht  not  have  cot  into  my  present  posture — nor 
would  I  have  cxpecti«i  any  aid  from  your  quarter.     But  after  NEARLY  TEN  YEARS  «pent 


." .  > 


»•   • 


and  it  is  Ihereforenn  nct(<'iiiiti''('  fo  liiin  to  fny  Ihnf  in  the  pi.^t  cottr^t  in  this  city,  no  mnn  has  vwrc  ftrovgty 
evinced  n.  detcrminitioii  to  sustain  the  mrnsitres  of  the  administration  at  the  expence  nf  iirivnte  interest"— and  tbeie- 
fnte  he  (Wetmore)  desires  tlini  \w  {  McDeriuot)  nmy  be  repiiiil  by  a  fatniilary  ! 

Iinmeilintelv  nOer  ihe  fiJI  eli'etii,ii  oi'  l.-':(4.  Messrs,  Cornelius  W.  Liiwrence.  VV"m.  M.  Prirc,  Stephen  Allen.  J. 
R.  VVhItuig,  U.  Uiker,  Diiiivl  .liuk-oii,  (Jiili-on  Oslrandor,  Oideon  Lee,  iinJ  \V.  P.  Hallett  inlibc'soil  u  letter  ti.  their 
friend  Samuel  HwiirtwoiU,  rri|iii'-<tin:,' tlitU  t'.  Di-ilmry  iniijht  be  iippiiintPi!  nn  Inspector,  ns  fullnwi:  ''New  York, 
'HA  Nov..  l^'Ht. —  Mr.  ociliiirv  is  an  old  inhaliiiant  nf  (hii  ritv — n  firm  inpporier  uf  ihe  ndmiiuilration— and  IN 
THE  LATE  KLECTIO.V  WAS  ACi'lVE  AND  LNTLIJENTIAL.  " 

fin  Bennett'd  Kiti-licn  Ciibinol  laid  open,  No.  tt,  ho  siiys,  "  I  ndvncnted  Iheremnvnl  of  the  deposits ;"  but  he  hud 
■tated  in  his  Pciinsylvuiiian,  .Inlv  *),  IfttH.  Ihnt  it  sci'incdii)  him  prr)l>ablo  that  nolhina  would  be  done  till  Congress 
met  j  arid  for  this  the  New  \"ork  \'an  Iluren  editor".,  whose  s|>eiMiliitiMit  upholders  wanted  the  bank  plunder,  denounc- 
ed hiin,  while  Van  Huron  himself  f.\'o.  'i,V2]  disliked  "  the  evident  tendency  of  his  paper."  Kendall  write  him  from 
Baltimore  that  he  was  snrrv  b{.'  Iiail  said  '  that  tim  depositee  would  not  be  removed  " — addinj;,  "  I  shall  want  voiu 
most  pruilenl  counsels  when  I  ,'.'oi"  to  Pbilndelpbiii.  "  I  Imd  been  and  wa<  for  ii  remuvnl,  but  1  donbteil  whether 
thin  mode  wns  bonesi,"  says  Ho  loett — lie  aUo  published  a  letter  from  Kendiill,  nocusiiiit  him  of  "  sowinjf  ih«- seeds 
ofdittrust  far  and  wide,"  nnd  telling  him  that  lie  niipht  "  riiise  up  ti  prent  pnper  in  Philadelphia— on*  which  shHil 
alinott  runtrni  the  Democracy  uf  Peiinsylv.iiiiM."  but  to  do  that  he  would  have  to  lieep  on  food  terms  with  "  the 
other  leadini;  Democratic  papers  bi  the  Uuiui."  Mr.  Bennett  next  applied  to  Van  Buren,  thro'  Hoyt,  for  a  loan, 
kod  woubl  probably  have  sot  It  bad  out  tlio  repeney  been  afraid  that  a  trnii  wan  set  for  them,  seeing  they  had  VkVi 
M  much  about  biiyinj;  up  t.bc  |ir«ki~mureuver,  Ueni^ttt  liad  uut  wvrlied  well  in  party  liurn«ss,  w  tltay  hiu. 


i  r.EE  TRESSES. 

Y.— Dear  Sjr  :  PIchh* 

ly  much  ahust-d  (riend 

J.  VAN  bURb.N. 

Ingratitude. 

niiA,  13ih  June  [1F33] 

y  object  U  to  inaku  ihe 

Hkiil,  and  uddros.  In 
8uy.  1  really  wish  ilmt 
.     Morri.-on  i  f.  ur  will 

With  a  ibiirih  ,r  that 
too.  1  should  be  sorry 
!  their  (Viendship  more 
pretensions  to  deCBncy. 
hiiig  like  inuratiiudu  in 
V  lint  no  aid  that  is  iiut 
:)f  tny  success. 
lUON  BENNETT. 

n  Buren. 

■•  Dear  ffovx :  I  haw 
1  or  $2300  for  a  (k.nple 
ominon  tVitntlH  of  our 
for  it  somewhere  else. 
ifc  in  two  years.  You 
-l)Uiif  our  I'rienris  woi.t 
fie  is  no  man  who  will 
irk  harder.  You  know 
;  ciiy,  who  would  hurry 
;rivos    Washingion  to- 

LDON  BENNETT. 

Van  Buren" — anguish, 
hare  ill  Wcbj'sprtiitiiig 

De,\r  Hoyt  :  T  am  ex- 

riiisl  brenk  down  in  the 
N'S  C.VUSE  ever  got 
vantnire  in  my  favor — 
late  nml  corner  all  the 
3  I  know  ihey  must  do 
feelinf^s  to  the  cause— 
•ill  move  a  finger  in  my 
ny  other  linguase  than 
ni'iy  nfiy,  irhich  broods 
[  hud  been  unknown — 
y  present  posture — nor 
TEN  YEARS  spent 

«(7  man  has  more  ftrovgly 
ivnte  interesia"— and  tUew- 

il.  Prirc,  Stephen  Allen,  J. 
;t  mlilrp-sed  ii  letter  l<.  their 
,  IIS  fMllciwi:  '■  Kew  York, 
he  nilmiiiiilratiua— and  IN 

rthoilopo'its  ;"biif  he  hni 
loiilil  he  done  till  Conjfres" 
he  hunk  iilmider.  denminc- 
Kendiill  write liimfrcim 
ddin<(,  "  I  sliiill  wiint  vmir 
nl,  hut  1  doiihled  wlietlipr 
him  (if  "  «owiii(!  ihf  seeds 
udelphifi— one  which  (hull 
I  on  rood  tcrnu  with  "  the 
>n,  thro'  Hityi,  Tor  a  lunn, 
hem.  feeing  they  had  Hid 
nnt,  10  tii»f  Hio, 


rnnssEs  ba't  for  globe  and  standard,    j.  o.  b.  OtTKERP  honest  !      24^ 

in  Neio  York,  WORK[iVG  NIGEIT  AND  DAY  FOR  THE  CAUSE  OF  MR.  VAN 
BUKEN  AND  His  KKIENDd,  surrounded,  too,  aa  1  hive  been,  wiih  tliotse  who  were  con. 
tiii'iaily  tiilkiiig  agiiinsi  linn,  mid  poisioiiing  me  to  his  prejudice,  the  treatment  which  I  hove  r^ 
ceived  from  lilin  and  his  friends  iiurmg  this  last  year,  and  u^  to  this  moment,  is  at  8uperlutiv*ly 
luartlens — and  if  I  could  utie  any  other  word  more  expressive  of  my  sentiments  I  would— us  it 
ia  possible  to  conceive  or  imui^ine  By  many  of  those  whom  I  have  EUi>puried  for  years  I  have 
been  sutfpecied,  slaudt-red,  and  leviled  as  if  1  had  been  in  hitter  hostility  to  Mr.  Van  Baivn  tot 
years,  instead  uf  gnpjnnting  him  Ihiuiigh  every  weather,  and  even  sacrihciiig  myself  that  1  DiiKM 
rciaiii  the  same  feelings  towarda»him — for  1  assure  you  1  might  have  coi.tiiiued  my  connactiun 
Willi  the  C.  and  E-  laai  year,  very  much  to  my  advantage — retained  my  share  in  the  printing 
office  of  that  csiablidliment,  if  I  had  not  differed  with  Mr.  Wtbb  on  the  points  that  you  know  so 
well  of.  I  sold  out  h  iwevir  to  liodkiii^saved  a  small  pittance  from  the  wreck  of  the  Globe-^ 
cam;:  here  and  invested  it  in  the  Pfunsyloaniun,  which  is  now  entirely  under  my  control,  piovidwl 
I  could  tiiiil  a  friend  any  where  between  heaven  and  eurih  to  help  me  along,  and  enable  tne  to  ecrry 
tut  MY  FIXED  PUKPOSE  IN  FAVOR  OF  VAN  BUREN  and  his/riendt.  But  ihat/riend 
God  hii3  nut  yet  ntuJe,  though  several  of  the  opposite  character  the  ut her  gentleman  has  put  bis 
brand  upon,  and  fondly  says  "  this  is  mine." 

/  except  yiiu,  DEAR  110 YT — I  am  sure  you  would  help  the  cause  if  you  could.  I  find  no 
fault  with  yiiu,  although  what  fault  v"'-  .nu  with  ine  about  the  deposits  is  nonsense,  and  only  a 
clamour  raised  in  Wall  street  by  u  ,ew  of  the  jealous  blockheads  hostile  to  me,  who  hav«;  not 
brains  to  see  that  in  this  city  we  can  use  the  deposit  question  very  efficiently  in  ihe  Octobor 
eleetion.  1  do  not  blame  even  the  jealous  blockheads  or  any  others  in  New  Yoik — I  blame 
only  ono,  and  that  is  the  Vice  President  himself.  He  has  treated  me  in  this  matter  as  if  I  had 
been  a  boy — a  child — cold,  heartles'S,  careless  and  God  knows  what  not.  By  a  word  toanyofhin 
friends  in  Albany  he  could  do  the  friendship  I  want  as  easily  as  rise  and  drink  a  glass  of  Sata- 
toga  water  at  the  Springs.  He  chooses  to  sit  still — to  sacrifice  those  who  have  supported  him  in 
every  weather — and  even  hardly  to  treat  me  as  one  gentleman  would  treat  another. 

y  scarcely  know  what  course  I  shall  pursue,  or  what  I  shall  do.  I  am  beset  on  all  ."tides  with 
importunities  tu  cut  him — tu  abandon  him — What  can  I  do?  What  shall  I  do  ?  1  know  not. 
Yi)U  will  e.xcuse  ihia  letter — you  can  easily  appreciate  the  situation  of  a  man  confident  of  suc- 
cess if  properly  supported — but  nothing  before  him  but  the  abandonment  of  liis  deliberate  pur* 
poses  or  a  shameful  surrender  of  honor  and  purpose  and  principle  and  all. 

Yours  truly,         J.  G.  BENNETT. 

I  do  not  know  whether  it  is  worth  the  while  to  write  to  Van  Buren  or  not— nor  do  1  care  if 
you  were  to  send  him  this  letter. 

The  past  and  the  future  placed  before  Jesse  Hoyt, 
[No.  251]  Same  to  same. — Piiil^denphia,   15ih  Aug't,  1»33. — Dear  IIovt:  I  have  not 
heard  from   you  for  a  week.     I  hope  that  my  old  friends — if  I  ever  had  any — which  I  begin  to 
doubt — will  not  firget  what  1  have  heretolore  done  or  what  I  may  do.     Do  let  me  hear  from  you 
again  for  good  and  all  at  least.  1  am,  Dear  Sir,  Yours,  &,c.         J.-V3  G.  BENNETT. 

Van  Buren  will  not  lend  his  friend  Uennrll  one  cent — but  will  brstnto  his  good  wishes  upon  him 
as  lonn  as  he  kerpn  honest .'  .'  .' —  Van  Buren  dare  not  venture  to  trust  himself  vn  paper  to  hit 
''riend — Cannot  Philudelphia  uphold  one  Van  Buren  Press  ? 

[No.  2F>2.]  Vice  President  Van  Buren,  to  Jes-se  Hoyt  at  New  York. 
Saratoga  Springs,  Auuus!  1!(,  163."). — {Free,  M.  Van  Buren.) — Dear  Sir:  I  return  your  Mr. 
B's  letters,  [i.  e.  No.  1251)  ite.  ]  7  have  never  doubted  his  personal  friendship  for  me.  I  would  al- 
xmyx  have  been  hajipv  to  do  him  good,  but  I  cannot  directly  or  indirectly  aH'ord  pecuniary  aid  to 
his  press,  and  more  iiartiiMilarly  so  as  I  am  situated  at  the  present  moment.  If  he  cannot  con- 
tinue friendly  to  nie  on  public  iirounds  and  with  perfect  independence,  I  can  only  regret  it,  but  I 
desire  no  other  support.  Whatever  course  he  may  pursue,  as  lung  as  it  is  an  honest  one,  I  shall 
wish  him  well.  He  dots  not  iindersiaiid  the  relation  between  the  Editors  he  quarrels  with  and 
myself,  or  he  would  not  eomplaiii  of  me  for  their  acts.  They  are  as  independent  of  me  in  the 
management  of  their  papers,  us  1  wish  him  to  be,  and  remain-  I  had  intended  to  have  soi<i  thus 
much  to  him,  but  the  ,  your  letter,  and  the  erident  tendency  of  hin  paper,  render  it 

preferable  that  1  should  not.  I  did  suppose  that  ho  would  have  found  no  difficulty  in  obtaining 
money  in  New  York  as  others  fjet  it,  if  our  friends  in  Philadelphia  could  not  ull-together  make 
out  to  sustain  one  press.  If  you  happen  to  meet  him  I  wish  you  would  make  these  explnnations 
to  him,  BUT  KEEP  TiUS.  I  am,  in  haste,  your  friend,         M.  VAN  BUREN. 

[No.  253.]  Vice  President  Van  Buren,  to  .lesse  Hoyt,  N.  York. 

Albany,  Sept.  7,  1833 —Dear  Sir:  General  Vance,  with  whose  good  character  and  respect- 
ability you  are  well  aciiuainu'd,  ;roes  to  New  York  on  business  in  which  our  State  is  deeply  in- 
t«rfBted,  and  in  respect  to  which  you  may  perhaps  be  of  service  tobini.  If  you  can  do  so,  I  hope 
jrou  will — and  am  very  cordially  yours,  M.  VAN  BUKfUN, 


.  -V. 


ti 


i-,- 


.'^i: 


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■'i 


I 


■I 

If. 


it-;-/:V''-s: 


i(  » 


T'  .   ■    '       ''  •      '   . 


240  SILAS  WRIOdT  INTRIGUmO ^JOHN  VAN  BUnEN  CURSING. 

Stocks,  Checks,  Shirts,  and  Drawers — Swearing,  Spelling,  and  the  letter  S. 
[No.  254]        Attorney  General  John  Van  Biiren,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y. 

Albany,  Dec,  19,  1833. — '  My  Dear'  Hoyt  (as  some  rascal  writes  lo  '  Webb') — I  enclose 
you  your  check,  for  your  comfort — it  was  deposited  in  the  Bank  for  collection,  and,  of  course,  is 
returned  lo  yuu  without  inconvenience.  As  for  money,  I  don't  know  that  I  shall  be  peculiar 
short  (not  physically  but  pecuniarily)  unless  Boston  and  Providence  should  go  down  to  a  mere 
anatomy.  In  ihut  event  I  fear  the  ex-Danish  Commissioner  and  myself  will  be  a  'below-par 
nobile'  of  sutTerers. 

Please  to  let  Willard  of  the  City  Hotel  be  apprised  that  I  warft  two  flannel  shirts,  and  as  many 
pairs  of  drawers,  to  be  had  uf  Tryon  for  a  trifle  alias,  credit. 

I  am  not  a  '  Councellor*  and  bo  d d  to  you — and  if  I  were  I  should  spell  it  with  an  '  S'  in 

the  middle.  Yours  '  to  sarve,'        J.  VAN  BUREN. 

P.  S.  Since  the  foregoing  efl"u8ion  was  poured  forth,  I  hnve  enquired  at  the  Bank,  and  find 
your  check  has  been  sent  to  New  York.  I  suppose  the  easiest  way  '  to  work  it,'  is  to  enclose 
you,  as  1  do,  my  check  on  this  bank  for  the  same  amount,  payable  at  the  same  time.   J.  V.  B. 

[No.  25.5]         J.  A.  Hamilton,  to  .Tesse  Hoyt,  on  supporting  '  the  Standard.' 
New  York,  Dec.  .10,  1833. — Dear  Sir:  In  reply  to  your  enquiry  whether  I  am  willing  to 
unite  with  other  friends  in  raisinff  money  to  sustain  the  Standard,  I  have  to  say — that  if  30 
persons  will  a!»ree   to  advance  $250  each,  the  repayment  to  be  satisfactorily  secured  upon  the 
paper,  1  will  agree  to  advance  $250  whenever  the  arrangement  is  completed. 

With  very  great  respect,  &c.        JAMES  A.  HAMILTON. 

Governor  Silas  setting  the  wheels  in  motion — contracts  to  be  kept  by  Farmers  with  Patroons, 
but  may  be  broken  at  will  with  National  Banks — no  thunder  from  the  city — Plunder^s  our 
game,  and  '  our  stt/te  leads' — the  legislature  is  a  party  organ ;  let  it  play  up  '  Jiidas's  march' — 
Instructions  from  Washington  how  to  manufacture  public  opinion  at  Albany,  for  effect  at 
Washington — also  for  country  use  .' 

[No.  256.]  Silns  Wright,  U.  S.  Senate,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York. 
Washingto.v,  3H  Jan'y,  1834. — My  Dear  Sir:  Your  letter  and  the  enclosure  came  to  me  this 
day,  and  I  have  thi!*  evening  sent  both  to  Mr.  Flagg,  with  such  suggestions  os  occurred  to  me. 
Nothing  can  be  clearer,  in  my  mind,  than  that  the  friends  of  the  Ailniini«tration  in  your  City 
ehould  not  attempt  to  tjet  up  a  po/iuilar  meeting  upon  this  subject.  The  legislature  is  the  proper 
organ  to  speak  for  the  people  upon  this  important  subject,  and  there  is  not  a  doubt  that  they 
khould  net  witho  ..  one  monieiu's  delay.  It  is  too  lute  to  fear  any  eflect  from  the  allegation 
that  our  Slate  lends-.  The  snhject  is  now  before  the  Virginia  lenislnture,  and  I  think  it  quite 
likely  they  will  recommend  a  rentorution  of  the  deposits.  The  legislature  of  Ohio  hnve  acted, 
nnd  go  strong  against  the  Bank — in  favor  of  the  removal  of  the  deposites — and  against  the  bmd 
bill.  I  say  they  h;ive  acted.  The  miil  to.d;iy  has  broujht  a  copy  of  their  resolutions,  which 
had  passed  the  Senate,  and  which  Mr.  Morris,  the  Jiickson  Senator  from  iniit  State,  says  will 
pas,:>  the  House  3  to  1.  Every  legislature  in  iho  Union  will  act  upon  this  subject,  and  ours  will 
not  bo  behind.  * 

If  the  friends  of  the  Bank  in  your  city  attempt  to  get  up  n  popular  meeting,  the  subject  will  he 
one  which  the  friends  of  the  Administration  on  the  ground  will  best  know  how  to  dispose  of — 
but  in  any  other  way  I  do  not  think  the  mass  of  your  somewhat  excited  pnpidntinn  should  be 
called  to  act. 

The  state  of  feeling  here  is  very  violent,  and  popular  meetintrs  either  way  can  h'lve  little  effect. 
Still  I  should  dislike  to  .see  a  tneeting  in  New  York  seeming  to  embody  an  imdivided  expression, 
given  to  our  opponents — for  thi:  piililicnl  effect  in  the  cnunlry  would  be  had,     I  have  no  time  to 
write  farther — but  shall  be  linppy  to  hear  fiom  you  often  and  freely. 
I  think  the  legislature  should — in  the  shortest  possible  langiiage — 
Isi.  Express  an  opinion  against  the  re-chirter  of  the  Bank  in  nnv  form. 
2nd.  Appr.i  e  if  the  communicntion  read  to  the  Cabinet  on  the  18th  Sept.  last. 
3rd.   Approve  of  the  change  of  the  deposits. 
4th.  Approve  of  the  reasons  given  by  the  Secretary  for  that  change,*  both  on  the  ground  of 


II  mill  iniii  .•\meririiM  ircriiMtii  I'iin  up  iipni'lil  !  v^  iiltIii  .11  Ilip  Alhiiiu  fpiinte  vnti  -I  Inr  linnks  tiiiil  liinK  JtiirK 
tliein — in  VVn^liingt  'ft  lir  imli'iiM  tlicm.  jut  \,he  iiiii.|  c  iiiDnt'v  hliircrt  in  lliein.  Iinrrowed  out  llmt  nimiov  next  wi 
olhor  «|ieriil:itiirii,  In  r:'i.c  llie  pru'os  nflhr  |miI)Iic  ImnU  In  Ilia  |iP'i|ili!--thc  iiMlicunl  trdnn.irn  win  nscil  10  lilmd  iiiiii 
brilieihe  million?  l<i  I'irrt  Van  HnruM  nn.l  iiiiii  M  ihc  imriv— mid,  ihut  (loiio,  Wright  in  1K)7,  ieiiuunced  hit  own 
p«U  «»  "  ioull«u  txiileuaei,"  evur  I'uillilait  111  tim«  of  need. 


HO. 

e  letter  S. 

Y. 
Webb»)— I  enclose 

m,  and,  of  course,  is 
t  I  shall  be  peculiar 
go  down  to  a  mere 

vill  be  a  '  below-par 

shirts,  and  as  many 

)ell  it  with  an  '  S*  in 

VAN  BUREN. 

the  Bank,  and  find 

ork  it,'  is  to  enclose 

ne  time.   J.  V.  B. 

lard.' 

ler  I  am  willing  to 

B  to  say — that  if  30 

ily  secured  upon  the 

d. 

\..  HAMILTON. 

ners  with  Patroona, 
city — Plunder's  our 
Jiidaa'a  march' — 
ilbaiiy,  for  effect  at 


(lire  en  me  to  me  this 
s  as  occurred  to  me. 
tration  in  your  City 
islatare  is  the  proper 
)t  a  doubt  that  they 
fiom  the  allegation 
nnd  1  liiink  it  quite 
of  Ohic)  have  acted, 
nnd  nffainst  the  lind 
r  resolutions,  which 
nat  State,  says  will 
bject,  and  ours  will 

T,  the  subject  will  he 
how  to  dispose  of — 
oriiilntion  should  be 

:nn  hnve  little  effect. 

ndivlded  expressior, 

I  have  no  lime  to 


.  last. 

h  on  the  ground  of 

ink.  nnd,  of  rniir«e.  of 

II  rnti«i»  II  (n  rtniir   v«  nf 

tn  llu'    iiliriidpr  iif  the 

Invp  rPHiiiisd  in  ■iffire 
nr  rpi'pi>prl  thn   revurd 

jtrrpil  lii>noRilv,  he  wm 
sliin.'l  n.  nml  from  ihnt 
(I'll  riv'iird  fi.r  tniih.  U 
nnkR    rinil  iiiok  «l(irk  in 

tli:it  iimiiPv  ni'Xl  ivilh 
ft  WMa  Msvil  to  lilind  mill 
17,   iciiuunced  hit  own 


CORNELIUS  W.  LAWRENCE,  OR  THE  CRTING  CONGRESSMAN. 


247 


the  near  expiration  of  the  Charter,  and  on  the  ground  that  the  Bank  has  abused  its  chartered 
powers  and  privilege.'',  and  has  become  a  political  institution. 

These  points  will  cover  the  whole  case  j;t  a  form  and  manner  most  applicable  to  the  state  of 
things  here.  Most  truly  yours,         SILAS  WRIGHT,  JR. 

•  — — .^.^_— — — — ^_— — — 

[No.  afj?.]  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence,  M.  C,  to  a  Friend  in  New  York. 
Washington,  24[h  .Fiinuary,  lbij4. — My  Dear  f^ir :  Your  favor  of  the  SJlat  was  received  late 
last  evening.  I  am  inclined  to  think  we  shall  have  a  project  introduced  FOR  A  NATIONAL 
BANK,  as  we//  as  a  renewal  of  the  old  one,  n\ion  principles  somewliat  different  than  [from?] 
the  bill  rejected  by  the  President  [.Fackson,]  Perhaps  new propusitions,  not  cither  attacking  or 
sustaining  the  administration,  would  receive  the  approbation  of  the  country. 

The  motion  to  return  the  Deposites  is  justly  consideinl  an  attack  upon  liie  President,  and  it 
is  resisted  on  that  ground — but  nothing  is  yet  uiatiirtMl,  Ibelicve. 

Respectfully  your  ob't  servant,  CORNELIUS  W.  LAWRENCE. 

[Remarks. — It  was  Mr.  Van  Buren'.=?  rule,  ami  it  app'^ars  to  be  Mr.  Polk's,  to  reward  with 
ofRces,  contracts,  early  informatiun,  or  in  pome  sure  and  effectual  way,  those  congressmen, 
state-legislators,  or  other  persons  holding  otlicial  station  by  popular  suflrage,  who  had  in  any 
way  injured  their  characters  and  standing  by  violatin;^  principle  to  serve  party,  right  or  wrong. 
It  is  in  this  way  that  Mr.  Lawriince  has  obtained  the  N.  Y.  Custom  House,  with  its  patronage, 
and  vast  influence  and  emoluments. 

.    A  few  months  after  writing  the  lettcrsof  the24ih,  2fith,and  3Ist  of  Januaiy,  1834,  here  given, 
the  name  of  C.  W.  Lawrence  was  put  up  liy  the  Van  Buren  Safety  Fund  Bank  men,  in  opposi- 
tion to  the  friends  of  the  U.  S.  Bank,  tor  IVIiiyor  of  New  York.     Mr.  Lawrence  had  been  elec- 
ted to  Congress  in  Nov.  183:2,  by  .')Syj  voten  over  Mr.  Ogdenitht"  !'ighest  whig  candidate.  When 
now  opposed  to  G.  C.  VeiplaiK-k  for  .Mayor  his  o81);'»  majority  dvvindled  down  to  180  ;  obtained, 
too,  by  a  sacrifice  of  piiiicipli;  for  I'-i  love   of  gain.     At  the  great  celebration,  by  ilie  whigs  of 
N.  Y.,  April  1.5,  18.'}4,  ilie  ."jtli  reirular  tonst  v  as  "  Cornelius  W.  Lavvrlncl,  «)Aose  HEART  was 
with  us,  but  whose  NECK  «;«•<  with  hit pdrltj. '     That  it  was  tightly  in  the  collar  there  is  abun- 
dant testimony.     The  reader,  on  pcniKiiig  ^Mr.  Lawrence's   three  letters,  will  perceive  that  this 
toast  told  the  simple  iruih.     His  juu^ment  uud  avowedly  on  one  side  and  his  votes  were  on  the 
other.     His  prospects  of  addiii;j  iii  his  u-c;i!:!i  by  the  sacrifice  of  his  opinions  were  in   the  one 
gcale — honor  and  honeaiy  were  in  tlio  oihcr — '  in  private  (tiuys  the  Cour.  &.  Enq.  of  Apiil  9, 
1834)  he  admitted  that  the   removal  (i^f  the  public  treasure)  was  inexpedient.     To  those  who 
conversed  with  him  on  tht;  subject  lie  v.  luiiiled  that  this  removal  wasuncalltd  for  and  impolitic." 
Yet  he  voted  for  the  removal,  on  a  pledi^e,  well   kept,  that  he  would  get  the   fingering   of  two 
millions  of  dollars  of  these  deposites  hiins.  If,  for  a  bunk  to  be  started  in  Wall  street,  with  spe- 
cial privileges,  and  called  the  Bank  of  ilie  riiate  of  New  York,  of  which  bank  he  and  his  cronies 
should  have  the  control,  the  ju^rgleiy  of  didijosing  of  its  shares,  &c.     The   bargain  wos  fulfilled 
by  Van  Buren — Lowrence  had    the  two   millions — had    the    two  million    bank  charier — and 
had  Jesse   Hoyt's  Custom  House  monies  to  boot— finally,  he  has  the  N.  Y.  Custom    House,  its 
vast  power  and  influence,  with  his  bank  as  a  treasury  pet,  and  his  brother  serving  by  way  of  a 
stool  pigeon,  as  its  president,  till  he  cCornelius)  is  again  ready  to  resume  that  lucrative  office. 
"As  for  supposing  that  Newbold,  tieorge  Griswold,  Stephen  Whitney,  or  any  of  the  old  federal 
commercial  men  were  with  us  on  this  occasion,  for  any  other  reason,  than  because  they  found  it 
for  their  interest  to  go  with  us,  I  never  for  one  single  instant  had  such  an  unwarrantable  idea." 
These   were    Butler's  remarks   to  Hoy t,  Feb.  24, 1834 — and   he  might    have    included    C.  W. 
Lawrence,    Morgan   Lewis,  Saul  Alley,   Preserved    Fish,  .\b'm   Bloodgood,  and  several  other 
rich  men,  who  only  went  with  Van  Buren  for  the  love  of  a  share  of  the  plunder.     In  the  Cour. 
ier  &.  Enquirer  of  April  8,  1834,  we  are  told  (and  the  fact  is  neither  explained  oway  nor  con- 
trodicted)  that  several   merchants  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Lawrence's  acquaintance  called  on  him  when 
on  a  visit  to  New  York,  a  few  weeks  previous,  when  he  "  frankly  avowed  his  conviction  of  the 
necessity  of  o  Bnnk   of  the  United  Stales,  and  his  disapproval    of  the  conduct  of  the  Executive, 
fjiickson)    in    rcferenre   to   the    depositen   ;  but  added,    that     he  had    bound    himself   BY    A 
WRITTEN  PLHDGE  tn  uphold  the  party.     Such  was  his  sense  of  the  embarrossnienis  of  his 
BituBiion  that  HE  ACTUALLY  WEPT,"     The  crying  congressman,  the  weeping  stock-jobber 
cout.D  HAVE  RKsio.vEP  had  he  disliked  the  party  drill — but  it  brought  him  plunder,  and   he 'blub- 
bered and  held  on,  and  afterwards  lent  his  name  as  a  candidate   for  the  mayoralty  to  uphold 
the  gamblers  he  voted  with  in  public,  nnd  whose  di^honost  measures  and  greediness  of  gain   he 
had  secretly  condeuined  to  Jesse  Hoyt  and   others.     The  above  letter  (Jan.  24)  wos  first  pub- 
li-hed  in  the  Mercantile  Advertiser,  which  also  gove  parogiaphs  from  anoiht  r  letter   by  Law. 
fence,   written  after  '  the  party'  had  resolved  not   to  go  for  n  new  bonk,  os  Dan'el   Jnckson  and 
Cambreleng  had  privately  urgid  them,  nor  to  re. charter  the  old  one  modified,  as  he  (Lowrence; 
hoped  they  would — in  which  he  had  begged  of  the  gentleman  to  whom  he  had  written,  to  give 
him  his  letter  back  again — he  dreaded  exposure  and  public  shame. 
'The  Ewning  Post,  by  Bryant,  denounced  the  bill  introduced  into  the  N.  York  Legislature, 


J'.  > 
■•>  <r' 


'I? 


248       TTEBB's  rrzzLE.    Lawrence,  hoyt,  KEHKOcnAN  and  the  baxk. 


I  -,'? 


.-:,•••♦• 


*':■♦■*'. 


'•:'..J.>'  *: 


by  recommeiu'nion  of  Marcv'ssix  million  message,  which  John  Van  Biiren  hnd  spccnlntpd  on, 
devliring  liiai  it  wniili)  ni  ikc  "  Liwreiue  run  like  the  Cholfni,"  lor  inayor.  According  lo  the 
Post,  II  should  have  heen  pniiilt-rl  "  An  Act  ti>  loan  ihe  crHdit  of  this  Sinie  to  the  Speculators, 
M<in 'pt)li-t.'',  and  RiiffniiMit-y  dealers  th(  reof."  The  tradmg  (.-oliticiins  nl  the  state,  then,  as 
now,  weni  any  and  every  way  for  gtiin — Aviirice  Wiis  their  god.  "  If  the  United  .Siiiies  Biiiik  is 
daiigeioiis  10  t*ie  liherties  of  the  enuniry  (nsktd  the  Cour.  &.  Knq.  ol  .lHn.*28.  It3:2  )  hjiw  came 
Goterniir  Thrii'ip  tn  mile  fur  it  ?  How  is  it  ili  it  all  this  dinger,  all  this  iincuntiitiiliO'ialily,  has 
been  discovered  liy  the  Argus  within  the  last  twehe  muvths  !  ! .' !  .'"  Wliin  Geoitie  D.  Strong 
waa  nor  mm  applliuni  for  a  hank  cliarier  at  Albany,  he  op|)0>ed  C.  W.  Lnwnnep,  got  up  a  nntti* 
ination  upposed  to  him  for  Alderman,  and  heiit  him  too — but  in  April  1834,  whin  he  wa.-'  petl. 
tioningihe  Regency  for  iheir  sanciion  to  his  Cominerciiil  Bank  (which  soon  failed)  he  (Strong) 
went  it  strung  for  Lawrence  as  the  only  true  democratic  candidate  for  Miiynr.  In  Jan. 
1834,  Liwreiice  svroie  Hoyt,  "  that  a  iiationul  bimk  would  be  useful  to  the  g.ivernment  and  the 
country"' — in  April,  s;ime  >ear,  he  voted  wiih  Cambreleng  to  keep  the  public  revenue  in  the 
vaults  of  the  pets,  tiio'  the  U.  S.  Bank  had  paid  the  republic  $1,500,(100  for  the  use  of  it,  and 
aliio  that  it  was  unsafe  to  re. charier  the  National  B  mk.  Three  years  af.er  this,  Lawrence's  own 
bank  was  bankrupt,  with  tuo  niillions  ofddlars  of  the  public  plunder  clutched  in  its  grip,  and 
he  at  the  hand  of  it.  On  Sept.  25th,  184.'{,  Lawrence  was  one  of  Van  Buren's  Sub  Treasury 
VicR  Pretii<lent3  at  the  meeiint;  in  the  Park — and  his  bunk  keeps  the  deposites  to  this  day, 
while,  if  the  siib-ireiisiiry  scene  shdl  be  re-enacted  he  will  share  the  plunder  there  also,  under 
Seine  new  and  plausible  form. — VV.  L.  M] 

Collector   Lawrence   of  N.    Y.  on  the   Remoivd  of  the   Depositee — Calhoun,  Preston,  Clay, 
McDiiffii,  Rivpf!,  and  the  Nuilijiurs.  their  views. 
[No.  257  ]  Cnrnelins  W.  Lawrence,  M.  C,  lo  Jesse  Hi>vt,  N.  Y. 

WAsniNOTON,  19th  Jan.  1834. —  My  Dear  Sir:  Your  favor  of  the  8th  (returned  from  Fayette- 
ville,  N.  C.)  was  received  this  morning,  and  I  notice  in  th?  Courier  &  Inquirer  of  Friday  the 
17ih,  another  letter  to  me,  sitjned  .lacob,  referring  to  the  dcpnfiites. 

You  will  no  liouhi  have  read  Mr.  Calhoun's  speech-  he  admits  the  right  of  removal  from 
ofRce  hy  the  President,  and  say.s  "  nor  can  Idoulit  that  the  power  of  removid  from  'ifTice,  where- 
ver it  exists,  does,  from  neces-ity,  involve  the  power  uf  gt  neral  supervi.>-ion  ;  nor  can  I  dniibt 
that  it  might  he  consiiiutionally  exercib>.'  n  reference  to  the  dcpowites  "  Then  he  poes  on  to 
say,  that  to  prevent  the  removal  of  the  depositea  it  would  have  been  his  [thu  President's]  right 
and  his  duty  to  h  ive  removed  the  ."^ecre'ary. 

In  conver.saiion  yesteru;iy  with  the  other  Senator  from  South  Carolina,  Mr.  Preston,  h;  ad. 
mitted  the  tjivinc  ii[)  the  charge  of  a  violation  of  the  Constitution  bv  the  President — but  tlie  re- 
moval .)f  the  deposiies  i/'r;.«  a  violation  iif  Contract  with  the  Bank,  &.c. 

I  think  Mr.  Clav  and  Mr.  McDuHie's  position,  of  a  usurpnti  'ii  of  power  by  the  President,  is 
gone — and  the  onlv  qmstion  is  as  to  the  sufficiency  of  the  reasons.  Mr.  Seaborn  Jones  of  Geor- 
gia, a  Nullitier,  will  speak  next  in  ojr  House — and  he  will  maintain  that  the  reasons  given  by 
the  SecreiMrv  of  the  Treasuty  [Taney]  arc  satisfactory  and  sufficient. 

If  the  Nulliliers  <Tive  up  (he  question  of  usurpation  of  power  in  the  act  in  qnestinn,  that  point 
may  a«  well  be  abandoned  by  the  opposition  with  us,  and  M/.  Clay's  first  resolution  qannot  even 
pass  the  .Senate. 

Mr.  Rives  of  Virsinia  is  said  to  have  made  a  very  able  speech  in  the  Senate  on  Friday — and  I 
have  heiird  that  n  disiiiiirui.sheH  Senator /rom /Ae  eas<  said  afterwards,  that  on  the  constitutional 
arpnment  he  had  demolished  .Mr.  Clay. 

However  I  do  not  sav    these  words  were   used,  and   do  not  wish    to  he  quoted  as  reporting 
what  any  one  savs.     My  letiers  are  only  intended  for  my  friends  to  whom  they  aie  addressed. 
Respectfully,  your  friend  and  obedient  servant,         CORNELIUS  W.  L.WVRENCE. 


Cornelius  the  friend  of  a  National  Bank  when  behind  the  screen — The  quaker  on  both  sidet  of 

the  fence  at  once. 

[No.  258.]  Collector  Lawrence  to  his  'assured  friend'  J.  Hoyt. 

Washinqton,  9Gth  .Tnn'y,  18.'U. — Mv  De:ir  Sir:  Jam  much  ohiiired  lo  you  for  yonr  letter  of 
the  21=t,and  I  AM  APPRCHRNSIVKOUR  POLITICAL  FRIf^NDS  MAKE  A  MISTAKF. 
IN  GOING  TOO  FAR  ACAINST  A  NATIONAL  BANK,  hut  \  will  have  th^'  pleasure  of 
writing  a  few  days  hence.     Respectfully,  your  assured  friend,     CORN'S  \V.  LAWRENCE. 


Hoyt  introduces  Kernorhan  to  Van  Burenon  behalf  of  the  United  States  Bank, 
[No.  25D  1  To  Vice  President  Van  Buren.  Ni£W  Yoaii.  January  28,  1834. 

Dear  Sir :  This  will  be  handed  vnu  by  my  friend  Joseph  Kernochan.  Esquire,  one  of  the  del- 
egates from  the  merchants  of  this  City,  charced  with  a  memorial  to  Coneress  in  relation  lo  the 
embarrassed  condition  of  our  Commercial  affairs.  He  has  now  retired,  but  has  recently  been 
eJLieiuively  engaged  in  business,  and  his  great  experience  enables  him  lo  kuuw  all  the  variety 


••  li 


IE  BAXK. 

Iind  sppriilnfed  on, 
Aciordihg  to  iha 
to  the  Specula lofH, 
i(   \he  state,  thi>n.  as 
njlfii  Suites  Blink  is 
8.  It- 3:2 )  fiJiw  camt 
'insiitiitiu'iuHly,  has 
n  GfoiL'e  D.  Strofig 
ticp,  got  up  a  ni>m- 
wlun  he  wn.i  petU 
fiilfd)  he  (Strong) 
M.iyor.      In   Jan. 
government  and  the 
blic   revenue   in  the 
the   use  of  it,  and 
hi5>,  Lawrence's  own 
:hed  in  its  prip,  and 
ren'9  Sub  Treasury 
•pojiies  to  this  diiy, 
er  there  also,  under 


>un,  Preston,  Clay, 


limed  from  Fayette- 
tiquirer  of  Friday  the 

hi  of  removal  from 
I  from  iiffico,  where- 
on ;  nor  cim  I  doubt 
Tiii'n  he  jioes  on  to 
lie  Presidem's]  right 

Mr,  Prc.non,  h;  ad. 
•csidcnt — but  tne  re- 

by  the  President,  is 
l>orn  Jones  of  Geor- 
he  riasons  given  by 

qiieptinn,  that  point 
solution  qannot  even 

e  on  FriJny— and  I 
'n  the  constitutional 

quoted  nq  reporting 
i»!y  tne  nddressed. 
LAWRENCE. 

\er  on  both  xidet  of 


t. 

II  fir  yonr  letter  of 

KE  A  MISTAKE 

avc  th''  pleni^ure  of 

LAWRENCE. 

ritfs  Bank, 
nunry  28.  1834. 
ire,  one  of  the  del- 
9  in  relntit-ti  to  the 
has  recently  been 
uw  ail  tho  \u^\f 


nXNlt  ADVOCATES  AWD  BANK  EXVOTS. 


249 


cftnrmn  of  Mercantile  oprration*,  and  would  seem  to  qiinlify  him  to  express  nccnrnte  opinions 
on  this  biibject.  H>  '"i"  lucn,  ever  since;  I  hiive  known  liiiii,  niid  tlini  is  for  ninny  yeurp,  ii  uni- 
form eupporier  nf  the  dennicniiic  adiiiinisirniion  of  the  Country,  and  coiiti  nes  that  piippori  to 
the  measures  of  the  piesnit  one,  in  nil  suve  its  views  in  relminn  to  the  Bunk  of  the  United 
States,  niid  on  ihissuhjeci  he  miys.  as  Mr.  .lefTerr'on  once  snid,  "  difTi-rences  of  opinion  are  to  b« 
tolerated  where  reason  is  lei't  fiee  to  coiiihat  lliein."  Ills  object  in  troinj!- to  Was^hington  is  purely 
with  the  ho|ie  of  rendering  a  public  si  ivIl-o  ;  and  if  ho  bhould  have  a  ilesire  to  statu  his  views  to 
you,  1  have  no  doubt  yon  will  t'ivc  hi'u  ilie  op|iuriuniiy.  His  cieiit  integrity  of  character  will 
authori:!e  you  to  plnce  die  inmost  n'liiinee  upon  his  niaii  nients  as  to  the  true  condition  of  busia 
ness  and  business  men  in  lliiii  cii;'.      Ri  sincitully  your  (iiend  and  ob'i  serv't.         J.  ilOYT. 

Hoijt  introduces  '«  IS'iiik  Jlis.iionari/  to  Taney  and  Van  Bnretu 
[No.  260.]  Jesse  Hoyt,  Ts.  Y..  to  A'ice  President  Van  Buren,  Washintjton. 
New  York,  Jin.  28,  1834. — Deiir  Sir :  .My  friend  tind  neijjhbor,  fOltiert  J.  Anderson, Esquire, 
who  will  deliver  you  iliis,  visits  Wa.shington  as  one  of  a  Committee  of  Merchants,  charged  with 
a  memorial  IVotYi  «  portion  of  thnt  ebi.'ts  of  our  citizens,  in  relation  to  ihe  present  eiiibarraBsed 
state  of  trnde.  He  is  extcnsivily  tmd  Jictivvly  engaged  in  business,  ;md  is  Inniilinrly  acquainted 
with  the  dilficullies  that  sueiii,  and  no  doubt  mUually  do  e.\ist  with  all  coimnerciiil  and  mercan- 
tile men.  lie  is  une  nf  the  f etc  int'lligriit  and  ardent  t^upporters  of  the  present  adininistraiion, 
who  differ  in  opinion  witii  it  in  rLlaiioii  to  iis  views  concerning  the  Bank  of  the  United  States. 
He  makes  a  personal  sacriiicc  in  iliis  mission,  with  no  oiher  motive  tluiii  n  debiie  to  promote  the 
imereste  of  his  leliow. citizens,  and  tiie  inlbnnntion  that  he  will  be  able  to  impart  concerning  thie 
interesting  .subject,  to  iliosc  whos-c  motives  are  in  common  with  his  own,  conimends  him  to  yotir 
favourable  notice.  Tliough  I  do  not  a^ree  with  liini  in  all  his  views,  yut  I  take  pleasure  in  hear- 
ing testimony  to  his  great  sincerity,  and  purity  of  character  ;  and  his  intelligence  upon  this  mb- 
ject  you  will  discover  without  any  iiiiiniation  from  me.     With  great  respect  and  consideration, 

I  reniain  your  friend  and  obedient  servant.  J.  IIOYT.t 


>»•. 


Lawrence  firmly  believes  in  the  vtiliiy  nf  a  Ntitioriul  Bank,  while  exerting  all  hi$  jnwcrt  to 

aid  m  ciusfiing  it  ! 
[No.  261.]  Colli  eior  Lnwrrnee  of  N.  Y  ,  to  his  friend  J.  Hoyt. 

Washi.nutu.v,  31st  January,  IS.'M. — .My  DciirSir:  1  can  scarcely  r.upposo  it  possible  that  I 
could  have  written  any  letter  to  -iutiiorize  the  paper  you  have  emdosed  to  me,  and  I  feel  deeply 
mortified  that  any  one  bhould  have  aiiihori/ed  a  publii;atiun  in  a  newspaper.  May  I  beg  the  fa- 
vor of  you  to  reiinci-t  the  pei.ion  to  whom  it  was  directed  to  return  it  to  me,  oi  at  least  not  to 
circulate  11,  and  if  any  one  sbonid  f-pi  a!v  oftlie  i  onteiits  ol'  my  letters,  pl-ase  mention  that  I  had 
repealed  to  yon,  th.it  my  letters  weie  only  intended  lor  those  to  whom  they  were  directed.  I 
can  not  imagine  who  emild  have  received  the  letter  alluded  to.  I  have  no  idea  any  compromise 
is  thought  of  by  <iiher  political  party. 

It  is  my  individuiil  npininn  that  A  NATION.\Tj  RANK?o»7A  proper  restrictions  and  subject 
to  State  Tuxes.  He,  WOULD  BC  USI'.FUL  TO  THE  GOVERNMENT  AND  COUNTRY, 
and  I  know  there  are  other  individuals  in  Congre?s  of  that  opinion,  and  that  is  almost  as  much 
asldoknowt  Re>peeifully,Vour  friend,         CORN'S  W.LAWRENCE. 


The  Missionary  aitdresses  Jesse  as  a  friend  to  O"  the  Bank. 

[N<>.  262  ]  Elbert  J.  Anderson  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York. 

Washi.nuton,  February  1st,  ltt34. — Deor  Sir;  I  have  only  to  say  that  Mr.  Wright's  speech  in 
the  Senate,  seems  to  preclude  any  hope  of  success  from  our  mission  ;  nothing  but  the  action  of 
the  people  in  the  r  primary  aeseniblies  can  operate  upon  Congress,  and  you  knosv  belter  than  I 
con  what  is  to  be  hoped  from  that  source.  The  deposit  question  will  be  seiiled.to  confirm  them 
where  they  ore.  The  sooner  that  is  settled,  the  better  for  all  p.irtit  s.  Forty  votes  csnnot  be  ob- 
tained in  both  houses  of  Congie.=s  in  favor  of  [a]  new  bank,  at  present  ;  and  the  chance  of  a  re. 
newal  of  the  old  charter,  under  any  modifications,  depends  solely  upon  the  contingency  men. 
tioned  above,  a  decided  expression  inun  the  people.  A  metallic  currency  seems  the  present  hob- 
by ;  I  conceive  it  utterly  impracticable.  If  I  see  any  hope  of  a  change,  I  shall  write  ;  you  will 
please  leceive  this  only  as  my  individual  opinion.  Your  friend, 

ELBERT  J.  ANDERSON,     j 

t  A  iimilnr  letter  wnii  cent  with  Mr.  Aiulorion  to  Mr.  Tiiiiev,  Mr.  Panne's  mirce»»(ir  in  the  Trensnrv  Depnrtment, 
hnvinj  ihe  fiilliiwii))f  words  miIiIoiI  : — "  lie  liiis  n  {>renl  (U'iiire  lor  nti  i)ii|iiirluiiily  i>f  Cdnversin;:  svilli  ymi  ii|iiiii  the 
"inntlers  relerrcil  to,  iinil  I  hiive  liiken  the  liberty  to  huiid  hint  this  letter,  unil  I  beg  you  will  niitiilge  iiie  for  the 
"liberty,        And  believe  me  to  be,  «tc.  .IKPSli  HOYT." 

tOn  theSfilh  of  Mnrch,  18:11.  Mr.  I.iiwrence  wrnte  Mr.  II.  Diirell  in  reply  to  nn  eminiry  ofilie  working  men  of 
tht  tjth  Wh  il,  .New  York,  ii.v  follows :  "  In  refi-rence  to  Ihe  '  nboiitioii  of  nil  Hceiiseil  iTiono|iolies.'     On  the  broad 

ftroiind.  I  ndinil  the  jnsiici"  of  the  seneriil  pro|)o»ition.  llml  it  is  objoctioiiiilile  to  \:  \c  any  iiiiin  oi  set  nl  men,  privi- 
•g*.  which  interfere  \t  nli  the  Jii>t  ri^'lits  nnd  liliertiea  orotbei"."  lie  inlileil.  tlnii  iis  tu  "  a  duKlct  tyitem  uf  tlM- 
Umi,"  00  wlucU  ihete  liitU  btiu  "  wucli  Uiiouutua,  he  hud  uui  reflected  iutliuieiiiljf." 


250 


JOHN  VAX  BUREN  CURSING,  BETTING  AND  STOCKJOBBIN'O. 


•'■.'''■■  ■ 


I!      :■     .i 


y 


Van  Diiren  and  Swartw(»d,when  rd  sixes  and  scrcns. 

fXo.  203]  Vice  FreBideiU  Van  Buien  to  Abraham  Miller,  White  Plains,  West 
Chester  couiity,  N.  V.  WASHiNurDN,  Feb.  1,  1831. — My  dear  sir:  There  is  certainly  not'iing 
that  I  coui  i  lio  tor  you  with  propriety  and  ell'eci  ihiit  1  would  omit.  /  taaiwt,  /utirevcr,  -.oriu 
to  M'.  Sio.i/tWinU.*  On  lAs  stchjccl,  I  luivc  dmic  sosoojlcii  w'.lvnU  success,  thai  sdf-rcspcU  hux 
coinpclkd  iiiv  Id  desist.  I  preauine,  however,  that  he  has  his  luind.s  lull.  11'  the  e.^pressioo  of 
my  wiiihes  in  behalf  of  your  aoi\  can  be  of  u.se,  he  may  show  this  letter  to  the  Collector. 
Wigliing  continued  iiealth  and  happiness,  1  am,  dear  air,  very  truly  yours. 

M.  VAN  BUREN. 


Buying  $20,000  in  Slocks,  on  the  strenf^th  cf  a  confidenL'ud  peep  at  Murcy's  Mortgage  Message, 

before  its  delivery. 

[No.  2G4.]  Attorney  General  Van  Buren  to  '  My  Dear  Jes.se'  Moyt.  Albany,  March  'JJ 
1834. — My  Dkar  Jkssk:  Please  let  Nevins  and  'I'ownsend  buy  ine  lOl)  shares  of  Moh.  anj 
Hud.  R.  R.  for  cash  at  yti,  and  Bost.  and  Prov.  100  shares  at  y"2j  cash;  drawing  on  me  at  3 
days  siglu  tor  the  amount.  If  betier  terms  can  be  hn  i  by  taking  ttie  stocks  two  vieeks  hence 
(buying  on  time)  1  should  like  it  better.  1  fear  stocus  will  rise  al'tei'  Monday,  and  therefore  I 
want  these  purchases  mad?  Monday,  )Ut  1  \ive  it  open  after.  Lei  Ike  beggars  deal  hmally  by 
me  for  I  lose  a  .leal  of  mo        n.ny/i  T/iere  wU  be  something  done  here  Monday  that  will 

charm  yo^.,  Yorkers.     Law-    •■•ft :...■.    un  like  the  Chulera. 

Plea*e  ask  Bucknor  to  ■  'r.:i  you    '"  amount  of  ditlerences  at  which  my  fifty  shares  Man- 
hattan stock  were  settled,  ai.    "."n.i  ..    .  me.     Yours  vcrv  triilv,  and  much  better. 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 


Attorney  General  (^John)  Van  Buren  asks  On.Apolcn'-c  to  curse  his  friend  Jesse  Iloyt — wishes  his 
Rail-road  stock  sent,  wUh  Jesse,  to  Tophct — and  grumbles  at  the  S'l  w  York  officials  for  nutfii,r- 
nishing  funds  for  his  stock  gambling  tratisadions — HdijI  obtains  stated  prcmhing  at  ^''28  per 
annum,  at  the  Axcnsion  Church — Parke  Godtcin's  opinion  of  l.'ic  Leaders  of  '  i/^e  Democracy.* 

[No.  2(J5.]    John  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Wall  street,  N.  Y.     Ai.canv,  March  25, 

1834. — Why  God  d — n  you,  Jesse  !  buy  my  stock  and  draw  upon  me  at  sight.     You  mutt  be 

poor  bitches  down  there,  if  you  cannot  raise  this  two  penny  .sum.     If  the  stuck  has  gone  up 

let  it  go  to  H—ll.i    The  Bank  will  come  up  against  the  Safety  Fund  Panks,  ami  depress 

stocks — the  Governor's  measure  will  eventually  relieve  the  country .<>    Yours  truly, 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 

•  There  was  evidently  the  bf-st  posatble  understanding  estahlislmd  bctwetn  Mr.  riwiirlwout  nnd  tlie  Albany 
Rptti'ncy  DH  early  as  1835,  for  in  ihat  yi'ar  nnd  IKiO,  Marcy,  Wriulii,  Cniswcll,  J.  Van  Itiin  n,  Cunilng,  &c.,  are 
liberal  III  I  lieir  lelird  m  liiiii,  rt'Cuninieiidiiij  randiilans  Ibr  liii  HnspiMl.  fi'vnionr  .nml  m  my  iilliirs  ilius  ijot 
placfs.  On  the  23  1  nt'  .Maicli.  \iM<.  Kilwjn  Crorwi  II  re  coiiiiii  mis  B.inniin  W'liip.i.o  to  his  ■'  ni'st  fuvor.iblu  ron- 
Dideration '— ii.-inure»  hliii  timt  liiB  ( VV.'s)  '  pecuniary  cinnmsinriciii  ruml.r  ii  |iti-,iiiiariy  dtsir;iblr  an  i|ii,i  tiiiif '• 
tiliit  lie  Hhoiild  be  adiiiilled  inio  Swartwntii  ■>  Poor  llousi — iuid  ;biis  siiiih  ii|i  liis  lii.iracti  r— ••  Uis  politicai  quaii- 
icaliona  a  e  ei|iiiilly  uiiijins  umable  ;  bi:i[ii!  a  unll'orm  Rcii  ililica^  of  tlie  t).il  S(  liixil."  Mr.  A.  lom.  y  General  J. 
van  Umen  tliun  rndorses  Whipple  on  ilie  same  tiliet't;  "  Huiiiiiil  Swarnvoui,  Esq. — !><".ir  8ii  — |  liiHv  concur  iri 
the  liingoin)!  [Cnuwi'llV]  nciiiiiiiieiidution  of  Capt.  Wliipple,  and  as  lie  U  u  \ery  i:lcvur  t't'llow,  to  fxiut,  I  hope 
yuu  will  bi:  able  lo  do  what  he  asks.  Vmira  truly,  J.  V.\i\  BL'UEN." 

"  Albany,  March  ■.i3d,  ltiJ6." 

t  Mr.  Iloyt  got  nlonK  mnri'  quietly  wiili  Van  Burcn's  knavery  llia.a  with  that  of  soiiic  wiin  r  p('r.--ons.  On  the 
Mill  of  Fi  IJrniiry,  IKKl,  ho  wroto  to  Levi  VVoiidhnry  Ironi  Ilie  itjiistoni  House — '•  Mr.  Price's  i-oii  hai  puliliahed,  in 
the  Courier  of  this  morning,  a  h-tler  t'nim  his  father,  wliicli  I  havi;  not  read  and  do  not  imaii  to  read.  1  om 
quite  tired  of  '  the  rogues  niid  roguery.'  " 

On  the  Hlh  of  Noveinlx'r.  183'.',  lie  wrote  .is  foUows  :  '•  It.  K.  Bulhr,  I'.sq.,  V.  S,  .Mtorncy— Sir  :  Do  not  fail  to 
put  the  casr  of  Ilarvcy  .V  Slaag  iii  a  ivisilioii  tor  a  nrw  trial,  ,'^rrerul  mrrrhnnis  have  tciii  In  vir,  vho  art  per- 
fectly outrageous  at  such  a  violaliun  of  all  lau>  and  sftise.  I  think  I  co'ild  sdli'ly  ^Wl'ar  to  iu'wh'  discovered  tesil- 
liiony.  so  as  lo  t:it  a  new  trial  on  tiiat  ground.  Mr.  llu^scl  has  ?tati  d  .•iome  fiu  i«  to  me  ihat  .irH  iimv.  Tliink  of 
thlspoint.  I  am  no  murlilied  and  vpset  at  the  result.  1  WILL  LKAVi;  NO  STUM-;  I'Ni'lMiMI)  TO  PUN. 
ISH  the  party  who  would  attempt  to  overturn  all  law  and  morals.     Ki'sply.  J.  IIOV'T.  Cnlli-ctor.- 

t  .Mrs.  Jameson  tdls  us  in  her  Summer  RamlMes,  that  n  Rapii.st  Preacher,  wIiom;  church  slie  attend  d  in  Deircii 
and  who  evidently  wanted  to  ateer  clear  of  otrtindms  hot  and  foolish  parii-aiis,  niaile  an  acute  prayer  for  John's 
father,  via  :  thai  "  if  Mr.  Van  Buren  were  n  good  man  lie  mi^ht  lie  made  better,  and  da  bad  innii,  iiiat  liemiirhl  be 
ppeedily  regenerated."  Perhaps  If  he  had  been  tavored  uith  a  peep  at  .lolm's  coin  spoii'iince,  he  uonhriiave 
oiiiiUid  the  1/' altogether,  as  applied  to  the  junior.  .Mr.  J.  V.  B.'s  monstroiia  iinpieiy  appems  lo  liiive  shocked 
oven  the  impenitent  Hoyt  about  this  lime,  and  partially  ett'iTled  tliu  winch  even  the  Pious  B.  V.  Butler's  calls 
have  failed  ill— as  wiin'ss  the  following  receipt --"  Mr.  Ji  ss<:  iloyt -To  the  (  hurcli  of  the  Ascension  Dr  T.i 
RentofPew,  No.  38,  1  May,  1.-34,  tol  May,  ld35,  $W.     Received  Payment,  &.c.  ' 

WILLIAM  DON.ALDSON." 

^Rblibvino  thb  Country. — The  junior  Van  Bureu  refers  here  to  Marcy'e  Message  of  the  previous  day,  TMnrch 
84,]  advising  the  [xxJiile  lo  mortgage  llieir  farm-,  and  lend  i he  satViy  fund  and  pel  banks  the  other  six  millions  to  re- 
lieve the  country.  Mr.  Parke  Godwin,  of  the  N.  y.  Customs,  has  given  an  lioiiest  opinion  about  relievii'ie  the 
country,  which  we  copy  from  his  newipaper,  The  Pathfinder,  of  April  2-2, 1843.  Electors  of  New  York,  la  it  not 
iniel    ReiMi  and  judge.    Oodwiu  apeaka  the  language  of  a  true  pauioi,  a  man  who  ftlt  for  the  disirenaea  and 


>BBi\a. 


V\\he  Plains,  West 
sccitainly  not'iiiig 
anniit,  /uiiirvcr,  ■.uriU 
,  UuU  Sitf- raped  him 
I  tlie  exprcsaioi.'  oi' 
i.'i  10  the  Collector. 

VAN  BUREN. 

s  Mortgage  Message, 

Albany,  March  i!J 
shares  01  Moh.  aiij 
awing  on  me  at  J 
s  tu-o  Meeks  hence 
day,  and  tlierel'ore  1 
an  licaL  kmcMy  by 
Monday  that  Will 

ly  fifty  shares  Man- 

h  bolter. 

I.  VAN  BUREN. 

Tase  Iloyt— wishes  his 
i'  oficLuh  for  nut  fur- 
rcmhing  ut  S'SS  per 
'  of  '  l/.e  Dcrnoc/ocy.' 
Ai.D.vNv,  March  25, 
ight.  Yoii  mu;.t  be 
ituck  has  gone  up, 
Hanks,  and  depreis 
ours  truly, 
^  VAN  BUREN. 

riwout  nnd  tlia  Albany 
liiiii  a,  Ciiriiiiig,  Ac,  lire 
<[  ill  my  iillirrs  itius  ijot 
lis  ■'iM..wt  f;i viir.i bit' roil- 

licsir.lllli'  ;iN  llilii  ||||„.^'> 
<  r— "  His  jHiliUcal  quali- 
Mr.  All.. Miry  General  J. 
:'if<ii  — I  I'lillv  concur  in 
'rIcllHw,  to  tKMU,  I  iioue 
J.  V.A.N  BL'UKN." 

iiiiiiT  (iir.-oiis.  On  the 
('  a  -n\  \mt  |hililblK.|(,  in 
nol  iiiiaii  to  lead.    I  am 

cy-Sir ;  Do  not  faiJ  to 
•^iii  tnvir,  irfio  art,  per- 
I  i"'"iy  ilisciivcrnl  tfgit- 

'J!\:;V  "•*"'•  '■''""k  "f 
M  I'HM  I)  TO  PLf\. 

JHOVT,  Cullcctiir." 

1  slic  attc'i.l  ,1  i„  D.>lfr;ii, 

icntij  prnyfr  Tor  John's 

III  m.Mi,  ili!iilirinij;|itbi' 

M'ciici',  li..  woiilil  iiavc 

I'eiirs   (..   liiH-,:  shocked 

0U.1  B.  F.  I5iitl,r's  caii] 

tlie  Asctiiaii.n,  Ur.  To 

iM  DONALDSON." 

lieprevioii8(lny,[Mnrch 
mhi-r  six  iiiillion.H,  tore- 
im  Hhdut  relieving  ihs 
I  of  New  York,  is  it  not 
it  lor  the  (liiit/iiMKi  aad 


KDWIN  ClIGSWELL       PARKK  GODWIN.      DK.MOCRACY. 


251 


Bvy  the  Standard  of  Hote  for  $0;),Oft;) — Cm^ni^U  pufs  Mira/s  S  x  MHiiii  l^nan  Mcffnge — 
LiUf  iij  hiiii.,  i»it'  ■■tf  tin, I  !,  Ifuii  mow  ed  mi  u — i/iuU'iuiry  d  dics-i^aitd  sici k  in  t  to  hi' >•  1 1 ! — /.vt 
Will  do  til  titJ>  lUiinil — JiiJ,!Oii  ilj»  Cii'stcii  in.Ui,  ubaiU,  sclunu  smnthurcd  «,•!  impolitic  ul  the  time. 

[No.  "Jiiii]  lidwin  I'roswell  ol  the  Aij^iis  lo  Jes.se  Iloyt,  Now  ^'orli.  Ai.iiavv.  March 
'2),  HU.— vl,'  .)'ir.Sr:  il'  tie  S'^  i.nlifd  cAn  l>-'  p  irchis'j  I  oi  .\Ir.  lion  ■,  uniiiiUiiihered,  lor 
fi*2v.),0J0,  t)ur  Iriend.'*  oiij;lii  noi  lo  hositaie  to  t(ot  |.o>sossion  oi'  it.  k.-'vXf  I'lom  tlie  importance 
01  the  step,  pulitioiill' ,  it  conic  sciirccly  lail,  il  iiian.'if<od  with  rci'^oii;  hie  t.icl  and  ociinoniy, 
to  prove  a  m.^'tcr  «;'  p  ciiiii<:ry  piotit.  I  do  nol  tliink  of  any  one  pl('l;i^ely  quuliliod  tor  the 
charge  of  the  paj-er,  uhu  i^  ai  this  moment  iree  from  on;;ajjennnis  oi  ;,noiiur  ■■-ori,  hut  I  have 
no  dtuibt  tho  man  may  be  I'ound,  and  soon,  il'  our  Iriends  will  take  the  rclusal  ol  it  for  a 
given  I  erio.l. 

Von  have  undoiibicdly  read  the  Governor's  messa,'»e.  Allow  uie  to  ask  your  opinion  of  it! 
The  Bank  and  opposiiiun  pres.>;  f;ios>ly  mi.'^n.'i  resent  the  proposiiiLin.  'I'liat  was  expected  of 
course.  The  MuwW  has  pioduced  the  "dislre>s"  and  it-s  incendiaries  have  contributed  to  il  io 
all  j)0  sibit?  ways.  R.'al  oi  imaginary,  it  is  iheii  only  luipo.  Honco  any  proposition,  calcu- 
lated to  produce  roliel  eitiier  by  inspiring  contidonco,  or  by  providing  rnean^,  is  their  bane, 
and  will  be  Innisiit  and  li>:d  dmcii,  il'  pos.sible.  But  1  am  salishod  the  pio|ocl  will  be  a;>proved 
by  the  legislature,  and  by  the  people,  and  that  it  will  result  advnnirgi  ously  to  the  pecuniary 
and  political  intoicsts  or  the  state.  Aitompt.s  will  be  made  by  the  b.iik  |  atriois  and  byselfisa 
monied  men  to  deery  the  Moek  in  the  I'oieign  luarket.  But  rely  upon  it,  IF  ANY  SilALL 
BE  EVER  ISaUED,  it  will  lind  a  sale  without  difhculty. 

sorr  wi"  oftlip  poi'r<Ft  of  hip  ci  unryiiifn.    lie  i'  ilie  son-in-i;iw  of  Win.  Cnllin  Bryant,  ami  were  nil  the  officM 
ill  L  iwieiiie'!!  (1  I  aitiii  iil  ;is  v\  ell  lie^low. d  u.-  jii.s  »aa,  by  Vim  N<  hs,  who  m  tlicri'  Ujiii  iiiiild  c<>Mi|il.'iln  ? 

(From  the  Pailifind-  r,  liy  Pfuke  G(mI«  in.J— '  Ii  [nicaiiiii);  iliu  (li'iimcr'Hic  luiriy)  has  iiilkeil  iiniil  it  h:iP  not  only 
cxiinusiL'il  its  It  caili.  Imt  iiH  lile.  VVIiai  i»  ii  ilniiii:  ti>  nmy  oiii  ll»  |'rinci|.|i>  ?  W  linl  leul  vnaliiy  is  lliere  in 
any  ol  i.s  |>rM|iih  enl  inc  ar-iin  »  .'     V\  a  it  ueiinlni'  iiiiiiih'n  U  m    ny  uf  it>   im  iiiinii  t  iiifn  !     Is  ii  not,  ut  mo- 

iiieiil,  »■  (iriinil  imp  n'lioii  and  falsi  hoi  i|  i  Is  ii  ml  n  vti-l  ci'll  i;ii\e  diaU'V  heiiil,  an  illii-ii  n,  ii  ile^  ■  r,  a  d 
Riili-clirist  7  We  I'liisilv.  s  aii>»er  liit'sf  qiietiiiiins  in  the  attiiiiiative.  We  (In  .»o,  hirause  wr  coiicci;  'iioi. 
biliRvi  thai  our  poliiio  and  mir  poliiiCiil  panies  are  »iii|ieiiil.  us  anil  cruel  huiiihu^s.  The  (!■  niociunc  puny.  ,.  ■ 
liiMilnrly.  is  liable  lo  this  ci.arge.  because  it  p  (il'i>Hr8  lo  be  (iuiibd  by  lolly  aiiiisi.  lis  ends  an:  ii,:ht,  b  its  iiitaui, 
are  delu  ive.  Not  ili 't  the  mass  ol  ils  ineniliers  aie  awan- ol  ibis — not  thui  n  vvhiih  pio|le  would  ilanluuly 
nttr  e  to  mislead  and  rheiii  Ibiiii^il^es — bin  that  the  hailers  of  ilie  pariy  are  filled  i  ill. er  uiili  ii-n.iance  or 
hyiMJcrifV  and  S' llinlmess.  Tiny  are  eiihcr  trrossly  ijinornnl  of  ihiir  dii'iis,  or  tboy  know  that  iliey  die  bitiayinf 
ihe  ninlmude  whnm  tiny  prohss  in  serve.  We  inipearh  llnin  wnh  tlie  fail.  We  charge  thini  w:'>«  tritUng 
with  Ihe  happiiii'Ms  oiniil  lions.  We  accuiie  them  of  an  uiter  want  ol  liainuii  8\iiipuUiy.  We  denounce  :iem  as 
ciiealD  and  |iret'  iidern. 

Tills  is  Htriii.c  i.iiiL'iiaBe.  Iiut  not  loo  fironK  to  be  verified.  Let  lis  see.  Wliiil  liave  the  ninss  >  thp  population 
pnineil  by  the  nc.  ni  (11  ( tiiii  ?  Why,  ihi>  have  dliiiisscii  one  sii  of  inaijisirnles  lo  adopi  unoii  h  lio  may  or 
may  ii't  lie  betier.  B'  vmid  liie  I'rw  «  ho  will  ^lel  oltice  by  iho  iniolerunt  pioscripioa  of  tlieir  ^imiKnis,  what 
dais  is  l.tneii.ed  ?  lliis  a  y  laiiiciple  been  H'Uled  .'  Has  any  real,  posiive  ndvnncement  been  «\rought  in  the 
conililioii  ol  Ihe  people,  or  evi  ii  in  i  ubiic  opinion  1  After  all  the  wasteful  ejp»  nditiue  of  time  niid  ninney,  afier 
a  I  the  I  am  lies,  jniik'i  ii  ps  mid  ppciclics,  ufn  r  the  (le(  lama  i  ions  of  ihe  m  «S|.api  r-  and  tin  vocifi  nil  ions  of  liio 
biir-i()niiis,  rifi.r  -oii  ly  h  is  brrn  sinred  to  lis  dipilis  hy  ii  tierce  exiiiement,  i>  tin  n'  ii  siiii:li-  man  who  tan  Inn- 
eHily  s:iy  that  his  loi  lias  be>  ii  improved  by  tin-  lesii  I,  even  m>  iiiiii  Ii  as  one  jol  or  little  !  Ooi  s  nny  ileiiiocriit, 
In  liie  wildest  llijiit  of  Ins  cxiiectjlioii'^,  believe  Iliai  ei  her  jiro.-licrilv,  eoniloit,  it  i  Ii  vaiion  has  hren  si  i  iiuni  to 
Ihe  (>|  iiplc'!  Aiclle^  more  sun  of  eiiipliyniert,  more  en-y  in  iheir  pecuiiiiry  cirnniisliii  ces,  hriier  loil|2id,or 
clothed,  or  fed,  enl.'iri:ed  in  lulellict  and  cxpuiided  in  syinpntby,  in  eonsi  qnenci' iif  the  puliiical  r  viduiliin  to 
whii  h  tliey  liave  been  iii.'i'  i'  in  cnntribnK!  ?  Nol  No'  The  poor  deluded  cre.itiiris  areas  inisi  rahleand  debased 
as  ever  they  wi  re— in  iliu  luce  of  all  the  lying  llalleries  of  |)olitii:al  nddiesiies,  and  all  the  heartlestf  muckii  gij  of 
politic.il  liaders. 

Nay,  we  go  fnrllier  than  this.  We  will  9iippo.«e  that  the  (h  mocralic  party  hap  been  successful  in  its  pro 
jecm,  not  only  in  Ibis  ilty,  bin  iliioiii;lii<iii  ihe  Union  '.  we  will  suppose  lint  Mr.  rallionn  or  Mr.  Van  Biiren  hai 
been  cliosim  to  ihe  I'residem  y.  a  I  ni;  Willi  lriiiiii|iliaiit  liiajoiitii  s  111  bolh  houses  ol  Ci.nsnss:  we  will  suppose 
that  all  ihe  nieasiiies  for  uti^ch  it  ronlinds  are  carriid  Into  prnciicat  e.\<  ciilii  n  :  we  will  fiii|'poge  all  this,  and 
yia  Kay,  ihut  il  «  ill  imt  beiiciii  the  mafs  ol  Ilie  I  eoplc  in  any  lierccpiible  d({;ree  I  It  will  hariiiy  si  cure  tliein  a 
single  one  of  llnir  piiinary  and  nior-t  Imponnni  ri)!liLs!  I:  v^ill  leave  tliini  as  far  troni  the  point  oi  true  social 
happiness  and  individual  diMlopment  as  Ibcy  are  now!  They  will  continue  lo  bi!  as  debased,  iitnorfiil,  and 
siinalid  as  they  nre  now  I  Tiiey  will  be  ex|)Oseil  to  as  rnmh  sullirin;!  ai.d  as  many  di>nsli-rs  as  they  are  now! 
Tlicy  will  slill  live  in  nasty  and  pesiiferons  lioiiscs,  in  ( rowded  ai^d  dirly  siri  its  :  thiy  will  still  work  in  uliopa 
that  are  little  lieltir  ihan  slyei-:  Ibey  will  suU  fci  d  upon  the  worst  prorimts  of  the  woist  innik(l.s  :  they  will  .still 
be  cut  olf  from  mnny  of  the  necessaries,  and  all  tile  reliiicnienls  and  elcfiances  of  life  :  liny  will  still  be  visited  bjr 
want,  sickn'  s^,  de^liiiiiioii,  ai  d  ha^t(■lled-dL'ath :  their  eluldren  will  still  grow  up  in  Idleni  !■»)  i^inirance,  and  vice: 
they  will  sail  be  denied  the  right  bi  l.bor,  the  rijilit  to  education,  the  ri)!l:t  M  social  iiiieicnur.-i  :  they  will  siili  be 
the  slaves  of  the  capi'alisi  and  the  diipi- of  ilie  pohiician  :  still  forever  running  the  sanir  drear)  n  iind  ofdia- 
apreeahli'  nnd  nioiioinnoiis  laimr,  uiisaasln  d  >te^ir'  s,  artificial  disease,  ilehasm:;  coiii|i:iiiioiiships,  cln  eriess  lives 
and  hopi  h'ss  death-: !  I'nilliral  changi'S  may  have  brniiubt  them  a  brief  poliiical  improvenieht ;  hut  ah  I  in  all 
theessi  ntialti  of  h,■lppirle^s,  tiny  will  be  as  nieaure  and  helpless  as  ever.  Poliiiciaiis  :  have  yon  ihnuglit  of  tllisi 
If  >oii  have  nut,  wliat  rriiiiiiial  bliiul  gn  drs  you  are  ?  If  you  have,  what  inlainous  hy|.i  criies  your  impostures 
|irovo  you  til  have  been  !  We  sngiicst  lhi'<iuestion,  in  lite  u;inost  srriousncss,  to  tlir  liicher  iiiinds  nn.oiie  the 
deinocrais  ;  wlieih  r  for  tie  last  t.v  iiny  yiiirs,  thi  y  hnvenccoiiipli~hed  uii|ilit  worth  speak'ng  ol  for  the  niillinngT 
Wi'  ask  thi'in,  wiiiiher  tiny  are  likely  to  do  niinhiiiE  more,  for  the  ne.xi  hfiy  years  ?  We  call  iipnn  Mr.  Van 
Buren,  n|ion  Silas  Wiijibt,  S.iinucI  Voung,  Tiiiiiin.iny  Hall,  the  Di  niocrntic  Fteview,  Ihe  Pn  belan,  .ind  Evening 
Post,  or  nny  orRan  or  .(Ivocate  of  the  deinocruiic  party,  to  (ieclnre  in  what  respf-ct  ibey  ho|)f  to  iinprnve  ihi'  con- 
dition ortheinassi  s— bi  what  det'ree  nnd  by  whai  miHiis  ihev  propiBe  to  advance  Ihe  publir  hn|'pine.S8?  When 
and  how  nnd  where  they  arc  to  furnish  even  a  partial  exeinplihcniion  of  tlie  workini;  of  tlieir  boasted  (irinciplesT 
Thny  tniiBt  do  this,  or  bii  content  lo  receive  the  withering  curses  which  the  lung  misled  and  abused  multitude  wUl 
soon  r  or  later  he.ip  up^n  their  lunty  heads." 


X  . 


'':j 


ll 


252 


CR08WELL,  VAND&RPOEL,  MONROE,  AC.  FIN'ANCIERtNft. 


r.-t  -■  ■     ■ 


..  ;.     >"^ 


So  far  as  we  hear  from  the  country,  the  effect  of  the  racMage  has  been  favorable,  heyond 
our  most  .ian<?uin-'Pxpeji;itions.  Such  is  the  case  here.  Modi-rate  mm  of  the  opposition  see 
and  aJinit  the  value  ol  the  propc^ition  as  a  moasnn  of  relief,  an  1  although  the  party  iieros- 
papersiii  IM  fcrvicc  of  tkr.  bank  will  deride  and  a.-.sail  it,  lliey  will  not  ciiny  by  any  means  all 
their  friends  with  them.  Aside  lioin  its  intrinsie  worth,  as  ihe  l)e>t  proposition  that,  -mderthe 
circumstances,  could  bj  presented  to  the  legislature,  (<  icili  frjvc  t,)  ui.i'ctiinfi.hna.  to  our  friends, 
so  FAR  AS  THAT  tH  NKCKssARY,  Bud  wiil  put  arsjuineUis  and  weapons  into  their  haiids.  A. 
ten  m'Uion  bank  was  received  with  lilUe  favor  hcri\  in  or  nut  of  Vic  ictsislal.uir,  and  if  pnrpused 
coul<l  wtt  kavf.swccetlcil.  Defeat  iiuiidd  kiivc  given  'o  Ike  tr/inlc  lunlter  a  far  vorse  aspect  than  if 
nothing  kad  been  attempted.    Willi  great  regard — sincerely  your  fricnci,     E.  CROSWELL. 

Gambling  in  the  Stocks, 

[No.  367.]  Attorney  General  (John)  Van  Burc^  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York.  Ar.DANY, 
March,  28,  1834.— My  Dkar  Jkssk— The  purchase  by  N.  and  T.  oi'  K)J  Moluiwk  at  9ti,  is 
very  good.  I  understand  it  to  be  payable  in  all  next  week,  i  ^hall  be  in  N.  Y.  next  Monday 
(31st  inst.)  and  then  shall  arrange  it.  Please  coiinterniand  the  ctider  for  IJoston  and  Provi- 
dence;  I  should  prefer  not  to  buy  it;  and  if  it  is  purchased  and  can  be  resold  without  loss, 
let  it  be  done — any  how,  as  Loru  Grey  .said,  1  shall  stand  by  my  '  order.' 

Yours  very  truly,  J.  VAN  BUREN. 

[No.  268.]        Attorney  General  J.  Van  Di'.ren  ashimcd  to  apjxar  puUicly  as  a  Stock-jobber. 

Albany,  April  17,  1H34. — My  DearJessk — N'evins  and  Townsenil  write  me  that  they  have 
bought  my  Utica  Stock.  Please  get  the  money  for  tiie  enclosed,  ami  pay  liieui.  I  do  not  irisi 
to  correspond  with  thk.m  direct/ij.  Let  the  certificate  be  ma  ie  out  ia  my  name,  and  send  it  to 
me  by  some  private  conveyance,  or  keep  it  till  I  come  down,  which  will  be  shortly. 

Yours  very  truly,  J.  VAN  BUREN. 


TVie  Postscript  shows  the  future  financier. 


[No.  2f.J).] . 


5fiJ).]  Attorney  General  J.  Van  Buren  to  Je.vse  tlovt,  at  New  York.  Albany, 
June"  13,  IHIM.— My  Dkar  Jkssk— With  the  slender  assistancf  v\'  the  above  [a  draft  for  3780] 
fortified  by  the  enclo.sed  [a  check  for  $31  10],  you  will,  I  think,  he  able  (if  von  will  do  me  the 
favor),  to  satisfy  the  following  demands — Nevins  A:  Townsrnd  s3l»l,l(;— Chester  Jennings  S250 
— "  Young"  Wilson  S'lOfl—Minihorne  Tompkins  ,570.  If  it  falls  >liori,  parcel  it  out  to  the 
Cormorants,  in  such  bits  as  you  may  deem  most  mtvl  to  subserve  their  s(.'v.'r;:l  necessities.  I 
intend  to  walk  into  the  Mohawk  soon.  J.  VAN  BUREN. 

P.  S.  I  iho'l  iny  Slock  was  bought  at  lO.O,  was  it  not!     Tlie  receipt  says  10'.>\ 

Young  Van  Buren's  father-in-law,  and  Ifoj/t's  brother,  Lorenzo,  getting  rid  of  less  prcfdabk 

Dank-Stock,  through  Jc.<;sc's  agency. 
[No.  270.]  Judge  James  Vanderpoel,  Albany,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York.  Af.bany, 
June  20,  183-1.— Dear  Sir— I  thank  you  for  the  services  you  have  rentlered  your  brother  and 
myself  in  pro<'nring  ."lock  for  us  in  the  Lafayette  Bank.  Our  portion  to  Ix;  sure  is  not  large, 
but  we  console  ourselves  with  the  truth  of  the  old  adage,  that  '•  hall  a  itmf  is  better  than  no  bread." 
You  will  confer  another  obligation  upon  me  to  procure  the  rcsichie  cf  the  deposit  money,  and 
either  send  me  your  check,  or  deposit  it  in  the  Ph(i;ni.\  Bank  in  mv  name  to  the  credit  of  the 
Canal  Bank.  I  send  you  a  draft  on  the  Commissioners  fiir  the  anmunt.  \\'  it  is  presented  on 
Monday  the  Comini.ss'ioners  will  nay  it,  otherwise  it  must  be  chawn  throuirh  the  Butchers  and 
Drovers' Bank.  Resp?ctfully  yours,  J.  VANDERPOEL. 

Af?m.  by  J.  Hoyt.  June  23.  Received  S2jO  from  Commisi.ioucrs  and  ^.ent  my  check  to 
Judge  Vanderpoel  for  it.  J.  H. 

[No.  271.]  Lorenzo  Hovt,  Albany,  to  Je.'^se  Hovt,  New  York.  Julv  18,  1834.— Dear 
Brother:  The  Judge  [Vanderpoel]  and  mvself  THINK  WE  SHALL  MAKE  NOTHING 
BY  HOLDING  OUR  LA  FAYETTE  STOCK,  and  therefore,  annexed,  send  a  power  of 
attorney  to  sell  it.  Please  have  it  done,  and  send  your  check  to  tJie  Jiid^e  lor  the  amount. 
Yours  aftectionately,  L.  HOYT. 

"  July  21,  1834.  Sold  for  account  of  Jesse  Hoyt,  Esq.  By  Ncvius  &  Town'-end,  25  shares 
Lt  Payette  Bank  stock  at  101  \  S2.537,70— less  commission  iper  cent,  S0,34— ;i?253l.l6— Less 
90  per  cent,  u'.vpaid,  2250=t^l,lG." 


A  silk  stockins  Democrat.- 


We  have  to  be  a  liltU:  vvlgar  these  Jackson  timrs." 

B\M,nTOM  Spa, 


[No.  272.]    James  Monroe,  Esq.,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  42  Wall  sfeet,  N.  Y.     B\M,nTOM  Sp 
July  24,  '34.— Dear  Hoyt:  A  Virginia  friend,  like  all  the  rest  of  t'lem  who  have  not  played  a 
jart  in  Wall  street,  do  hot  know  and  will  not  learn  that  when  a  note  or  draft  is  due,  thJt  it 
either  hag  to  be  paid  or  protested.    When  I  left  N.  Y.  1  made  nu  provisiua  fur  the  payment  of 


tNO. 


f.  TAN  BURRN.   DUTEE  J.  PIEKCE  AND  R.  I.  POLITICS. 


i-JS 


[favorable,  hej-ond 

"tlu' opposition  see 

j;h  the  party  lunos- 

by  any  means  all 

|ioii  tluit,  under  the 

ciia:  to  our  friends 

■>  their  hands.    A 

I'c,  and  if  pntptised 

\(ir^r.  aspecl  than  if 

'  C/IOSWKLL. 


K  York.  At.BANY, 
iMnhiiwIc  at  9t!,  h 
T.  Y.  nt'xt  Monday 
IJustun  and  Provi- 
K'sold  without  loss, 

\AxV  BUREN. 

Ill  as  a  Stock-jobber. 

\w.  thnt  they  have 
L'lii.     /  do  not  irisA, 
iiif,  and  send  it  to 
^ilo^lly. 
VAiN  BUREN. 


«•  York.  Albany, 
•-'  [a  draft  for  S780] 
VI )u  will  do  me  the 
'.-ttr  Jennings  S^50 
larcel  it  out  to  the 
vr;:l  necessities.  I 
VAN  BUREN. 

"id  of  less  prrfUabk 

v  "\'ork-.  Ar.BANY, 
!  your  brother  and 
;  sure  is  not  large, 
ttcrthan  no  bread." 
leposit  money,  and 
to  the  credit  of  the 
t  it  is  presented  on 
1  the  Butchers  and 
ANDERPOEL. 
.'■eiit  my  check  to 
J.  H. 

V  JS,  1R34.— Dear 
\ivE  NOTHING 
,  soiul  a  power  of 
!  for  the  amount. 

L.  nOYT. 
wnsend,  25  shares 
— ii?253l.l6— Less 


m  times." 

B\m,stovSpa, 
have  not  played  a 
aft  is  due,  th;.t  It 
br  the  payment  of 


a  draft  on  me  for  S1550,  drawn  by  a  Virginian,  thinking  that  he  would  think  ami  i-^ct  bO  fara« 
to  put  the  money  in  bj.nk  to  meet  the  payment.  Not  so — the  dialt  had  to  be  paid,  aftd  like 
Ward's  note.x,  ur  rather  iny  notes  in  his  iavour  siknthj  overdrawn  my  bank  account  which  my 
agent  made  good  by  loan  Vrom  my  friend  II.  Ogclen  of  the  Cu:  luni  llou-^c  Now,  if  you  can 
conveniently,  anil  if  you  cannot  conveniently,  then  you  mu~t  put  in  ban'.c  f  jr  ii\v  account  the 
SJIOOO  as  early  as  the"inornin,''  of  the  *J7ih  inst ,  as  1  ^hall  tend  a  cheek  to  Ugden"  for  that  day. 
He  is  a  Hood  Jadsiiii  man,  a.na  perhaps  wants  no  money,  but  tiiis  you  cau  ask  him.  If  my 
friend  from  Viru^inia  puts  my  money  in  Bank,  I  will  sciid  you  a  clu'L-k-  for  the  jflOOO  at  once — 
this  he  may  write  me  to-day  liiat  he  ha.s  done.  You  c.ui  lirvo  the  money  ar,'.Tin  in  a  icv!  daya 
at  anv  rate.  /  liuiv  it  is  vul'^ar  to  allend  to  7nmii'i/  mnltrrs  this  hvt  vcul/ur,  bUT  WE  HAVE 
TO  BE  A  LITTLE  VULGAR  THESE  JACKSON  TIMES. 

No  news  here.  Let  me  hear  from  you.  If  ijoti  would  Ukr  to  make  o  liftlc  inoitnjout  (i/Sara- 
TOOA,  let  me  know  it.  1  tell  ijonil  must  go  duien.  I  vunj  join,  wu.  ^Vhen  does  Glover  and 
Ward  come  up!    In  haste,  your.s  truly,  ^  J.MONROE. 

A  IJes::;ar — Can  ijou  get  bel.->? — Perish  C.  P.  C.  Ikurd.'ley, 

[No.  273.]  Attorney  General  John  Van  Buren  to  J.  Ibnt,  N.  Y.  Albany,  Aug.  29,  1834. 
Mv  Dear  Jessk:  For  G — d's  sake  send  me  my  over  coat — my  underclothes  are  all  worn  out, 
and  I'm  a  beggar.  Let  it  be  taken  to  Wheelei's,  who  will  -rml  it  to  me.  Can  you  get  anv 
bets  on  Governor,  even  1  We  shall  lick  the  dogs  so  in  ilii:,  biate  that  the  '  Great  West'  will 
hear  the  howling.    Yours  truly,  J.  VAN  BUREN. 

N.  B.  Our  brethren  iu  Oneida  are  all  'Avith  one  aeeord  ur.ited'— look  out  for  a  tall  majority 
in  0.  (1)    '-Perish  C.  P.  C.  Beardsley'  (2)  will  be  re-elected  by  1500  majority. 

'/  imtft  have  a  shy  at  the  Boys' — a  Stockjobbing  Epistk. 

[No.  271.1  Attorney  General  John  Van  Buren  to  J.  Hoyt,  (Albany,)  Sept.  5,  1834.— My 
Dear  Jessk— Pl'-i^e  let  Nevins  &  Townsend  buy  me  100  shares  ~  ~  -.    . 


.  cheap  as  possible.    I  mu.st  have  a  shy  at  the  boy 


of  l'attcr.-.on  R.  R.  Stock 
Keep  the  }  urcharod  note 


del'v'r  inGOd 

till  1  see  vou.  „  .-      .  .. 

in  my  absence  .  >  depress  .'-locks  rapidly  and  seriously,  which  is  liardly  po«-<ibie,  sell  out  and 
save  me  from  loss.     Yours  truly,  J.  VAN  BUREN. 


hall  go  west  this  afternoon, and  return  in3  or  4  weeks.    If  cnjtfhingtumsup 


Ptarce  on  the  Rhode  Island  Election — Potter  ati  old  fed.  in  his  dvtagc —  IV/iip  the  Dank  Men — 
Chrernor  Franeis,  a  Van  Dnrenite  of  isL  water — a  hint  about  familii  connexions,  Jeromus  John- 
son like. 

fNo.  27.J.]  t  Duiee  J.  Pearee,  M.  C,  Rhode  Island,  to  Jc>sc  Hoyt,  N.  Y.  Newport,  R. 
I.  Sept.  18,  1831. — Private. — Dear  sir:  Yours  of  yesterday  1  have.  It  our  men  do  not  act  like 
fools,  wc  can  elect  our  Senator  by  a  decided  majority,  say  a  majority  of  five  or  six.  In  a  vote 
between  Potter  and  Burges«,  the  vote  would  probably  stand  41  lo  41,  thus  giving  to  the  Gover- 
nor the  casting  vote  in  favor  of  Mr.  Potter  -but  to  give  i\]r.  i\i!tcv  !t  voles,  he  niuj-t  get  three 
votes  in  ,  and  this  three  we  are  afraid  he  will  not  be  able  to  do — and  it  is  moreover 

well  understood  that  if  there  would  be  no  probability  of  Mr.  P's  having  a  majority  of  one  over 
Mr.  B..  Mr.  B.  will  be  withdra«Ti  and  the  Alto.  General,  Greene,  taken  up,  who  would  un- 
doubtedly beat  Mr.  P.  three  or  four  voles.  1  think  it  will  not  do  to  run  Mr.  Potter,  ^eho  is  now 
in  his  old  age  and  dotage — cannot  forget  h's  early  associations  of  fcilrr'dism  and  Hartford  Con- 
retit''yn\L'Siii .  It  is  hard  tor  the  Lthiopian  to  change  his  sl:in.  ".Mr.  P.  will  be  the  cause  of  our 
defeat,  if  def.alod  we  should  be ;  and,  if  dJspo.sed,  can  put  our  success  lx;yond  a  doubt — in  other 
words,  if  he  will  give  up  his  pretensions  where  his  friends  tell  him  there  is  no  chance  for  him  — 
and  this  we  hum  co,  and  support  another  man  with  the  same  zeal  we  would  support  him.  // 
JVC  could  support  h.'ni  vilh  the  hope  of  suaess,  ice  irould  girc  the  le.iik  r:en  a  seccc  u-fiipping,  i.nd 
send  to  llie  Seiutc  the  best  man  "we  have,  in  my  opinion,  in  our  tu.ie,  Governor  [Jolm  B.j 

*  riTi'h  r.  p.  ('.  Bi'iirt!<1ry  wms  tlir  w1i!r  ricl^nnnic  tn  SmiiTliI  Bonn  Wry.  (  t'drciiln,  wlio  wa.i  ii  violent  snp- 
pirlcr  of  tliu  y.'lfiy  Kind  l,e.igiio  rr  B  iiilxs,  iiimI  an  n  nuy  in  llit'  I'nlt'  d  fSitl  c  I  a;  k  hiiI  h  aru.lip>-.  Ilttcot  iiliy 
H  ^|)el■cll  til  Ciinpri  ^<.  .I,iiiu:iry.  IKJ-l,  In  wliicli  liu  liiUl — ■'  .No  !  smiucr  lliun  atiuie  i  iir  sup  — pcriill  iho  state 
blinks— pi^rish  tTcilii— (urisii  i(iiiiiin.'rce." 

t  PiUce  J  I'e  'rce.  nn  inflnpntlnl  Inwycr  nf  Rliodr  l.iliinrt.  \vii<  n|iiv)intP(l  I'V  Mimroo,  in  IW-I.  it.<  U.  S.  DMrict 
Atiorncv.  Il«  i  i.i  icil  il.o  ISiili  ('miBrfss.  In  Dccpiiilicr,  IS'i.'i,  witli  'I'riitn.ni  Cmi'fss  :  :ii'cl  .li'lin  Oiiincy  Ailnnis 
tliiH  ninLTMiiliitrs  h  III  on  ii  ro-i'lection  tn  ihf  24ih  Cuncress.  icii  yeir*  iit'irr,  in  a  litter  diiltd  Uniiicy,  S.'pt. 
7,1833.  "  I  lii'iirlily  (iinurilnliilo^dii  iiihmi  yniir  re  tlcninn  to  (.'(in!:rrss--.>lihi>ii;:li  n|o,i  ni.iny  iin|.ortant  piililir' 
II  eiiMirf,  1  il.iri'riMl  widi'ly  in  opinion  Iroiii  you  in  iho  In^l  Conj.'rc-^  ;  mid  iililioti!!li  1  (In  not  fi.iiiur  inyseW  iliat 
\\8  nIi'iII  Huree  inncli  littltT  III  tlic  next,  I  Hill  yet  ciinvlnri'i)  iliiit  the  puny  wliich  li.ii  liccn  tliof  two  yrnr» 
slrnppllng  |o  hre  k  yon  down,  llii!  liave  ci  inpi'iir.d  of  H^'riliird  ronvontion  lVil<  r  li.  in  iim!  rnyi-l  urch  limMirrv,  in 
fo  rnltun  Willi  the  rorrii|ilion  oflioili  In  cli'iinnls,  tliiil  I  hnil  Willi  j.'y  i!io  victory  which  yi  ii  Inive  ncliiivcd 
(ivrr  it;  I  rrjo  ue  also  llnit  tlio  siiiiic  (Hioplf  Iihvp  rp|iiiirtd  tlio  !iijn-l  ip  iloi  c  liv  llif  si'iiic  jirly  to  Mr.  Spnipue, 
imd  liiiyp  rfturiicd  him  to  CiiiiBroas  ii-i  your  collciii'iie.  Of  lliat  pioly,  Ircitclniv  i.s  so  lavorilc  nn  ln<lruiiicni, 
tli"t  I  have  hi'iiril  Mr.  Bnrir-s  coniiilnin  thnl  llipy  Inwe  used  it  cvi-n  with  lilin.  It  Iri  their  nnturi-  mid  ihcif 
vuctttloD.    I  wekuiiio  the  result  uf  yuur  clevtiuii  as  a  pitd^e  timi  ihclr  chuliuo  U  retuiiilng  tu  their  own  lipa." 


ii. 

'  •:  I 


% 


..v|..    ,, 


Kt  '-■         '   ::.: 


^  >;■-*•/■ 


.  •  >■  ■  ■• 


2u-l      nt  TM-a'b  Wanton  abuse  or  the  mayor  or  piiiLADri.riiiA. 

Francis.     lie  cm  roitniiily  be  elected  ngninst  any  man  the  bnnlc  party  can  name,  by  a  innjnr- 
Jty  offiv'',  r.Mi/iJiR  his  own  r.itt,-  as  tho  pr-siiling  uHicfr  oI'lKith  hviiiM's. 

!^1  \  Pi-'iK-if  '.<  inu  <ii/i/ii/rnt'iil  fi-iind,  mul  vimhi  fiip/h'ii  (he  iitltiiiiiftratn'n.  H'  is  inorr  ilt- 
■vote./  t.i  M\  !'>//  nun  II  lli.oi  iinij  atfi/'-  imin  in  ll'imlc  hlni'i.  Mi'  wi.s  my  rliissm^.to,  ami  iji  ■ 
classnjiK' Di'Giiv'iiior  Fi'inifis  in  Cnilc^'u,  and  is  al'-(\vi)nriJuV(.riioi  [M..r.'v  J'n  )  iisdii.^I  iii"iii|. 
Mr.  Fr.uK.'is  is  ivii  inixious  liir  ihf  phicc,  but  I  hirw  WMula  i'  in  il  In.'  .\  Ji'.i'i  i>.c  \\c  tin  supputt 
of  (;.ir  [I'iity.  With  laL'so  prj-^jvcts  ht'iiir-  us,  it  will  iv  too  lii.d  tu  h;iV  t;ii;in  11.  sstcit — t:i.tt 
!.)la=:tjj't!i  ■>'•  will  b.',  Ijy  Mr.  P,it  r\  r"-'i'iiri.'Citv  rnut  i)t>'tia;  cy.  \Vh.-.t  r  ii  \\v  do''  1  hi  rdl;, 
WicAV.  1  i'lav'j  sviiii  n"  l  k-ly  tn  Mr.  AV.uidl>ury  iMlly,  in  ivjj.^'J  t>i  o'lr  di:li;Mi;iij.s,  t,nd  hjvc  '• 
lim.w  tboM'.'h:  I  v.- .-ild  wn":  Mr.  \'an  Miircn^  and"  Mr.  ^VntJ!.t  www  y^-n-.tor,  in  >•  lutim  lu 
th^-n.  r^\V-.  P  [  '.:'tl.i]  'svnikr  ■raU  «li  •utUms  ti  M  TI>iVi/.  Il  -Mr.  Wriglu  WdulJ, 
X.j">^iiii-''.i:  .'ri:i,,'i:ij,'  luy  n.'in.'  into  qiH-siicn,  vt  in  ar:y  \v,  y  reloiring  in  it,  liii;.'  Mr.  f.  to  with. 
3l^-'Jra\v  \vh-."i  Iv  linds' -ucc-o'-s  hc^ii'los^.  aud  llironiHiili  his  wcif^ia  mtj  lUv  -t.i.h'  ol  Mr.  FV.n- 
*:3rcis,  our  VRi.jry  wouid  lie  a  gl.iricms  orr.-.  Mr.  P.  wuuld  raLs<'  hinisili  in  the  rviirnLtion  jf 
•l^'t'i.'  rdn  iT  ..:-  iiion,  rn.t  it'  li'"  yu  "urtli  would  uU  n;cci\-c  bi^  n-wurl,  sotii?  'A'  l-is  li-iends  an- 
j;>i'amih  cci.uL'dnin  iua\.     Truly  yours,  DUJ'l-IK  J.  I't-AHCi; 

Perish  C.  P.  C   lieartlslctj  no  '  Dank  slai-i,'  onlij  a  Van  Dunn  mav  !! 

[No.  OTfl.]        .■t'atnnrl   BearJ'iley.  M.C.  tJ  Jesse   Ho_\-t,  X.  Y.     P/itvj//-.— W'ashivotov, 

Sept.-:n!^cv  v'-i,  1S;M  — D-.-ar  Sir:  Ymir  favour  of  the  IGth,  reached  im.-  hori.'  to-day.     1  am  woii 

a'.van?  oi  ;hc  f'-'.ing  of  your  bank*  morohants,  arul  all  oilier  bank  worshippi'is  towards  niv'seli. 

That  isof  lit:l.'  ru.j>n.!ii  to  ni*,  and  l'*sjj  still  to  the  pulilic.      I  dare  not  ventue  any  opinion  tu 

you  atout  my  di.'^trict,  althoniyli  I  l*li(n-e  our  political  friends  hojie  that  it  \rill  belbr  the  country 

"ratiier  than  tor  th^Miank.     Personal  feeling  aside,!  must  say  that  I  hope  such  may  !«  tk' 

result:  in  oth'r  word.-i.  1  would  prefer  being  a  freeman  to  beintc  a  bnnk  slave.    I  do  not  give  any 

opinion  lor  inyseh  about  liie  DLstrict.     I  however  believe  that  our  fi  .<;nd."»  not  only  hope  fur  a 

(kinjcratic  majority  in  Oneida  and  Oswego,  but  they  expect  oi. '  ol  Iroui  j  to  10  hundred.    My 

opinion  ij«,  that  GiiVvul  Ro>)t  may  have  400  majority  in  Brooi..c,  btu  that  in  Delaware  he  will 

be  behind  soine  SOO.    1  prouiuae  Governor  Morcy  \viU  be  re-elected  by  m  re  i!  an  ten  thousand. 

In  haste  yom-s,  o.  ULAilDSLEY. 

'  • 

Van  Durcn's  Profatdty  srt  off  by  Dutki-'s  Pirty. 

FNo.  "277.]    Attornev  G?n'l  J.  V.  Buren  to  J.  Ho\l,  N.  Y.    P'in'k— "  Avon,  N.  Y.  S?pi. 
28"  [1834]— franked  by  "M.  Van  Buren."    Mv  Dkap.Me9se,— I  make  use  of  a  frank  the  M 

mart  lell  with  me,  to  let  you  know  that  I  am  about  at  unhappy  a  il 1  as  you  wnUd  wish  to 

see — from  t':r  jcar  that  y<ju  havf  purchased  mc  sume  Patlcrs,rn  R.  If.  i^ivk,  (m  which  I  am  to  lose  a 
lur^c  sum  ofiaonnj.     1  .■jee  tJial  on  Wednesday  it  left  otl'at  Rl;,,  whirli  is  8  or  1>  pjr  cent,  lowv.- 

than  it  vras  when  1  authori7cJ  you  to  buy  for  "me.    I  know  nothi::,,'  of  the  d J  stock,  except 

that  Bremtier  was  dealiug  in  it",t  and  it  had  been  rising  tor  a  moi.th,  and  I  hatdly  lliouglit  my 


*  When  P.'umicl  Bcarilsloy  wn^  elected  to  Cfinure'-i,  from  Onniiln.  he  rtsiiinoj  the  ofl'ute  nf  U.  S  Diitrlct  .\t 
t.irnoy,  w.m  siuoei'ikil  liy  .N.  H.  H(>i\iiin,  niiw  3i'cri;liiry  iilSlrtli'  lur  .V.  V.,  imil  in  l"^!)!''.  .iiniuliiioil  li\  (idviTniT 
JM/ircy  .Attorney  Ciriipr  il.  He  wh'*  :\  linn  siipik'rliT  ofiho  i«fply  riiinl  Ivink  sy>li'iii,  uppu-^cil  in  Ynui  p,  unci  cine 
i)t  fiiiir  111  liiiy  (I'li-wcll's  tlirepw.illiil  tidust-,  nut  nf  whicli  joli  llic  Kvnuhi;  JniirnHl  p.iirMctril  lunch  nniiiie' 
liwnt  ;it  ilii'  t'.\|»~:is('  ultlio  knaves  wlin  iiihiIu  the  iMirttRin.  BiMrilslpy  emeriti  llie  .•irniito  (if  N'.  Y.,  In  ld23,  was 
a  ritriil  pnrti.-iaii,  tiiiiniu^h  I'nr  Crnvfunl,  nnd,  hi  llmuiiiunil  thinks,  very  honi'At.  .M^ny  nnnilniilt'il  h'liii  tn  l>o 
Alt..riii;y  (i-.'ntril.  l.;to  hi  J83G ;  uii  I  when  >i  snnul'ir.  he  cdulil  not  Iprmi;  Ills  ronTiiiin'  inconirnt  Ki  Iho  sendirij 
of  B^h<>|)  Mnd  Ki'Miliic  bnck  t'>  their  constituents.  Like  Wright,  in  IbJ-t,  hr  thoiij,'lil  Ihiit  piipuliir  iip|ieAls  iimy 
bo  inMie  tcx)  iii't>  Il 

t  Bittlkr's  t'iKTV. — Jnhn  Vnii  Bnrpn  i<  said  to  h^vo  rrnmrkod.  when  in  Now  York,  «()me  time  since,  thnthc 
[••li:iVrcd  le<s  tor  lii«  ppil'.miiy  thnn  IJiillor  did  lor  his  piety.     I  imne.v  imnilier  -'peciiiiiMi  nf  the  lnltBr. 

It  i«  Will  kiiown  lli:it  .1.  (;.  li^uni'tt  t(«)k  part  wllh  V m  Uiiion,  l..i\vreiice,  Ciller,  Murii-i,  Kdinonds  iind  .''le- 
ven<iin.  in  Ilic  (ileiitworth  ndiiir  nl'  1H40.  In  lhn  N.  Y.  Ilerild,  id" Oct.  -Jiiih.  we  Iind  tlie  rep.irt  nf  n  \  Y.  'n- 
disnution  Hwetin!:.  hclil.  iit  nnnn  nf  the  Qltli  in  the  P.nrk,  Divid  Bunks  tiein"  its  |irc.-iiilent.  and  Wriu'lU  II  ■wkes, 
now  id' I'liris.  tli«  inciver  of  re-iilvo-:.  Mr.  B.  F.  BntI' r  w.i.s  ilie  nntnr  id"  tlieiliiy:  mid.  had  he  icaliy  heen  h 
piiiM  1  111  VII.  iii<  pallieiic  appc.iU  lo  (Jixl  iind  I'rdvidi'iice  wmild  have  liceii  passed  nver  ly  me  wiln.ni  rciiutrK — 
tint  liiidi  at  llip  inipiidenw.  riiveiuuaesi,  ami  hypi)cri>y  siinwn  in  his  letters,  whicli  (■■  .iin  ir<;  wiili  his  desirip- 
lion  Ml  Ills  uppimi>'.l<,  nnd  tlie  then  iirivor  id'  I'liiladelphia  III)  said,  "  Ilial  frauds  exu  isive  ami  airiiriuiis  wile 
pr.iiliird  hy  the  U'luu-s  In  XAX^  ,ind  l.-;i;>,  i.^  imw  aliiindantly  (iriiveii.  These  frauds  wi  re  siicia;ssrul  in  the  fir<l 
in.stsia-e,  and  n'':.rly  sii  in  llie  last.  'I'lie  r-'isun  thai  Ihi-y  wa're  nnl  sii  in  the  1  alter  ui-laiue,  1-;  nut  friim  the 
wan!  of  cxeitioiis  ini  their  p  .n.  iiit  I'lHiii  jT.'/"  Ihe  direct  iiiterpnsiium  iif  an  nverriilm:'  I'nn  iilnice.../,;^  .... 
I  shiill  (hi  all  I  cm.  undp.errefl  liy  threats  of  pruseculinn.  indiclnieiit.  nr  a«?ii<-in:iliiai.  which  have  been  held 
mil,  In  I'll  on  and  lir.ns  Ihcs .  pirpct.'ators  injustice,  even  if  iiiy  life  I  lil  in  the  elllirt.  I  look  nn  this  as  a  spe<'i:d 
iiUerpn  ilinii  nf  thai  provalCia:e — lint  ruler  ol  Inith  and  jiHliee,  who  rules  iiMJ  lei^  i'^  nver  fill,  and  even  in  this 
life  piiai' lies  the  Kii. liy.  and  hrin^'s  frauds  to  lijiht  and  piinishinent.  .  .  .  What  a  I'ri^hll'iil  sj  >ieiii  of  fraud 
lines  not  all  this  devulope,  on  the  pirt  (if  our  opponents  ?  Monsirous  in  the  evtniiie.  .\iid  chiefly  concoctid 
in  and  tliiiist  upon  us  friini  a  mlahlHirinp  city,  the  central  seal  nf  the  iii(ini";d  p.iwer.  and  which  is  also  tin) 
liond  (luariers  of  Iho  L'niled  .State.-i  Hank,  and  has  sn  long  been  under  its  hlighliii);  inllueiice.  Yes,  I'roni  thai 
eity  c  line  the  IlcKslans  who  were  to  crush  our  liherties,  and  dcsiroy  the  freedom  and  piirliy  of  our  Instiintious. 
(f-hoers.)  ^Cf  ■■^nd  John  Swift,  lis  iiiaynr.  (great  outcry.)  the  chief  inagistralc  nf  llie  second  city  in  the  United 
\f!J'  States,  v.ai  the  wicked  and  willing  airent  and  participator  in  forwarding  these  siupendous  frauds,  and  in 
<t5^  connlvinu  nl  the  cnnteinplntcd  finuds  of  It-'W.     'Trernendnus  outcry.)    And  hy  his  control  over  hl.s  police 


lOFLPIIIA. 


HOYT  AND  VAN  PVN  S  DEMOCIIATIC  BETTING. 


255 


|i  nnino,  by  a  innj.ir. 

l"fi.     Tl    is  vinir  lit- 
|y  cliisMni.tc,  and  fi, 
I'vJ's  |iis()ii.;li'ripii,|. 
y\  ui'  iw  th(  snppdit 
■    t.'ieiii  IL  sitcit— ti.ii 
•■1  \vi'  do?     I  h;r,|;, 
|!i!'n;tijs,  and  lijvc  -'■ 
ri'.i^i',  ill   ••  iLiijn  to 
•Ui.  \Vrij,'iu  Wdujj 
i;ii,v  Mr,  I'.  10  will,. 
Ill'  -clIc  ol  Mr.  Fr;.r)- 
]iii  the  PftiTni-tion  ,.( 
!(!?  vH'is  (ricnds  a'l. 
•1-:K  J.  l'i..ARCi:: 

w/'-. — Wasiiivotov, 
v  to-day.  I  am  '.v-.i; 
;)ix'is  towards  mnc\i 
■iitnc  niiy  opinion  to 
vrill  be  lor  ihi!  counrrv 
I'c  such  iJUiy  !«  tlil- 
I'.  I  do  not  give  any 
ni-'t  oiilv  hope  Ibr  a 
3  tj  10  hundrol.  My 
in  Delaware  he  will 
le  t!  ;in  ten  thousand 
''■  LLAllDSLEY. 


-"Avon,  N.  Y.  S;pi 
ISO  of  a  frank  the  dd 
'  as  ym  lon^Ud  vsiih  U) 
on  tckkhlamtoloica 
>i  ^'1- !)  pjr  cent,  lowt.- 
;  '■'■; — J  stuck,  except 
.  1  haidly  iliought  ijiv 

flii'c  nf  L'.  S  nimrlct  At 
'■  ■■ip|"'l"'cil  In  (JiiMTniT 
pH-^fd  ri>  Vi.uip.  and  one 
p.xir.uifil  tiMich  iiniine- 
111-  <if  \,  v.,  ill  1821.  WHS 
y  niiiMiiiMicd  him  tn  he. 
KicniHcnl  111  iho  seniiirii; 
lilt  pi'imliir  appeals  nmy 

sometliiipiiincc,  thntlic 
"t  ilie  ImiKr. 
irris,  Kiiini>n<!s  mid  .s^ip. 
e  n"p.prl  nf  n  \  Y.  ^n- 
n.  MiiiJWrij.'ht  ll.wkHH, 
I.  liiiil  lie  iriliy  hi'fiii  ,1 
.■  tw  waliuui  rciimrK— 
111  ir';  "irli  hj^,  di'»(ri|i. 
>IVcitM(|  Miriirli, lis  uric 
■i:  Mici;i;«-<lii|  ill  ilif  (irn 
■liiHP,  I-.  mil  ihiin  tlie 
Vlllriiru...^      .... 

wliicli  li.ivi!  bpon  lielil 
i"li  iin  this  IIS  a  sptM-iii 
IT  (ill.  .mil  rviMi  in  tlm 
f-'lin'iil  sj,|f.,i,  of  fpiiid 
\iiil  rhlrdy  concoctiil 
mil  whirli  is  (ilsii  ih,, 
"■lice.  Ves,  Irniii  thai 
iiy  I'f  our  Institution^, 
'ind  city  in  the  IFnited 
imdiuis  frmiUs,  mid  m 
cimlrol  over  M*  policr 


buying  would  knock  it  down  Ibrthwiih.  Perhaps  it  will  go  still  lower,  and  may  be  worth 
nothing  lor  all  1  know.  If  so,  and  if  I  own  any,  sell  if  you  think  liot,  and  let  mc  lose  the 
prcoeiit  ditierence.  If  I  get  out  of  this  job,  you  may  consider  mc  ••  discharfred  cured"  as  the 
Cholera  roportb  read.    Yours  ever  truly,  J.  VAN  BUREN. 

J.sx  Hiyts  and  John  Van  Dwrcn's  D  tf,  Scpl.  and  O  t.,  1834. 

[No.  278.]  I  have  compiled  the  following  statement  from  Mr.  IIo>-t's  memoranda  of 
his  Ikts,  on  his  own  and  Jolin  Van  Buren's  account,  previous  U)  the  tail  election  in  New  York. 
1831. 

With  Jamix  U'alsnn  U'M.—$50Q  on  Governor  (Marcy  vs.  Seward),  «i  c?t— S500  on  7000 
for  Marey — ©50  to  5t'«J5  against  Vcrplanck's  nomination  lor  jtuvcrnoi — i;.')0  on  C.'imlrelcng 
— 6250  on  Members  of  Coiigres.s  in  N.  Jei-scy — jj-'50  on  Oovirnorof  Ohio— 5isJ''U  on  Governor 
of  New  Yorli— SlOv)  racli,(in  3,  4,  5,  IJ,  7,  and  8000  m.iiorilies  lor  Maicy— o50  aj;ainst  900 
inaiority  1st  ward,  N.  Y.— SIOOJ  ou  750  mi'joriiy  lor  Cougresa  in  city  of  N.  Y.— ilOOO  ua 
1260  majority  Ibr  governor,  in  do— total  ji'4500. 

With  Oeo.  /•'.  Till  man.— itiOO  to  S200  on  Marcv— jiuO  on  Rcardslcy~S50  tliat  Marcy  does 
as  well  in  Montgonit-ry  as  in  lbi3'i — cioOthlit  the  wfiigs  would  li.ve  2J50  in  Washing  on  Co.— 
S200  that  Youn«  and  Cramer  would  beelected— jj*200  thi.t  the  whJirs  would  not  elect  M.C.'s  ia 
N.  Y.  city — filOO  on  7thdistrict— jrlO  on  M.rcv— jJlOO  ag'H  t -00  on  Luces  as  governor,  in 
Ohio— SiOO  each  on  G,  7,  and  8000  inajoiiiic>io'  M^rcy  in  N.  V.— SlOO  c<.ch  on  b,  7,  and  800 
majoritit*  for  .Marcy  in  city  of  N.  Y.— silO  oii  majority  in  U!.i\r  Co.— iSO  on  260  lor  Gover- 
nor in  14lli  ward — j;50on  Aew  Jersey  Congrops  ticket — total  ^31570. 

With  Akxaiulc)  ILn/iiltoii,  on  CJovernor,  S'-SO. 

With Uremncr — on  Governor  ioOO — on  Members  of  Congress  S"5— $100  on  2000 

majority  for  Lucas  in  Oiiio— a  hat  (SlO)  on  governor— $500  on  5000  maj.  ibr  Marcy — total 
$1135. 

With  D.  S.  Jf;/if5,— S'lOO  on  15,000  whig  gov.— SlOO  on  rov.  even— J?iJ5  on  each  1000  up  to 
6000  on  whii::  miijority  in  N.  Y.  city— S*35on  eacii  IOOO  whig  niaj.  in  stale  of  N.  Y.— 5i20()  to 
SlOO  that  Sev,      i  would  not  li.ivc  5000  majority— fe700. 

With  Mss^  .  Gnniidl,  crlOO  on  5000  maj.'ibr  i\larc\— with  Ji/j?i  .4.  Kinff,  SlOO  that  the 
hunkers  would  beat  .Stilwoll  750  in  N.  Y.  State— with  E/hicur/k  i.n  Heardsli^y  ^96— with  G.  W. 
I^/T«w,  a  hat  (Ji-'IO)  on  M.ncy — [Jiscph?]  Kenuuhan  ■/•bO  oi\  Beardslcy — \\i\\\  H.  K.  Dogeii. 
S50  on  governor,  and  2  bales  of  cotton  (sOO)  on  city  M.  C's  &c. — wilhi?.  Curt,s  that  Gcn'l 
Root  gels  no  majority  in  Bruunic  Co.  ii'J5 — with  same  on  govcnuir,  ftlOO  against  S*ZQQ — with 
Dudley  Seidell  on  Be'ardsley  &c.  ftlOO— with  Jihn  Il'/ic  s'150 — with  Tliaddcns  P/ulp.i,3  cases 
of  champaigne,  and  cash  :;.50  on  Bergen — with  T.  (.'arfiatlrr,  wiif^at,  wood,  hams  and  apple.s 
$'14— with  //.  Ki''-ln:ii-,  buols  S7  -with  J.ikn  V.  Cni<;r.r«i\'j{\  nn  fall  election — with  J.  L.  Jstph 
S'-iOO  on  Liieas  oi'  Ohio  and  on  Conqre.'is — with  Dmprr  jjlOO  in  ?t-00  on  majority  of  Congress, 
from  Ohio,  anil  S'OO  on  awiinbly  in  do — with  J.  C.  Pear^nn  S'lOO  on  legislature  of  Ohio — with 
ficvrj^c  S.  lJi)ii!;/ifii  du  750  nvvr;  ge  niaj.  en  Ci  '■.'less  iiel;et  in  N.  Y.  rily  S;5J00 — with  John 
Diur,  a  snil  olclotln-s,  ^50.  on  lOth  ward — wiili  ().  Minni  '^\W  oi'  Cmigress  inaj.  in  N.  Y. — 
VI [i\i  J acub  Ldllr  i^\QQ  on  5000  niaj.  for  Governor  .Marcy — with  Clunks  L.  LiviiiL'ft^n,  thai 
Alleghany  and  Orleans  woiikl  not  both  te  against  V.  Biiren  ruid  Co.  for  governor  SlOO,  Oct.. 
tJth — increased  to  jr-50,  Oct.  •Jlltli — another  bet  $i()0 — with'  f.'/(/-/.v7w«.'i,s,  a  lia.n  5^3 — 2  cases  of 
chainpa:giie  with  G ,  on  Ohio  election — with  ConfUus  Bc-u'ert  $'){)on  Beardsley. 

With  J. yi///;i/.— SlOOoii  Gov.  of    ]\Iaine— ij'iOO    on  Gov.  of  Ohio— SlOO  on  Gov. 

Marey  against  ^:ewal•d — jr'lOO  on  W.  Jersey  CotigresMucn — i:100  on  aggregate  majorities  o;" 

(itliccrs,  concocted  iind  iiiiir^linllod  h  system  which  wns  successl'iil  in  cnalilinc  men  to  come  hero  iind  deposit 
illogiil  votes  ill  our  liallot  Ihi.\i,s.  WJiiit  is  due  to  ihese  ollicers  ot  justice,  men  sworn  to  preserve  the  course 
m'jnslirc  piiri'.  mid  to  do  :iii  to  delect  nil  otl'enders  iii;aiii>l  jii>tire,  and  in  prevent  ll:e  perversion  of  llib 
course?  8"/' 'l"'^''  |i"lic"  cflicers  iind  ihi<  John  Swi.'i,  one  of  the  swum  vice  gorents  of  the  God  of  justice 
J):Cr' on  e'li^lli. 'ill  sriulin^  on  men  In  vote,  and  some  uoiiiiii);  on  lo  vole  llRiiiseivc^,  ttnd  ^iviii);  to  those  sent 
J):5"  111"  chmacler  of  llie  greatest  dcsiH'radnes  their  city  contained,  sending  ihciii  here  to  he  dressed  up  in 
the  comiiiltlee  riiiims,  and  lo  vote  at  all  the  ward  polls,  if  po^sililel  1  a-k  \ou,  1  usk  our  opponents,  I  nsk  nil 
honest  men,  ivhillier  Uicm'  ollicers  ol  jiiMlic  ever  >eiit  to  ilio  state  pri-oii.  tla'  penilenliary,  or  Riillows,  or  t<H>k 
to  prison  or  llii  gallou^.  any  men  .-o  ciilpalile,  so  criminal,  or  so  ilcserviiii;  il.i'  iiallows,  us  tliey  were  them- 
.selves  ?  (.Luiid  and  'iintinui'd  cheers  Hiiil  cries  of  "  No.  no.'')  Mr.  Roller  denied  having  nsserled  that  on  Oct. 
1,'itli,  he  would  nial>e  (lit^cliKiires  that  would  si^tlle  Mr.  Van  IJiiren's  cli  iiinii— "  yit,  [said  hr.J  straii>;e  to  tell,  on 
that  very  day,  Jlr.  Steven  i'  walked  into  my  i.ttlce  and  told  me  of  all  these  fraiid.s.  I  then  rcmenilscred  it 
was  the  l.'iUi  III  ()r'.ol)ir.  'Iieers.)  {):y'  VVho,  the",  shall  chiirjre  me  w  itli  fanalicisni,  or  superstition,  when 
5;7- I  say  that  I  can  see  lliis  llie  li^^'er  of  the  Jod  of  iriiili  and  ju^lici".  who  irilers  till  tliinus  well  : 
fcrwhii  will  protect  the  \  imus  and  punish  tlio  (iiiilty  ?  And  strinif!  in  this  lielief,  and  undi.smaycd  by 
j)3r  ihre.iti,  I  shall  conliiuii'  lo  jro  on,  and  honestly  do  my  duly  lo  him  and  my  courlry." 

tin  this  same  far  lamed  Llih  of  Orioiier,  at  ii  (ireat  National  Hall  iiieelint-'i  Mr  I're.-cott  Mall  thus  dissected 
the  demerits  of  Biiller.  "Tin  iidivuliial,  with  no  merit  of  hisuwn,  hui  wliut  hu  derives  from  shadowmi: 
liirih  Mr.  Van  tliiren's  opinion-,  whilst  he  was  docryinj;  the  citull  .sy.-teiii,  was  himself  a  borrower  of 
$2<i,000  from  the  Mmtialtan  Bank,  with'  ut  any  security,  lie  e.vpciided  il  all  in  .speculations.  The  roni- 
niitiec  ciilled  on  him  for  security.  What  did  he  pivc  ?  Why  Chicago  lots,  (Koars  uf  laughter)  all  nf  which 
only  cost  him  $Ci)ii.  ami  that  was  as  much  as  they  were  all  worth:  (Cheer;,)  uiid  yet  he  talks  about  the 
aristocratic  borrowers  and  sjieciilntors  un  the  credit  system." 


;| 


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'• .  > 


256  ANorriER  vikw  of  a  3^"democratic  attorney  gexrral  op  n.  y. 

democrntic  Conp-csm^n  from  N.  Y.  S.— f  103  on  GOOD  majority  for  M::rcy- -S50  on  Con- 

gress  ticlict  ia        

Mr.  fljvt'.s  hnnJwritinr'  being  l)ad,  I  may  have  made  some  mistakes,  but  think  not.  It  ap. 
pear.^  to  iii;'  'h  t  th-.'.:e  Lc  ,  an.io  iniing  I'rom  jpl'2,00J  to  $15,0)0,  arc  bin  :i  p.,rtoi'his  ■nvgers 
on  the  elcciioii  ol  1831 — jiu  his  o  her  memoranda  ly^  less  cljar.  lie  yeem.s  to  have  begun 
betting  e  rly  in  Septeuiber,  and  to  have  kept  on  diiily  till  the  elections  wcrj  ;.ll  over.  A  reve- 
nue  otlicsr  t'll  J  me  one  d;iy  at  the  custom  house  here'  that  Mr.  Hoyl's  bets  on  the  fall  elections 
of  1810  were  enjugh  to  have  ruined  a  dozen  of  men  who  had  not  extraordinary  rcoirces,  hu; 
heg.ive  me  no  liicts,  so  1  do  not  vouch  fir  bis  statement,  though  very  probable.  Mr.  Hoyt's 
letting  did  njt  enrich  him,  as  witness  Warren's  letters  of  Dec.  and  Jan.  ne.xt.  John  Van 
Buren  miiy  have  cl:are  !  through  Hoyt  alone,  on  tliat  ek'C  ion,  $9000.  He  had  acce.ss  to  the 
whole  correspondence  of  the  central  junto  at  Albany,  and  the  rcturn.s  by  which  their  gamblin;; 
on  the  elections  was  regitlated. 

[N.  S7D.]  John  C.  Cruger  to  Jesse  Hoyt.— Charlestown,  Nov.  27,  ISJi.  My  Dear 
Sir— On  my  arrival  here  I  wrote  to  my  brolhcr-in-law  Mr.  Pell  requesting  him  to  pay  you 
three  hundred  dollar>  l.W  for  yourself  and  the  same  sum  for  Mr.  Wilson.  I  send  this  fetter  by 
the  steam  paclcct  as  it  will  probably  be  in  New  York  as  soon  as  that.  When  you  receh-e  the 
$300,  please  pay  the  150  to  Mr.  Wilson  whose  bet  is  the  same  as  yours.  Although  the  result 
of  this  election  must  be  very  agreeable  to  you,  I  cannot  congratulate  you,  for  I  trust  that  }-(ju 
will  look  upon  it  as  a  ."-ourc'e  of  regret  before  manv  years. 

'I  am  truly  yours.    JOHN  C.  CRUGER. 

Sneers  at  th-  paor  Wii^$ — Bet  tip  to  jJSOOO — Marcy's  Election  "  as  svrc  as  G — d." 

[No.  283.]  Attorney  General  .1.  Van  Buren  to  "  My  Dear  Urji,"  N.  Y.  Albany,  Oct. 
7,  1834.  [TLiej^Joy.]— Mv  Dear  Hovt— They  say  "  the  blood  of  the  martyi's  is  the  seed  of  the 
Church,  and  heaven  knows  I  have  been  freely  Uipped  in  the  ■  ood  cau.'^e.  THE  REM.  [n- 
tnoval]  OP  THE  DiiP.  [deposits]  cott  mea  fortune,  and  novv^  I  don't  .see  but  I  must  lose  another 
hunk  of  my  little  earnings. 

My  impression  is  that  Stocks  will  go  up  till  Election,  and  fall  immedi;:toly  after.  If  the  poor 
JViigs  coiild  carry  a  Constable  somewhere  and  get  up  a  Jubilee,  stocks  would  rise.  New  Jer- 
sey vi"ij  gu  lor  them,  and  give  them  a  filip — but  Penna.  will  luiock  them  stiff  next  week— eo 
will  Ohio— and  .h)  will  N.  V. 

If  }'ou  could  get  the  difference  bet  on  Marcy,  I  should  say  "Sell  by  all  means,"  and  any  howl 
don't' know  but  yuu  had  better  sell.  Do  exactly  as  yuu  see  iit.  I  shall  be  down  bclbre  it  tails  due 
probably ;  ]neaniime  1  should  be  most  partkuhirlii  obliged  to  you,  if  you  can  gel  vie  an  even  Lei 
ai:a  )lH  M.ii\  y  In  any  auuntnt  less  than  FIVE  THOUSAND  DOt-LARS.  1  ihink  1  would  bet 
$100  oncach'lOJO  majority  up  to 5000.  I  would  bet  31,500  against  i-i 1, 000  un  an  even  election. 
1  consider  Marcy'-  election,  Ly  from  7.500  to  15,000  majority,  AS  SURE  AS  GOD. 

You  knuw  best  hjw  much  the  Pattc.  -on  is  worth,  and  yoii  must  tlo  i.xacily  as  if  it  was  your 
own,  and  I  shnil  be  satisfied.     Make  me  some  bels  if  pa^s^ille.         Yours,  truly,        J.  V.  B. 

P.  S.  The  Whigs  may  gather  pluck  atler  .some  meetings  or  some  things. 

Wap^cra,  helling,  speculation — D.slon  and  Profitinuc — Xcil  Livingston. 

[No.  281.]  Atloni.\v  Gen'l  J.  Van  Buren  to  J.  Tloyt,  N.  Y.  Albany,  Oct.  12,  183-t.— 
My  Dear  .fessj — I  .slijuKl  tiiink  you  right  about  selling  the  Patlir.son,  if  it  will  not  do  to 
Iiol.!.  By  the  l.):,)k^  oi  Webb's  paper,  (/illhoug'i.  if  is  int'inlcd  no  di.nl!  >■'  npnric  mi  Xiio  Jer- 
re?/.)  the  "opposition  gained  eonfiaeiiee.  Can  you  tempt  them  with  A  WAGER  on  3,  4,  and 
5000  Majorities;  &'J00  on  each  or  S'SOO  oh  $1000!  If  neiih-r  of  these  can  be  got  to- 
morrow, ekt  ihcui  if^oOJ  on  5000  majority.  Tlierc  will  he  no  l/itlii':  ajl,  r  lo-momw.  Save 
the  order  for  Bjsi.  and  Prov.  open;  the  Moh.  is  all  right.  We  have  nominated  a  .strong 
ticket,  tho'  Liviiig.ston  (Ned)  is  the  Assembly  man,  contrary  to  all  expectation.  Yours 
ever  truly,  J.  VAN  BUREN. 

'  Don't  Ik  u/c  a.sy,'  Jcvst,  go  ahad !    Bets  on  Marcy  and  Lucas  of  O/iln. 

[No.  282.]  Same  to  .same.  Alhany,  Oct.  14,  1831.  Don't  be  'uneasy'  Jesse;  go 
lihead.  I  wnue  you  by  Sunday's  boat:  but  I  suppose  as  there  was  no  mail  the  letter  mis- 
carriexl.     I  think  slocks  will  fall  lliis  week.     Sell  if  3'ou  think  best. 

Gni  ytw  r-fi  BETS  on  liu'.:e,  four,  and  live  thousand  majority  fir  I\Ir;;Ly,  two  hundred  dol- 
lars on  each  !  ifiMt,  1  will  bet  live  hundred  dollars  on  fuur  thousand;  perhaps,  if  we  lose 
New  Jeisey,  you  can  get  tiiis. 

If  you  raii't  do  /ict'rr,  J  skonld  like  a  ki  of  three  hundred  dollars  on  fir  thousand  majority  fir 
Marcy,  unless  we  lo.se  N.  J. ;  in  that  eveiit  1  will  wait  to  got  better  terms.    Yours  truly, 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 

P.  S.    I  WILL  BET  on  five  tliousand  majority  for  Lucas  In  Ohio. 


[No.  2R3. 
1834.— Mv  Di 

Buggies,  who 
on  the  subject 
thing  looks  w( 
ticket  is  a  strc 


[No.  284. 
1834.— My  D 

ai  the  shares  < 
son  that  I  hav 
out  of  the  '  bet 
right,  and  eve 
his  big  invest! 
says.  Yours 
P.  S.  Idol 
out. 

1 

[No.  285 
My  bear  Sir 
I  have  been  h 
begin  to  pity 
say.  I  think 
in  Philadelph 
truly  yours, 


[N( 
'34.- 


FNo.  28G 
-My 
Hbn'ble  Mr. 
York  before  1 
'.0  make  his  s 


Old  Le  Foi 

[No.  -28: 
mer  Grahai 
Y.— they  .sa 
etiicient  adv 
sent  admin i 
of  Customs 
That  luinefl 
am  not  acqi 
U)  your  amsi 
great  numb 
truly, 

Le  Foy,  a 
ftd  tool— an 
Marcy  as  G 
ernor  dictal 
the  Custom 
Samuel  S 
cant  tor  the 
MAN,  and 
have  no  doi 
New  Yoi 


[No.  21 
1834.— Mv 
days,  at  10 
and  Kimbt 
inch  hign ; 
day. 


JXRRAL  OP  N.  Y. 

\I:.rcy--$50onCon. 

lit  thinlc  not.    It  ap. 

II  p..rt  Oi'his  w\  gei-s 
L'eiji.s  to  liave  begun 

•J  ;.ll  over.    A  reve- 

on  the  fall  cleciions 
linary  re.'o-irces,  but 
obablo.  Mr,  Hoyt's 
next.  John  Van 
H.S  had  access  to  the 
vliicii  their  g-amblinij 


7,  183-t.  My  Dear 
mg  him  to  pax  vou 
I  send  this  letter  by 
Vhcn  you  recei\*e  the 
Akhougii  the  resuii 
lor  I  trust  that  3-00 

IN  C.  CRUGER. 

fvrc  as  G — d." 
N'.  Y.    Albany,  Oct. 
t3Ts  is  the  seed  of  the 
■•    THE  REM.  fro. 
lU  I  must  lose  another 

oly  after.  If  the  poor 
uuld  rise.  New  Jer- 
u  stiff  next  week— so 

cans,"  nnd  any  howl 
jwii  belbre  it  ialls  due 
a)i  get  VIC  an  even  bet 
■  iihinic  I  wouldbet 
)  un  sn  even  election. 

AS  GOD. 
ctlv  as  if  it  was  your 

truly,        J.  V.  B. 


HllgslO}l, 

vv,  Oi;t.  13,  183-I.— 
if  it  will  not  do  to 
I'prip'c  ,1)1  A'fw  Jer. 
IGER  on  3,  4,  and 
hese  can  be  got  to- 
(.  /•  to-morrc.w.  Sat'c 
nominated  a  strong 
-■xpcctotion.  Yours 
VA^  I3UREN. 

'"  Ohio. 

'  uneasy'  Jes.se ;  go 
nail  the  letter  mis- 

'y,  two  hundred  dol- 
perhap.e,  if  we  lose 

untsatt'l  viajority  fi>' 
■-.    Youi-s  truly, 
VAN  BUREk 


MORE  MOCKTN'O  OF  THE  TRUE  DEMOCRACY. 


^1 


fNo.  2R3.]  Senator  Tallmadge  to  JeKse  Hoyt,  at  New  York.  Po'keepsie,  Oct.  14, 
IKH. — MvDiCAnSiR:  1  received  your  letter  of  the  llth,  and  had  an  interview  with  Judge 
Buggies,  who  holds  the  Putnam  circuit  this  week.  He  w,ll  Udk  wdk  the  gevtlcvit-ii  relierrcd  to 
on  the  subject  mentioned.  Stock  an  iiUeiview  will  have  nunre  effect  than  any  thing  else.  Every 
thing  looks  well  with  us.  We  bave  renominated  the  "  POKEll"  for  Congress.  Our  whole 
ticket  is  a  strong  one;  we  anticipate  a  greater  vote  than  in  1832. 

Yours  truly,  N.  P.  TALLMADGE. 

Patterson  Railroad.     The  Betting  Ring.    $500  on  Marcy. 

[No.  284.]  Attorne)^  General  John  Van  Buren  to  J.  Iloyt,  N.  Y.  Albany,  Oct.  15,  | 
1834. — Mv  Dear  Hoyt— You  have  worked  the  Patterson  Rail  Road  very  well.  1  am  shocked  j 
ai  the  shares  only  being  S50,  having  become  reconciled  to  at  least  double  the  loss.  Tell  Wil-  1 
SOD  that  I  have  an  impression  thai  he  promised  to  invest  S500  or  so,  lor  me,  provided  1  kept  ( 
ou'.  of  the  'betting  ring,'  so  as  to  encourage  the  enemy  to  give  him  a  fuir  eliance.  If  1  am 
right,  and  even  if  I  am  not,  I  count  upon  his  iwl/ilily  to  spare  me  SMO  even  on  Marcy,  out  of 


his  big  investment. 


-let  me  know  what  "W. 


1  shall  be  in  New  York  the  last  of  the  month- 
says.    Yours  truly.    J.  V.  B. 

P.  S.  1  dont  care  to  bet  on  5000  majority  for  Marcy  just  now ;  if  it  is  not  too  late  to  back 
out. 

Van  Biircn  pities  Ike  poor  VVAigs — thinks  they  will  change  their  names. 

[No.  285.]  Martin  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York.  Kindf.rhook,  Oct.  21, 1834.— 
)ear  Sir:  I  send  you  with  the  greatest  pleasure  the  letter  you  desire  for  our  friend  Phelps. 
I  have  been  here  for  a  few  days  where  the  Enemy  is  using  very  desperate  edicts.  1  almost 
begin  to  pity  the  poor  Whigs.  Their  next  cognomen  will  be  Democrats — rememl)er  what  I 
say.  I  think  you  ought  at  some  of  your  meetings,  to  call  upon  them,  as  our  friends  have  done 
in  Philadelphia,  to  give  notice  by  what  name  they  mean  to  pass  next  year.  In  haste,  very 
truly  yours,  J M.  VAN  BUREN. 

Van  Buren  introduces  his  friend  Clay  to  his  friend  Iloit. 

iNo.  286.1  Vice  President  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoit,  New  York.  Wasiiinoton,  Nov. 
4. — My  Dear  Sir:  I  take  much  pleasure  in  making  you  acquainted  with  my  friend  the 
Hon'ble  Mr.  Clay  of  AInhaina  [Clement  C.  of  U.  S.  Senate,]  who  makes  a  short  visit  to  New 
York  before  the  nipeting  of  Congress.  I  know  it  will  give  you  pleasure  to  do  what  you  caA 
to  make  his  stay  in  New  York  agreeable.    I  am,  dear  sir,  very  truly  yours, 

M.  VAN  BUREN. 

Old  Le  Fmj,  the  Anctioncur,  nmninales  Governor  Marcy  direct  from  the  N.  Y.  Cvstam  I/ovsc! 

[No.  287.]  In  a  letter  signed  by  Cornelius  W.  Lawrence,  Thomas  Ilcrttell,  John  Lori- 
mer  Graham,  ami  Geoif,'e  D.  Strong,  addressed  to  S.  Swartwout,  dated  8!h  Dec.  1834,  at  N. 
Y. — they  say:  "  Mr.  Le  F-y  from  that  time  to  the  present  has  been  an  active,  zealous,  and 
efficient  advocate  of  (ieiiu.,i;itie  pj-ineiples,  and  hn.'-  very  materially  aided  in  sustaining  the  pre- 
sent adminisiratiot),  and  v\e  believe  that  no  individual  who  has  been  selected  as  an  Inspector 
of  Customs  has  presented  siron,n;er  personal  or  poliiical  claims  to  your  fhvourablc  notice." 
That  honeft  and  stead ij  patriot,  Wm.  M.  Price,  thus  adds  his  testimony  (Dec.  10,  1834).  "I 
am  not  acquainted  with  any  individual  who  presents  .stronger  personal  aiul  palilical  claims 
to  your  amsidenitioii  than  Mr.  Le  Foy.  His  appointment  would  afford  great  gratiiication  to  a 
great  number  of  your  personal  and  political  friends,  and  confer  an  especial  favor  on  yours 
truly,  WILLIAM  M.  PRICE." 

Le  Foy,  an  old  auctioneer,  waj  installed  as  a  Custom  FIou.se  officer,  proved  himself  a  use- 
flil  tool — and,  as  a  pretended  representative  of  New  York  democracy,  T'lniinaled  Wm.  L. 
Marcy  as  Governor,  at  the  Syracuse  Convention,  Sept.  1830.  New  York  therefore  had  a  gov- 
ernor dictated  by  the  Custom  House — and  when  Tlu'oop  was  no  longer  endurable  as  a  ruler, 
the  Custom  House  opened  iis  doors  to  him. 

Samuel  Swaitwout,  Esq. — Dear  Sir — Mr.  George  S.  Messerveof  the  llth  Ward  is  an  nppli- 
cant  lor  the  appointment  of  Inspector  of  Customs.  Mr.  M,  has  been  A  STHONG  PARTY 
MAN,  and  is  al  present  an  ardent  supporter  of  the  General  and  Stale  Adniinistralions,  and  I 
have  no  doubt  his  appointment  would  give  general  satisfaction. 

New  York,  April  30,  1835.       WALTER  BOWNE.     j 

SeUitig  R.  R.  Stocks  and  Imying  High  Heeled  Boots. 

[No.  288.]  Aitorney  Gen.  John  Van  Buren  to  J.  Hoyt,  New  "V'oi  k.  Ar.BANV,  Dec.  17. 
1834.— Mv  Dkar  Jkssk— Please  sell  me  100  shares  Boston  ic  Providence,  deliveiable  in  CO 
days,  at  I07J  or  lOTj.  I  shnll  be  in  New  York  this  week.  Can  you  send  an  ord"r  10  — — 
and  Kimbad,  No.  3  Wall  st.,  to  make  mefmthwith  a  pair  of  neat  winter  Boots  with  heels  an 
inch  high;  I  want  them  to  wear  when  I  shall  come  to  New  York,  and  that  will  be  1  v  Thurs- 
day. Yours  truly.  J.  VAN  BUREN. 


'i-  • 


,v;-: 


••  ■      ■'» 


t    .'•.   > 


259      nuNTiNO  IN  courLBS.     LonnviNa.    clutching  the  spoils. 

Hoyl's  Dtxrskins—JackMn  escapes  Assassinatinn. 

[No.  9Sn.]  Vice  President  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  tI()>T  at  New  York,  Washimoton,  Deo. 
31,  1831. — MfDwAR  Sir:  1  am  obliged  by  your  attention  to  iny  small  concerns,  and  upon  men. 
tijaing  the  circu:miance  in  the  presence  ol  the  President,  he  has  requested  ine  to  ask  you  to  send 
hiin  also  a  pair  ol'the  skins.     1  will  pay  all.  Yours,  truly,        M.  VAN  BUREN. 

[No.  290.]  Vice  President  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  New  York.  No  date  (1834.)— 
Dear  Sir:  I  f'rgJt  to  say  to  you  th.il  the  PresiJent  cheerf  illy  accepted  your  present  of  the 
skins,  and  to  make  you  my  acknowledar  Hints  Dr  your  attention.  The  President  is  in  fine 
health  and  spirits.     His  escape  was  pjrfjctly  uiiracilous. 

Providence  lugged  in  with  Providence  R.  R.  samhiing. — M^Kmcn  tf-  Van  Buren* s  happiness  ts"li 

du  a'li/hodi/s  dirty  work." 

[No.  291.]  Albany,  Dec.  30,  1831. — Dkaii  Jkssk  :  Enclosed  is  your  note.  If  the  order 
to  Nevins  and  rowasead  lo  sell  me  103  shares  Bosian  and  Providence  at  107}  lo  |  at  (ij  rliys 
and  Interest  should  not,  pnividciUinUij,  have  been  countermanded  in  season,  1  take  it  they  have 
eifjcted  the  sale :  if  so,  let  them  close  it  at  the  present  prices,  so  that  I  may  recuperate  a  small 
portion  of  my  losses. 

Is  Leggett  wicked  or  crazy  1  Yours  truly,        J.  VAN  BUREN. 

P.  S.  1  have  formed  a  partnership  in  law  with  Col.  McKoun  :  on'"!  of  us  will  attend  all  the 
Courts,  and  we  shall  be  HAPPY  TU  DO  ANYBODY'S  '  DlilTY  WORK.'  J.  V.  B. 


moi;->!n^. 


Speaker  Livingston  incites  Ex-Commissioncr  ILiyl  to  join  thn  Lobby. 
[No.  292.1  Mv  Dkar  Hd  y  r :  The  U.  and  Schenectady  rail-road  passed  our  House  this 
1  liave  just  inquired  of  De  Graff  his  opiiiio.i  of  its  fate  in  the  Senate — he  is  not  con- 
fident i.t'success,  but  thinks,  with  a  full  Senat.:,  it  may  pass.  Ax  fiis  is  a  matter  nf  same  impor- 
tanrp  to  rourself,  I  would  advisr.  that  yon  come  vpand  lend  a  kelpiiig  hand  to  those  already  eutcag- 
etl ... .  c't-r  -yi  ig  it  throngh.  Yours,        C.  L.  L. 

[No.  293.]         Van  ^urea's  Pet  Pinancivr,  Colleckrr  and  Sto'kjobber,  at  fault. 

Twc  Notes— .fohn  Warren,  Broker,  Wall  street,  (u  Jesse  Floyt.  "  New  York,  Dec.  27,  1834, 
— Dear  Hayt:  You  will  tind  by  the  enclosed  account,  made  up  to  21st  inst.,  a  balance  due  us 
.ji  ;$J997.2I  cts.  Will  you  do  us  the  favor  to  have  it  .settled  ]"—"  New  York,  Jan'y  12,1835. 
— Sir:  Not  having  received  the  balance  due  our  late  firm,  I  feel  myself  bound  by  the  regula- 
tions of  our  Board  to  hand  in  your  name  unless  .settled  by  lOj  o'clock,  to-morrow."  ' 

[Thus  stood  the  successor  of  Swartwout  in  lS3o.  la  a  i'w  months  thereafter,  through  Van 
Buren's  inlluance,  he,  his  friend  Butler,  and  their  comrade  W.  8.  Coe,  W(>re  the  board  of  Com- 
missioners to  examine  into  and  .settle  all  claims  relative  to  duties,  arising  out  of  the  great  fire 
in  New  York  ! ! !] 

The  Madness  of  the  Merchants  and  Auctioneers — th^.  Victim.^  of  the  Panic — To  the  Victors  belom 

the  Spoils ! 

[No.  291.]  Gov'r.  Marcy  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y.  Albany,  2f;th  Jan'y,  1835.  Privolc- 
My  Dear  Sir — I  received  your  letter  this  morning  on  the  subject  ol'  L.  M.  M.  It  is  proper  thjt 
Mr.  M.  and  all  other  olF-ce  h;)l.iers  in  N.  Y.  whose  li'elings  or  wh;>se  conduct  has  gone  wiih 
the  Wigs  should  be  tV.ily  ap  ..ised  of  my  situation  in  relation  to  liieir  ap[iointments,  and  thiii 
they  should  be  made  sensib'e  that  they  have  conlribulod  to  briai,'  alittiu  a  state  of  thing-;  which 
prevent  me  from  doing  towards  them  as  I  havr  ihw  heretoibrenn  1  should  untler  other  ciicu.'u- 
stanc.'s  do  now.  The  principal  auctioneers  [)arto  >!;  ofilu'  m:uliiess  '.WiiX  iat'ntuatioti  which  last 
year  seized  the  great  m;iss  of  the  Merchants — they  aided  in  giving  success  ti  our  opponents  in 
the  Coinmin  Council — they  countenanced  and  sum- practised  ihe  pro^-Miptivc  policy  of  thai 
bjly— t'.iriieJ  away  th'Mr  clerics,  (nr!neii,&.c. — uiih'ld  ihe  course  pursued  bvthe  Fr/i,-- paper.'— 
uiiJ  cheered  on  the  ('ommou  Coum.'il  in  .s-?w/^/i(/m' /kw/rrZ-.s- of  all  our  p!>lilical  friends.  The 
very  mm  who  have  been  pros-.rik-/  in  N,  Y,,  with  the  expressed  or  implied  approbation  of 
these  who  wish  reappdintments,  now  surround  me  \n  grcot  nnmbrrs,  d^k'm'x  Uf  places  an.' 
com  missions  of  the  /jro^^'-rihrrs.  What  shall  I  sa\ — what  ought  1  say  tti  these  applicants! 
Shall  I  send  thi'.se  victims  of  proscription,  and  vi'iims  of  the  panir,  home,  empty  handea,  tu 
beg  employment  of  tbo.se  who  have  deprived  them  of  it,  and  givi-  commissions  to  those  who 
are  the  authors  or  evei>  the  silent  approvers  of  the  course  pursii.d  by  the  (Joiumon  Council 
and  Ihe  panic  makers?  If  I  had  hut  one  liour  of  olRcial  lile  lo  live  I  should  consider  it  iiu 
.solemn  duty  to  employ  it  diligently  in  protecting  my  jiolilical  fri'-nds  t'roin  persecution.  Mv 
friends  in  N.  Y.  ought  to  look  at  both  sides  of  this  question  before  they  advise  a  course  of 
liberality  which  wouhl  be  injustice  to  friends,  and,  as  past  experience  shows,  returned  with  inf 
graUiu4e.    Yours,  (Sic.,  W.  L.  MAKCY. 


E  SPOILS. 


\VARHi?fOTov,  Dec. 
cenis,  and  upon  men- 
ne  to  ask  you  to  send 
1.  VAN  BUIIEN. 

No  date  (1834.)- 
your  present  of  the 
President  is  in  fine 


furen's  happiness  u  "  l^ 

our  note.  If  the  order 
it  I07i  w  I  ^i  '''J  '^\vs 
on,  I  take  it  they  have 
ay  recuperate  a  small 

J.  VAN  BUREN. 

us  will  attend  all  the 
)IUC.'  J.  V.  B. 

hi:  Lobby. 

1  passed  our  House  this 
Senate — lie  isnotcou- 
i  laallcr  of  same  irii]mr- 

I  to  t/K)X  tdieaihj  enaag- 
Yours,        C.  L.L. 

,  at  fault. 

ewYork,  Dec.  27,  1834, 
inst.,  a  balance  due  us 
w  York,  .'an'y  13,  1H35, 
If  bi)uud  by  ihe  regula- 
-morrow." 

thercafler,  through  Van 
wi^ro  the  board  of  Com- 
ing out  of  the  great  firi; 


: —  To  the  Victors  bcbuf; 

lan'y,  1835.  Privolc- 
M.  M.  It  is  proper  thji 
contluct  has  gone  wiiii 

apiiointnients,  and  thiil 
t  ;i  state  of  things  which 
uld  under  other  circum- 
id  iufaiuatioii  which  las! 
:(u\ss  t-i  our  opponents  in 
I'^'-riptivc  policy  of  ihai 
led  hvtlie  Wii^  papeif— 

polilical   Iriends.    'I'he 

•  iiniilied  approbation  of 
,  asking'  tii<'  places  aiv 
ay  (ii  these  applicants! 
hoiiK',  empty  riandea,  to 
iinniissions  to  those  who 

•  the  Common  Council 
'  I  should  consider  it  my 
tVom  persecution.  Mv 
hey  advise  a  course  of 
shows,  relurnal  with,  in- 

W.  L.  MAHOY. 


AARON  BURR  NOMINATES  ANDREW  JACKSON. 


250 


Silas  Wiighl  appoint  a  very  suitable  Laie- Agent. 

[No.  29.5.]    Governor  Silas  Wright  to  Lorenzo  Ho}t,  Lawyer,  Albany.    Cantom,  1 1  April 
1835.— My  Dear  Sir:  I  b<!lieve  1  some  time  since  appointed  you  MY  LAW  AGliNT  ir 


in 


Albany.  I  cannot  say  now  that  1  shall  have  anything  for  an  agent  to  do,  as  1  have  little 
expectation  of  doing  any  thing  as  an  Auorney  while  my  annual  absences  are  so  long.  I  wish 
you,  however,  to  present  the  enclosed  pa[)ers  to  one  of  the  Justices  of  the  Supreme  Court,  and 
get  an  order  allow  ing  to  the  clerk  therein  named  the  time  shown  to  have  been  employed  in 
classical  studies,  and  then  that  you  would  file  the  papers,  and  send  me  copy  of  the  order.  I 
am,  very  truly,  &c.  SILAS  WRIGHT,  Jr. 

Andreie  Jackson's  first  nomiiuilion  as  President,  by  Ms  Old  Associate,  Aaron  Burr. 

[No.  20(j.l    From  the  Memoirs  of  Aaron  Burr,  vol.  2,  page  433.    Extract  Irom  Burr's 
letter  to  Joseph  Alston,  governor  of  South  Carolina: 

New  York,  November  20,  I8l5. 
'A  congressional  caucus  will,  in  the  course  of  the  ensuing  month,  nominate  James  Monroe 
for  President  of  the  United  States,  and  will  call  on  all  good  repn/dicans  lo  support  the  nomina- 
tion. Whether  we  consider  the  measure  itself,  the  characler  and  talents  oj  the  vian,  or  the 
slate  whence  he  comes,  this  iwviinalioii  is  cifually  cxceplumuJjle  and  odious.  1  have  often  heard 
your  opinion  of  these  crwtg7-t5ji(o?i.rtZ  nominations.  They  are  hostile  to  all  freedom  and  inde- 
pendence of  suffraje.  A  certain  junto  of  actual  and  factitious  Virginians,  having  had  posses- 
sion of  the  government  for  twenty-four  years,  consider  the  United  States  as  their  property, 
and,  by  bawling  'support  Ike  Admin  1st  ration,'  have  too  long  succeeded  in  doping  the  Rkpubli- 
e,\N  Public.  *  *  The  moment  is  extremely  auspicious  tor  breaking  down  this  degrading 
system.  The  best  citizens  of  our  country  acknowledge  the  fceljicncss  of  our  Adniinistralitm. 
They  acknowledge  that  otHees  are  bestowed  merdij  to  preserve  power  and  withmd  tlue  small st 
regard  to  fitness.  If,  then,  there  be  a  man  in  the  United  States  of  firmness  and  decision,  and 
having  standing  enough  to  afl'ord  even  a  hope  of  success,  it  is  your  duty  to  hold  him  up  to  the 
public  view:  </i«<  7ttrm  «  Andrew  Jackso.n.  Nothing  is  wanting  but  a  respectable  nomina- 
tion, made  before  the  proclainatiun  of  the  Virginia  caucus,  and  Jackson's  success  is  inevitable. 
If  this  project  should  accord  with  your  views,  I  could  wish  to  see  ymi  prominent  in  the  execu- 
tion of  it.  It  must  be  known  to  be  your  work.  Wliether  a  formal  and  open  nomination  should 
now  be  made,  or  whether  you  should,  tor  the  present,  content  yourself  with  barely  deno^incing, 
by  a  joint  resolution  of  both  houses  of  your  legislature,  congressional  raucuscs  and  nominations, 
you  only  can  judge.  One  consideration  inclines  me  to  hesitate  abov.t  the  policy  of  a  present 
■nomination — it  is  this :  that  Jackson  o\x^\\\.  first  to  be  admonished  to  be  passive;  for,  tlie  moment 
he  shall  he  announced  as  a  candidate,  lie  will  be  assailed  by  the  Virginia  junto,  with  menaces 
and  with  iiufidioits  promises  oHioons  and  favors.  Tiikuk  is  danokr  that  Jackson  might  bk 
WROUGHT  UPON  BY  sL'cii  PRACTicKs.  If  an  Open  nomination  be  made,  an  exprc.is  should  lie  itu- 
starUly  sent  to  him,'  &c.  AARON  BURR. 


Young  Dlennerhmsett  hasl^ens  from  Montreal  to  ask  an  office  from  S.  Swartwout,  his  father's  col- 

kague  in  Ike  Burr  Movement. 

[No.  297.]  Harman  Blennerha.ssett,  to  Collector  Swartwour.  IN'fw  York,  April  15, 
1829. —  Dear  Sir:  I  respectfully  take  this  liberty  to  remind  you  that  I  am  a  candidate  lor  an 
appointment  to  any  situation  in  the  Custom  Hou.se  which  your  goodness  and  circumstances 
will  allow  you  to  olfer  me.  As  reference  to  my  character  or  abilities,  1  l^eg  to  mention  the  iol- 
lowing  gentlemen  from  whom  I  can  submit  a  written  recommendation,  .should  that  be  neces- 
sary, and  will  otli'r  any  I'urther  testimonials  you  rc(|uiie. 

Robert  Emmett,  T.  A.  Kmmot,  Jr.,  David  Codwise,  William  II.  Harrison,  William  H. 
Maxwell,  C^adwallad'T  D.  Coldcn,  counsellors  at  l;iw;  Doctor  M'Neven,  Bni;klway  ;  Doctor 
Ludlow,  Hudson  .street;  R.  M'Evcrs,  Walter  Odie,  John  Griswold,  merchants;  Gerard  Beek- 
raan,  Bleecker  street;  Robert  Stewart,  Benjamin  Romaine,  Hudson  street,  gentlemen. 

I  was  born  on  my  father's  island  in  the  ()hio,  and  have  spent  the  principal  pait  of  my  life  in 
the  United  States,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  years  that  I  lived  in  Canaila,  where  I  completed 
my  education;  AND  CHERISHING  THE  HIGHEST  SENSE  OF  YOUR  FRIEND- 
SHIP FOR  MYSELF  AND  FAMILY,  and  with  the  ardent  hope  that  you  may  find  some 
post  in  your  department  in  which  I  can  be  useful,  I  have  the  honour,  &c. 

HAUMAN  BLENNERHASSETT. 


TV  old,  Bvrritc  aid-de-camp  in  direct  correspondence  with  the  chief  manufacturer  of  revolt  in 

Texas. 

[No.  298.1  Collector  Swartwout  to  General  Samuel  Houston,  Texas.  New  York,  18 
May,  1835. — My  dear  General,  I  am  most  happy  to  make  you  acquainted  with  tlie  bearer. 
Mr.  Fortune,  ray  very  good  and  highly  esteemed  friend  Mr.  ij'ortune  has  business  on  hana 
of  some  importance  in  respect  to  the  Felasola  grant  in  you'  country.    Givn  him  all  the  aid 


I 


'^i\ 


I''. 


Li' 


SCO 


SWAltTV/OVT,  HOUSTON,  NRVILLE  AVD  TRXAS. 


.'*vr 


:.    ff.r   ■  :  .. 


it  ^ 


■'  ^  i'. 


r  ,-..v 


tune 
the  whale 


can  in  his  honorable  and  praiseworthy  efforts  to  settle  yonr  lialiorhtful  Teras.    Mr.  For- 
is  iniimaiely  aco'iinted  with  the  details  of  the  Cartiajal  purchase'.     He  w .    ^  wiuics.-to 
«c  whale  transaction,  and  will  give  you  all  the  particulars.     UniJe  wil/i  Mm  .''   _«  n^-  luj 
jpaiU,  dTiii,  as  in  duty  bL>iind,  1  will  ever  pray.    I  remain  yours,  my  djar  g.-n  iral, 

S.  SV/ARfWCUT 

[No. '298.«1  Major  Morgan  Neville,  to  Collector  Swartwout,  N.  Y.  Cimcinv- ^i.  jnn, 
15,  1830.  My  Dsar  Swartwout:  ♦  ♦  *  I  thank  you  for  (h:' pif'dgt' you  gi.c  ine,  of  ir,i-i-. 
e&ting  yoursjir  lor  ine  at  Wasliiiigtori,  *  *  ♦  My  will',  who  is  a  niixe  oi'  Capt.  Heth  of 
Richmond,  one  of  Burr's  secuiilies,  ♦  ♦  *  I  woul.l  havi;  gone  to  Mj.vico,  but  not  as 
Charge;  1  know  I  am  bi-tter  quaiilied  for  the  stitioii  ilian  any  man  ol'  our  party  in  the  west. 
*  *  ♦  I  would  prefer  going  to  Texas,  if  that  province  be  ceded.  Under  the  administra- 
tion of  Jackson  I  can  accept  of  no  minor  oiiice — i  know  too  well  my  own  claims  and  my  own 
standing.  At  thj  time  Clay's  feelings  w,n-j  the  most  bitter  against  m.',  a  Senator  high  in  his 
confidence  pressed  me  to  accept  the  t."ljari;v?-sliip  lo  S'veilcn  at  Somervill  ''s  death.  (Ji  course 
I  declined.  There  is  something  preposterous  in  the  oiler  oi'  a  siniihu'  oiiice  under  an  aitrain- 
isi  rati  on,  for  the  succe.ss  of  which  I  have  done  as  much, '/<  te/.</,  as  any  mm  ia  Ohio.  A 
Caucus  is  now  holding  at  Columbis,  An  odicious  devil  of  the  nam?  ol' W.itson  is  getting 
recommendations  from  every  source  he  can.  *  ♦  ♦  Since  the  election,  abstract  Jackson- 
ism  (the  true  spirit  of  reform^  has  not  been  sufficiently  cherished  in  our  state;  taction  and  im- 
pudence have  pushed  themselves  into  office.  Tho.se  among  us  whom  public  opinion  placed 
in  the  front  rank  of  the  party,  have  not  been  consulteii.and  the  .state  of  Ohi(j  has  been  degraded 
to  make  room  for  the  glorification  of  Kentucky.  ♦  ♦  *  1  luivc  been,  loLd  Ikoi  THE  OLD 
BURR  BUSINESS  has  been  used  aatunsl'  vie  Believe  me,  as  in  boyhood,  sincerely  vour 
friend, MOHQAN  NEVILLE. 

SioaHwnid  pai/s  court  to  Jackson  hii  mrrii'in:  out  Vaii,  IJkixh's  rli'ws — so  far. 
[290.]  Sainucl'Swartwout  to  Col.  Frost  Thome,  Nacog  loelios,  Texas.  '  New  York, 
18  May,  1835. — .\Iy  Dear  Colonel:  I  take  the  greatest  jjleasuie  in  making  you  acquainted 
with  my  friend  Afr.  Pitrtiinc,  who  eoes  to  Trxas,  in  company  wit'i  Mr.  Uossie,  and  young  Mr. 
Zavala*  on  business  for  a  Companij  in  whkJi  I  have  an  inttrrst.  Both  these  gentlemen  a:e  en- 
titled to  your  perfect  confidence  and  respect;  and  I  shall  esteem  it  a  great  favor  if  yon  will 
re<-eive  them  alias  my  confidential  friends.  Mr.  Fortune  was  n  witness  totheCuaboja'  alihir, 
and  will  give  you  such  information  as  will  ctiable  vou  to  press  the  justice  (f  my  claims.  \  Aish 
you  to  insist  upon  the  precise  tract  surveyed  by  Newton  an  I  Stro  le,  as  1  consider  that  a  "^  alua- 
ble  tract.     Do  aU  you  can  for  me,  and  oblige  Yours,  most  truly,      SAMUEL  SWAilTWOUT 

A  qu£cr  and  enrious  Epistle,  eonsidcrin-;  its  dal/i. 
[No.  3;i0.]  Collector  Swartwout  to  C\)llectnr  Breedlove,  New  Orleans. 
(Private.)  Nkw  York,  G  Nov.  18.1'). — Dear  Sir:  This  letter  will  be  hnmied  to  you  b\ 
James  Morgin,  Escj.,  who  is  on  his  way  to  vJai/esion  Hay,  Texe.s.  Mr  Morgan  is  deeply 
interested  in  the  cargoes  of  two  vessels  which  have  lately  sailed  from  this  port  ("or  Galvcstori, 
wi'h  large  and  valuable  cargoes  on  hoard.  These  vc-^els  have  been  ordered  o  rendezvous  at 
the  southwest  p:i:-.s  ot'tlie  Mississippi,  and  there  wall  i'ur  convoy.  'I'iie  war  between  Mexico 
an  t  Texas  renders  the  passage  from  the  Mississippi  to  (Jalveston  a.  very  ha?.arcU)us  one.  iMr. 
Morgan  is  therefore  desirous  of  procuring  tLie  nrotci-tion  of  the  V.  S.  Revenue  Cutter  as  far 
as  the  mouth  of  Galveston  Bay.  As  his  vessel-  i.l.  ■  "»  contrahand  iiooi's  on  board,  I  have 
thought  it  possible  that  you  might  b  ■  ai>le  to  grair  hj;o  tlds  favor.  Should  it  be  in  your  power 
to  do  so,  you  will  render  the  parlies  concerned  a  ;:,..■. l  acceptable  service,  and  personally 
oblige ~ 


SAMUEL  SWAilTWOUT. 

Swurtwoiifs  interests  vcnj  large  in  Te.ros — yculnditii  I'raclised. 

[No.  301 .1  Collector  Swartwout,  New  Yoric,  to  Col.  Frost  Tliorn,  Nacogdoches,  Texas. 
Nf.w  York,  November  II,  183."). — Dear  Sir:  Gcnenil  John  T.  ."Mason  has  been  requested,  by 
me,  to  deposit  with  you  a  certificate  or  grant  of  i;i,f,vk\  t.R.\oi,i:s  up  land  iv  tkxas,  which  I 
\)Uicha.sea  from  him,  and  which  he  has  kindly  agreed  to  iiruMire  to  be  recorded  at  Nacogdo- 
ches, and  get  the  commissioner  to  name  a  surveyor  for.  1  have  al.so  given  James  Morgan  a 
letter  or  order  to  receive  the  same,  which  order  I  will  thanl:  you  to  honor  on  presentation,  as 
Mr.  Morgan  is  to  hwate  the  same  for  me,  and  is  a  citizen  of  Texas. t 

*  VV'is  tliis  the  Him  of  Ziviiln  ivho  h.id  so  stciullly  suiiporiril  Poliis  ill,  wtion  in  trouble  in  Mt^xico,  and 
whiiiii  SiinlJilinK  filially  siilnlinhl  1     Ve».     Ilo  whs  ii  liinil  cdnlr  iclor. 

1  TIlii  niiic^  WHS  rrimiMl  In  tli-  Mvck  of  Il'iyi  nnd  Buller,  « I  li  iln'  wonts  Jolin  Y.  (or  Jiji'i  T.  Miinon.  .tkI  so  I 
rend  Mr.  Swiirtwiin:'s  niinn  i'il|)t,  llavin;!  lii'rn  siiici'  :iss  itfil  Ih  it  it  \v:i-  Mr.  M  isi  ii  t  r  I'iiIut  ol'  ii  (Jovoriiiir 
of  Mi'  ii  g-in.  ■•••■\  n'll  Mr.  Mis'in  Oii!  I'nhiiii't  iiiiMi^ior  ilnil  fiPiMuliicrl  i  i  T  \  is  lind.j,  I  oiler  llils  i  xpliiiri  Ion  of 
tlie  'ilii  riiiloii  >\-,w  III  iile.  Cm  Mr.  Swanwout  allfimie  Ins  TrViis  liiid-  !  Ilii-'  ln'  doiid  hi?  \f  tiU'V  av.iilalilc 
for  lit«  d 'fiilc'illotn  <ir  IS  piiyiiient  in  sucli  raet-s  not  cxiii'iled  ?  VVny  did  (;■  iw  at  Jui  K:.(im  allow  nr  nicoii  aiie 
liin  r.l'ielreve  111"  ortiwr  lo  ml<!  li  re  ii  llr'  inie  iial  cone  rns  of  T  mis,  r  hi-g  nttUr--.  iiDil  sp  rniiile  in  landn  llierel 
Wilt  iiil«  ninitr.iii'y  towiirds  Mexico  1  Oruiinly  not  .ftHr  tiie  iinsdii  Oiifliion.  VVlio  gut  ue  f^lOUUO  wliidl 
*>«i>wiwoiit  repurttiil  to  Wouduury  •>  Mag  in  tiie  U.  8.  Bank  tu  meut  cuntingeociet  1 


[No.  30; 

I  received  a  t 
I  V'X  there  wa; 

..■:,  although 
^t — Genera 

■urposc  of  la 

'  about  which 

I  note  due  'i8th 

you  can  to  su 

I  paid  (or  our 

into  your  coi 

ing,  and  than 

1 .1  t  let  your  i 

j  and  it  will  g[\ 

ihem  decree  il 

:he  value  of  t 

2nd  in  Europi 

:acter  to  your 

I  weight.    The 

worth,  that  is 

I  all  about  that 


Wctmore  and 

[No.  3on. 
.S'ew  York, 
pressure  of  bi 
your  letter.    ' 
with  in  conse 
visit  your  boa 
iefend  them. 
brief  and  mod 
of  reason — avl 
HJl  forth  somq 
Board;  such 
abroad  BY 
LOCAL  ST( 
pi&scucc  here 
i)ay.    Much 
mend  the  ear| 
!!iree,  AND 
mcli  a  dcputaX 
fwm  the  bvsi 
treme  haste,  il 
It  will  afl'oj 
associations. 


Patriot  Ciiltij 

[No.  30}l 
Aug.  23,  183tf 
city  to  depoJ 
rangcinent  of 
clio'jse:  thisf 
money  on  ycl 
monpy,  Thif 
will  p'ay  7 
yutt  agree  (o 
Vie  a  stipnlatl 

*J'>!iiiT,  M:l 
MIclip  n  Hl{ 
pleti  i-icd  il  iiJ 
il  tills  Liiioii,  i| 
■uwr,  ,r  d  (li  r 
:  C''jiuiiii.icjuii(.i| 


TEXAV  ESTATES,      BEEItS,  VAN  SUttFV  AND  WETMORE. 


261 


T:;yas.    Mr.  For- 
le  '.v  -    "  wimi'ssto 
klht  !'    ^f-t  »-<■  ii>j 
•n  'ral, 

Cl^fclN^'   "1.  jsn, 

gi.c  iJie,  of  ini.:;-. 

0  of  Capl.  Heth  of 

Vl.'xicu,  but  njl  as 

paiiy  in  ihe  west. 

ler  the  administra- 

claims  and  my  owa 

Sonaim-  high  in  his 

i  cli'aih.     Oi'  course 

■  mid  ;r  an  admin- 

in  m  iu  Ohio.    A 

W.iison  is  getting 

I,  abstract  Jackson- 

tL-;  taction  and  im- 

[ihlic  opinion  placed 

ii(j  has  bjcn  degraded 

old  tkal  THE  OLD 

i;)i,d,  sini'.ereiv  vour 

a  AN  xXEVILLE. 

aoa — so  far. 
Texas.  New  Yokk, 
ing  yon  acquainted 
ossio,  and  young  Mr. 
ese  gentlemen  ;ire  cn- 
rcaf  I'avor  if  yon  will 
toilieCiiaboja'  atihir, 
i,f  my  dainu.  I  .'isli 
consider  that  a  vnlua- 
L'^L  SWAilTWOUT 


rleaus. 

hn  Imniied  to  you  h\ 
Mr  Morgan  is  deeply 
his  pcirt  I'or  Gal'/csitoti, 
■dered  u  rendezvous  at 
.!  war  between  Mdxico 
V  hazardous  one.  Mr. 
[levcnue  Cutter  as  far 
tv/w/Av  on  board,  I  have 
uld  it  he  in  your  power 
ervic- ,  and  personallv 
L  SWARTWOUT.  ' 

aclhcd. 

^ ,  Nacogdoches,  Texas. 
lias  been  requested,  by 
[.AND  IN  TK.XAs,  which  I 
:>  recorded  at  Nacogdo- 
;iven  James  Morgan  a 
nor  on  picsenlation,  as 

II  trouble   In    Mt^icico,  and 

I'lir  J'lin  T.  Miiivii)  and  go  I 
II  !''(•  fiiliiT  (if  ;i  (JinTnior 
,  I  (iH'cr  tliis  r.>|)liiii  I  itin  lit 
;)nu  Hdl  Ar"  tlli/V  ^iV.liliililc 
I'  li;.(iri  iilliuv  i>x  t'MCdii  use 
iiil  s|i  culiile  111  lanil!-  llii'rel 

lio  gat  u.e  ^am  wliwii 


[No.  302.J  i'!if  HiiTip  10  die  Same.  New  Yohk,  11  February,  1836.— Mv  Dear  Sir: 
!  received  a  draft  f>  .i-.  \.i'  yesterday  lor  lOOOdoUarsatCOdays,  which  was  prumptly  nccepip,d, 
Y-x  there  was  ; .  .  j.Ui-  of  advice  accompanying  ii,  Tliis  1  regret,  as  1  do  not  kn;-iw  what  it  is 
,:,  although  I  presume  it  is  for  the  Texan  cau.'^e.  If  so,  please  to  inlbnii  me  by  the  ref^iru 
;  ;'t — General  Mason  leaves  this  fur  Nacogioches  to-inonow  morning,  lie  gojs  on  for  the 
■urp'jsc  of  locating  his  grants,  1  have  re(iuested  hii-i  tr)  .speak  to  y  u  i  '..ovu  Carahali's  business, 
about  wliich  I  will  thank  you  to  write  me;  I  h;i.(  paid  your  ihittl  dra.'t,  or  rather  my  third 
note  due  '28th  January.  My  interests  are  now  very  large"  in  Texas,  and  1  pray  you  to  do  all 
you  can  to  sustain  Mason.*  You  muft  not  forget  that  uc  wdso  liave  hitheruj  pureh;ised  and 
paid  (m  our  lands  were  in  a  great  degree  the  cause  of  your  getting  so  many  gallant  men 
into  your  country.  I  received  a  newspaper  of  vour  place  of  the  i.M  Jnnuarv,"  this  morn- 
ing, and  thank  you  for  it.  We  all  feel  that  Texas"is  )iow  Jnilpcudail.  L!ii>,  iny  dear  Hir,  do 
,1  t  let  your  new  government  run  into  extravagance^,  let  them  confirm  r.ll  tl;e  Ir.iid  grants, 
and  it  will  give  coiiiidence  to  those  who  may  become  purchasers,  or  lesiden's  hcretUter.  Lei; 
idem  decree  that  holders  in  the  states  .shall  have  their  rights  pre.-ervwi,  and  they  will  increase 
ihe  value  of  their  intldic  domain.  Let  them  al.so  aulliorize  J'oi'cigners  or  peopie  in  the  states 
and  in  Europe,  to  hold  real  estate  as  if  they  were  on  the  soil.  Nothing  would  so  far  give  cha- 
racter to  your  country.  As  you  are  an  old  and  respected  citizen,  your  advice  ought  to  have 
weight.  Therefore  speak.  Do,  my  dear  friend,  let  me  hear  from  you  what  is  my  Atogue  iww 
worth,  that  is  wlieii  you  shall  have  made  and  maintained  your' independence  i  Write  me 
all  about  that  and  other  matters.    Believe  me  very  sincerelv  vours, 

■   SAMUEL  SWART WOUT. 


Wcfvioic  and  th".  Board  of  Brokers.     Joseph  D.  Beers  the  dlshit'.n'sh:i!  (.')  retired  FivMncicr, 

[No.  son.]  General  Prosper  M.  Wetmore  to  Henry  G.  Ktebbins,  Esq.,  Wall  street, 
.Vew  York.  Assembly  Clirimbcr,  Albany,  February  6,  iSoti.  My  Dear  Sir:  An  unusual 
pressure  of  bu."-iness,  resulting  from  my  recent  absence,  has  previ^nicd  an  earlier  replv  tc 
your  letter.  Two  of  the  requests  contained  in  your  first  loiter  cannot  well  be  com j  lied 
with  in  consequence  of  my  distance  from  the  city.  I  .should  have  been  most  happy  to 
visit  your  board,  and  to  possess  my.self  of  such  facts  as  would  rnal.de  me  succes.sfully  to 
Jufend  them.  As  to  ihe  toriu  of  tlic  memorial,  it  ;s  usually  the  better  course  to  make  it 
brief  and  moderate  in  tone.  Show  no  warmth  of  feeliiig--seek  to  coiuince  by  the  force 
of  reason — avoid  irritation.  This  is  the  be>t  advice  1  can  give  you.  It  might  be  well  to 
set  forth  some  prominent  tacts  connected  with  the  positive  good  done  by  the  Exchange 
Board;  such  as  tlie  aiiraciion  of  Capital  to  our  city,  tie  coiifideneu  triven  to  Capitalists 
abroad  BY  THE  PERMANENT  AND  STABLE  CHAJtACTER  GiVEX  TO  OUR 
LOCAL  STOCKS  result/ us;  from  your  da' Uj  quotations,  ii^'i.  1  wotild  certainly  advise  the 
presence  hereof  some  discreet,  intelligeiU  and  resjicetahle  meiidxr  of  the  beard,  at  an  early 
Jay.  Much  benelit  will  en^ue  from  compliance  with  this  suggestion.  1  would  turtiier  itcom- 
mcnd  the  earlv  tiansmission  of  your  mi'inorial.  Could  you  not  send  up  a  Coii)  aittee  of 
:liree,  AND  LET  J.  D.  BEERS  BE  ONE.'  /  ■iia.ne  hhn  as  one  likely  to  ^ive  leeiwht  to 
mcfi  a  dcputal'on,  as  well  from  his  general  standing,  as  from  the  fetct  thul  he  has  REHIRED 
fi-nm  the  bvsines:!,  uiid  m-nj  therefore  elaim  tu  be  disntUrcstcd  ui  his  ejjbrts.  I  write  in  ex- 
treme haste,  in  the  midst  of  the  most  urgent  engagements. 

It  will  aflbrd  me  [ileasure  to  render  you  any  service  in  my  p.ower,  consistent  with  other 
absociations.     With  respect  and  regard,  1  am  very  trtily  yours, 

PROSPER  M.  WETMORE. 

Patnot  Cultinu;  joins  Jiss'',  and  John  V.  B.,  in  specvlatini^  on'  of  the  Depcsites — Van  Bvrof, 

puts  in  for  double  prefts. 

[No.  304.]  Attorney  General  John  Van  Buren  to  Jesse  lioyt,  Nev/  York.  Aldast, 
Aug.  23,  I83t;.  Mv  Di;ah"Jks.se:  On  inquiry  I  find  that  1  can  gel  one  of  the  Banks  in  tl;  ii 
city  to  deposit,  subject  to  tlieir  own  order,  sue'i  sum  as  may  be  requisite  to  make  the  ar- 
rangement of  wliicli  we  spoke,  in  any  Bank  in  yew  York  (say  the  Fiiltun),  that  you  may 
cho'jsc:  this  will  answer  the  purpose  provided  you  can  get  the  tlvAiU  .selected  to  loan  yuu  the 
money  on  your  note.  All  our  Banks  are  nearly  up  to  their  limit,  ;iiid  I  cannot  borrow  the 
munp'y.  The  Bank  here  will  charge  the  Bank  there  G  per  i.'ini.  int.  vu  the  Dcpo:-.ii,  and  you 
will  pay  7  probably.  If  ibis  meets  your  views  you  will  jilease  advise  iue  by  return  nuiil.  If 
ymt  au'ree  to  i(iv  iin:  hill't'/i'  prifits  of  the  eiileriiri  lc  for  iiitJ:inLi  tiiis  iinan'.j'  nient,  p  'se  ,'ciid 
Vie  (I  stipidatiun  to  t'tat  e[l<  t,  signed  Ijii  'jourselfand  Cutting,  leiu  n  tjou  irnlc. 

*J'iliiiT.  Mif-on.  n'  nii  ciirlv  iijc,  liifi  Virginia  for  K'  nt-.ic'iy  -nr.il,  iimiiy  \v{\".  ^irici',  h'liiovcil  rrniii  tl)riiL(>  to 
:  VIcli  F  n      Hi-  son.  J  iiinT  .  liociinie  si  cr'I  iry  (ililic  t  rnio  v  iil'  iVIii'lii';;iii ;  "i:ril  w  lirn  it  li'  cmhk,;  iii-Citi'  tfic  \V(>- 

pletl  I'U'fi  li  III  llicir  tovcrniir,  11  •  "  ii-<  liiml  <ii  spi'iMiili' i;  in  In  ils,  imim  vi  r.\  do  iniii' lu  ^ee  C'im;i(l:i  iiiiiirxad 
.  n  iliin  Liiinii,  iiiiiri it'll  H  (I  iiiiiil'  r  m  Tliiuldt'iis  I'lioliis,  nl  A'ew  Vmk,  in  wliii:li  cilv  h"  e im  nerd  liLsii  ''sn  uh  a 

■nvyrr,  ir  rl  ui  d  s  vprij  ytiir-  :i:'.i).    (lis  lailicrmud'j  ^^i^•l.■^ll  vi^ll-^  toTf.\us,  iiinl  t'lesiduil  Tyler  appolntLil  Uim 

:  coniiiiijtli,'n!.i  under  boiiu'  Icdinci  irttjiy- 


if 


%. 


A 


i':' 


262     VAN  BL'UEN  BKGS  JESSE  TO  ilfl.P  HIM  UP  gt^FOR  GOU  S  SAKE 


!  f 


L4M 


Your  note  niiglu  be  made  payable  on  (ieniaiul,  with  an  understanding  tliat  you  ihould  pay  i. 
the  N.  Y.  Bank  for  tlic  Deposit,  uf/iich  mil  nnt  he  till  (cc  scr  fit. 

Yours  truly,         J.  VAN  BUREN. 


■U'hen  cur  Bank  calls  on 


I ; 


il^•'■:^,i:;-^;, 

^«ji' '■••■..■■■■  >.-. 
•  •']:iM.--;>  ••  ,• 


■r'-i-vHlv- 


T'  .    !      .1 


■£.:;..  ^ 


?•■  i 


'  Bds  on  15  ptrfuilii  si.-fi.' — '  For  God's  sake'  secure  vie  the  Presidency,  said  Martin  Van  Bnrcn! 

[Xo.  30j.]        Aitorucy  General  J.  Van  Huron  to  Ex-Comniissioncr  Iloyt. 
Albany,  Nov.  11,  1S3(>. — My  Dkak  Hoyt:     1 11  do  the  justice  to  say  (and  to  does  my  fa- 

fhcr),  thai  you  have  >Aood  the  d d  lies  iVorn  Pennsylvania  better  than  most  of  our  friends 

iu  >.  Y.  I  hope  the  iViglit  from  this  (iiciates  the  letters  to  us,  raying  that  all  of  our  tickets 
besides  Ilcgisicr  [I  think  that's  the  wordj,  are  in  danger.  1  don't  believe  we  sliall  lose  one.  In 
this  State  our  majority  will  range  from  15  to  25,000.     Bcli  on  15  arc  pcrfotlij  safe. 

For  G — d's  saki"  let  our  friends  turn  all  liieir  attention  to  New  icKcy,  and  net  be  cati^ht 
napping  there,  as  in  Conncclicu;.     Mn  fathir  icishcs  mc  to  say  so  lo  you. 

Yours  trulv,        J.  VAN  BUREX. 


..1  pair  of  Clnr.ihtrs  Lr'Mii:;  o,i  E'L:('un:-—lkc  Pt-i'-lci-  .Mtt^ — C"r>"Vvs  pW  in  Chnticcrij. 

[No  30i),]  Colleefiji' Iloyt  (o  Collector  Lawrence,  [not  sent.]  Nhw  Youk,  Nov.  2l, 
183').  Dear  &ir:  A>  tlie  c\ei(eii)eni  oftlie  ('leeiioii  1k!>  in  n  great  de.'jree  passed  away,  it  b 
(wper  li;at  1  should  [uiy  aiieiiiion  t"  iho.se  iiieideiits  in  which  J  utii  concerned,  coniiccic-l  wiih 
it ;  though  pt.  ii;jps  i  ought  to  apoiLgix^e  to  you  ii)r  not  havi'ig  done  tiii?>  sooner.  You  will  re- 
CL'Ucct  that  wiu.i  [  was  n;['ioachei[  ov  you  for  ii.aving  voted  a  '•  split  ticket,'  that  I  proposed  lo 
t.:i  yffu-  i^lOO,  l/uil  ]i'jn  mid  w/wl  ;r«s  pcncraUii  callvi!  '•^■it■  Pnr/cr  Mm;;  Tickri"  and  that  1 
would  take  iipoo  myself  the  builheii  of  proof  li)  establish  the  I'act.  Yuur  rejiy  was  that  yuu 
'■  would  lake  the  b;':t,  if  1  look  u[Km  my.-:elf  the  burlhea  of  proo!',  lor  you  had  never  told  any  unt.' 
)n)W  yoa  had  voledf  i  ;ir.~\veri,'d  iha't  ii  should  becoasi  lered  a  bet.  There  :"'e  various  way- 
recogni?:ed  in  legal  proeeeniiigs  of  making  proof  and  coiupetent  proof  too  in  i-i.tirts  of  law,  aiifi 
lorums  o:'  conscience,  and  \vlii<;!i  perhaps  did  not  occur  to  you  when  you  observed  j'ou  "had 
never  told  any  one  now  \ou  had  \'oted."  Alter  such  a  remark,  the  right  more  peculiarly  be- 
k.ngcd  to  me  to  select  my  own  ti-ihr,nal,  through  which  I  would  make  the  pr.iof,  1  volunteered 
U)  hiake.  'fh.it  tribunal  is  ii  eoiirt  of  10(]uity,  or  iu  other  words  a  court  of  conscience.  In 
England,  i!ie  eoiiiury  fr;;m  wliieii  we  have  derived  mostofour  legal  forms,  eertnin  high  digni- 
taries answer  bills  in  Eijuity  upnn  h,)nor  and  woi  upon  oath.  I  am  perleetly  willing  to  place 
vou  on  the  samj  foo'iiig,  aul  1  tlieret'oie  desire  you  to  consider  this  my  bill  in  fkjuity, 
charging  tlia:  ywu  voted  ihc  tii;ket  referred  to,  I  ask  you  tn  answer  the  eha''ge,  and  whatever 
the  answer  may  be  I  shall  be  perie.-tly  satisfied  with. "  I  enclose  you  my  checdc  li'.ir  the  $100,lo 
your  order,  which  you  will  Ur-e,  if  under  the  circumstances  you  are  etitilled  to,  and  if  not 
yen  will  plea-^e  to  reiurn  if,  wiJi  yonr  own  for  an  equal  amount. 


With  i^icat  respect,  your  oljcdient  serv't. 


J.  HOYT. 


Mr.  Vi'n.  Uvjvn,  having  secured  the  Presidency,  orders  tlit  Plaindeahr. 

[No.  307. j     President  V;i;i  Bureu  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  N.  Y.     Dear  Sir — Please  to  ask  Mt. 

heg'.i^ctt  to  seiul  mo  his  jiapci'.     Please  also  ask  the  editors  of  the  Evening  Post  lo  send  their 
jiape.- here,    it  now  goes  t.i  AiK'my.  Yours  truly,  M.  VAN  BUREN. 

[The  abnc  A\a,s  written  tn  i  sheet  of  gilt  post,  from  Washington,  Dec.,  183G.] 

Pkmark.i, 

-Ml'.  Leggclt  was  able  and  ilone^l:  I.'IM  aithongh  Iu;  censured  Van  Rnien  severely  for  his 
tycophanlic  cund -et  lo  the  south  in  his  inaugncal  about  slavery  at  Washington,  Van  Biiren 
and  i;iit;f'r  persuaded  him  that  ihey  were  sincere  in  their  eifoils  t.i  divoiee  bank  and  state.  I 
tliink  it  was  to  get  him  out  of  the  way,  as  m;ich  as  lo  please  his  numerous  friends,  that  Vaii 
Biren  appointed  hir.^  to  a  commercial  mission  in  one  ol'  the  Snuih  American  states.  Leggor. 
(lied  soon  after,  en  Long  Island,  in  his  ;{:)ih  year.  Vanderpoel  proved  houself  a  bitter  oppo- 
nent of  the  right  of  the  sovereign  people  <o  petition  their  hiicd  s<Mvani:'.  in  Congiess  again^'. 
silaveiy.  V.  .deipu^l  eame  info  the  As.-emlily  of  New  York  a  Clintoiiian — his  family  wiM'' 
<.'[>posc(I  i'l  !'.c  war  f '  i.-'l'J— one  of  Van  Biiren's  sons  married  his  niece.  He  was  (i^r  Van 
Buren  in  Conrr  e.s,  :\nd  ts  now  n  city  judge  in  New  York.  When  he  ascended  the  supcrier 
court  l)ti.:h,  a  sr:  of  Cinton  was  clerk,  llim  he  caused  to  be  iemt)vcd  immediately,  ainl 
gave  the  situation  to  his  irothei-in-law,  Oakley,  fiwing  io  the  sojiorous  style  of  )iis  elu- 
queirce,  he  was  na:ie  J  v.  o.-e  in  Gongiess,  "the  Kinderhook  roarer.'' 

Auro:i  t'-e  Jvlgc  no  prophet — Jackson,  the  Usurers,  and  tbi  Treasury  Circular. 

[No,  308.]  Jiui^e  Aaron  Vanderpoel  to  Ji-^^se  Hoyt,  N.  V.  Wabhinuton,  Tuesday,  fith 
Dec.,  IJ^'  io.  my  d(  ir  Sir — 'V'ouis  came  to  hand  day  before  yesterday,  and  hail  I  been  more 
of  a  " '//jimi  Easier,  so  that  i  could  h^,vu,tf«tfi-."vZ  what  course  the  opposition  would  take,  1 
■woiJ'd  have  an.svvercJ  it  more  promptly ;  b''  all  here  among  lk  is  doubt  and  uncertainty  a.< 
to  tl-ie  tack  cxi  adversaries  ar*^  now  <ouig  \ip:n. 


They  all  i 
order "  will 
to  be  indicai 
the  power  oi 
iocument.  ' 
buted  to  the 
the  mischiev 
the  last  eigh 
He  never  goe 
letter.  We 
ments  of  the 
subscribe  m' 


[No.  309.] 
I3th  Dec'r,  1 
tboJgh  it  is  1 
speech  about 
decided.    W 


A  Democrat.it 
Public  Mo 
be  pairiotf 

[No.  310.] 

1836.  My  d 
part  of  the  fi 
tiers :  should 
keeping  the 
Jackson]  woi 
parties,  so  fai 
branch  of  tra 
changes  in  P 
only  as  it  rej 
•hat  some  sp 
to  the  trading 
Mr.  Van  Bi 
informed,  ho 
turned  that  \ 
(lent,  to  get 
i-cnjecture  U 


[No.  311. 
Order  will 
,'()  the  aotuall 
sold  to  you  I 
more ;  but  II 
itny  pai't  ot'f 

[No.  312. 
Slh,  1838.— 1 
;l!at  Van  Bi 
ef  a  foul  he 
not  from  pri 
ktiew  him  tl 
irigue,  andf 
but  are  youl 
are  againstj 
'■•)  me  you 
lion,  and  Bl 


Iu  the  Ml 


s  sake'.'. 


L4N»  SALES  TO  ACTUAL  SETTLEK5.   VANDLia'OF.l,,   VAN  BLREN.  263 


at  vou  should  pay  it. 
till  ICC  i^cp  Jit. 
.  VAN  BUREN. 


Mcirtin  Van  Bute n! 

lloyt. 

(and  so  does  my  fa- 
n  most  of  our  friends 
hat  all  of  our  tickets 
we  shall  lose  one.  In 
•fe/tlif  safe. 
y,  and  net  be  caught 

J,  VAN  BUREX, 

/)(/'  in  Chanccrij. 

X!:\v  VoitK,  Nov.  "21, 

pas.scd  away,  it  ^ 

ctiued, conuccieJ  with 

soohLT.    You  will  rc- 

■ket,'  that  I  pruposed  to 

1^  Tr.kd,"  and  tliat  1 

ur  rc'jily  wa.s  that  yuu 

had  iK'ver  tuld  anyone 

lioic  vw.  various  way- 

o  in  cciirts  of  law,  aiic 

■on  observed  you  "  liac 

:ht  nn)re  peculiarly  be- 

llio  |ii\)of,  I  volunteered 

luvl  of  I'onscience.     In 

rins,  certain  high  digni- 

•libel ly  willing  to  place 

iiis  my  bill  in  Equitv, 

I-  clia'ire,  and  whatever 

ly  chci;i{  for  the  §100, to 

u"  ejiiilled  to,  and  if  not 

J.  HOYT. 

Pli'liiilfaler. 

fSii— Please  to  ask  Mr. 
lining  Post  to  send  their 
M.  VAN  BUllEN, 
ton,  Dec,  183G.] 


Rn it'll  rsmevoly  fur  his 
Vas-liin^toii,  Van  Burcn 
voi':i'  bank  and  .state.  I 
icroiis  fi  lends,  that  A'ai: 
rK'lii'an  stales.  Lcggc" 
d  h'msi'lf  a  bitter  oppo- 
ni.".  ill  (?oii,','iess  atrains'. 
Ionian — his  family  witi' 
lioce.  He  was  for  Van 
LI?  ascended  the  .superior 
novcd  iminedialely,  ain! 
morons  style  of  In's  flu- 


msiirjj  Circular. 

isniN'iTON,  Tuesday,  f'th 
Y,  and  liad  I  been  more 
jpposition  would  take,  1 
oubt  and  uncertainfy  a? 


They  all  sesm  to  hz  very  good-natiu-ed  and  vcr;  glad  to  ;ee  u'.,  b-.'.t  whether  the  "treasury 
order  "  will  be  iiriproved  as  a  means  of  getting  up  another  con;-ie.st-ioni.l  jranic  reinains  yet 
to  be  indicated.  The  message  speaks  for  itself.  It  strikes  me,  tliat  those  who  ore  r.ow  under 
the  power  or  the  screws  of  usurers  and  shavers  cannot  derive  much  consolation  fiom  that 
document.  The  old  Chief  is  unwiOing  to  admit,  that  the  government  has  by  any  act  contri- 
buted to  the  present  pressure  in  the  money  market.  His  doctrine  is,  that  it  has  us  origin  in 
the  mischievous  expansion  of  ihe  paper  system,  and  the  mad  speculations  and  overtrading  of 
the  last  eighteen  months.  You  know  too  that  the  President  is  in  one  respect  Uke  Revolutions. 
He  never  goes  baclcwards.  I  will  not  hazard  even  a  conjecture  as  to  the  main  point  of  your 
letter.  We  have  as  yet  no  more  facilities  for  accurate  guessing  here  as  to  the  future  move- 
ments of  the  opposition  than  you  have  at  New  York,  and  1  cannot  therefoie  do  more  than 
subscribe  myself  youi  friend,  A.  VANDERPOEL. 

The  Special  Order.    Berton.     Tallcing  a  Session  out. 

[No.  309.]  C.  C.  Cambreleng,  M.  C,  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  Wall  street,  N.  Y.  Wa.shington, 
l3ih  Dec'r,  1836.  Dear  H.— 1  cannot  tell  you  what  will  be  the  fate  of  the  Special  Order — 
tbojgh  it  is  not  a  favorite  measure  with  either  Hou.se.  Benton  will,  however,  m.:ke  a  strong 
speech  about  it,  and  he  has  besides  strong  ground.  TAat  question,  .and  no*  other,  loill  be  soon 
decided.    We  shall  consume  the  session  in  battles  about  the  Tariff  and  Public  Lands. 

Very  truly  yours,  C.  C.  CAMBRELENG. 

i  Democratic  (.' .')  Congress  encourage  the  Pet  Bank  Polticians  to  hmj  tlv.  Putlb.  Lands  vjHK  tM 
Public  Moneij,  and  refuse  to  tiixck  speculation  at  the  sctJlers'  ccpen^i..  Van  Burcn  sitppostd  to 
be pairioti'-.     A  talk  about  selling  the  national  lands  to  setlUrs  on'iij. 

[No.  310.]  William  L.  May,  M.  C.  to  Jesse  Hoyt,  X.  Y.  W.vsn.'NoroN-,  Dec.  9. 
1836.  Mydear>ir:  I  am  inclined  to  believe  that  a  very  general  disposition  exist.s  on  the 
part  of  the  friend.s  of  the  Administration  to  limit  the  sales  of  liic  Pub'ic  Louis  to  actual  sd- 
tiers :  should  this  be  accomplished  (and  I  see  no  reason  at  present  to  doubt  it)  the  necessity  of 
.<eeping  the  Treasury  Chder  in  force  would  no  longer  exist,  and  the  Pj  esident  [General 
Jackson]  would  thus  be  supplied  with  tiio  best  possible  reason  u,x  its  immediate  re]:eal.  All 
parties,  so  far  as  uiy  knowledge  extends,  depre.atc  the  ordrr,  not  onl}  as  mjuriou.s  to  eveiy 
branch  of  trade,  but  as  tending  greatly  to  lessen  the  number  of  onr  p  lUtiralf-'nui.-^.  A  fcv/  more 
ohanges  in  Pennsylvania  and  uiir  party  will  be  in  the  minority.  How  i  nportant  then,  not 
only  as  it  regards  the  welfare  of  the  country,  but  also  as  it  rcfjiids  our  existence  as  a  party, 
that  some  speedy  measures  should  be  adopted  to  fjuiei  the  public  nind,  and  restore  confidence 
to  the  trading  part  of  tiie  community.  As  yet  1  have  had  no  oppoi  lunity  ct  conversing  witii 
Mr.  Van  Bureii  on  these  subjec.s.  and  am  of  course  i<;noraiu  ot  bis  views,  lam  credibly 
informed,  however,  that  HE  IS  OPPOSED  TO  THE^ORDER:  a:.  1  it  may  laiilv  be  pie- 
i-umed  that  his  fiieuds  will  adopt  any  course  not  likely  to  wound  the  sonsibility  of  llw?  Presi- 
dent, to  get  rid  of  it.  The  plans  of  the  Opposition  are  not  yet  deveb  ped ;  1  cannot  even 
icnjecture  the  course  tliev  wid  b-  most  likely  to  pursue.  ♦  *  ♦  ♦  ♦  I  reniaii  vour  friend. 

Wr.LIAM  L.  MAY. 

[No.  311.]  Tiie  same  to  >ame.  W.v.shim.tov,  Dec.  !i-J,  1H3C.  Dear  sir:  The  Treasury 
Order  will  not,  in  my  opiuion,  be  repealed;  but  I  think  iliai  a  law,  iii.iiting  the  ^iles  if  land- 
to  the  aotual  selll'r.  will  be  pas&c,i.  .Since  I  saw  you  1  uispo'-cd  ot'  -a  portion  of  the  land  1 
sold  to  you  at  :i?lO(H)  per  acre,  in  Philadelpiiia.  1  am  still  inclined  to  sell  live  ur  ten  acres 
more;  but  I  woalii  lie  uii willing  to  take  a  cent  les.s  than  >>lUtlO  p^r  a(;re,  iur  the  whole,  or 
any  part  of  the  tract.     In  haste,  I  remain  yi)ur  liieiui,  WlLLlAAf  L.  MAY. 

Sohmunt,  Savl/ucick's  two  Characters  of  hisfriewi  Van  Tiiinn. 

[No,  312.J  Solomon  Snuthwick  to  W.  L,  Mackenzie.  Reehesicr.  N.  Y.  Ai.n.iw,  Dec. 
Sth,  1838. — 1  hope,  my  dear  sir,  that  yuu  are  now  convinced  i^\^  wiiat  I  told  yoci  in  August  last, 
that  Van  Buren  v/as  )learlle^s,  liyptjcriiieal,  selfish  and  i!n[!riJ!eipleil.  Heis  the  ti.iol  or  slave 
if  a  Ibul  heart  and  a  lalse  ambition,  and  never  possessed  a  partii-le  fi'trucgrcainess.  I  .••peak 
not  from  prejudice — I  knew  him  intiinati.'ly — very  intimately,  tor  sexnueeii  years — and  never 
kn'.'w  him  to  act  fnnn  a  noble  nnd  di-^iiiipresled  motive;  aluays  I'ull  of  low  eur.niiif.'-,  daric  in- 
;ri',''!e,  and  base  sellishie'S'-.  When  I  told  you  iliis  in  i\uj;u.-'.,  you  ^eemed  tu  le  '~urpri>cd — 
iiut  are  you  m.it  nov,-  satisljed  ■  I  tear  that  the  lenders  of  both  jiarti.".  with  init  lev.'exception.s, 
are  against  the  freedcn  of  (.'anada.  Thi-;  is  a  seiis.ial,  seliish.  Mu.!ey-mai<iug  agi\  It  seems 
'0  me  you  might  have  known  better  than  to  go  to  Washint'ton,  th.at  sink  of  itiirjuity,  corru)v 
tion,  and  British  induence  !     Van  Buren  and  his  iooW  are  the  slaves  «.f  Vieioria. 

Yours  truly,  t^.!.  SOUTHWICK. 

[From  the  Aihanij  Rcgi>kr  tf  April,  18l:i] 
lu  the  Middle  District,  we  rejoice  in  the  nomination  of  M".  ^'''-m  Huron.     We  have  lon^; 


t 


) ' , 


h 


2G1 


rvF.Cv-.MMrNDATIONS  TO  OFFICF.  IN  THE  V.  S.  CUSTOMS. 


■  \ : 
■  f " 


.:.  I'  Yr: 


.  4  '."  •  '• 


Iniown  and  csl  'emod  liim.    tlo  porpcsscs  pienius,  intelligence,  and  clooncncc— has  lon{?  bwti 
one  of  the  firnvr.tpriV's  ot'  the  Rcjuiblican  iatLTOsl.  and  willi  ii  spirit  v/l.n.-li  '.vi!l  not  bend  lo ser- 
vility or  svcopliancy 'cannot  fail  to  bccumc  a  di^-itinguished  and  useful  m'-nnher  of  the  Senate, 
^        -^     ^  S.  SOUTilWiCK. 


Jesse  Hill-  ^.'  Vim  Bircn'fi  Colkrtor  of  Ciistn)r.s--Iicnn/  Ukhofffcr,  (Ward  i\-  HnvVs  Liitv  Stii^ 
dciif,  BnjaJil's  paihvr  (or  c'i'r'r')  fir  tkr  Evrning;  Po?t,  Clerk  in  the  Cvrtom  li"tise,  and  Lrn. 
t\rr  t't  nv.rfff.t  mitnlij  jV'/yr^)  Cust''/)i  IIiU'sc  Spi/and  S:anihil->!!i.ns:rr — '  l/reastht^  the  dtirx  oj 

W'ilg'-'fry' — hf'io  to  is'ct  rtiisal  ui.  l/u:  familtj  irkcm—the  CrocLcni-vina^a  Clcih — '  E)-yant  and 
-luyfcif — Z/i':';,?.f  <■).)  dcmocrnlk — Hfslrnrlt,  '  l/ufrinigk'ii  Uico-fncn'—Dtpiy^lcr  damns  Vrm  Z^^ 
■j-cn  tJ  b's  r.'^t — '  Wkii  the  devil  is  Mr.  Hnijl  ?' — '  the  "rai'il.ert  U'hi':  hrcntk  ng^ — a  mere  drrnie-- 

Gc).  A.  ir.'Ssyt  .if^/.'  a  cinaradc — Lorcuzu  Hnijt's  rnk  offccrd  dr/nnuitii'n,  ■put  'it  rkcuhj  (ifera, 
tijji — M.y  ivphcio  ll'/c — Dun.  WliiMp  and  iun—' Mj brotkcr t:ic  Judge' — ^Itt  him  bcrenurved' 

— itiiio  '('  srurc  a  liir.;c  f.tmiltj  intrrcst. 

[No.  313.]    Hcniy  UL-houfllT  to  Collector  Iloyt.    [New  Yuri:,]  IT.h  March,  1638. 


MKMOn.\r.'lJL\M. 


'Gt 


W.  R 


id  be! 


doors,  or  the  oilic 


itiisK  iias  lam  Dciore  you  an  application  for  C^-v,v.m;/)  in  aoors;,  or  uic  oince 
of  In.^peifor,  whiohtn'er  shall  ap'-i-iir  to  be  at  your  di'^posal.  I  have  already  sratod  to  you  (and 
'  v.QVi  vopoat  it  fu"  yo'T  renicnnnance)  that  he  i.s  related  to  me  as  7ii'p/t/w  (iiy  a  si.ster).  kh 
.jJM  mo.-ily  residec  in  the  iiM;vciuh  Ward,  wheie  he  iv-ept  a  ship-chandler's  stoi e,  as  succe.-sov  to 
ifty  cid>t  brother,  Gco;-;j;e  Uh'hociJ'cr.  rihcy  were pur!nei>  at  his  deatii.)  IVly  brother,  in  hii^ 
will,  diico'.c  I  Mr,  Rose  to  ;;'o  on  with  the  business  and  pay  to  my  father  and  moiher  the  full 
Value  of  llic  sicck  at  the  time  of  !iis  dceeasv^  for  their  fiitmc  c<jvnii.nt.  j2-.'l'oie  he  accom. 
pHshcd  this  he  became  iiisnU'  iif.hwi  acted  wilii  •j,v::d  tiiiih  to  his  r^/aud-par* .  i-^nnd  paid  theni 
i6r(hc;toek(ilie  balaueedue  at  liis  Ibil'ire  beiuc?  sinii!!).  Lie  thiui  p'oc  ired  a  release  from  his 
crc.litors  by  gieat  cxeriions.  ai-d  will-,  the  aid  of  .seme  friends  went  int..'  '.he  grocery  businR^H 
in  Cherry  s'reet,  which  m.idj  'h'>ih  ends  lueet,'  appaienily.  Last  May  he  removed  his  st'jn: 
into  Coenties  Slip,  and  to.i ■:  n  pan:u.'r,  and  ailempU'd  to  I'o  a  better  b:!s;ncss;  but  the  cban!.;r 
that  came  over  liie  busiiiiv>  CDmmnniiy  o\er.-^et  all  lii.s  cr.Icidalious,  and  he  has  been  wastini,- 
his  m  ans  ever  .'^iiice  in  nocessary  c.xjienses.  To  cvowu  all  his  misforiuuus.  his  .'•tore  to.:k 
lire  tlie  early  pait  of  Mareii.  and  iiis  v.-hole  stock  was  lost.  Tliough  the  stock  was  coveivu 
by  insiiranci",  it  had  been  procured  mostly  iipon  credit,  and  must  be  paid  lor;  and  even  if  ii 
had  been  oihcrwise,  the  prospect  of  doing  busines.s  fur  a  long  while  is  but  a  hopeless  one. 
Trade  is  not  likelv  to  revive  for  a  consideralile  peric;d,  and  Mr.  Rose  thinks  he  must  fiaally 
give  up.  Under  these  eiicLimstances,  Mi-.  Ruse  wishe.-s  U)  withdraw  from  his  business,  and 
take  .such  an  a]ipointnient  as  will  aflbrd  hiia  a  livelihood  for  a  few  years.  IJc  is  a  democrat 
of  cur  da'np — is  peitinaeious  in  argument,  and  of  good  edvicaiion.  In  the  Seventh  Ward,  fe 
t'Xiu'kd  the  diirm  of  \Vliiy:::'.nj  in  1H31,  and  sufii-red  in  his  business  some  ow  Uiat  account.  As 
to  his  (pialihcations,  1  will  ass'.ire  you  he  is  lit  fui'  any  of  the  clerkships  in  cLjois— lie  writes  a 
^•jod  hand — is  good  at  Inruics  and  ealcnlatiuns.  As  to  an  mit-dooi  appointment,  he  is  far 
superior  '-^  m:niy  vrho  are  ii<iw  in  oflice  This  I  well  know.  Mr.  Ror-c  has  a  \i'ife  and  on"; 
child,  anU  '■  abo.it  30  yeais  of  age.  jis  I  have  before  said  to  you  pcr.'-i-iially,  this  is  an  affair 
whieli  1  fcii  an  interest  in — and  if  you  can  appoint  him  you  will  confer  another  favor 
(among  olhers)  on  me,  as  well  as  hiui.  II  will  aba  raisi:  hic  in  the  i.<lr.t:M  nf  our fiiiiiUij,\\\\o 
alibet  to  believe  there  is  no  I'hance  for  him.  My  brother  the  .ludgc,  Mr.  Jordon  and  others, 
have  do'ibtk'ss  spoken  lo  you  on  this  subject. 

JosKi'ii  Gauniks,  with  whuiu  I  have  been  acquainted  foi'  years,  Is  applying  for  the  ofiice 
cf  Inspector.  He  is  about  33  years  o)  age,  and  was  formerlv  a  eierkof  Cnlemar  the  crockery 
dealer  in  Broatlway,  where  your  wife  has  j)urehasi'd  China-ware  iVcipueiuly.  Ganiis< 
bw'ard-i  will)  my  luoihe '-in-law,  and  has  for  several  yeais.  lie  boaids  in  John  sliect  ('id 
Ward).  I  know  him  well — k'^  jni'.iics  arc.  of  I  he.  rig/it/,:/;./.  Jih^eiydayal  dinner  Gainis* 
and  1  hive  a  regular  eonvcisation  with  thc'Wllig^J  at  tabic,  Jiud  1  have  founl  himfnmly 
and  cnLhusiasticiiily  attaelicd  tu  the  administraiii.ui.  Ai'.hough  I  have  no  persoiyil  interai 
in  his  ap;iIic;;tion,  I  knuw  of  no  young  man  I  could  more  coidialiy  reeoramcrid  to  your 
noticv.',  boih  on  account  of  his  pulilies  ami  capacity.  1  ))lace  him  (inly  next  lo  Mr.  Rose 
in  the  interest  (  f.-el  in  his  a|i|)lication.  Owing  lo  change  in  trade  and  the  neces.sity  of 
ceonomizing,  Mr.  Culemar  was  obliged  to  dismiss  Mr.  Garniss,  and  every  depaitment  seems 
lo  be  liUel  in  other  iila(;i's  wheit;  he  has  sought  fjr  cinployment.     lie  is  a  sin;;le  man. 

J.iMKri  MiiNuor:  Winsuii',  a  j'oung  man  1!)  years  ul'  age,  applies  lor  a  Cle;k.ship.  Hi' 
is  son  of  Daniel  Winship,  butcher  of  Fuliou  Mark'L'l,  and  resides  in  the  17th  Ward.    // 


ccu''S2  a  Dc-iLticrol.  [i:>  1  lanw  fioin 


;ated  conversaliuus.     \' i!i  ha\e  seen  him  at  v)'!' 


lK)U.se,  and  can  judge  souiewhal  of  his  me^  its.  As  to  my  own  knowledge  ui'  his  cap:K'ity,  1  can 
say  no  more  i!ian  that  I  believe  him  to  be  qualilied  for  some  situation  of  .sm.-.U  salaiy.  His 
father  kt:s.  cnntribtdcd  UbernUii  at  hwney  i<)  the  Dcnwcrat'c  part;/,  an/.'  it  ii;uiud  be  securing  a. 
targe  famibj  inteast  for  the  administrat.ion,  if  the  appointment  could  be  made. 


hns 
ma 


V      * 


roMS. 


Van  BPREV  democracy  RESUtATINO  THE  POLtTICAL  MACHINE.    265 


n 


•nee — has  hag  been 
'A  ill  rot  bend  loser- 
intu>r  of  ihn  Senate, 
.  SOUTiiWlCK. 

<f.  floyt's  Lan  Sti^ 

tmn  Il'icse,  and  Lro. 

L least in^  the  !t»n  0} 

Clcrh — '  Ei-yant  and 

inter  ilamns  Van  Ihi- 

■a  mere  drone— 

,  put  'It  !tc(uly  (tpera- 

hi  him  Icreimwd' 


r.h  March,  1838. 


Ill  (loori^,  or  the  office 

(lysratod  to  j'ou(ar,(l 

l<  u-  (iiy  a  sister),    iic 

f  sioic,  as  .successor  to 

.)    IMy  brother,  in  hi^ 

",■  and  luiiilier  the  fiii; 

;.      I'.'l'ore  he  accom. 

pare .  I  -,and  paid  them 

irerl  a  release  from  his 

..."  'ihc  grocery  biisine.os 

V  he  reinovcci  his  sion: 

nicss;  but  the  chant;,' 

id  he  has  been  wasiiiiL- 

oi'tuiics.  '.lis  .'•tore  lo.;k 

tlic  ^auck  was  coveivu 

bald  Ibi';  and  even  if  i; 

is  but  a  hopeless  one. 

'■  thiuks  he  must  fmaily 

from  his  business,  and 

ir.-..      IJe  is  a  democrat 

I  the  Seventh  "Ward,  k 

re  r\\  ihfit  aeco:;nt.    As 

s  in  Ujois — he  write-s  a 

nppoinlmcnt,  lie  is  far 

ose  has  a  wife  and  one 

•unally,  this  is  an  affair 

coiil'er  another   favor 

■tr.ciii.  I'f  imr  family,  who 

Mr.  Jordcin  and  olhers, 

ajv,)lyin'.r  for  the  oflice 
if  (Ji'lemar  the  ei'oekeiy 
•■  rie(|ueiiily.  Garniss 
irds  ill  John  sliect  ('id 

day  at  dinner  Gainis* 
have  Ibiind  himfi.mly 
ive  no  ficrsrnuil  intcrai 
!y  ree^jmnichd  to  your 
only  next  10  Mr.  Rose 
!e  and  the  necessity  of 
;veiv  depaitment  secras 
lie  is  a  sin^'le  man. 
;  for  a  Cle;k.sliip.     Hi' 

the  I7th  Ward.  //  /.' 
liave  >.oen  him  at  y.r.ii' 
.■;.'  of  his  cap:K"ity,  1  can 
n  of  sin;.  11  salary.  ///.'; 
it  u.\ndd  be  sucni'iiig  a 
€  made. 


George  W.  Shocbt  wants  the  place  of  Cartvian  to  the  Public  Store  in  Nassau  street 
As  he  has  ocon  yo  i  on  the  sibject,  and  you  know  his  politics,  you  ci.n  tbrm  an  opinion  of 
liis  merit,  and  ilie  expediency  ol  doin.i,'  what  he  wishe.''.  lie  has  for  some  time  been  tie  Ctrl. 
■^Mii,iif  l/ic  Evcni7i:i  P, St,  Cdiryinj'  daily  the  mail  pajeisto  the  Post  (Jflice.  lie  is  a  15th 
Warder,  and  yoi  can  take  careof  liim  without  any  ui'.'in,.;  fiom  me. 

Er.viuND  J.  GnosH  is  an  applicant  tor  the  place  of  Inspecior.  lie  is  of  the  lOth  "Ward.  Of 
course  he  is  a  Democrat.  1  introduced  him  to  you  one  day  in  your  ofticc  in  "Wall  street. 
He  is  a  mariicd  man  of  about  45  years  of  age,  jud.ipng  liom  his  appearance.  He  is  a 
lesrectable  man, and  would,  I  have  no  doubt,  fill  the  place  cicdiiably.  He  relies  much  on  my 
inu  iencc  in  this  business,  /mt  I  have  tin  particvlar  interest  in  Ins  application. 

WiLt.u.M  J.  Boc;ns  is  an  apjilicant  lor  the  appointment  of  Inspector.  I  am  well  acquainted 
with  him — hww  his  pfl,ti(s  U>  be  thnrmighly  Dcmacralie — r.nd  as  he  depends  a  gi eat  deal  on 
v/hat  1  say  to  you,  1  will  be  ciindid  enough  to  say  that  tlie  leiteis  be  has  laid  before  you, 
ugncd  by  Mr. 'Cambreleng,  Colonel  Johnson  and  otheis,  altho  gh  entitled  to  great  weight, 
ought  n.jt  to  be  conclusive,  lie  took  great  inteiest  in  Mr.  Coe's  application  for  the  Collect- 
orship,  and  wroic  letters  to  Washington  in  his  behalf,  and  with  Ely  Mov)re  and  others,  en- 
deavored to  deleat  j'our  appointment.  He  is  at  present  a  letter-carrier  in  tie  Post  Office, 
and  though  /  at  c/w  time  Jell  disposed  to  do  all  I  covld  for  him,  .'-ome  things  have  ir.d-ced 
ine  not  to  urt^e  you  strongly  in  his  favor.  He  is  in  the  lOih  "Ward,  and  has  a  family. 
Mr.  Coddington  tan  toll  you  atwjut  liim. 

The  above  applieanis  are  all  new  o7ies.  ^^^ 

Of  those  whu  ate  arc  alrcani,  hi,  the  Custom  House  I  will  speak  as  follows:  -^t 

J-\MF,3  Wkstkuvklt  is  a  iVc/uhcr,  and  has  spoken  to  me  about  his  situation.  He  is 
ihormi^hhj  te'i-/"H'v;,  and  orght  not  to  be  ienM\e('.  Theie  is  no  objection  to  his  being  re- 
tained that  I  know  of.  He  has  h^en  in  office  rb.'.t  eighteen  months.  Petkr  Coutant  is 
an  Inspector,  and  has  been  in  otiice  aboiu  a  y  ar  ..iid  an  half.  1  know  him  well.  He  is 
anc  of  the  Jlrmtst  of  our  partij.  Old  Giibeit  Co  Uanl  ',;■■  his  uncle.  He  has  been  persecuted 
!Gnn"erly  by  the  Whigs,  and  had  to  abandon  hi;  Dusincss  in  eonseqr^nce.  He  ought  to  be 
retained  by  all  means.     He  is  .son-in-law  of  D;.' "el  "Winship. 

Tno.M,\s  KiRic  is  a  Wcipihcr,  and  now  in  oiiiee.  ]  .e  has  not  spoken  a  word  to  me  on 
the  subject  of  his  bein-j:  retained,  but  I  cannot  omit  tiie  oppoitunity,  while  1  am  making 
these  nieinoiand'iins,  of  recommending,  cordially,  his  lerpi^iintmcnt.  I'^c  is  a  fine  old  gen- 
tleman, of  our  polilies;  and  has  been  a  con.'^tani  visitor  at  the  office  of  the  Evening  Pest, 
where  he  frequeiiiiy  discourses  on  polities — and,  of  course,  ;  is  opinions  aie  well  known  to 
Bryant  and  myself.     He  was  once  ol  the  fi;m  of  Kill:  &;  Mei>  .in,  bookselleis  of  this  city. 

JobP.pii  DiiKVKiiLs  is  now  an  inspectoi',  and  wishes  to  be  i-Mufered  to  the  French  floor 
in  the  Public  Stcre  in  TS'assau  street,  wheie  the  pay  is  the  .^aia^  ■  :  he  now  gets,  and  which 
change  would  enahk'  him  (on  account  of  greater  convenience  in  li  e  liours  of  business)  to 
■pOAj  some  atte.ntion.  to  rtker  jnattcrs,  and  make  his  inct.vic  iJier — 01  rather  enable  him  to  in- 
.struct  his  children  in  some  bianches  of  education.  In  this  .'io;e  he  ^voald  be  attendant  upon 
'He  appraisers.  Knowing  his  politics  to  be  deddedln  Ikhn.-rat'c,  %  wo  id  recommend,  if 
nothing  interfered  in  yo  ir  opinion,  his  transl'er  to  the  P.Mic  h'tore.     lie  is  a  good  judge  ;;,. 

of  French  articles,  and  might  be  of  service  in  that  depaitm  t.i.  i* 

Among  those  who  are  opposed  to  the  adminis! ration, ar;d  in  ''flice.  thee  is  A.  S.  Depkyster  ii 

■'•veighei).  He  is  a  thoiouvdi  Whig,  but  has  U'gcd  some  L'enu.e.rif;  to  ^•  erk  to  you  for  him. 
Look  out  for  him!  He  told  Mr.  Daniel  Winship  that  "  M  .  Van  F^uren  v, as  a  damn'd  little 
rascal,"  or  words  to  that  eflect — and  this  too  very  rcceidlii.  iy;.y.vv.\.  V-.  1''m-;ming  is  a  Con- 
scrvativc  Demociat  of  the  rankest  .sort.  He  was  a  stieniious  advce;  le  tor  Coe's  appoint- 
ment to  the  Collectoi sliip — and  said  before  you  was  nominated,  '•  Who  the  devil  is  Mr.  Hoyt  1 
Who  ever  heaid  of  him'!"  vte.  lircN-RV  K.  Frost,  a  Clerk,  1  know  to  be  the  rankest  Whig 
breathing,  and  ought  to  be  removed  without  sciuple.  Gkorok  Ricahd,  an  Inspector,  has 
been  in  office  several  years,  and  is,  I  understand,  in  good  pecuniary  circumstances,  and  could 
live  without  the  office.  He  is  from  the  lO.h  Ward.  He  scarcely  ever  attends  our  meetings, 
ind  is,  in  a  political  point  of  view,  a  mere  dre.nc.    Let  him  be  lemoved! 

Hknrv  \V*****t,  "an  Inspector,  is  a  drunken  beast,  and  notwithstanding  his  politics,  he 
ought  to  be  removed.  This  is  public  sentiment  wherever  he  is  known.  Any  one  in  the 
lOth  Ward  will  say  .so." 

Remark.s  by  W.  L.  M.— The  original  letter  is  in  the  jiossession  of  C.  S.  Bogardus — the  au- 
thor is  dead — his  remarks  ;.re  on  public  m.aters,  and  belong  to  history.  Some  people  say,  you  j-j, 
must  not  tell  any  bad  things  done  by  the  di'ad.  Does  the  Bible  say  h)  1  Are  the  histories  of 
America,  France,  England,  and  Ireland  silent  about  bad  men  and  bad  tetious  in  cashes  where 
the  parties  are  dcaci  .'  The  wry  tiist  act  of  the  London  'J'ime.-,  when  ilie  profligrtc  George 
IV.  Jiad  gone  to  his  h.st  account,  was  to  review  his  lili',  and  hold  liiai  up  to  the  c:xample  of 
yasteriiy  a.s  a  monster,  .scarcely  less  wicked  than  Henry  VIII.,  or  any  otheis  of  the  worst  of 
l'.ngland's  kings.  It  i.s  wrong  to  speak  fah-cly  of  the  departctl ;  very  wrong  to  erect  marble 
mausoleums  to  meanly  ambitious  and  avaricious  men. 


I 


il 


h 


i'r 


36« 


WAR  WITB  EiraLANS  WOULD  STOP  RBPORM  THERE. 


THOUGHTS 


(W 


WAR,  TEXAS,  SLAVERY,  AND  OREGON. 


■M- 


I  wnuM  not  have  a  slave  trt  till  my  drngnd, 
To  rarry  ine,  lo  fun  m«  wliili:  I  flcep 
And  tr^nihle  wh'n  I  \vak«;,  r'or  ull  iIip  wnalth 
Ttiat  Diiiews  bouglit  and  suld  liuve  ever  pHrned. 

Cowfcr's  Ta«i, 


■(■ 


';F  •■'■ 


■fi-f 


'rt  'iT- 


•%);v 


•'     I: 


Signs  of  the  THmes. —  War  to  crush  Reform  and  uphold  Oppression.. — England's  Complaint  in 
1814 — America's  in  1815. — Brarfford  Wood's  accurate  Vie^es. — lU  Treatment  of  American 
Merchants. —  Offers  to  settle  the  Ore^^nn  Boundary. —  Why  it  otts/it  to  be  settled  Peacefully — 
Texas  Constitution. — O'Conncll  on  Polk,  War,  and  Slavery. — Intclkclual  Powers  and  Bravery 
of  the  Negro  Race. — Anderson  on  the  Indians. —  Washington,  Jefferson,  and  Randolph  on 
Slavery. —  The  Synod  of  Kentucky  o%  Negro  Bondage. —  Van  Burcn's  Bargain  with  the 
South  for  his  Office. — His  Apology  for  Outrage,  Mobs,  and  Riots,  noticed  by  Leggett. — New 
York  for  Preedom  to  oil,  in  1819. —  The  Missouri,  Vote. —  The  Virginia  Slave  Trade. — Poin- 
sett  made  War  Minister,  and  ■whii. —  Van  Burcn's  Efforts  to  prevent  Emancipation  in  Cuba. 
— Polk  and  Van  Buren  for,  and  not  for,  European  Colonization,  in  America. —  Cass  and 
AUen. —  Chiizot. — Polk's  Treatment  of  Mexico. —  Van  Burcn's  Canadian  Proclamation. — 
Channing  on  Calhoun. —  Col.  Young  on  Texas  and  Abolition. —  Wright's  Manoeuvring. —  Van 
Buren's  Neutrality  in  1829. — On  Slavery  in  Jowa  and  Wisconsin. —  Greeley  on  Florida  An- 
7ttxation. — [iVyto  ]  Bankrupt  Laws  and  Repudiutim  of  Debts. 

The  occurrence  of  war  between  ihe  United  States  and  Great  Britain,  is  spoken  ot'at  present 
as  if  it  were  an  event  neither  iniprohahle  nor  perlmps  renK)tc ;  and  ilie  questions  o\',  peace,  may 
it  be  preserved  ]  or  shall  we  see  two  '^\c;\x  nations  nt  enmity,  contending  with  each  other  iii 
armecf  strife  1  are  of  such  vast  imporlancc,  that  I  think  the  occasion  an  opjiortuiie  one  to  oiler 
some  observations  and  to  state  sonic  facts,  both  as  to  the  risic  the  country  I'uns  nf  being  involved 
in  war,  and  as  lo  the  chances  of  suciX'ss,  and  otlicr  results  should  a  struggle  take  place.  I 
know,  by  experience,  that  when  men  get  angry,  and  act  uiuier  the  intluence  of  passion,  it  is 
too  late  to  reason  with  them  Ibi'  the  prevention  of  mischief.  Ro'h  parties  aie  j'et  cool  ..nd 
calm,  on  this  question  ;  and  having  iiilccted  on  the  mailer  carei'uUy,  1  add  here  to  the  opinion 
expres.sed  in  my  widely  cinrulaied  pamphlet  of  last  September,  that  pence  may  and  ought  to  be 
secured;  and  that  the  great  iutuicsts  (if  sdcicly  require,  that  no  stop  be  put  lo  those  bloodless 
triumphs  which  our  brethren  in  Ihe  Uiiiied  Kingdom  are  efiecting,  under  prudent  and  patriotic 
leaders,  whose  memories  will  be  sweet  in  t lie  remembrance  of  generations  yet  unborn.  If 
it  were  a  just  and  necessary  war  waged  asrainst  a  proud  and  unsympalhizing  aristocracy 
who  had  trampled  to  the  ^'i-ound  a  patient  people,  by  their  enorinous'taxations,  military  rule, 
and  proud  monopolies,  in  favor  of  the  oppressed,  and  with  good  cause  of  ofienee,  old  as  I  am, 
I  would  travel  Irom  Maine  to  Micliigan,  to  rouse  the  people  as  far  as  one  man  could.  But 
when  monopoly  in  Englnnd  lies  prostrate  ;  MJien  its  ancient  champions  now  range  themselves 
in  the  ranks  of  its  deadliest  enemies ;  when  the  cause  of  the  people,  that  cause  for  which 
methodist  and  presbyterian,  catholic  and  protestant,  have  so  long  petitioned  the  Ihvor  of 
heaven,  is  gaining  new  and  glorious  triumphs ;  whey  I  set-  the  defeated  monopolists  eomtbrt- 
ing  themselves  with  the  hope  of  high  rent.s  and  more  delrt,  expenditure  and  taxation,  through 
a  war  with  America,  I  cannot  range  myself  on  the  side  of  the  ultra  tories  and  bigots  of  the 
old  world,  against  the  efforts  of  the  Humes,  the  O'Connells,  the  CobJens,  the  Greys,  the  Mor- 
peths,  and  the  Macauleys;  and  although  personally  speaking,  I  might  have  a' far  greater 
interest  in  fanning  the  flame  tlian  in  endeavoring  to  throw  water  on  it,  yet  I  can  .see  so  very 
little  good,  and  Buch  a  Moscow  or  Waterloo,  as  it  were,  of  mischief  in  the  approach  of  war, 


S10N8  OF  THE  TIMES — BANKRUPTCY— REPUDIATION. 


267 


EGON. 


r^  Complaint  in 
•nt  of  American 
led  Peacefully — 
ccrs  and  Bravery 
id  Randolph  on 
ar^ain  with  the 
y  LcggcU. — New 
c  Trade. — Poin- 
•■ipalion  in  Cuba. 
:rica. —  Cass  end 
Proclamation. — 
incmrrin^. —  Van 
1  on  Florida  An- 


)kun  of  at  present 
ns  (if,  peace,  may 
iih  each  other  iii 
rtune  one  to  oiler 
of  being  involved 
Ic  take  place.  I 
'i  of  passion,  it  is 
are  yet  cool  ,.nd 
ere  to  the  opinion 
y  and  ouglit  to  be 
U)  those  bloodless 
dent  and  patriot!'' 

yet  unborn.  If 
lizincf  aristocracy 
)ns,  military  rule, 
enec,  old  as  I  am, 
man  could.  But 
range  themselves 
cause  lor  which 
ried  the  favor  of 
iiopolists  comfort- 
taxation,  through 
and  bigclsof  thf 
:;  Greys",  the  Mor- 
ive  a'  far  greater 

I  can  see  so  very 
approach  of  war, 


as  thtapi  now  stand,  that  1  gladly  avail  myself  of  this  medium,  to  state  my  views  to  those 
whom  this  volume  may  reach. 

The  si^s  of  the  times  are  not  very  pacific,  certainly.  Mexico,  it  is  said,  will  have  a 
monarch  trom  Europe ;  Paredes  is  in  power  there  already  ;  the  annexation  of  Texas  is  not 
the  settlement  o(  that  act  for  the  perpetuation  of  slavery ; "  England  is  arming  to  the  teeth ;  a 
miliiary  officer,  and  not  a  civilian,  is  pcrnianenlly  1 1;  cid  over  CMiada  ;  jreparulions  for  an 
onslatight  are  openly  acknowledged  there  ;  tlic  ianiied  inicresi  talk  as  it  war  wn»  their  only 
refuge  from  total  defeat,  in  England  and  Ireland ;  President  Polk  bids  America  prepare  lor 
the  worst ;  the  gambling  sections  of  our  numerous  banking  estiibllshments  look  to  a  deriinged 
currency,  with  u.surious  interest,  baseless  j^aper,  a  new  national  debt,  and  heavy  taxes  to  meet  it 
during  the  next  twenty  years,  as  a  national  blessing;  others  besides  H.J.  Walker's  constituents 
are  ready  to  repudiate  ;•  many  want  Canada  ;   not  a  few  have  bright  visions  of  Oregon ; 

*  Baskript  Banks.    Ittpi-mATioN  or  nKDTs— On  tlie  I3ili  of  .Tnnuuy,  1812.  a  meetlne  wns  held  at  th« 

Morcliiinis'  K.vih;iii(;i'.  N.  Y..  In  iiiMH'-iC  llie  rt'|)(!:il  nC  the  I)  iiikrupt  l;iw,  .luliii  I.  Miprsmi  In  ine  ihalr.  Mttsirj. 
Prescritt  I11II.  Sridin, 'I'iltli'ii,  .MrVuiin.  J' lii\  W.  tCiluiniuls,  iii.il  Unllcr  :  iKikc.  l.nMiiNPS  ^aiil,  that  iha  liiw« 
fire  liuiicntMlily  ilctiricnt  in  mil  .■iiniriliiiir  iliic  rfiiiMUi  ilifi  HMfurimintf  di'lilnr,  nn:l  (.'iianlinir  against  fraud — lliftt 
j'o  civiliitc'l  coniinuiiiiy  nvir  iiwininl  sucli  :i  ureUliiMl  pliin  us  nur  oxrciiliniis,  jiidniientK,  creUitorii'  Ijills,  tc, 
M  ilrulii  iVoin  llio  i«jckit  iif  till' imlrriuiniie  llicir  lasl  (liillir— lliut,  ns  (uir  lawn  nt.nil.ii  iiiiui  litiil  beuer  Im  a 
itilcfi'nil  sli'iil.  tliiiii  Im  11  pour  (li'lilnr.  Tlie  llmf  nny  .-i  Tt  I'fn-li  in  lilV.  lliu  diliuir  mvcr  c:in.  Ho  «'i»  luf 
Indliii:  Iniiki.  ;ukI  iipliiililiin;  tlic  liMnkrupi  liiwf^,  i,ni  I'T  ihr  luw  w  In  tlicr  ur  ma.    Biti.er  wfn  nppoi-eil  to 


tliR  rr[ic:il  uC  the  li- iikiiipl  l:i\v 


,iniv,  xaw    \\ 


d  um,  h«  s:iid.  llic  i;ii(ili^li  iiisulvcnt  Ihw  Kysii  ni 


«ilh- 


nut  ll.<  uiMicriil  liiinknipt  liiw  sy^HMii,  Iml  Willi  20  l;iws  :ill  v:iiyiML',  in  in  m.iny  !<t;ini«.  'J'lie  inmdvenl  Ihw  of 
riiRtiinri  tiiuk  nil  .1  ni;inN  pruperty,  stopped  lii<  hnsinrss,  IniprisoiiPd  :inil  ilien  iiirned  him  uui  ileftitiito,  nnri  pro- 
ciulmml  to  l)e  nnvvuriliy  i>r  rrodit,  iind  yet  CTiiftlril  liim  in  iiikt>  cnur  gt  .■ind  ninke  nmnry  li>r  his  credlttm. 
^<llch  H  sysleni  w:'.s  h.id  and  had  li  nl  rf<ul'ls.  Ii  was  rti.illy  di^l^r!lCL^nl  tliiil  our  1hv\»  nil  temlad  to  oppreaa  the 
liuni'stniid  unloiliinat'  debtor,  arcl  yct  do  no  pood  to  ihii  rriMl.lur.  Another  nieetir.c  was  held  on  the  I8lh  against 
the  law,  unci  imich  said  on  the  other  niile.  The  t;roaicvil  seems  to  Ije,  that  systematic,  hene ficial  legisl'itinn,  by 
TonKress,  on  this  and  many  olhi  r  sniijects,  e-perially  a  peneral  piirlnership  law,  weiiis  hopeless.  Whether 
too  many  live  by  Intiiune— or  lliric  is  carelessnos— cir  that  opposing  Interests  have  marred  usernl  improve- 
iiinils.  I  know  not.— On  June  'Jil.  1810,  when  It  was  propos'  d  to  e'wv  to  the  U.  S.  povornment  the  (xiwer  to 
wind  lip  the  concerns  ol'cvery  hank,  or  insurance,  inanulaclurinir,  or  tradinji  corporation,  that  »topptd  payment 
ol'lti  debts,  by  including!  stall  liaiiks.  &<'.,  in  tliu  bankrupt  law,  then  nndur  disciisslun  In  the  iSeiiute,  Caliioi'N 
opposed  it,  but  proposed  no  remedy  lor  bank  sii^pen.«ioiis  by  the  liiiiidred.  dozen,  or  8in!»le.  The  bill  auihorized 
any  creditor  who  had  aiked  payment  otSJ(K).  or  upwards,  due  him.  to  take  out  a  cdinmisslnn  of  bankruptcy.  If 
not  paid  within  ITi  days,  so  that  the  alliiis  of  the  bank.  tc.  niicht  be  placed  in  the  hands  of  proper  trustee*, 
iind  woiinil  up.  There  were  tlun,  nearly  iOtt  .suspe-ided  banks,  mid  he  would  nut  compel  them  to  pay,  or  be 
jilaced  under  liie  care  of  li  di  ril  oltiecrs,  to  be  wound  up.  It  would  place  loo  iiinch  power  In  the  hands  of  the 
(Tovernnitat,  and  brinu  about  a  political  alliance  between  it  and  the  banks.  Mr.  (Jaljioun  propo-ed  no  remedy 
lor  the  bankrupl<:y  of  corponitiniis,  and  seemed  to  sup|H)se  tliat  l,'on<:ress  outfht  not  to  or  could  not  apply  one! 

It  would  surely  I'nllow.  of  ti^rht.  that  if  the  banks  are  to  be  privllcited  Iroiii  paying  their  debts,  they  «hall  have 
110  power,  while  thai  privilese  lasts,  to  coerce  their  debtors— but,  to  me,  the  Rev.  Sidney  Smith's  rensonlng,  In 
his  memorial  to  Coiiiiress  is  eoiulnsive.  He  fays;  "  V'our  [ictitioner  lent  to  the  State  of  Hennsylvanla  u  snm 
nf  money,  for  the  purpose  of  ^ouie  public  iinprovenient,  1'lie  amount,  thoutih  small,  is  to  him  important,  and 
is  a  saviii(!  from  a  lifo  income,  made  with  dilliculiy  and  privation.  If  their  refusal  U)  pay  (from  which  n  very 
larjo  ijundier  of  Kiplish  families  are  sutleriiiL')  had  been  the  retultof  war,  produced  by  the  unjust  apitression  of 
powerful  eneinle.s  ;  if  it  had  arisen  from  civil  di>cord  ;  if  it  had  pmceeiled  trom  an  improvident  application  of 
means  In  the  first  year.s  of  self-jjovernment ;  if  it  were  the  act  ol  a  poor  state  striipKlIng  aiiainst  the  barrenness 
of  nature— every  frieod  of  America  would  have  been  contented  in  wail  for  lietter  li  .s;  hut  the  Ir.iud  Is  com- 
mitted ill  the  proi'ound  p<'ace  of  I'ennsylvania.  by  the  richest  fiate  in  the  Union,  alt,.'  the  wise  investiiient  of 
the  borrowoti  money  in  roads  and  ciinnls,  of  which  the  reptniiators  are  every  day  reapirf!  the  advantnfie.  It  In 
nn  act  of  bad  laiih  wiiich  (nil  its  eircumstances  couslderui)  has  no  parallel,  and  no  excuse.  Nor  is  It  only  >he 
loss  of  (iroperiy  which  yonr  petitioner  I  nieiits  ;  he  laments  still  more  that  immense  power  which  the  latd  faith 
of  America  has  piveii  to  aristorralical  opinions,  and  to  the  enemies  of  tree  institutions  in  the  old  woild.  It  Is 
in  vain  any  lont'er  to  appeal  to  history.  >.nd  to  |iolnt  out  the  \vron|.'s  which  the  many  have  received  from  the 
few.  The  Ainericnns,  who  boast  10  have  improved  the  institutions  of  the  old  world,  h.ave  at  least  equalled  Its 
crimes.  A  threat  nation,  alter  trampling  under  font  till  earthly  tyranny,  has  ueen  ttullty  of  a  I'r.iud  ns  eooriiinus 
us  ever  dl«j;rHCed  the  worst  kinp  of  the  most  devrnded  nation  of  Kuro|  e." 

I  think  that  the  dishonest  party  leaders,  in  Pennsylvania,  Mississippi.  Illinois,  Indinnn,  Michigan,  and  other 
deliuillinB  stales,  led  on  liy  the  early  e.vaniple  of  Van  Bnren's  ennlederates,  and  enconraged  by  the  unequalled 
profligacy  of  lii»  government,  had  hist  all  sense  of  shame.  In  I'enn-ylvani.i,  the  lust  of  money,  and  of  office  in 
order  to  get  mom  y.  is  as  scandalous  iis  here  ;  wliile  the  feelings  of  manly  pride,  and  the  desire  to  merit  the 
pond  opinion  of  the  human  rare  seems  to  lie  litile  fell.  Kach  parly  appears  to  dread  to  impose  taxes,  or  enforce 
their  collection  lor  the  payment  of  just  debts,  lest  the  other  [lariy  should  make  |iolilical  capital  out  of  such  a 
measure!  I  mii-t  s.iy  tli.it  Hume's  vit  ws  of  ilie  British  National  Debt — piiiietnai  payments  of  the  interest, 
great  economy  and  retrenchment,  and  a  sotiiul  currency,  with  good  laws  and  independent  jndi'es  to  do  justice 
to  all.  comes  nearer  to  my  views  of  repiilplicaiii-iii  than  lioriow  ing  on  your  honor,  and  liegg  iriiig  those  who  lent 
what  your  wants  required.  Without  a  sound  currency  and  a  comprehensive  partnership  law,  and  a  dlflerent 
luanHgement  ol  contracts  and  revenue  than  I  now  witness,  very  little  2ood  will  be  etlected. 

The  Uuteh  remonstranec  agtiiiist  Amcricnn  Uepudiation.  was  lianded  to  C.  Hughes,  the  agent  of  the  E.  S.  in 
Holland.    To  its  doctrines,  as  contained  In  the  following  c.vtract.  every  true  American  will  subscrilie. 

"  We,  the  unilersigned.  bondholders,  of  North  American  loans,  neuotiated  of  late  years,  or  secured  ttpon 
stocks  iss'ted  by  several  States  of  the  Union,  confideutly  lake  the  liberty  to  invoke  your'kind  intercession  In  our 
lahalf.  Volt  are  well  aware  that  the  engagements  entered  into  on  issuing  these  loans  have  not  been  fulfilled; 
that  the  payment  of  interest  has  been  su-pended  ;  that  resolutions  passed  liy  some  of  the  States  have  rendered 
these  securities  aluHLst  vtijutbss  ;  that  severe  losses  have  been  sustained  ;  whilst  every  endeavor  to  effect  a 
remedy  to  this  deplorable  stale  ( f  things  has  hitherto  proved  I'ruitless  'J'he  doctrine  of  repudiation,  although 
embraced  in  some  qmirters,  has  excited  the  just  inilignaiion  nf  the  majority  of  the  ponulation.  Men  In  elevated 
tuitions  have  o|Knly  dec  i.tred,  that  whaiever  the  calamity  of  the  times  or  thu  mal (iractl'ces  and  diinpidatioos  of 
the  banks  and  public  ofTieers,  or  whaiever  the  disappointments  attendant  on  too  sanguine  expectations,  nothing 
can  sanction  such  a  doctrine.  The  inviolability  of  engajenieni*:,  which  having  no  tribunal  to  enforce  them, 
are  10  be  considered  the  more  sacred  as  being  placed  under  the  protection  of  the  national  honor  and  public 
faith,  has  been  warmlv  ad'.'ocated  in  your  country  itself." 


u 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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23  WKST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4S03 


// 


Us 


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1  , 


308 


AN  ENGLISH  OPINION  OP  AMER!eA^»  BRAVERY. 


0i 


•->,•'■ 


a' ■'"■'.  i 


j^' 


ih«w  are  yet  those  whom  an  unfeeling  colonial  government  wantonly  and  wickedly  wronged, 
who  bide  taeir  time;  the  InJiansare  oil  haa.' ;  O'Conndl  an  I  Ireland  will  not  go  lor  slavery ; 
France  is  considered  in  the  interest  of  Wellington;  and  peaceful  conventions,  whether 
of  this  state  or  of  the  Union,  to  i;n;^)rore  the  cjaJition  oftht!  pjjple,  and  afford  a  bright  exam- 
ple to  less  favored  lands,  are  Jiatetul  to  those  who  desire  to  see  the  speedy  dowufall  of  re- 
publican government. 

Many  say  hsre — "  War  would  b?  a  most  effective  tariff,  to  protect  our  manufactures."  So 
it  would;  but  may  not  peace  and  an  /loncst  currency  supply  thai,  wiiliont  war  ?  Many  of  our 
manufactures  depe:id  on  our  cOiii  nerce,  aud  would  be  iajuriously  affected  by  war.  War, 
say  some,  "  would  put  down  slavery  iii  the  south  and  give  us  Canada  on  the  north,  and  secure 
Oregon  on  the  west."  I  am  anxious  to  see  slavery  put  down  everywhere,  but  not  to  risk  the 
peace  of  the  world  to  effect  it  sooner  by  a  few  years;  and  railroads,  canals,  national  prosperity, 
upright  government  and  universal  education  will  settle  the  Canada  question  more  to  our 
satisfaction  in  the  long  run  than  seven  years  of  strife  and  butchery.  Yes,  but  it  is  said  again, 
"  War  would  humble  liln'.flinl."  Are  you  sure  of  thaf?  England  is  far  more  powerful, 
united,  enlightened,  fret,  prosperous,  and  populous  at  this  day  tiian  .she  was  when  she  with- 
stood tor  a  series  of  years,  the  co  nblnel  ed'orus  of  many  nations,  led  by  Napoleon,  and  backed 
for  three  years,  nearly,  by  the  United  States.  Besiies,  when  the  war  was  over,  both  parties 
would  begin  lO  count  the  cost,  and  wish  they  had  waited  a  little. 

As  John  Bull  is  older,  by  some  thousands  of  years  than  Brotlicr  Jonathan,  we  will  take 
his  evidence  first. 

[From  the  London  Times  of  DecemlDcr  30,  1814.] 
Treaty  of  Ghent.  "  If  any  of  the  powei-s  who  have  received  our  subsidies,  or 
have  been  rescued  from  destruction  by  our  courage  and  example,  have  had  the  baseness 
to  turn  against  us,  it  is  morally  certain,  that  the  treaty  of  Ghent  will  confirm  them  in 
their  resolution.  They  will  rellect,  that  we  have  attempted  to  force  our  princi- 
ples on  America,  and  have  failed.  Nay,  that  we  have  retired  from  the  combat  with 
the  stripes  yet  bleeding  on  our  baclcs — with  the  recent  defeats  of  Plattsburgh,  and  on  Lake 
Champlain  unavenged.  To  make  peace  at  such  a  moment,  they  will  think,  betrays  a  dead- 
ness  to  the  feelings  of  honor,  -ond  shows  a  timidity  of  disposition  inviting  further  insult.  II 
we  could  have  pointed  to  America  overthrown,  we  should  surely  have  stood  on  much  higher 
ground  at  Vienna,  and  everywhere  else,  than  we  possibly  can  do  now.  Even  yet,  however, 
if  we  could  but  close  the  war  with  some  great  naval  triumph,  the  reputation  of  our  maritime 
greatness  might  be  partially  restored;  but  to  say,  that  it  has  not  hitherto  suffered  in  the  esti- 
mation of  all  Europe,  and  what  is  worse,  of  America  herself,  is  but  to  belie  common  sense 
and  universal  experience.  '  Two  or  three  of  our  !>hips  have  struck  to  a  force  vastly  supe- 
rior V  No,  not  two  or  three,  but  many  on  the  ocean,  and  whole  squadrons  on  the  lakes ;  and 
the  numbers  are  to  be  viewed  with  relation  to  the  comparative  magnitude  of  the  two  navies 
Scarcely  is  there  one  American  ship  of  war,  which  has  not  to  boast  a  victory  over  the  British 
flag;  scarcely  one  British  ship  in  thirty  or  forty,  that  huf  beaten  an  American.  Our  seamen,  it 
is  urged,  have  on  all  occasions,  fought  bravely.  Who  denies  it?  Our  complaint  is, 
that  with  the  bravest  seamen,  and  the  most  powerful  navy  in  the  world,  we  retire  from 
the  contest  when  the  balance  of  dei'eat  is  so  heavily  against  us.  Be  it  accident,  or  be  it 
misconduct,  we  inquire  not  now  into  the  cause;  the  certain,  t!ie  inevitable  consequences 
are  what  we  look  to,  and  these  may  be  summed  up  in  lew  words — the  speedy  growth  of 
an  American  navy,  and  the  recurrence  of  a  new  and  much  more  formidable  American 
war.  PVom  that  fatel  moun'nt,  whr'ii  the  flng  of  the  Guerriere  was  struck,  there  has  been 
quite  a  rage  for  building  ships  of  war  in  the  United  States.  Their  navy  has  been  nearly 
doubled,  and  their  vessels  are  of  e.vtraordinary  magnitude.  The  people,  naturally  vain, 
boastful  and  insolent,  have  been  filled  with  an  absolute  contempt  of  our  maritime  power, 
and  a  furious  eagerness  to  beat  down  our  maritime  pretensions.  Those  pas&iuns,  which 
have  been  inflamed  by  success,  could  only  have  been  cooled  by  what,  in  vulgar,  but  em- 
phadc  language,  has  been  termed  '  a  sound  flogging;'  hut,  unfortunately,  our  Christian  meek- 
ness has  induced  us  rather  to  kiss  the  rod,  than  to  retaliate  its  exercise.    Such  false  and 


Rrickedly  wronged, 
not  gj  lor  slavery ; 
veniions,  whether 
jrd  a  bright  exam- 
y  downlall  of  re- 

lanufactures."    So 

arl   Many  of  our 

eJ  by  war.    War, 

e  north,  ani  secure 

but  not  to  risk  the 

latioual  prosperity, 

3stion  more  to  our 

but  it  is  said  again, 

ar  nure  powerful, 

IS  wliea  she  with- 

poleon,  and  backed 

over,  both  parlies 


than,  we  will  take 


our  subsidies,  or 
c  liad  the  baseness 
ill  confirm  them  in 

force  our  princi- 
tlic  combat  with 
)nrgh,  and  on  Lake 
ak,  betrays  a  dead- 
g  further  insult.  II 
ood  on  much  higher 
Even  yet,  however, 
ion  of  our  maritime 

suffered  in  the  esti- 
jolie  common  sense 
a  force  vafctly  supe- 
iis  on  the  lakes ;  and 
e  of  the  two  navies 
ory  over  the  British 
can.    Our  seamen,  it 

Our  complaint  is, 
3rkl,  we  retire  from 
it  accident,  or  be  it 
.•itnble  consequences 
10  speedy  growth  of 
)rmidable  American 
nek,  there  has  been 
ivy  has  been  nearly 
iple,  naturally  vain, 
lur  maritime  power, 
ose  passions,  which 

in  vulgar,  but  em- 
our  Christian  meek* 
se.    Such  false  and 


AMERICANS  nEVIEWrNO  A  THREE  YEARS*  WAR. 


26d 


feeble  humanity  is  not  calculated  for  the  guidance  of  nations.    War  is,  indeed,  a  tremendoo* 

cTigine  of  justice ;  but  when  justice  wields  the  sword,  she  must  be  inflexible.  Looking  nei- 
ther to  the  right  nor  to  the  left,  she  must  pursue  her  blow,  until  the  evil  is  cl^an  rooted 
out.  This  is  not  blind  rage,  or  blind  revenge ;  hut  it  is  a  discriminating,  a  calm,  and 
even  a  tender  calculation  of  con.sequences.  Better  is  it,  that  we  should  grapple  with  tha 
young  lion,  when  he  is  first  fleshed  with  the  taste  of  our  flock,  than  wait  until,  in  the 
maturity  of  his  strength,  he  bears  away  at  once  both  sheep  and  shepherd." 

Now  for  the  Yankee  version.  Make  way  for  the  witness,  Mr.  William  Coleman. 
Silence  in  court ! 

[From  the  New  York  Evening  Post  of  February  13,  iSlfj.]  > 

Treaty  op  Ghkxt.  "For  ourselves,  the  people,  who  .sliall  tell  us,  at  the  conclusion  of 
iliis  war,  how  we  are  recompensed  for  the  death  of  ilumsiiuls  and  the  expense  of  millions'? 
Who  shall  tell  the  sacrifices,  the  losses,  we  have  .sustained,  the  .sufferings  we  have  under- 
gone and  the  deprivations  we  have  endured  and  must  endure  lor  j-jars  to  come;  and  not 
we  alone,  but  our  chikben  and  grandchildren  after  m.  When  liie  accounts  of  this  war 
shall  be  all  wound  up;  when,  in  addition  to  the  necessary  expenses  of  it,  the  squanderings, 
the  waste,  the  innumerable  frauds  that  have  been  practised,  the  losses  that  have  accrued  from 
the  abuses  of  public  trust,  are  taken  into  consideration ;  (and  let  us  consider  that  filly  thou- 
sand dollars  lavished  upon  a  single  scoundrel  to  bribe  him  to  forge  a  miserable  calumny, 
forms  an  item  and  hut  an  item  in  the  account;)  when  we  reflect  upon  the  multitude  of  pay- 
masters, and  agents,  contractors  and  commissaries,  with  all  the  ho.sts  of  jobbers  for  the  army, 
from  his  excellency,  the  governor  of  a  state,  who  haggles  and  eliaflers  for  a  lot  of  cartouch- 
boxes,  down  to  the  petty  rascal  who  crimps  recruits  at  eight  dollars  a-piece,  men,  who  without 
virtue,  labor  or  hazard,  are  growing  rich,  as  their  country  is  impoverished,  when  these  and 
a  host  more,  who  have  battened  upon  the  distresses  of  ilieir  country,  shall  have  their  accounte 
adjusted  and  allowed  by  the  proper  officers,  what  think  you  will  be  the  melancholy  result  pre- 
sented  to  us  ?    I  will  tell  you  what,  and  if  I  am  wrong,  let  m)'  words  be  remembered  and  the 

public  confidence  be  withdrawn  from  me  for  ever It  will  be  nothing  less  than  a  funded 

debt,  of  more  than  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  dollars ;  bearing  an  interest  of  six  per 
cent.  Still,  vast  as  the  amount  is,  it  is  within  the  ability  of  the  country,  if  we  can  stop  here,  to 
discharge  it.  Let  us  then  meet  the  evil  since  it  is  inevitable,  with  firmness  and  resolution,  and 
cheerfully  resolve,  since  it  has  now  come  to  a  conclusion,  to  provide  for  the  debt,  to  the  best  of 
our  ability.  Let  the  nation  rejoice,  for  though  we  have  been  compelled  to  make  vast  sacrifices 
without  any  adequate  cause  for  it :  though  we  have  suffered  calamity  and  distress  wantonly 
brought  upon  us  by  a  weak  and  profligate  administration  ;  though  we  have  been  compelled  to 
submit  to  losses  which  can  never  be  repaired,  and  to  sutler  golden  advantages  to  pass  by, 
which  will  never  again  return,  yet  let  the  nation  rejoice,  we  have  escaped  ruin." 

Colonel  Duane,  a  veteran  of  opposite  politics,  and  a  warm  friend  of  the  war,  did  not  differ 
from  his  federal  neighbor. 

[From  the  Philadelphia  Aurora,  by  W.  Duane,  July  2-1, 1816.] 
"  Never  was  a  peace  concluded  more  timely  or  fortunately  ;  the  inconsistency  and  want  of 
system,  the  utter  incapacity  which  had  been  shown  in  the  iiianagcincnt  of  the  war  and  the 
finances,  and  the  want  of  energy  to  repress  revolt  and  put  down  tliusc  who  conspired  against 
their  country  in  league  with  the  enemy,  had  made  a  d:;ep  impression  on  the  country  :  but  the  : 
peace  came  so  suddenly,  the  pL'ople  wore  so  snrprist'd  and  aian/.cd  at  their  good  fortune,  that 
all  the  imbecility  and  incapacity,  all  the  waste  and  extravnganco,  the  disasters  ;ind  shame, 
which  belonged  ts  the  public  measures  from  the  beginning  to  the  close  of  the  war,  were,  in  the 
extacy  of  disappoiiuej  d:spondoncy,  t'orgotton  and  Ibrgiv'on — !lic  squanicriiig  of  treasure  and 
stores  in  tht;  w,-  t,  misconduct,  which  would,  under  any  other  g(jvcrnment,  have  sent  generals 
to  the  common  hut,  were  overlooked ;  the  most  futile  plans  of  campaigns,  atvi  the  most  ludi* 


4 


•a 


270 


CANDID  ttEFLECTIONS  ON  WAR.       BRADFORD  WOOD 


•'.';  ,   -  • 


•!<■,■■'■••. 

h:r;■'«':^"■'■' 

fu:.  iv'V- 
■  Ih-r-.' !■',■■'■ 


h;.;;-.-: 


'   .• 

.-  •  1     '  '  ■ 

: 

H 

1 

ii'V  . 

■  .■  .( ■••  •  ■'  '■ ' 

S" 


erous  and  sometimes  the  most  barbarous  and  wanton  sacrifices  of  human  life,  for  no  other  pur- 
poses on  earth,  than  to  aggrandize  the  vanity  of  a  profligate  favorite;  merit  persecuted  and 
slandered,  and  baseness  and  profligacy  rewarded  with  the  honors  which,  heretofore,  it  had 
been  alleged  were  to  be  the  meed  of  genius,  virtue  and  patriotic  services." 

■  The  stripes  at  Plattsburgh,  and  the  youn»!ion  of  the  west— that's  the  language  of  England's 
leading  journal  for  ISM,  and  as  to  the  victory  hoped  for,  to  close  the  struggle  decently,  that 
came  also — at  New  Orleans.  The  cost — eternity  alone  can  tell  the  tears,  the  agony,  the  woe, 
the  wretchedness,  which  were  the  result  of  that  fierce  and  unnatural  contest.  When  the  ill- 
fated  Lexington  was  burning  off  Long  Island,  and  her  lUO  passengers  and  crew  were  crowded 
in  the  bow  and  stern,  till  compjlleJ  to  leap  into  the  ocean  to  be  drowned,  to  escapebeing  burnt 
alive ;  when  the  boats  were  swamped,  and  all  nearly  perished  by  fire,  wjiter,  frost  and  cold,  in 
that  terrible  hour,  how  gladly  would  thousands  of  generous  Americans  and  Britons  have  joined 
in  risking  their  lives  to  save  these  unhappy  men,  women  and  children!  Yet  their  horrible 
deaths  are  as  noUung  in  the  account  of  woe  and  misery  tnai,  must  result  from  a  deadly  enmity 
between  two  peoples,  ot  one  origin,  one  religion,  on(?  kindred,  and  speaking  the  same  language. 
The  man  who  will  interfere,  in  aught,  effectually  to  prevent  the  slaughter  of  another  1(30,000 
christian  men  ;  the  grief  of  parents,  brothers,  soiis,  sisters  and  lovers;  the  destruction  of  pro- 
perty, of  friendship,  and  of  commerce;  the  retardment  of  republican  progress;  and  the  immo- 
rality and  hardness  of  heart  which  such  a  war  w(mld  generate,  would  deserve  well  of  man- 
kind. 

War  will  bring  again  upon  us,  heavy  direct  taxes — high  prices — a  wretched,  fraudulent  cur- 
*enc)' — loans,  perhaps,  as  before,  at  53  per  cent,  discount ;  and  it  will  delight  the  British  to- 
nes ;  it  is  just  what  they  want.  The  people  of  England,  Ireland,  and  Scotland,  have  united 
and  pressed  the  landlords  to  the  wall.  Free  trade  with  America,  in  Corn,  in  Pork,  in  Cotton, 
in  Flour,  in  everytliing,  is  now  the  popular  cry,  the  honest  cry  of  a  nation.  O'Connell  echoes 
it,  tlie  aristocracy  are  appalled,  the  iron  duke  gives  way — when  lo !  a  new  obstacle  is  found. 
The  freemen  of  the  west  and  the  north  are  ready  to  battle — not  for  freedom,  like  "their  gallant 
sires;  not  for  aiding  an  oppres.sed  colony,  but  for  slavery  in  Texas,  and  for  a  band  of  heart- 
less slave-owners,  \v\\o  have  joined  with  the  pretended,  stockjobbing  democrats  of  the  north  to 
gamble  the  nation  into  a  200  million  debt,  for  a  strip  of  ^»  Oregon  I 

I  have  met  with  the  speech  of  Mr.  Bradford  Wood,  member  of  Congress  I'rom  this  State, 
delive;Ofi  in  the  IL  of  R.,  Jan.  31, 18-lG,  in  the  Albany  Evening  Journal.  Though  late  in  life, 
I  thankfully  receive  lessons  of  wisdom  from  this  son  of  a  revolutionary  sire.  11  permitted  to 
call  mysell  a  democrat,  Mr.  Wood's  creed,  as  given  below,  would  best  indii-ate  mine. 

"  Grant,  if  you  choose,"  said  he,  "  that  England  should  be  worsted  in  every  conflict,  and  that 
your  plans  for  conquest  and  victory,  like  Captain  Bobadil's,  were  perfectly  feasible,  it  would 
still  be  dear-bought  victory.  You  would  have  inflicted  greater  evils  on  your  own  country  than 
on  j'our  enemy's.  You  will  have  demoralized  your  country,  centralized  its  government,  swept 
away  its  democracy,  and  erected  on  its  rufts  a  military  aristocracy,  and  thrown  back  for  years 
the  civilization  of  mankind.  Nor  would  this  be  all.  You  will  have  arrested  the  progress  ot 
liberal  opinions  throughout  the  world,  and  especially  in  that  very  country  where  the  principles 
of  free-trade  (the  best  of  all  peace  societies)  are  spreading  rapidly,  widely  and  triumphantly, 
benefiting  alike  that  country  and  this,  and  which  can  be  arrested  only  by  a  war  between  the 
two  nations.  Gentlemen  were  very  much  inclined  to  denounce  England ;  but  the  England  ot" 
1775  or  1813  was  not  the  England  of  184G.  The  only  effectual  way  to  attack  England  was  by 
peace,  not  by  war.  It  was  the  only  way  you  could  reach  her  proud  unfeeling  aristocracy,  who 
had  been  built  up  by  war,  and  whooi  a  continuance  of  peace  would  ore  long  put  down.  With 
that  aristocracy,  none  of  us  had  any  sympathy ;  but  he  trusted  all  had  with  a  down-trodden 
people,  struggling  to  unclasp  their  grasp,  and  who  had  been  demoralized,  plui'  '.ered,  beggared 

and  reduced  to  starvation  by  glorious  war Why  was  this  deadly  hate  manifested 

against  England  1  Say  what  you  would,  with  all  her  injustice  to  Ireland  and  to  a  portion  of 
her  own  citizens,  she  still  had  more  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  than  any  other  country  in 
Europe.  There  the  liberty  of  speech  and  of  the  press  were  inviolate,  and  the  blush  came  some- 
times tingling  to  his  own  checlc  when  it  occurred  to  him  that  in  this  respect  it  was  more  invio- 
lable in  England  than  in  some  portions  of  his  own  country.  Th".  first  aspirations  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty  that  ever  dawned  on  this  world  arose  in  England — the  same  spirit  that  sent 
forth  the  pilgrims  of  New  England,  inspired  Hampden,  Miltou,  and  Vane,  and  brought  the 


OD 


fe,  for  no  other  pur- 
irit  persecuted  and 
I,  heretofore,  it  itad 


gruage  of  England's 
iggle  decently,  that 
the  agonv,  the  woe, 
est.  When  the  ill- 
crew  were  crowded 

escape  being  burnt 
er,  frost  and  cold,  in 
Britons  have  joined 

Yet  their  horrible 
om  a  deadly  enmity 

the  same  language. 

of  another  100,000 

destruction  of  pro- 
ress ;  and  the  immo- 
eserve  well  of  man- 

ched,  fraudulent  cur- 
el  ight  the  British  to- 
ciitland,  have  united 
,  in  Pork,  in  Cotton, 
O'Connell  echoes 
ew  obstacle  is  found, 
m,  like  'their  gallant 
1  for  a  band  of  heart- 
ocrats  of  the  north  to 

jress  from  this  State, 
Though  late  in  life, 
sire.    If  permitted  to 
iiiate  mine. 

!very  conflict,  and  that 
ctly  feasible,  it  would 
our  own  country  than 
its  government,  swept 
thrown  back  for  years 
rested  the  progress  ot 
V  where  the  principles 
3ly  and  triumphantly, 
by  a  war  between  the 
i ;  but  the  England  of 
ttack  England  was  by 
iling  aristocracy,  who 
mg  put  down.    With 

with  a  down-trodden 
,  plui.  '.ered,  beggared 
idly  hate  manifested 
id  and  to  a  portion  of 

any  other  country  in 
I  the  blush  came  some- 
ect  it  was  more  invio- 
spirafions  of  civil  and 

same  spirit  that  sent 
'ane,  and  brought  the 


LAT.  49* — THE  AMERICAN  MERCHANT. — ^JEFFERSON. 


m 


fint  Charlet  to  the  block.  And  now  at  this  day,  among  the  middle  classes  of  England,  and 
among  thuce  whose  names  are  great  without  titles,  were  many  who  were  manfully  battling  the 
cause  of  the  people  and  of  human  progress,  and  who  would  deprecate  a  war  with  this  country  as 
a  disgrace  to  civilization.  The  arrogance  of  the  British  government  was  as  little  to  his  taste  as 
the  profligacy  and  insidious  tyranny  of  France,  or  the  despotism  of  Russia.  Ail  three  were 
hostile  to  republican  institutions ;  and  it  became  us  'o  see  to  it  tliai  no  unjust  act  of  ours  should 
furnish  them  a  pretext  for  an  increased  hostility." 

In  the  able  and  temperate  speech  of  Mr.  Winthrop  on  Oregon,  as  I  find  it  in  the  Intelligencer, 
he  reierred  to  Mr.  Preston  King's  remark  that  Mr.  Polk  had  ofiured  the  4i>ih  parallel  to  L.ritain 
last  summer,  knowing  it  would  be  rejected;  and  in  Mr.  Polk's  message  of  December  last,  he 
aflirms,  "  that  the  British  plenipotentiaiy,  without  submiiting  any  other  pro]  asition,  snflered 
the  negotiation  on  his  part  to  liroj)."  Let  the  reader  turn  to  the  correspondence  of  Bu';hanan, 
and  it  will  there  be  found  that  the  negotiation  was  abruptly  closed  by  the  withdrawal  of  all  pro- 
posals of  compromise,  by  the  president's  own  order !  In  Jcflurson's  letter  to  Monroe,  Oct.  24, 
1823  [Works,  vol.  4,  p.  3801,  he  tells  hiin,  that  "  Great  Britain  is  the  nation  which  can  do  us  the 
most  harm  of  any  une  or  all  on  earth  ;  and  with  lier  on  our  side  we  need  not  fear  the  whole 
world.    With  her  thoii  we  should  most  sedulously  cherish  a  cordial  friendship." 

An  honorable  and  dignified  body  of  merchants  are  a  ble^bingto  any  country.  Their  calling 
18  among  the  most  useful,  respectable,  and  necessary  ol  any  iu  these  United  States;  and  they 
ought  to  stand  with  a  perfect  equality  befoie  the  law.  Ihal  tliey  do  not  so  stand  is  a  fiact 
which  none  will  deny.  That  many  olour  laws  ^rc  made,  or  administered,  so  as  to  tantalize 
and  pillage  them,  is  daily  made  manifest.  That  gross  I'avoiitism  towards  some,  and  bitter 
enmity  towards  others,  was  the  practice  in  Van  Burens  time,  the  journals  ol  Congress  too 
clearly  testify;  and  when  we  s-ee  B.  F.  Butk-r  again  district  attorney,  malgre'  his  extortions 
from  1838  to  1841,  we  do  not  anticipate  too  kind  treatment  now.*  Add  to  all  this,  that  they 
are  kept  month  after  month  in  absolute  uncertainty  as  to  thecontinuanceof  peace,  their  adven- 
turous spirit  chec'ied,  their  calculations  made  doubly  doubtlul,  and  the  imroitani  subjicis  of  a 
tarilT,  and  the  currency,  loft  unsettled — and  then  let  the  C'ongies^menand  llieir  constituents  ask 
themselves,  if  the  bold,  fearless,  intelligent,  upright,  and  industrious  American  merchant  re- 
ceives from  his  government  fair  jilay,  or  anytliing  like  ill 

The  London  Times  thinks  "  that  every  purpose  both  of  honor  and  interest  would  be  answered, 
if  the  British  Minister,  on  whom  now  devolves  the  duty  of  making  tresh  proposals  to  the  Gov- 
ernment of  the  United  States,  Mere  to  renew  on  his  part  the  ofier  made  to  England  by  Mr.  Gal- 
latin in  the  presidency  and  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Adams.  That  proj  osal  was  to  take  the 
49th  degree  of  North  latitude  as  far  as  the  sea,  as  the  boundary  line,  reserving  to  Great  Britain 

♦  Can  MERcn.»NTS  not  dk  tkustfd  as  Jurors  ! — Mr.  Iloyl,  cnllector  of  customs,  N.  Y.,  informed  Matthew 
Blrchard,  yolicilnr  of  itie  'I'reHsiiry,  Wiitliingioii,  liy  teller  diiled  I'cl).  22,  IHO — lliut  "  the  arrogance  of  tht  com- 
"  merciai  classes,  exiiiliiled  witliiii  the  last  lew  jcurs,  in  ilieir  ctliirls  tn  satisfy  the  pefi|de  tlml  tliif  cIhss  alone 
"  were  enllilt'd  to  funiHil  the  government,  us  w«HI  lis  the  dfstinie.i  of  all  other  classes,  has  had  its  influence 
"  even  '  in  the  judgment  .'■cat ;'  and,  from  h  sympHlheilc  (teiiuji,  has  controlled  judges  in  advices  and  admoni- 
"  tiojis  to  jurors  ;  wliich  hiia  lieen  advirte  to  tht;  interest  of  the  United  Stales.  He  hate  beev  heretofore  unfor- 
*■  ttinate  in  the  selection  of  jurtrrs  in  the  courts  of  the  United  e>t;it<s.  Thi-y  are  not  drawn,  as  is  'he  practice  in 
"  other  conrts,  hut  are  sc/ectei/  by  the  marshal  from  jchut  sources  he  //leases ;  and  hitherto  larjte  nunjbers  of 
'jurors  have  been  taken  from  the  mercantile  classes,  1,'ainst  which  course  I  have  rmionstrnted,"  fcc.  Mr. 
Hoyt  went  on  to  state  that  there  should  lie  "  instruct-. .ns ;"  and,  live  days  afterwards,  M.  Blrchard,  Solicitor  of 
the  Treasury  at  Washington,  thus  instructed  the  iMarshal,  A.  J.  Uleetktr : 

"  Feb.  27,  184(1.— There  arc  lew  persons  who  liave  not  olten  seen  honest  men  err  in  judgment  in  consequenco 
"of  influences  I'rom  whitli  they,  ai  the  time,  lielieved  thetii>e!ves  entirely  free.  It  im|iUtes  nothing  against  the 
"  honor  of  New  York  merchants  to  suppOfC  that,  in  lliis  re>i)ect,  they  are  suliject  to  the  like  imperfections 
"  which  ticloiig  to  other  men.  1  have  therefore  in  request  you  to  hear  these  general  observations  in  mind,  when 
"  selecting  jurors  for  the  trial  of  revenue  cases,  »mi  endeavor  to  JrEL>XT  impartial,  capable  MEN.  who  are 

"TOTALLY  UlpCONNEcTtl)  WITH  TR.ADK  and  all  ius  influences the  whole  nation 

■'knows  that  CONKIUENCK  ,n  AY  W  LLL  UE  I'LAtJI  D  IN  THE  INTEt.RlTY  ANi>  JUD(;ME^TOF  HON- 
"  BST  FA11MRR8  AND  MECHAMCS,  ANP  THAT  IT  IS  not  less  I'lK  tl'EH  FOK  THE  U.  S.  TO  &EEK  A 
"  FAIR  TRIAL  than  for  a  private  citizen."--M.  BIRCH  ARU,  Solicitor,  ire. 

In  Decenilier.  ISHD,  we  find  Henry  1).  Gilpin  taking  Hoyt  and  Uuiler  to  task  for  comproiiiiting  heavy  law- 
bclts  instituted  lor  alleged  fraudulent  entries,  without  auihoriiy  froni  the  Tieasury  Department— half  the 
amonnt  thus  recovered  went  to  Hoyt,  (;oe  and  Craig— half  to  the  United  States— with  enough  to  Butler.  Jn 
January,  1^0  (next  month),  the  conEfnifjit  Matthew  Blrchard  hod  taken  the  ilucc  of  the  more  severe  and 
rigid  Gilpin.  The  Hoyt,  Van  Uiircn  and  Butler  private  corre.^pondonce,  may  lie!,,  .Mime  of  my  readers  in  guess- 
ing why  and  liow  this  sudden  change  came  to  pass.  On  the  i23d  of  January,  the  pliant  liirchard  wrote  to  Hoyt 
that  the  reasons  given  "are  such  as  would  have  induced  this  office  to  advise  the  course  taken  respecting  them,  had 
it  been  consulted." 

In  December,  1838,  [Rep.  CC9,  p.  331],  Hoyt  writes  to  Banci'oft,  Collector  at  liostou  (now  Secretary  of  the 
Navy),  as  follows  : 

"  You  may,  however,  lie  nhio  to  succeed  fin  condemning  the  goods]  licttcr  in  your  district  than  we  can  here  ; 
"forOIJR  COURT  IS  VERY  MUCH  OF  A  MERCANTILE  COURT— and  the  juries,  AS  A  MAITER  OP 
"  COURSE,  always  go  against  the  government,  and  will  continue  to  do  so  an  lon|>  as  it  is  the  fashion  of  the  day 
"to  consider  the  government  us  opposed  to  the  merchants.  Iu  other  words,  when  the  merchants  are  the  jiuors 
"  and  witnesses,  God  help  the  governmoni  1— Jbsse  Hoyt." 


'mm: 


¥:'■' 


•    f-^ 


•  ^. .  ' 
'■•-.l.t'    : 


1  '• .  > 


672 


walker's  PUFP.      what  trOULD  IRELAND  DO 


Vancouver's  Island,  the  harlwr  of  St.  Juan  deFuca,  and  the  free  navigation  of  the  Columbia." 
I  thinl{  t  'at  i  America  made  that  offer  to  England  20  years  since — if  Polk  said  4!)®  a  few 
monihs  since — if  19^  was  the  word  in  Monroe's  time — in  Adams'stime — in  Tyler's  and  Cal- 
houn'sdays — and  it',  as  is  "  clear  and  unquestionable,"  the  ''A°  40'  was  a  mare  puff,  written  by 
Walker,  and  put  forth  in  the  conclave  of' orfice-  ckers  and  office-holders  at  Baltimore,  by  But- 
ler, Sandy  Hill  tashion,  to  secure  the  election  lri..n  the  whites — if  President  Polk  knew  of  all 
these  49°  offers,  and  yet  profeased  to  hclieiic  in  tlie  51°  4'.V  till  his  election  was  carried  by  a  trick 
— if  Van  Burcn,  Marcy  aikl  all  the  resr  had  approved  of  the  49's  and  yet  sung  the  new  song 
of  51°  43'  to  secure  the  man  they  deemed  available ;  and  the  speech  of  Haywood,  Polk's  col- 
lege chum,  indicates  all  this;  the  sooner  the  thing  is  settled,  and  the  less  we  say  about  it,  the 
better.  I  do  not  pretend  to  judge  of  the  merits  of  the  several  parallels,  but  surely,  a  few  acres 
of  desert  are  not  wjrth  quarrelling  about.  Reform  progresses  with  giant  strides  in  England, 
and  God  forbid  that  the  noble  sons  of  Illinois,  Indiana,  Michigan  and  Ohio,  should  stop  its 
onward  course,  to  please  the  British  tories,  and  to  gain  for  us  here  a  life-lease  of  Polk,  WalKcr, 
Marcy,  Texas,  Houston,  and  more  slavery!  My  private  opinion  is,  that  Oregon  belongs  to 
the  people  there,  natives  and  immigrants  ;  and  that  if  England  and  America  would  bestow  a 
tentn  part  of^  the  money  a  war  would  cost,  in  settling  it  on  the  National  Reform  principle,  of 
160  acres  to  each  family  ;  settlers  to  be  entitled  to  UiO  acres  each,  and  no  man  to  hold  more; 
the  result  would  be  more  pleasing  than  that  ol'  a  war,  conquer  who  may :  a  war,  too,  for  a  nar- 
row strip  of  desert  we  have  thrice  freely  ortercd  to  giveaway  ! 

John  Gluincy  Adams  lliinlcs  that  a  war  to  free  the  slave,  to  give  liberty  to  the  captive,  to 
complete  the  glorious  work  of  Tti,  and  make  the  great  declaration  a  truth,  would  be  popular  in 
England.  So  it  would.  Who  there  would  sympathise  with  Polk,  Marcy,  Wallcer,  Cave 
Johnson,  and  the  slave  monopolists  1  Who  ought  to  sympathise  with  them  here?  No  one. 
"The  occupation  of  Texas  will  convert  the  old  slaveholding  part  of  the  United  States  into  a 
disgusting  nursery  for  young  slaves,  because  a  Lliwk  cmp  will  produce  more  monej  othe  pro- 
prietors than  any  other  crop  they  can  cultivate."  O'Connell,  in  his  dispute  with  Stevenson, 
published  as  his  opinion,  that  the  slaveholders  abolished  the  foreign  slave-trade,  "  that  by  such 
abolition  thev  enhanced  the  price  of  the  slaves  then  in  America  by  stopping  the  competition. 
Why  otherwise  was  not  the  home  trade  stopt  as  well  as  the  foreign  V 

The  N.  Y.  Evening  Post  of  Feb.  It,  1815,  says  that  the  news  of  a  peace,  though  not  rati- 
fied, lowered  ])rices.  Sugar  fell  at  once  from  jjftii)  to  ftr2,50 ;  Tea,  from  S'2,25  to  #1 ;  Specie, 
from  ^2  premium  to  ^2. ;  Tin  was  §80  per  box  on  Saturday,  and  only  S"<J5  on  Monday ;  U.  S. 
six  per  cent,  stock  advanced  from  70  to  HCi,  and  Treasury  notes  to  within  2  of  par.  "  In  no 
place  has  the  war  been  more  felt  or  |)roved  more  disastrous."  Yet  I  do  not  think  that  priva- 
tion would  enter  into  the  American  mind  in  the  event  of  a  new  struggle.  Of  the  bravery  of 
this  people  no  one  ca.i  entertain  a  doubt. 

I  know  it  will  be  s;,id  that  it  is  to  free  Ireland  that  we  would  tight,  in  part.  Will  Irishmen, 
who  saw  Polk  struggle  to  get  a  judge  put  upon  the  bench  of  the  Supreme  Court,  by  means  of 
a  senatorial  appio'dl  of  his  nominatioa,  whose  chief  merit  consisted  in  his  unceasing,  rooted 
haired  to  adopied  citizens,  bdlieve  this?  Would  Ireland  join  England  in  such  a  easel  I 
have  not  a  doubt  of  it.  Our  nulivc  inajori.ies,  our  slavery,  our  Philadelphia  riots  and  church 
burnings,  to  put  down  the  Catholics,  are  not  very  politic,  if  Ireland  is  to  be  won.  England,  if 
she  go  to  war,  will  come  to  a  full  understanding  with  Ireland,  as  she  has  already  with  France. 
If  there  is  nothing  to  apprehend  from  the  French  republicans,  and  I  hear  that  there  is  not,  it 
would  be  a  fair  fight,  between  two  very  brave  countries;  but  it  ought  not  to  be,  and  I  hope 
■will  not  be.  Our  case,  as  far  as  Texas  is  involved,  is  about  as  unjust  a  one  as  Englana's 
effort  to  subdue  the  Alfghans,  who  had  never  owed  her  any  allegiance. 

You  were  told,  free  Americans,  that  to  add  Texas  to  the  Union  was  to  extend  the  area  of 
freedom.    Here  fs  an  extract  from  its  constitution  : 

"  All  persons  of  color,  who  were  slaves  for  life  previous  to  their  emigration  to  Texa.s,  and 
who  are  mm  li/:Ul  in  hmidasc,  shall  remain  In  t.''e  like  state  of  servitude,  provided  the  said  slave 
shall  be  the  bon&  fide  property  of  the  pen  on  sc  holding  .said  slave  as  aforesaid.  Congress 
shall  pa-'s  It .  I  in  Iff  I'tp  m ;  i/jit  c  m  i,^rn  nbfrom  I  he  Un  iled  States  of  A  mcrica  from  bringing  their  Saves 
into  the  renublic  with  them,  and  holding  them  by  the  same  tenure  by  which  slaves  were  held  in 
the  Un'icd  States  ;  nor  s/iall  co/rj;rcss  have  tlw.  pmr-cr  Im  cmait/:i pate  slaves ;  norshaUany  slaveholder 
be  alltnoed  to  enian':ipnt".  his  or  hrr  slaves,  irithoiit  the  consent  of  congress,  unless  he  or  she  shall 
send  his  or  her  slave  or  slaves  without  the  limits  of  the  republic.  I^ofrec  per.'^on  of  African 
descent,  either  in  whole  or  in  part,  shall  be  permitted  to  reside  permanfiitiij  in  the  repjMic,  with- 
out the  consent  of  congress." 

This  was  what  Polk  was  for  annexing  immediately— this  was  what  the  shrewd  and  far- 
,sf:eing  Calhoun  was  ready  to  involve  the  whole  Uni^m  in  war  for,  had  it  been  necessaiy.  I 
now  begin  to  think,  that  with  him  and  McDulHcthe  principle  is,  nullification  or  negro  slavery 
uppermost.  Even  Van  Buren,  who  knew  his  case  was  hopeless  in  the  north  without  aboli- 
tion votes,  had  to  admit,  that  "Nothing  is  either  more  true  or  more  extensively  known,  than 
than  Texas  was  wrested  from  Mexico,  and  her  Independ(mce  established  through  the  instru- 


DV  the 

buying 

not  a 

her  i  tan 

tempi  a' 

Out 

vantag 

comes 

ment, 

rommi 

of  the 

— seeii 

term 

to  bru 

liberty 

crisy, 

when 

sepan 

plantc 

and  K 

dare 

that  t 

main 

conci 

let  th 

shall 

was: 


of  the  Columbia." 
ilk  said  iO°  a  few 
)  Tyler's  and  Cal- 
;re  pu(f,  written  by 
Baltimore,  by  But- 
ii  Polk  knew  of  all 
s  carried  by  a  trick 
iung  the  new  song 
ywodd,  Polk's  col- 
re  say  about  it,  the 
surely,  a  few  acres 
strides  in  England, 
lio,  should  stop  its 
e  of  Polk,  Walker, 
Oregon  belongs  to 
lea  would  bestow  a 
eform  principle,  ol 
man  to  hold  more; 
war,  too,  for  a  nar- 

y  to  thi;  captive,  to 
ivould  be  popular  in 
rcy,  Walter,  Cave 
m  here  ?  No  one. 
Jiiiied  States  into  a 
e  mone)  othe  pro- 
ntc  with  Stevenson, 
rade,  "  that  by  such 
ng  the  competition. 

ICC,  though  not  rati- 
52,25  to  SI ;  Specie, 
)  on  Monday ;  U.  S. 
1  -2  of  par.  "  In  no 
lot  thinlf  that  priva- 
Of  the  bravery  of 

irt.  Will  Irishmen, 
Court,  by  means  of 
is  unceasing,  rooted 
in  .such  a  case  I  I 
lia  riors  and  church 
e  won.  England,  if 
dready  with  France. 
•  that  there  is  not,  it 
ot  to  be,  and  I  hope 
a  one  as  England's 

J  extend  the  area  of 

•ation  to  Texas,  and 
ovided  the  said  slave 
(brosaid.  Congress 
,  bringing  their  Saves 
slaves  were  held  in 
shall  any  slaveholder 
iless  he  or  she  shall 
;  per.'^on  of  African 
in  the  repudlic,  with- 

ihe  shrewd  and  far- 
l  been  uecessaiy.  I 
ion  or  negro  slavery 
lorth  without  aboli- 
isively  known,  than 
through  the  instru- 


O'CONNTLL  ON  POLK,  AVAR,  SLAVERY  AND  TEXAS. 


273 


mentality  cf  citizens  of  the  United  States.  Equally  true  is  it  thrt  this  was  done  not  only 
against  the  '.vishes,  but  in  direct  contradiction  of  the  best  cHoris  oi Cu''  governmei.)  to  prevent 
our  citizens  from  engaging  in  thi;  entcrprisL'."  Houston,  Jackson,  i-'wartwont  and  Polk  could 
have  contradicted  the  Initcr  assertion,  but  it  Wtis  useless.  1  he  JM.gui  ge  ol  Mr.  Clay  wa.«,  "  I 
am  decidedly  opposed  to  the  wimciliate  annexotiM  oflexrs  to  tlie  L'l.iicd  fct;.tes.  i  think  it 
would  be  dif^honoi'i-ble,  might  involve  them  in  war,  would  be  d;  ngeious  to  the  integrity  End 
harmony  of  the  Union,  mil,  if  yll  these  objections  were  removed,  could  not  be  efleeted  accord- 
ing to  i.ny  infonnntion  I  possess,  upon  just  ;.nd  admissible  conditions."  And  Jackson,  on  the 
brink  of  eternity,  e  (cli'.inied,  "  Let  Polk,  Dallas,  and  Texas,  be  t!ie  waieliword  and  counter- 
sign— and  Clay  and  his  friend  Frclinghuy.scn,  t/ie  friend  aho  pJ  aldit  on,  for  which  he  .spujns 
at  Texas,  will  be  overwhelmed  by  the  unanimous  Voice  of  thcVouih."  Ytt  wlien  Pakenham 
v/as  invading  Louisiann,  Jackson,  on  December  18,  I8l4,  addressed  his  black  sokli«;rs  in  an- 
other strain.  He  said:  "Soklieis  !  When  on  the  banks  of  the  Mobile,  I  called  you  to  tike 
up  arms,  inviting  you  to  partake  the  perils  and  glory  of  your  white  fellow  citizen.s,  1  expected 
much  from  you ;  tor  I  was  not  igriorant  that  you  possessed  qualities  niott  formidable  to  an  in- 
vading enemy.  I  knew  with  what  fortitude  you  could  endure  hunger  and  thirst,  and  all  the 
fatigues  of  a  campaign.  I  knew  well  how  you  k'VeJ  your  native  country,  and  that  you  had, 
as  well  as  ourselves,  to  defend  what  man  holds  ir.o;  idci  V — his  parent- ,  relations,  wife,  children 
and  property.  Vou  have  done  more  than  I  expee'.^  J.  ,'i  addition  to  the  previous  qualities  I 
before  knew  you  to  possers,  I  found,  moreover,  h.-.li;:'  you  a  noble  entliusiusm, which  leads  to 
the  performance  of  great  tiiii;gs." 

shall  such  men  as  these  be  denied  the  right  oi  \'  .\r.^,  by  T  .'  Convention,  next  June? 

The  two  most  ii.fliienti;  I  men  in  Ireland  aie  Daniel  O'C  .nnrli  and  Theobald  Mathew; 
they  have  united  in  an  invitation  to  the  Irish  here  lo  orp  -e  s!a.>'r;,.  In  the  rffia'al  publica- 
tion of  O'Connell's  speech  in  Conciliation  Hall,  M;.n-h  Mh,  JSlJj'h?  'h'>:;  warned  our  pre- 
tended democrats  where  Ireland  would  be  found  whenever  til;  alahijt  rtijht  be  made  to  real- 
ize Calhoun's  idea  of  adding  all  Mexico  to  the  republic. 

From  the  Dublin  Freeman's  Joiir:':!l. 

Mr.  O'Connei.l. — "  I  regard  with  horror  the  annexation  o''  another  slave  state  to  the  Ame- 
''ican  Union.  Sir,  no  good  is  to  be  bought  by  the  slightest  Lomi.tinc  ot  evil,  and  1  condemn, 
and  I  deplore,  and  I  denounce  the  augmentation  ot  hnma.!  inifiyilTt  must  result  by  the 
annexation  of  another  slave  .nate.  They  talk  about  the  I  ildr  e.'-s  oi  M/.  1- oik's  message — in 
one  point  it  1  etrays  arrant  cowardice— ^I  will  not  condeso  ml  to  miiuc  the  word.  In  talk- 
ing of  slavery  \r>  the  States,  Mr.  Polk  has  not  the  courage  lo  e;  'I  it  by  its  proper  name. 
He  docs  not  sp^ak  of  the  Americans  upholding  slavery  ivxl  jossc.s.sing  slaves,  but  l.e 
glosses  over  the  ini'amnus  tratiic  by  styling  it  by  the  delicate  exj-ression  of  a  'domestic 
institution.'  Domestir  institution!  Mr.  Polk,  it  is  Slavery!  Mr.  Polk,  it  is  huckstering 
in  human  flesh  (loud  ehLvrs),     It  is  a  loathsome,  an  execrable"  system  that  makes  mi,n  the  pio- 

Ceriy  of  his  fellow;  it  is  buying  and  selling  man  created  alter  the  image  of  God,  redeemed 
y  the  blood  of  his  Son,  and  bearing  upon  his  brow  the  impress  of  the  Eternal  seal,  it  is 
buying  and  selling  him,  I  say,  as  though  he  were  the  beast  of  the  field  that  giazes,  and 
not  a  deathless  being  marked  out  for  an  immortal  redeniftion,  the  heir  of  a  heavenly  in- 
heritance, and  designed  for  a  destiny  so  glorious  that  the  mind  of  mm  is  dazzled  in  ccn- 
templaiing  it.  And  I  am  to  be  told"  that  slavery  is  'a  domestic  institution'  (hear,  hear)! 
Out  upon  those  who  would  make  it  so !  I  love  my  country,  but  I  would  aeeept  of  no  ad- 
vantage to  my  country  through  the  medium  of  such  a  crime.  I  want  no  American  aid  if  it 
comes  across  "the  Atlantic  stained  with  negro  blood,  and  from  my  soul  I  despise  any  govein- 
ment,  which,  while  it  boasts  of  liberty,  is  guilty  of  slavery,  ll.e  greatest  crime  that  can  be 
committed  by  humanity  against  humanity.  The  right  to  ficetlom  liepends  not  on  the  hue 
of  the  skin ;  if  it  did,"  who  shall  decide"  upon  what  hue  is  the  favored  one  (hear,  hear) 
—seeing  that  all  eves  do  not  delight  in  the  same  colour^  No  matier  under  what  s] ecious 
term  it  may  disguise  it.self,  slavery  is  still  hideous.  It  has  a  natural,  an  inevitable  tendency 
lo  brutalize  every  noble  faculty  of  man.  Let  not  America  iniagii:e  that  this  boaftJjig  of 
liberty  makes  her  name  respected.  No,  for  as  the  asscitiun  of  viitue  is  a  prcof  of  hypo- 
crisy, if  the  virtue  be  not  practised,  so  the  attempt  to  proclaim  liberty  heeomes  blasphemous 
when  we  see  three  millions  of  human  beings  stimulated  and  torn  by  the  lash — the  husband 
separated  from  the  wife,  and  fie  children  from  the  parents,  and  sent  into  distant  and  remote 
plantations  never  more  to  beho.d  the  lace  of  a  father  or  the  smiles  of  a  mother  (hear,  hear, 
and  loud  cheering.]  And  vet  those  who  are  ready  to  uphold  that  systri.i  ;.ie  the  people  that 
dare  talk  to  me  of  liberty.  "*  ♦  ♦  *  We  tell  them  fiom  this  spot  th;.t  tliey  em  have  us— 
that  the  throne  of  Victoria  can  be  made  perfectly  secure — the  hoeor  ol  liie  Briti.sh  Empire 
maintained,  and  the  American  Eagle,  in  its  highest  pride,  brought  dow  n.  Let  th'^m  but 
conciliate  us  and  do  us  ju.stiee,  and  they  will  have  us  enlisted  under  the  banner  of  Victoria — 
let  them  but  give  us  the  Parliament  in  College-jiieen,  and  Oregon  shall  be  theirs  pnd  Texas 
shall  be  harmless  (cheers).  While  England  was  not  threatened  by  America,  as  long  as  she 
was  in  a  state  to  compel  submission,  so  long  we  heard  nut  a  word  of  conciliating  Ireland  ^ 


hy.  . 


274 


NEORO  VOTINO  AND  PATllIOTISM.      BUMNER^ND  UPSHUR. 


■11 ''.       ■'      ■ 


■ill. 


!'r-v^--''':v> 


ir.'-^   ■';' 

i^ '■■■•■■•: 


I; 


.'.i' ".-, 


•  ■  -t.  ■  .■  -f 


bm  the  moment  the  Oregon  territory  became  a  bone  of  contention,  that  war  was  threatened 
and  that  there  appearetl  no  solution  but  the  sword  for  the  tangled  web  of  affairs,  then  is  Ire! 
land  recollected,  then  concessions  are  spoken  of  (cheers.)  1  repeat,  when  they  want  us  they 
shall  have  us  (continued  cheers.)  I  have  lelt  it  my  dmy  to  otfer  these  remarks,  again  to 
pronounce  my  detestation  of  human  slavery,  and  my  a.ssurance  to  Englanu  that  she  cannot 
obtain  us  by  ;>w/«n«a  concessions,  that  she  can  however  obtain  the  beating  heart  and  the 
ready  hand  of  Ireland,  but  she  mast  pay  the  price  that  all  rational  men  will  assent  to,  libenv 
and  justice,  (great  cheering.)" 

I  apprehend,  that.  In  case  of  war,  Ireland  will  be  less  in  the  way  of  Britain  than  the  south- 
erti  slaves  in  that  of  their  owners,  who  are  already  so  terrified  and  unhappy  that  everythiti" 
that  can  be  done  is  done  to  keep  the  whiles  in  ignorance  lesi  the  blacks  also  become  ehiighu 
ened.  If  not  so,  how  is  it  that  we  find  in  North  Carolina,  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  Virginia, 
&c.,  hundreds  of  thousands  as  uneducated  as  Hottentots  1  If  such  as  they  can  vote  lor  slavery 
over  us  and  their  blacks  also,  much  as  1  dislike  to  see  the  suffrage  extendeil  h>  any  class  who 
are  not  educated,  I  shall  vote  for  those  delegates  to  the  convention  who  are  believed  to  be  the 
most  willing  to  raise  the  oppressed  African  to  the  lull  dignity  of  northern  freeilom.  There  is 
a  risk,  1  admit,  but  it  is  on  the  honest  side,  and  good  may  come  out  of  it.  Black  men  are  as 
kind-hearted,  as  skilful,  as  ingenious,  as  faithful,  and  as  deserving  of  encouragement  as 
white  men.  When  Charles  Sumner  of  Boston,  and  R.  W.  l£merson  were  asked  to  lecture 
before  the  New  Bedford  Lyceum,  they  refused  because  negioes  were  excluded  from  equal 
rights.    Sumner's  refusal  contained  the  following  remarks : 

"  It  is  well  known  that  the  prejudice  of  color,  which  is  akin  to  the  stern  and  selfish  spirit  that 
holds  a  fellow-man  in  slavery,  is  peculiar  to  our  country.  All  will  remember  the  two  youths 
of  African  blood,  who  gained  the  highest  honors  in  the  College  at  Paris  in  the  winter  of  IfW, 
and  dined  the  same  day  with  the  King  of  France,  the  descendant  of  St.  Louis,  and  of  Louis 
the  Great,  at  the  palace  of  the  Tuileries.  In  Paris,  I  have  sat  for  weeks,  at  the  School  of 
Law,  on  the  same  benches  with  colored  persons,  listeninsr,  like  myself,  to  the  learned  lectures 
of  Degerando,  and  of  Rossi;  nor  do  I  remember  observing  in  the  tlirung  of  sensitive  young 
men  by  whom  they  were  surroumled,  any  feeling  toward  them  except  of  companionship  and 
respect.  In  Italy,  at  the  Convent  of  Palozzuola,  on  the  shores  nf  the  Alban  Lake,  and  un 
the  site  of  the  ancient  Alba  Longa,  I  have  seen  for  several  days  a  native  of  Abyssinia,  only 
recently  conducted  from  his  torrid  home,  and  ignorant  of  the  language  that  was  spoken 
about  him,  yet  mingling  with  the  Franciscan  Friars,  whase  guest  he  was,  in  delightful  and 
affectionate  familiarity.  In  these  examples  maybe  discerned  the  proper  influence  of  the 
'.!   'stian  spirit." 

i  .ntend  to  support  native  Americans  in  their  right  to  self-government,  whatever  be  their 
■=  'lOr,  although  some  of  them  were  a  little  too  bitter  against  Europeans  who  live  Jiere.  The 
conduct  of  colored  people  in  Canada,  and  a  careful  perusal  of  the  reports  from  the  British 
West  Indies,  which  show  the  good  results  that  have  arisen  from  educating,  liberating,  and 
^rusting  the  blacks,  have  fortified  me  in  this  resolution.  A  colored  man,  who  had  been  in  the 
state's  prison,  committed  a  ftnv  days  since  a  drccidful  murder  in  this  state.  Had  he  lx;en  cared 
for  in  youth,  educated,  treated  as  a  fellow  creature,  and  not  degraded,  such  a  crime  would 
have  been  terrible  to  him,  even  to  think  of  The  English  speak  in  higli  terms  of  some  ol 
their  black  troops.  Washington  confided  inarmed  negroes;  so  did  Jackson,  and  he  gave 
them  very  high  praise  too ;  Hammond  says  that  General  Root  and  Colonel  Young,  "  during 
the  most  perilous  period  of  the  late  war,"  voted  lor  a  law  for  raising  a  regiment  of  blacks. 
Why  then  hinder  tnem  from  voting  ■? 


How  do  wc  know  that  1 


Because  they  are  not  so  well  informed  as  the  whites! 
And  if  we  did  know  it,  shall  the  black  man  who  cannot  write  be 


driven  from  the  noils,  and  whiles  who  have  oppressed  his  race  allowed  to  vote,  though  ecjuall 
ignorant]  On  tne  '>Jd  '>!' August,  1814,  the  darkest  days  of  the  last  war,  the  N.  V.  Evenin^, 
Post,  under  the  caption  of  "  Patriotism  of  the  Africans,"  says :  "  This  morning,  Ijetween  800 
and  1000  of  the  hardy  and  patriotic  sons  of  Africa,  accompanied  by  a  delightful  band  of  music 
and  appropriate  flags,  crossed  the  ferry  at  Cattiarine  slip,  to  work  on  the  fortifications  at 
Brooklyn  heights.  These  men,  knowing  the  value  of  freedom,  are  anxious  to  defend  it,  and 
too  much  praise  cannot  be  bestowed  on  them  for  their  voluntary  exertions."  How  are  their 
race  rewarded  ■?  Marc v  proposed  to  crush  abolition  by  penal  enactments ;  Congress  spurns 
petitions;  Van  Buren  bad  the  Grampus  stationed  off  New  Haven,  to  clutch  and  deliver  tu 
mstant  death  in  Cuba,  the  innocent  negroes  of  the  Amistead;  and  in  Virginia,  if  free  negroes 
or  their  childrci,  assemble  at  a  .school  to  learn  reading  and  writing,  any  justice  may  (lisniiM 
them  with  iwc.Uy  stripes  on  each  scholar's  back.  Yet  judge  Upshur,  the  U.  K.  occVeiary  of 
State,  in  his  vi'ill,  made  free  his  black  slave,  David  Rich,  with  the  following  certificate  of 
character:  "  I  recommend  him  in  the  strongest  manner  to  the  respect,  esteem, and  confidence 
of  any  community  in  which  he  may  happen  to  live.  He  has  been  my  slave  for  twenty-four 
years,  during  all  which  time  he  has  been  trusted  to  every  extent,  and  in  every  respect.  My 
confidence  in  him  has  been  unbounded ;  his  relation  to  myself  and  family  has  always  been 
such  as  to  afford  him  daily  opportunities  to  deceive  and  injure  us,  and  yet  he  has  never  been 


hcav( 
your  IK 

"1 
anothc 
by  whi 
ington, 
soul.tc 
as  a  pr 
lie  of 
cause, 
nboliti 
memo 
hurribi 
M.  W 

"Tl 
terous 
on  the 
the 
nursec 
peculi 
pravci 
endur 
am!  tl 
trial, 
than 

AnI 

dec  la  f 

[the 

cannl 


ID  UPSHUR. 


CHECKS  ON   VOTING.       INDIAN  FKIU.INCS.      JKFI  r.HSOX  ON  SLAVERY.   275 


hat  war  was  threatened, 
L'bof  affairs,  then  is  Ire. 
when  ihey  want  us  they 
these  remarks,  again  to 
Englanu  that  she  cannot 
beating  heart  and  the 
lien  will  assent  to,  libenv 


f  Britain  than  the  south- 
unhappy  that  everything 
cks  also  become  ehlight. 
ky,  Tennessee,  Virginia, 

lliey  can  viue  for  slavery 
xtentieii  to  any  class  who 
lio  are  believed  to  be  the 
them  freedom.  There  is 
of  it.     Black  men  are  as 

g  ol'  encouragement  as 
on  were  asked  to  lecture 
ere  excluded  from  equal 

stern  and  selfish  spirit  that 

remember  the  two  youihs 

aris  in  the  winter  of  IH3H, 

)f  St.  Louis,  and  of  Louis 

r  weeks,  at  the  School  of 

t-lf,  to  the  learned  lectures 

ihrung  of  sensitive  young 

pt  of  companionship  and 

f  the  Alban  Lake,  and  un 

;  native  of  Abyssinia,  only 

msunf^e  that  was  spoken 

.  he  was,  in  delightful  and 

le  proper  influence  of  the 

■rnmeiit,  whatever  be  their 
pcans  who  live  liere.  The 
le  reports  from  the  British 

educating,  liberating,  and 

man,  who  had  been  in  the 
;  state.  Had  lie  lx;en  cared 
raded,  such  a  crime  would 
in  higli  terms  of  some  ot 

did  Jackson,  and  he  gave 
.1  Colonel  Young,  "  during 
ling  a  regiment  of  blacks. 
II  informed  as  the  whites ! 

man  who  cannot  write  k 
wed  to  vote,  though  ecjuall' 
ist  war,  the  N.  Y.  Evenin^ 
riiis  morning,  between  800 

a  delightful  band  of  music 
urk  on  the  fortifications  at 
e  anxious  to  defend  it,  and 
exertions."  How  are  their 
ictmenls ;  Congress  spurns 
n,  to  clutch  and  deliver  tu 


ill  Virginia,  if  free  negroes 
j^,  any  justice  may  dismiss 
I'ur,  the  U.  S.  occretary  of 
he  loUowing  ccriificate  of 
lect,  esteem,  and  confidence 
a  my  slave  for  twenty-four 
and  in  every  respect.  My 
id  family  has  always  been 
and  yet  he  has  never  been 


diiectc.l  in  any  suriinis  lanlt,  r.or  even  in  ;  i,  ii.i.'ntioni  1  brci.ch  olil.eiierunniis  ol  Lis  siaiii.n. 
//,<  lit  II  j^iii  r  ,.';  (_/  //  /(  i'/d  iin'tr,  /is  iiiUur  lij  a,  i.c  (//'.  ShUju,  .tn,  i  nd  liis  ^el.^e  (J'  right  i  nd 
[ii.i|  rieiy  cotici  i"nil  i-veu  rcfi:  ed.  Ii  is  lUie  ii.  hi.-  K  n^  iii  d  li.ill  liil  >eivi('  s,  ;.;a  ;o  il  e  M'n- 
ccrc  un.i  stt!;i,iy  .ri'/nasliij)  w.iicti  1  bo,  r  in  in.  iii  tiie  u.iiiiter:ii_  led  i.nd  c^niiduiii  ai  iii  citoiire 
ol  tue.  ty-lbiir  ycc.rs,  I  have  never  given,  noi  iuid  (.'ccasiun  to  give  l.im  ;.n  uiiilcaMint  uord. 
I  I.mjw  fiJ  ni.Tii  wi.ii  has  icwc  Iniilis  nr  inure  (.'.vcellLncics  tlii  n  It." 

Niipvilejn  si.iii  ol' '1  ouss;  ini  L'Ouveriuie  ol  !-t.  Doihiiigu  ;  " 'I  he  1 1;  ck  Ic; der  possessed 
ei;er;ry,  CvUirrge,  mu!  g'cai  sk.li."  'I  liiriy-i\\\;  eiliior-  oi  jul.iic  jouiiii.ls  in  il.e  West  indies, 
are  iniiliiiti'.'s,  !iul  noi  .n  low  ol  the  h'^'lshaurs  liiere  ire  LliiCk. 

Th"  i.onvonii.iii  'ji'  I8"Ji  declared  ilial  ^ei.aiors  uf  N.  V.  nii;si  be  ficelnMofs,  lui  thct  As- 
seinlilviiien  i;eed  not  le.  li  tv^o  M-];iiLle  lioii>cs  are  iei,iiisii'.',  os]  ociLlly  lor « ]  j  oin  iiiei  ts 
:ii:d  e.^:ec■uive  liiisiiicss,  why  not  iilmcc  i.  dislinciion,  ar.d  give  us  c.ii  i.risiici;cj  ol  ii.iclltcl  ! 
'I'o  do  this,  ji  is  i.;i:»-  i  ec:.>'A''»y  to  |  luvu'e  U.i.i  m  ne  shi.ll  vole  tLr  C  o\e'i,i.r  r\  d  fc.'cnaie  Viho 
cai  iKt  roid  ai.ii  V.  rile,  ic;  ;\  ing  tl.c  A.-mit  1  '\,  k.v.  ;  s  t.t  j  'tscr.t.  'i  his  wci  hi  le .',  ic]  1 1  licrn 
cl.cc.v  I.K'  lie  true  >uH.  'Wl,)-  ^Loi.ld  Lite  clns.-  i.mui  g  i;s  iiy  to  cm:  r.j^c  ti  e  .nci;  n,  rnciher 
Uio  negri),  ,;ii  nlier  tiic  catlioilc,  ;.nd  ainjiher  the  Luruiej^n  einig'';  n's  i  is  r.oi  L,\ir  si-eigili  in 
union  ;  Beiit-r  i!p'  inoiunry  oi'  ancieii  kinuiioss  tlian  ol  ;,i:cieni  fraud  end  di  ceit.  Mr.  An- 
derson of  'ieniicssoe,  in  Soniite,  .i;m.  8,  Ib'll,  told  of  liie  eficcis  of  Butler,  Van  Luren,Cass, 
and  Jr.cksoii's  Indian  diplomacy,  with  the  Creeks  and  Cherokees,  whose  memorials  Congress 
cuniemned.     He  said: 

"Pence!  Peace!  Security  with  the  Indinn !  It  is  but  a  dream!  He  but  reposes  for  a 
season  in  the  enjoyment  of  ")'our  favors  until  that  day  shall  arrive  when  he  flushes  with  the 
hope  of  blood  ;-.nd  revenge.  Tiie  recollection  of  the  injuries  yon  have  inflicted;  the  lands 
you  hfive  taken,  the  wounded  pride  you  have  huinhled,  the  very  tribute  under  which  you  have 
placed  him,  keeps  the  fire  of  hatred  unquer.chcd,  and  fiercely  liiining  in  his  bosom  !  He  will 
receive  your  gilts,  extend  his,  hand  for  your  annuities,  but  instead  ol  lurnii.g  liis  face  upon  the 
bleak  passes  ol  the  Rockv  Mountains',  and  descending  upon  (he  coast  of  California,  lie  will 
patiently  await  the  period' when  events,  guided  by  the  potent  hrnd  of  his  old  ally,  shall  call 
him  to  the  war-path  r.nd  the  battle  field,  lie  wi,l  then  remcmler,  not  your  bounties,  but  your 
(riuraph.«,  and  he  will  prepare,  in  a  more  formidable  shape  than  at  any  former  { eriod,  lor  uniting 
his  kindred  tribes  in  one  solid  league  again.st  j-our  frontier  bretiireri." 

Are  we  to  make  the  negrors  our  deadly  enemies  also?  Calhoun  tells  us  (Jan.  IS37),  that 
"  A  mysterious  Providence  has  brought  two  races  of  men  together  into  this  country  from  diK 
ferent  parts  of  the  earth;  the  Eurojenn  to  be  the  master,  and  the  African  the  slave.  Thfse 
relations  cannot  be  overthrown ;  and  every  society  founded  on  the  principle  oJ  sfparating 
them  is  acting  on  a  basis  of  error."  Polk  lugged  in  Providence  into  his  pro-slavery  inau- 
gural, Van  Huron  borrowed  it  for  his  epistles  to  Jesse,  and  even  Calhoun  condescends  to  insult 
heaven  by  pretending  that  it  is  a  parly  to  a  daring  violation  of  Christ's  commandment  to  love 
your  neighbor  as  yourself! 

"  i  never  mean,  unless  some  particular  circumstances  shall  compel  me  to  it,  to  possess 
another  slave  by  purchase,  it  being  g^^among  iny  first  wishes,  ^'^  fj-io  see  some  plan  adopted 
by  which  slnveiy  in  this  country  may  be  abolished  by  law."  '1  htis  wrote  the  gieat  Wash- 
ington, the  father  of  his  country,  to  Sir  John  Sinclair;  and  although  the  darling  wish  of  his 
soul,  to  remove  the  blot  olslaveiy  I'roin  his  beloved  country,  was  not  iulfilled,  he  lell  his  example, 
as  a  precept  to  po.'-terity.  The  slaves  of  Geoige  Washington  were  made  Iree;  and  the  man- 
tle of  Elijah  may  have  fallen  on  the  chosen  Elisha,  whose  power  and  energy  in  a  glorious 
cause,  will  yet  give  a  universal  reality  to  the  declaration  of  independence,  so  that  our  great 
abolition  leader's  prayers  may  have  a  speedy,  peaceful,  and  glorious  accomplishment.  The 
memorable  conloinporary  of  Washington,  Thomas  Jefierson,  felt  the  same  detestation  of  this 
horrible  system;  and,  having  beheld  its  effects,  from  his  youth  upward,  stated  in  a  letter  to 
M.  Waie'ville,  Paris,  February,  1788,  that 

"The  whole  commerce  between  Master  and  Slave  is  a  perpetual  exerci.se  of  the  most  bois- 
terous passions ;  the  most  unremitting  despotism  on  the  one  part  and  degrading  submission 
on  the  other.  The  parent  storms,  the  child  looks  on,  catches  the  lineaments  of  wrath,  puts  on 
the  same-  airs  in  the  circle  of  sinallor  slaves,  gives  loo.-e  to  his  worst  passioas,  and  thus 
nursed,  educated  and  daily  exercised  in  tyranny,  cannot  but  be  stamped  by  it  with  odious 
peculiarities.  The  man  must  he  a  prodigy  who  can  retain  his  manners  and  morals  unde- 
praved  by  such  circuinsi<inecs.  'What  an  incomprehensible  machine  is  man  !  Who  can 
endure  toil,  latnine,  stripes,  imprisonment,  ami  deaih  itself,  in  vindictilion  of  his  own  liberty, 
and  the  next  moment  be  deal' to  all  those  motives  whose  power  supported  him  through  his 
trial,  and  inflict  on  his  lellow  men  a  bondage,  one  iiour  of  which  is  fraught  with  more  misery 
than  ages  of  that  which  he  rose  in  rebellion  to  oppose." 

And  when  writing,  in  1821,  the  memoir  prefixed  to  his  [Jefferson's]  correspondence,  he 
declared,  that  "  nothing  is  more  certainly  written  in  the  book  of  fate,  than  that  these  people 
[the  slaves  of  the  U.  S.J  are  to  be  free  ;  nor  is  it  more  certain  that  the  two  races,  equally  free, 
cannot  live  in  the  same  government.    Nature,  habit,  ipinion,  have  drawn  indelible  lijies  of 


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976     ILAVE  OWNERS  DE8CRTBIH0  SLAVBRY.     THE  CANADA  REVOLT. 


1 .  ■  ■ 


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distinction  between  them."  He  [an  abolitionist  of  50  years  standing]  adds  his  opinion,  that  if 
gradual  emancipation  and  deportation  arc  not  resorted  to,  the  terrible  example  of  the  deletion 
of  the  Moors  in  Spain  will  be  far  exceeded  here.  He  calls  the  slaves  his  "suffering 
brethren,"  and  invokes  heaven  for  their  deliverance.  How  justly  and  liberally  the  Methodist 
clergy  are  acting  in  this  matter,  and  what  a  nowerful  impress  did  John  Wesley  niake  of  his 
free  spirit  upon  nis  successors!  John  Randolph  of  Roanoke,  said  in  his  will,  "  I  eive  and 
baqueath  to  all  my  slaves  their  free  lorn,  H^  heartily  rc;.?ietting  th;it  I  have  ever  been  trie  owner 
of  one.".F3  He  {iequeathed  SSOJJ,  in  trust,  for  the  removal  of  his  slaves  to  some  other  state, 
to  settle  ihem  there  comlbrtably,  Thomas  Jeflerson  R mdolph,  in  the  legislature  of  Virginia^ 
in  1832,  declared  that  Virginia  had  been  converted  into  5j'"one  grand  menagerie,  where 
men  are  reared  for  the  m:irket  like  oxen  for  the  shambles."^:!  The  same  gentleman  thus 
compared  the  Alrican  with  the  Virginia,  or  domestic,  shive  trade:  "0°The  [Aliican] 
53r  trader  receives  the  slave,  a  stranger  in  aspect,  language,  and  manner,  tiom  the  merchant 
53p  who  wrought  him  from  the  interior.  But  here,  sir,  [in  rBKE  Virginia,]  individuals  whom 
J3*  the  m.ister  has  known  from  infancy — whom  he  has  seen  sporting  in  the  innocent  gam- 
f;^  bols  of  childhood— who  have  been  accustomed  to  look  to  him  for  protection,  he  te.irs  from 
J3r  the  mother's  arms,  and  sells  into  a  strange  country,  among  a  strange  people,  subject  to 
Jj"  cruel  taskmasters.  In  my  opinion  it  is  much  worse."  In  the  same  session,  Mr.  Moore 
declared  that  slavery  was  destroying  morality  and  virtue  in  the  commonwealth — that  the  de- 
sire  of  freedom  being  the  inevitable  consequence  of  intelligence,  the  owners  of  slaves,  from 
policy,  kept  them  in  profound  ignorance — that  such  ignorance  prevented  the  slave  from 
judging  between  right  an  I  wrong,  and  brought  into  action  all  the  vicious  projiensities  of  op- 
pressed human  nature — that  the  slave  looked  on  the  whites  as  leagued  in  mflicting  the  many 
wrongs  endured  by  his  race,  and  thus  became  revengeful — that  "  the  indiscriminate  inter- 
course of  the  sexes,"  among  the  slaves  was  very  demoralizing — that  at  no  distant  day  slavery 
would  "end  in  a  servile  war  which  would  continue  till  the  land  was  red  with  human  blood, 
and  either  the  whites  or  the  blacks  wholly  exterminated" — and  "that  this  war  would  be  com- 
menced the  moment  the  blacks  should  become  so  numerous  as  to  give  rise  to  a  hope  that 
they  could  burst  the  bands  that  bound  them  to  the  soil.  The  Presbyterian  Synod  of  Kcntuck7 
thus  officially  describes  slavery,  as  it  is  daily  passing  under  their  eyes:  "This  system  li- 
censes and  produces  great  cruelty.  Mangling,  impri.sonment,  starvation,  every  sjwcies  of 
torture  may  be  inflicted  upon  the  slave  and  he  has  no  redress.  There  arc  now  in  our  whole 
land  two  millions  of  human  beings,  exposed,  defenceless,  to  every  insult  and  every  injury 
short  of  maiming  or  death,  which  their  fellow  men  may  chooss  to  inflict.  They  suffer  all  that 
can  be  inflicted  by  wanton  caprice,  by  grasping  avarice,  by  brutal  lust,  hy  malignant  spite, 
and  by  insane  anger.  Their  happiness  is  the  sport  of  every  whim,  and  the  prey  of  every 
passion  that  may,  occasionally,  or  liabitunl'y,  infest  the  master's  bosom.  If  we  could  calcu- 
late the  amount  of  woe  endured  by  ill-treated  slaves,  it  wonkl  overwhelm  every  compassion- 
ate heart — it  would  move  even  the  obdurate  to  sympathy."  By  the  Texas  constitution,  a!l 
flree  blacks  are  to  be  banished  for  the  crime  of  not  being  bondsmen.  On  the  12th  of  Februni^-, 
1837,  the  H.  of  R.  of  our  free  Congress,  voted  "  that  shives  do  not  possess  the  right  of  petition 
secured  to  the  people  by  the  U.  S.  constitution  ;"  thus  denying  millions  of  poor,  oppressed 
wretches  a  right  which  from  int'incy  to  old  age  is  given  by  the  Goil  of  i-lcaven  to  the  poorest 
of  his  creatures,  the  right  of  the  sufferer,  in  his  pain,  to  entrent  for  succor  and  aid  from  the 
hand  of  wisdom,  justice,  and  mercy.  Millions  of  poor  slaves  arc  represented  by  pretended 
southern  friends  on  the  floor  of  Congress — this  slave  rc|iresenlation  gives  pie-iclenls  to  the 
republic,  controls  its  patronage,  protects  southern  onpression  by  its  power  over  the  army  and 
navy,  bargains  with  northern  cupidity  to  degrade  free  iri-^iitntions,  and  make  'hem  a  mock- 
ery and  a  reproach  throughout  liurope.  it  co;urncteil  with,  hired,  and  duly  pral  as  a  gilded 
puppet,  that  "northern  m:in  with  southern  principles,"  Martin  Van  Bureii. 

I  earneitly  desired  to  see  Canada  free  from  British  piwer,  in  1H3H.  Had  m\'  wishes  been 
fulfilled  she  would  now  have  teen  ruled  by  the  Polks  and  the  Marcys,  the  Houstons  and  the 
Cambrelengs,  the  South  Carolina  and  Virginia  slave  bired.'rs  and  slave  owners,  the  union 
of  Tammany  Hall  stock  and  office  brolcers,  with  Mississippi  bl.-cklegsand  Tennessee  ■.mtrintf; 
while  the  poor  slaves  whom  they  would  tear  from  the  arms  of  liberty  at  the  farthest  cornersof 
the  earth,  would  have  had  their  chains  again  riveted.  Few  were  more  ardent  than  myself  in 
their  wishes  that  "  Van  Buren  and  freedom  "  might  be  successful  in  1H3(».  I  have  since  found 
out  iJiat  there  may  b3  more  faithful  mirrors  of  his  democracy  found  than  Holl;  nd's  Life,  and 
should  be  sorry  to  see  the  freeman's  arm  lifted  against  C;  nada  while  the  power  of  the  repub- 
lic in  the  south  is  wielded  by  hypocrisy,  and  the  avarice  of  dealers  in  human  fljsh  ministered 
to,  in  order  that  both  whites  and  blacks  may  remain  in  degraded  ignorance. 

"  Ah  !  little  th>>ii|!lit  1  when  In  yiuuli'i  wiinii  honr,  alowln);  indiL'nnnt  iit  tynnnlr  fiowcr, 
1  turned  In  fincy  tci  th  it  hii|'t>y  iHntI,  whoju  mi  iler  litivs  victiiriiuM  pitridis  jilimned, 
Thiit  I  shiiulil  ever  .^ee  h  rviiinn  there,  where  ihirk  npiiression  urfie.t  ii>  ilespnir; 
And  treeduni'it  ulmiiiir,  anil  the  netiro's  crie'',  in  wUilest  dlssiiiiiiiicc  ciiMiiiiiiijiliiiK  rise." 

Three  weeks  after  Congress  had  resolved  that  the  injured  African  was  unworthy  and  unfit 
to  be  listened  to,  il'he  complained  of  oppression— and  near  to  the  time  at  which  Judge  Law* 


becoming 


" '  I  do 
States,  an 
United 
self,  wher 
most  audi 
the  press, 
to  design 
since  ind 
brutality 
victims  i 
deserved 
decorous 
pro-slav( 
regard  o 
This  is 
paper,  it 
Question 
tne  cond 
sbockinj 


Ida  revolt. 

!dd»  his  opinion,  that  If 
xamplo  ol"  the  deletion 
.slaves  his  "  mffering 
liberally  the  Methodist 
|ri  Wesley  make  of  his 
his  will,  "  I  give  and 
a  ve  ever  been  the  owner 
'vcs  ti)  some  other  state, 
lejjislatnre  of  Virginia^ 
and  iiicnaj:?eric,  where 
same  gentleman  thus 
:  "0=The  [African] 
ner,  tiuin  the  merchant 
nia,]  iiulividuals  whom 
in  the  innocent  gam- 
Iprotcction,  he  te.irs  from 
angc  people,  subject  to 
me  session,  Mr.  Moore 
non wealth — that  the  de- 
owners  of  slaves,  from 
evented  the  .slave  from 
;ious  propensities  of  op- 
d  in  mflicting  the  many 
Ire  indiscriminate  inter- 
at  no  dista  nt  day  slavery 
red  with  human  blooa, 
this  war  would  be  com- 
)  give  ri.se  to  a  hope  that 
;rian  Synod  of  Kentuck7 
eyes:  "This  system  U- 
vation,  every  .sj)ecies  of 
c  arc  now  in  our  whole 
insult  and  every  injury 
nict.    They  suffer  all  that 
ust,  by  malignant  spite, 
,  and  the  prey  of  every 
om.    If  we  could  calcu- 
helm  every  compassion- 
s  Te.xas  constitution,  all 
On  the  I'ithof  Februnr}', 
issess  the  right  of  petition 
llions  of  poor,  oppressed 
of  Heaven  to  the  poorest 
■uccor  and  aid  from  the 
represented  by  pretended 
1  gives  pre-idents  to  the 
nver  over  the  army  and 
n.l  make  'hem  a  mock- 
id  duly  p;-,d  as  a  gilded 
Biiren. 

.  Had  mv  wishes  been 
's,  the  Iloustons  and  the 
slave  owners,  the  union 
sand  Tennessee  ■laliinlf; 
nt  the  farlhe>t  corners  of 
re  ardent  than  myself  in 
1830.  I  have  since  found 
than  Holl;  nd's  Life,  and 
;  the  power  of  the  repnb- 
1  human  flj.sh  ministered 
orance. 

It  tynniilc  i»ower, 
lots  |iliinneil, 
lespHir ; 
iiiiiii)!llrip  rise." 

was  unworthy  and  unfit 
le  at  which  Judge  Law. 


VAN  bttren's  defence  of  slavery  and  mob  violence. 


277 


;e«j  advised  a  Missouri  grand  jury  not  even  to  notice  the  atrocious  facts,  that  Mcintosh,  a  black 
3ian,  had  been  dragged  from  prison,  chained  to  a  trei',  ami  consumjil  near  St.  Louis  bv  aslow  fire, 
not  by  a  few  liends.but  in  pre^cucc  ofan  assem':leil  iiei'^jlihorliDDil— d;  Martin  Van  feuren  come 
lorlh,  on  the  3d  of  Manli,  1837,  to  take  a  solemn  o.iili  toprotrct  anddel'end,  asihe  cliicf  of  the 
republic,  the  star-spangled  banner,  the  flag  of  the  free.  (J,  what  a  mockery  ol'  heaven  that 
«as!  Polk's  more  recent  ministrations,  as  the  hii'li  priest  of  Te.van  tortures,  were  decent  and 
becoming  when  compared  to  Van  tiiiren's. 

"  It  would  seem,  (says  William  Leggelt)lhat  we  have  elevated  Mr.  Van  Buren  to  the  office 
ofPresidenllbr  the  mere  piirpo.>e  that  he  maybe  siave-inustur-in-ciiief  and  a  negro-overseer. 
He  pledged  himself  to  exercise  his  veto  power  against  anything  which  Congress  might  do 
loward  iJie  abolition  of  slavery  for  the  ne.vt  four  years,  without  even  pretending  that  it  was  be- 
yond the  constitutional  competency  of  that  hui\y  to  act  on  the  subjict.  This  threatened  use 
of  the  veto,  by  a  man  standing  on  the  very  ihieshoid  of  the  executive  olTice,  is  the  most  inde- 
cent abase  ol  power,  of  which  any  American  President  was  ever  guihy." 

"For  Mr.  Van  Buren,  standing  on  the  ihreshoM  of  his  adniinisiration  to  announce  to  the 
TOrld  that  he  will  veto  any  bill  which  Congress  may  pass  upon  a  particular  subject,  is  as  gross 
a  breach  of  public  decorum,  and  as  violent  a  stretch  of  his  proper  duties,  as  it  would  be  for  the 
Supreme  Court  to  pass  a  .solemn  resolution,  declaring  that  if  Congress  enacted  such  and  such 
alaw.  they  would  pronounce  it  unconstitutional,  and  set  it  aside  the  moment  ii  should  come  be- 
lore  inera  for  adjudication." 

"Virginia  and  Maryland  may,  in  the  meanwhile,  [i.e.  during  V.B. 'si  years,|  abolish  slavery, 
leaving  the  District  oi' Columbia,  like  a  plague  .spot,  in  iheir  midst;  but  this  will  njut  release 
Mr.  Van  Buren  from  his  pledge.  He  can  never  cimsciit  to  strike  oil' the  fetters  of  the  slave  in 
die  ten  miles  scjuare,  placed  by  the  Con.'^titiition  under  the  exclusive  conirol  ol  the  federal  gov- 
ernment, until  every  state  where  slavery  exists  has  accorded  its  approbation  of  the  mea.sure." 
'Mr.  Van  BurenV  indecent  haste  to  avow  his  predeterminations  en  the  subject  of  slavery, 
(continues  Leggett,)  has  not  even  tiic  merit  of  b()khies.s.  It  is  made  in  a  clinging  spirit  of 
propitiation  to  the  soiuh."  Again,  rage  "291,  Vol.  1  of  Piaindealer:  "We  wish  we  could  be 
convinced  that  it  [the  inaugural  acldres:  ]  is  not  a  cautious,  tiinid,  time-serving  document, 
compo.sed  at  the  instance  of  a  cringing  spirit,  willing  to  propitiate  the  slaveholders  at  the 
expense  of  justice  and  humanity." 

The  recent  disgraceful  riots  in  Lexington,  Kentucky,  the  object  of  which  was  t'~  put  down 
freedom  of  discussion,  anrl  prevent  the  while  pui)ulation  from  knowing  what  cou.d  be  said 
against  slavery,  had  very  nearly  ended  in  the  muider  of  Cassius  M.  Clay,  a  relative  of  Henry 
Clay,  who  had  established  the  '"•  True  Ainei  ican"  there.  1  was  thieatened,  but  not  to  the  like 
extent,  when  I  exposed  Van  Buren's  conleileraies  in  the  Butler  I'ami  hiet.  One  of  Morris's 
post-office  letter  carriers  went  round  vowing  vengeance,  and  other  otileials  talked  foolishly. 
When  the  pamphlet  reached  Chariest. )n,  the  bojkseller  to  whom  it  was  .sent  feared  to  offer  it 
for  sale,  for  Hj'there  was  a  foot  note  somewheie  in  it  against  slavery.  But  the  American  peo- 
ple love  order:  ihey  showed  that  in  the  case  of  Morgan,  and  unless  where  instigated  by  such 
lalse  guides  as  Van  Buren,  all  clas.ses  glory  in  sustaining  the  laws  of  their  coui.try. 

Wa.shington  and  Jefferson  have  sincere  disciples  yet.  Sou'e  of  these,  in  183G  and  1837, 
lectured  on  behalf  of  the  poor  negroe-s,  others  published  newspapers  to  in.struei  the  millions 
about  slavery.  One  editor  was  shot  dead — several  presses  were  trampled  to  the  ground,  and 
burnings  and  violent  riots  had  intimidated  some  very  sincere  Irieniis  of  equal  rights.  To  the 
astonishment  of  Leggett,  Van  Buren,  in  his  inaugural,  defended  the  guilty  as  a  hired  parti- an 
would  have  done.    In  the  Piaindealer  of  1837,  pages  '22ti  to  '2'M),  Leggett  thus  reproves  him. 

"  'I  do  solemnly  swear  that  I  will  faithfully  execute  the  otfice  of  President  of  the  United 
States,  and  will,  to  the  best  of  my  ability,  preserve,  protect,  i  nd  defend  the  constitution  of  the 
United  States.'  This  was  the  momentous  obligation  Mr.  Van  Buren  had  taken  upon  him- 
self, when  we  find  him  almost  in  the  same  breath,  uttering  words  of  semi-approval  of  the 
most  audacious  and  brutal  conduct,  having  for  its  avowed  object,  to  destroy  the  ficedom  of 
the  press,  and  silence  free  discussion.  . .  .  The  violent  outrages  of  ferocious  ruffians  he  chose 
to  designate  as  mere  outbreaks  of 'popular  indignation,' a  phrase  which  implies  approvtl, 
since  INDIGNATION  couvcys  the  .sense  of  rigiitkols  angkr.  Not  satisfied  with  describing  the 
brutality  and  fierc  mess  of  the  n.  ^bs  by  so  coinniendato!  y  a  term,  he  alluded  to  the  conduct  of  their 
victims  in  language  calculated  to  convey  tiie  ini[;ression  that  they  fj'justly  provoked,  and  fully 
deserved  their  fate,  deserved  all  sorts  of  indignities  and  injuries  for  exercising,  tempcn  tely  and 
decorously,  the  comnione.st  privilege  of  freedom,  the  mere  privilege  of  speech. . .  .Alluding  to  the 
pro-slavery  mobs  and  riots  in  various  parts  of  the  coimlrv,  he  [Van  Buren]  says, '  a  reckless  dis- 
regard of  the  consequences  of  their  conduct  has  ex]  o'ed  ii.dividuals  to  popular  indignetion.' 
This  is  an  admirable  version  of  the  matter.  The  issuing  of  a  temperate  ai.d  decorous  news- 
paper, in  which  a  question  of  great  public  inonient  was  gravely  discussed,  sho\ved  beyond  all 
Question,  a  most '  reckless  disregard  for  consetjuences,' deserving  the  harshest  rebukes;  and 
tne  conduct  of  the  mob  that  broke  up  the  press,  demolished  the  hou'c  which  contained  it,  nl 
ahockiogly  maltreated  the  person  of  the  editor,  was  merely  n^a  naiuial  and  justiOdblA 


i'' 


273       CMVTOV,  KINO,  MARCY,  VAN  DURKN,  jAY  AND  IRVING,  IN  1830. 


ti'-i--'v-. 


1'' 


I 


;  ■  .■ 


'.;•      I . 


%J 


:«!t'-': 


if.    v^  ;.,::,:■,. 


-i  1 1  ,it'' ji^i;)  il;ir  in  li^'tiaiion."'     Tli  »<•  ;ir"  the  opiniiins  of  Lf^^'I'i^  true  Tamttianv 
rat,  j;i  I  iL"  ..•.).i  iiici  iiu'l  liiiix  ia;,'e  ol' Vuii  I'lUivn,  u  prolunJjJ  onj.    Joshua  Lijuviujj 


"  rii,'  II  -w  .*i\.siJLMi  aa>  ,ie  ivervl  ;ii>.  i:iauu;ural  aJ.lr.'s.s,  an  1  lakcn  on  him  the  oaih  ani 

rjspjiisiliiiilijs  oi  (j.iKv.     In  th'  l\iC'-  iil   licavcn  and  i.Miili,  thj  PrcMclenl  stands  turih,  avjii 

oi  lVvda:n,  lae  i););njn.:nl  ol'  cijiiaj  rij^iii-,  the  dcloniiT  ol  slavery,  ihu  itian 

mil  pair.in  ol   mob**.     Al).jui  to  aNbUine  tiie 


11. ■  -ai 

aa>   ie  iver.vl 
.     In  th'  lac.' 

eJiy,  tlic«  /n-Miy 

dcr'v  uilVijo.lo  n'H  Iriciuls,  aiul  itu  liisiiij^alu 


re- 1 


in  t;u' ^.fl  ,j|' a  pr>)iUN.>(i'dly  iiej  pco|iU',  hj  s-teps  lorili,  ^njl 
u  tlij  onslavcU,  '■  i.ijiiiiou-)  lo  uvcry  mt^resi,  thai  ol  human.l 


It  was  ills  bargain  with  the  tj-rant<i  of  ihe| 


sp  jn>iuilui>>  ol  m.'  hi^h  -i  o.lix- 
iLvl.irj.N  llie  j.rjri  tj  givo  ircjJo  n 
ity  i.icluJel." 

V.tn  B  lien  did  n.n  this  act  from  principle 
so  iih.  il.' \va>;  then  d 'ic^Mtu,  ilijii  aijeiit,  ihcir  tiiied  attorney — j.i->t  as  Fit^gibboii  (Claie) 
-Scj .  (Oljnin  .11),  r"!  inlce.i,  and  l\jior{.\'j  Ini  y),  weic  the cieaiiire.-*  ol  bad  Knylish  adminiMisl 
lijn-  iJi-  ihj  o,)p.tSMjn  of  Ireland.  In  LSI),  ^vli..'n  he  tho.ighi  that  thetriendtoi  I'leed.iui  wo,|j 
ti'i  iinph,  hj  was  tlu  J  Mdly  loj  ol'  slave  y's  extension.  VVhy  1  It  \va»  popular  lo  be  su,  ai,j 
pj,).ila.it3-  u-as  ihj  sieppi  .jj-stoiie  to  powe-.  On  the  '20.hol'  January,  IHiJ,  the  Senate uf 
this  state  l-nvvimi  ;si,v  a^'iced  with  the  Assembly  in  a  iw;ol  iiion  dJclariuK,  that,  "  IV/iereat 
"I  e  iiMi't  11^  Ifin  fiii-fir.r  evl  n^niiiif  duccnj  in  C/icse  Uii  ted  States,  is  a  suhjeU  of  deep  cotuern 
"li  Vie  pc'pk  of  this  Stulr ;  an  I  w'urru.i,  wc  amsiiler  slurcnj  as  an  evil  miuh  to  be  depl/rred,  ujui 
"tiat  rrerij  coiiftiliU  oiial  harrier  si'ulit  be  interposed  to  prevent  Us  further  ex'.ensiim  ;  aiul  ika 
"t/ie  Constilutiim  of  the  United  Slulcs  d.'nily  gives  Cimgrcss  the  tigkt  to  reqiiire  frovi  nexo  Mn 
'^  not  compr  sed  wiikin  the  onu:iiun  hounlarirs  of  these  United  Stales  the  prohibition  of  sLmn 
"as  a  condition  of  their  a<hnissinn  into  the  Union — Vierefore,  Resolved,  T/iat  our  Scnatorsi^ 
"  instru  ted,  and  our  R  present-dives  in  Congress  be  rcque.'itcd,  to  oppose  tke  admission,  as  a  stclt, 
"into  tie  Union,  if  am  (•^r'-itonj  not  eomprised  as  aforesaid,  without  making  the  prohibition  ti 
"  slave rij  therein  an  ind  spensablc  rondilw/i  of  admission."  General  Root  was,  in  those  Javs 
an  Ajax  in  fixx;dJin's  army — De  Witt  Clinton  was  ultra  in  I'avor  ol'  spreading  freedom  ajij 
not  tyranny  over  America — and  among  the  votes  recorded  for  ihe  above  principles,  and  ij 
opposition  to  slavery  in  Missouri,  were  those  of  Martin  Van  Burcn,  Samuel  Young,  C.  E, 
D  idley,  Walter  Bowne,  Ro^'e^  Skinner,  Livingston,  Hammond,  Hart,  Barstow,  Mallory, and 
Dnytoti.  Not  coniented  with  voiinc^,  Maicy  and  Van  Baien  wrote  a  pamphlet,  aiid  travelled 
thro.igh  the  state,  canvassing  for  Rtifus  King,  as  the  anti-slavery  candidate  lor  the  U.  S.  Sen- 
ate, to  be  sent  theie  to  oppose  receiving  Missouri  as  an  extension  of  the  area  of  the  whip  and 
the  tortaro.     Let  the  reader  look  into  Ritchie's  files  of  Ihe  Richmond  Enquirer  for  the  earlv 

Start  of  1820,  and  he  will  there  see  Polices  confederate  menacing  Rufus  King  for  his  northern 
anaticism,  an  1  inveterate  hostility  to  the  'peculiar  institution.'  On  the  IGth  of  November, 
1819,  says  the  Evening  Post,  a  general  meeting  of  the  citizens,  at  least  2000  being  preseni! 
met  in  the  City  Hotel,  New  York,  and  "  Resolved,  that  the  existence  of  slavery  in  ihe 
llnitcd  States,  being,  in  the  opinion  of  this  meeting,  a  great  political  as  well  as  moral  evil, 
derogatory  to  the  character  ol  the  nation,  dangerous  to  the  safety  of  its  inhabitants,  and  op- 
posed to  the  benign  spirit  and  principles  of  the  Christian  religion,  they  consider  it  the  solemn 
ility  of  the  national  government,  presiding  over  a  people  piofcssing  a  high  regard  for  fref 
doiii  and  the  just  rights  of  men,  to  prevent,  by  all  constitutional  means,  the  further  extension 
of  such  an  evil  in  the  United  States;"  and  that  Jonathan  Thompson,  John  T.  Irving,  Henn' 
Rutgers,  Walter  Bowne,  T.  Addis  Emmet,  John  Griscom,  Abm.  Bloodgood,  Matthew  Clark- 
son,  Archibald  Gracie,  George  Newbold,  kc,  be  a  committee  to  check  the  progress  of  slaver;-, 
&c.  In  their  address,  written  by  the  brother  of  Washington  Irving,  speaking  of  Missouri, 
they  say,  "It  is  no  less  a  question,  than  whether,  in  this  enlightened  and  philanthropic  age, a 
mighty  empire  of  slaves  shall  be  permitted  to  be  formed  on  the  soil  and  under  the  sanction  of 
republican  America,  and  admitted  into  her  Union ;  or,  whether  that  new  empire  is  to  be  com- 
posed of  men  who  shall  have  a  constitutional,  as  well  as  national,  right  'to  life,  liberty,  and 
the  pursuit  of  happiness;'"  and  fully  maintained  the  humane  doctrine, that  Congress,  after 
1808,  could  have  stopt  a.t  once  the  horrid  barbarities,  both  of  the  African  and  domestic,  or  Vir- 
ginian slave  trade.     Van  Burcn  and  the  Regency  have  since  changed  for  the  worse. 

William  Jay  shows,  in  his  "  View  cjf  the  Action  of  the  FeJcMl  Government,"  that  the  laws 
against  the  slave-trade,  were  in  a  great  measure  nullified,  because  the  slave  power  appointed 
the  oflicials.  And  when  Van  Bnren  had  been  rejected  in  1810,  he  concluded  his  message  lo 
"  Congress  thus :  "  I  submit  to  your  judgments  whether  this  government,  having  been  the  first 
"  to  prohibit,  by  adequate  penalties,  the  slave-trade — the  first  to  declare  it  piracy — should  not  be 
"  the  first,  also,  to  forbid  to  its  citizens  all  trade  with  the  slave  factories  on  the  coast  of  Africa; 
"  giving  an  exainiile  to  all  nations  in  ihis  respect,  which,  if  fairly  followed,  cannot  fail  to  pro- 
"duce  the  most  effective  results  in  breaking  up  those  dens  of  iniquity."  This  contrasts  queerly 
with  his  inaugural,  and  the  affair  of  the  Amistead ;  and  I  would  now  ask  Van  Buren  whether 
the  slave-breeding  factories  in  Virginia,  and  the  slave  coasters  she  employs  in  the  Texan 
traffic  ill  flesh  and  blood,  are  less  "dens  of  iniquity"  than  those  of  Africa"?  "Is  it  more 
wicked,  more  base,  more  cruel,  to  traffic  in  African  savages  [asks  William  Jay]  than  in 


«VINO,  IN  1830.  I         VIROINfA  NATIVKISm!   V.  B.  ON  CLDA.    MEXICO,  POLK  AND  m'laNE.   279 


|L.'Sjf.'tt,  a  true  Tainrtianv 
Jl  (.-nj.    Jo-,liua  Lcaviiijfl 

|k.;n  on  him  the  oath  andl 
-idem  .-.taiias  tbrih,  ;,vaiu 

I'n.lor  01  slavery,  itie  .^lan.. 
At).jui  to  a.ssuiiic  the  re-l 
l'a),ilc,  hj  stops  tbnh,  ajijl 
ly  intjre»i,  that  ol  human. 

in  with  the  tjTaitts  uf  ,1,5 
j.i>i  a.<  Kit^^ibboi)  (Claie) 
I  ul  bad  tiiiglish  adminiMia. 
[he  I  fiends  01  I'leedjiii  wu  ,|j 
\  wax.  |)iipnlar  to  be  su,  anj 
tiiiary,  IH2\  the  Senate  uf 
djclariii^,  that,  "  H'/ierea 
/x  a  snhjeU  of  deep  conun 
U  much  to  lie  depLred,  ani 
further  cxteimmi ;  aiul  ih^~ 
kl  to  reiinire  from  new  stual 
M  the  prokihdion  if  sluvm 
lived,    T'lrU  our  Scnalms'M' 
ose  the  admission,  as  a  skit.} 
I  making  the  prokibitmi)i 
a  I  Root  was,  in  those  davs 
r  oC  spreading  freedom  aij 
:ie  above  principles,  and  ij 
ircn,  Samuel  Voung,  C.  E, 
[lart,  Barstow,  Mallorv,aii(i 
le  a  pamphlet,  and  travelled 
candidate  lor  the  U.  S.  Sen- 
of  the  area  of  the  whip  and 
lond  Enquirer  for  the  earlv 
Liifu.s  King  for  his  northern 
On  the  Itith  of  November 
at  least  2000  being  present! 
(xistence  of  slavery  in  ilie 
tical  as  well  as  moral  evil, 
/  of  its  inhabitants,  and  0|> 
,  they  consider  it  the  solemn 
ing  a  high  regard  for  fiee- 
neans,  the  further  extension 
son,  John  T.  Irving,  Henn 
Bloodgood,  Matthew  Clark- 
eck  the  progress  of  slavery. 
ring,  speaking  of  Missouri, 
pd  and  philanthropic  age,  a 
il  and  under  the  sanction  of 
it  new  empire  is  to  be  com- 
1,  right '  to  life,  liberty,  and 
)ctrine,  that  Congress,  after 
frican  and  domestic,  or  Vir- 
?ed  for  the  worse, 
jovcrnment,"  that  the  laws 
!  the  slave  power  appointed 
le  concluded  his  message  to 
ment,  having  been  the  first 
ire  it  piracy— should  not  be 
iries  on  the  coast  of  Africa ; 
allowed,  cannot  fail  to  pro 
ity."  This  contrasts  queerlv 
w  ask  Van  Buren  whether 
he  employs  in  the  Texan 
!  of  Africa  1    "  Is  it  more 
5ks  William  JayJ  than  in 


,i»*TiTf-boro  Americans— in  witiTB  men,  and  women,  and  children— in  the  ofT^pring  of  our 
own  citizens,  and  not  iinfrct|uenlly,  of  very  disiin;,'iiislicd  citizens'?  Yet  it  is  this  abomina- 
ble commerce  that  our  f,'(jveMimc'ni  fosters  ami  protL'cis."  "  i'he  governm'.'nt  of  the  U.  y.," 
Mid  Van  Buren  to  the  Biilish  minister,  Feb.  "Jn,  iH3-2,  "protects  by  reasonable  laws,  the 
rights  of  the  owner;'  of  that  species  o(  property  in  the  fstaies  wliore  it  exist**,  and  permit*  its 
transfer  coastwise  from  one  of  these  States  to  another  [  Virginia  to  Texas,  for  examjilej,  un- 
der suitable  restrictions  to  pieveni  the  fraudulent  intrudnciion  w(  foreign  slaves."  That  is,  to 
secure  to  the  home,  or  Virginia  breeder,  a  sure  monopoly  of  the  detestable  traffic!  Texaa 
bribed  the  southern  slave-trader,  by  providing  in  her  constitution  to  give  the  U.  S.  a  mono- 
poly of  the  supply  ! ! ! 

There  are  many  persons  who  do  not  fully  comprehend  the  reasons  why  Polk,  Van  Buren. 
and  others  who  have  grown  rich  by  abandoning  the  principles  of  seventy-six,  went  dead 
against  Adams,  when  he  proposed  commissions  to  the  Panama  Congress,  and  now  lustily 
advocate  the  opposite  principle  when  they  tear  that  their  iion-inirrltrcnce  policy  may  affect 
Mexico.  We  will  try  to  explain.  In  IW4G,  Mexico  and  Columbia  meditated  the  invasion 
of  Cuba,  and  intended  to  tfive  the  slaves  there  that  freedom  which  they  weie  conterring  on 
their  own.  The  slave-hoirling  south  was  alarmed— the  project  was  abandoned  f.t  the  instance 
of  this  Union — but  it  might  be  renowel,  Accordingly  the  Van  Buren,  who,  in  1820,  had 
instiucted  Congress  not  to  receive  Missouri  with  slavery,  addressed  Cornelius  P.  Van  Ness, 
the  U.  S.  minister  at  the  Spanish  court,  Oct.  2'J,  16'2'J,  bidding  him  urge  on  Spain  to  make 
peace  with  the  Southern  republics  of  America  lest  they  should  aid  in  freeing  Cuba  from 
slavery  I  "Considerations  (said  Van  Buren)  connected  with  a  certain  class  of  our  popula- 
tion, make  it  the  interest  of  the  .southern  section  of  the  Union  that  no  attempt  should  ')e  made 
in  that  island  [Cuba]  to  throw  otl'  the  yoke  of  Spanish  dependence;  tlic  first  eflbct  of  which 
would  be  f;^'  the  e.ma.vcipation  of  a  numerous  slave  population,  wliich  result  could  not  but 
he  very  sensibly  (elt  upou  the  adjacent  sliores  of  the  United  States."  In  the  H.  orf  R.  Mr. 
Floyd  of  Va.  said,  '•  I  would  rather  take  up  arms  to  prevent  than  to  accelerate  such  an  occur- 
rence" as  freedom  to  Cuba;  iind  Van  Buren,  when  writing  to  A.  Butler,  the  U.  S.  agent  in 
Mexico,  cautioned  him  to  oppose  "  the  baneful  spirit  [of  emancipation]  designed  to  be  intro- 
duced and  propagated  in  the  island  of  Cuba." 

Van  Buren's  letter  to  Poinsett,  Oct.  Ki,  1829,  freely  admits  that  the  people  of  Mexico  were 
lilled  with  prejudices  of  tiie  most  incurable  character  against  tliat  minister.  He  was  accused 
.)f  "intermeddling  in  the  domestic  all'airsof  the  republic,"  of  setting  up  a  political  sort  of  free- 
masonry, of  denouncing  the  established  religion,  and  of  being  the  enemy  of  the  Mexican 
people.  Was  it  friendly,  was  it  wise  in  Van  Buren  and  Jackson  to  recall  this  man,  when  the 
$ister  republic  would  no  longei  endure  his  presence,  and  hastily  promote  him  to  the  head  of 
the  department  of  war  1  The  state  legislatures  ol  Mexico  had  expie.ssed  an  abhorrence  of  his 
conduct,  and  insisted  on  his  removal.  Jackson  recalled  him  when  lie  becaine  iatolcrable  to 
Mexico,  to  exhibit,  as  Van  Buren's  secretary,  his  scheme  of  a  200,000  standing  army,  which 
certainly  was  no  help  towards  Van  Buren'sreclection  in  1810. 

In  Mr.  Polk'.s  message  to  Congress,  Dec.  1815,  he  rebuked  those  European  nations  who 
wanted,  as  he  sain,  to  check  the  extension  of  the  republic,  thus :  "  The  United  States,  sincerely 
desirous  of  preserving  relations  of  good  understanding  with  all  nations,  ^j=cannot  in  silence, 
permit  anv  ei-ropea.n  lvterfkrence  on  the  North  American  Continent ;  and  should  any  such 
interference  bi'  attempted,  will  be  ready  to  resi.st  it  at  any  and  all  iiAZARns..f3  j^Ex- 
isiing  rights  of  every  European  nation  should  be  respected  ;  but  il  is  due  alike  to  our  safety 
and  our  interests,  that  the  efficient  protection  of  our  laws  should  be  extended  over  our  whole 
territorial  limits,  and  that  it  should  be  distinctly  announced  to  the  world  as  our  settled  policy, 
that  no  future  European  colony  or  dominion  shall,  with  our  consent,  be  planted  or  established 
on  any  part  of  the  North  American  continent.".^ 

Here,  Messrs.  Polk  and  Marcy  have  dared  any  European  jmwer  to  aid  in  placing  a  mon- 
arch in  Mexico  on  a  constitutional  throne,  and  negotiating  a  treaty  with  him,  olTensive  and 
defensive,  as  this  country  did  with  France  G8  years  ago.  How  did  they  fal't  twenty  years 
since?    As  to  Marcy,  look  into  the  Argus. 

In  1825,  Messrs.  Clay  and  Adams  had  proposed  to  send  W,  B.  Rochester  and  others 
to  represent  the  U.  States  in  a  Congress  (if  .American  republics  at  Panama.  To  this,  in  the 
Senate,  Van  Buren  led  the  opposition ;  and  the  burden  of  his  song,  as  usual,  was,  that  it  was 
unconstitutional.  "  Wc  are,  (said  Van  Buren)  at  that  Congress,  to  stipulate  in  .some  form, 
and  I  care  not  in  what,  that  wc  will  resist  any  attempt  at  colonization  by  the  powers  of  Europe, 
in  this  hemisphere,  or  within  our  own  borders,  if  you  please ;  and  that,  in  the  event  of  any  in- 
terference on  their  part,  in  the  struggle  iKJtwecn  Spain  and  the  Spanish  American  States,  we 
will  make  common  cause  with  the  latter  in  resisting  it."  Such  a  course  be  denounced  [fee  his 
Life  by  Holland],  and  laid  it  down  as  a  principle  (p.  264),  that  if  we  confederate  to  maintam 
governments  like  our  own,  by  force  of  arms,  we  imitate  the  Holy  Alliance  of  Europe ;  and  he 
was  "  against  all  alliances,  against  all  armed  confederacies,  or  confederacies  of  any  sort." 

Thus  much  for  Van  Buren — now  for  Polk ; 

In  the  house  of  Representatives,  April,  182G,  Louia  McLane  gave  it  as  his  view  that  in  ex« 


Xr  *..■■•. 


'-'k 


I.'-;''"'    ■■'. 

•'■V '■.;.■ 

';>.';':. 


290  POTA',  ALLRN,  CASS,  AND  VAN  BUREN's  FOREIGN  POUCY. 

tending  our  commercial  relations  with  fjreis^n  nations,  we  should  keep  clear  of  entangling 
alliances,  an  I  i>i.)V'e;i  a  resolution,  ns  the  "opinion  ot"  this  house  that  the  Government  of  the  Um- 
ted  States  irvj,  lut  D  he  represented  at  the  Cons^reas  of  Panama,  except  in  a  diplomatic  chi. ' 
racier.  n.>rouj,Mt  they  to  torm  anv  alliance,  otfjiisiveor  defensive,  or  negotiate  respecting  such 
alliance  with  all  or  any  ot  tlie  South  A:n:3rican  rcpuljlics;  nor  oua/U  Ikeij  to  Lecovie partkswuh 
t'lem,  oreit  icr  of  tlwm,  hi  any  piiU  dedivntum  for  Ike  purpose  of  preventing  the  interprence  of  any 
of  tie  European  pmncrs  willi  ikcir  inilepcndencc  or  form  of  girveriivient,  or  to  any  compact  fortlu 
purp.ve  of  preventing  colon  iznlinn  upon  the  continent  cf  America." 

The  demjcraiic  party  all  voted  fir  McLane's  resoliiiian ;  and  among  the  most  decided  friends 
to  McLane's  principle,  not  to  oppose  European  colonization  in  America,  were  found  James K. 
Polk",  and  his  fjreign  secretary,  James  Buchanan.    Their  votes  are  on  record. 

Mr.  Folk's  crcci  was  democratic  then,  and  it  is  democratic  now,  and  it  was  then  just  the 
opposite  of  what  it  is  now— and  that  is  true,  pure,  unadulterated  Van  Buren  democracy, 
which  like  O'Qimtct's  finger-post,  or  the  city  weathercoclc,  may  be  turned  any  way  you 
please,  or  say  yes  and  no  in  tlic  same  breath.  In  182(3,  iMr.  Polk  said,  that  by  voting 
for  M'Lanc's  resolve,  we  [the  house]  have  deciareJ,  that  our  policy,  now  as  ever,  is 
neutrality;  "that  we  will  form  no  alliance  with  the  South  American  repulilics;'  nor  shall 
we  "  become  parties  with  thorn,  or  cither  of  ihetn,  to  any  joint  declaration,  for  the  pw. 
pose  of  preventing  the  interterence  of  any  of  the  European  powers  with  their  independ- 
enc3  oi-  Ic-.'n  of  government,'  or  '  to  anv  compact  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  coloniza- 
tion on  the  continjiit  of  America.'  Tli'ese  arc  sentiments,  said  Mr.  Polk,  Id  which  I  most 
he.irtily  subscribe."  No  iloubt  he  did — hut  Cuba  might  become  free,  and  it  was  not  then 
fully  resolved  upon  to  have  Cuba  anue.ved,  Texas  apne.Kcd,  California  annexed,  Mexico 
annexed,  all  to  the  south,  and  with  slavery  in  each  of  them.  Missouri  had  got  through 
■with  ditficulty,  aa  a  negro-importing  state— and  these  American  republics,  for  which  Polk, 
Buchanan,  M'Lane,  and  Van  Buren  would  do  nothing  were  all  a nti  slavery,  heretical, 
not  of  ihe  true  church.  Now,  how.'vcr,  wher  die  '  peculiar  institution'  is  to  be  strength. 
ened,  O'Gimlet  turns  round,  and  Polk  democracv,  like  Sir  Francis  Head  to  the  Yankees, 
soma  nine  years  since,  cr'es  aloud,  "Come  if  ye  dare !" 

La.st  January,  Senator  AII'MI  of  Ohio,  who,  like  Cass,  understands  electioneering  in  the 
west,  moved  a  strong  resolve,  in  lavor  of  the  Polk  Van  Buren  democracy,  and  warning 
the  tblks  in  Europe  lo  loolv  out  for  breakers,  if  they  approached  this  coast  with  any  more 
of  their  colonies.  Scnritor  Cass  sup|iorted  Allen  as  a  matter  of  course.  If  we  go  behind 
Polk  and  Van  Burcn's  'cilonize  il'  you  please'  principle  of  182,;,  we  soon  arrive  at  Mr, 
Monroe's  views.  In  his  message  of  1823,  he  declared  '  that  we  should  consider  any  attempt 
en  their  [the  powers  of  Eur;ijK''s]  pirt,  to  extend  their  system  [colonization  or  monarchy]  to 
any  portion  ol'  this  hemisphere,  as  dangerous  to  our  peace."  Was  not  this  in  strict  accord- 
ance with  the  viiws  of  A  lams  and  Clay  in  18-2(>,  and  of  Polk  now,  though  he  opposed  it 
then  ?  I'he  N.  V.  Sun  t;i.)n  Polk's  latest  view  six  months  in  advance  of  his  me.ssage,  and 
so  did  its  editor,  Noah,  in  his  oth^r  paper,  the  Mes.scnger  of  June  last.    When  Polk  was 

Sropjse.1  for  Presidjiit,  No:ih  spoke  of  him  with  contempt,  as  a  third  rate  sort  of  per-son  ;  but 
lowih,  Marcy,  Webb  and  Polk  go  hand  in  hand  now  for  "  more  slave  territory.    We  cant 
have  too  'auch." 

Mr.  Guizot,  minister  of  France,  bv  a  late  speech,  and  the  French  legislature  by  a  vote,  hav* 
shown,  that  in  case  ol'  war  betue  'n  England  and  this  country,  France  would  remain  neutral. 
unlejis  some  convulsion  were  to  change  the  e.s.sencc  of  its  government.  Mr.  Guizot  is  a  friend 
of  eJucitiou,  science,  the  continuance  of  pjace,  and  the  mental  and  moral  elevation  of  man, 

The  correspondence  of  the  N;itional  Intelligencer  of  Sept.  13,  183G,  tells  us,  that  "nota 
solitary  step  his  b  en  taken  to  meet  the  just  expectations  of  the  Mexican  minister.  iVlen 
are  openly  recruited,  armed,  and  mtirched  througn  our  country,  not  (as  in  the  ca.se  of  the  En^:- 
lish  auxi'i.irics  in  Spaing  to  sustain  the  actual  government  of  Mexico,  but  to  aid  a  few  thou- 
sand Anuriean  citizens  and  tidventurers  trom  Europe  in  making  war  against  thpr.  govern- 
ment! Professions,  therefore,  are  a  mockery  of  the  common  sense  of  mankind."  We  have 
seen  that  the  Polk — Van  Buren  democracy  had  no  sympathy  with  Mexico,  Columbia,  and  the 
S./Uth  American  republics,  which  really  sought  freedom — we  have  .seen  Jack.son  and  Van 
Buren  intriguing  in  Spain  to  keep  the  yoke  around  the  necks  ofthe  immense  black  population  of 
Cuba.  So  too  in  Canudi,  .secret encouragement  was  given  at  first,  and  from  Nov.  G,  when 
the  revolt  broke  out  in  and  neir  Montreal,  to  January,  when  the  Caroline  had  been  sent  over 
the  Niagira  Falls,  Van  Buren  did  nothing;  but  no  .sooner  was  it  made  apparent  that  the 
struggle  might  be  a  protiaeted  one,  or  a  failure,  than  Van  Buren  and  Marcy  were  lound 
among  the  persecutors  i)f  the  poor  exiles.  On  Nov.  '21,  1838,  Van  Buren  is.sued  a  proclama- 
tion against  tlie  second  Canada  revolt,  with  a 

"Where-is  disturhanccs  have  nctuilly  broken  out  anew  in  diflerent  parts  of  the  two 
Canadas:  And  wheieis,  a  hostile  invasion  Ins  b^en  made  by  citizens  ofthe  United  StitcSj 
in  conjunction  with  (J^jiindians,  jind  others,  wh  \  after  forcibly  .seizing  upon  tne  property  oi 
their  peaceful  neighbor,  f.r  \)\i  purposo  of  cfL'ctin;.^  t.heir  unlawful  designs,  are  now  in  arm* 


VAN 

jratnst  the  ; 
citizens,  and 
iberefore,  i  I 
every  citizen 
to  thot^"  who 
guided  or  del 
own  country 
without  forei 
hereby  warn 
whatever  ma 
terference  of 
every  virtuoi 
emment  whc 
Government, 

Compare  i 
George,  Louj 
man,  Morea 
whom  were  i 
Texan  polic 
tquare  miles 
eis,  and,  woi 
purpose  of  p 
proclamation 
showed  no  g( 
heartless,  cc 
never  will  be 

Some  year 
to  show  that 
ning  writes  t 
has  trod  the  s 
meet  at  that 
at  the  plougl 
ment  in  life 
in  council,  c 
the  whole  e; 
spised  negrc 
sponsible  po 
who  tills  tilt 

Although 

ing  what  is 

the  boiling 

litionism,  a 

cipation  wl: 

Texan  ann 

on  the  ^"th 

slave  state, 

that  believi 

been  anxioi 

annexation 

their  profes 

secured  thf 

Polk  migh 

both  secti') 

prevented  t 

his  profess 

holders,  an 

a  caucus  v 

Wright)  b 

doubt!     I 

Vache's  ir 

the  govern 

of  their  ot 

troops,  inl 

rebels  cas 

the  public 

lie  offered 


hi 


i 


M  POLICY. 

keep  clear  of  entangling  i 
e  Governmeni  of  the  Unf. ! 
cepi  in  :v  dipltraatic  cha. ; 
negotiatt  respecting  such 
lieij  to  become  parlies  with  1 
ling  Ihe  interference  of  any 
,  or  to  any  compact  for  Uin  \ 

^  the  most  decided  friends 
ica,  were  found  James  K. 
on  record. 

and  it  was  then  just  the 

V?»n  Buren  democracy, 

be  turned  any  way  you 

oik  said,  that  by  voting 

policy,  now  as  ever,  is 

c;-;n  republics;'  nor  shall 

declaration,  for  the  pur. 

ers  with  their  indepeni 

;  of  preventing  coloniza- 

^Fr.  Polk,  tD  which  I  roost 

free,  and  it  was  not  then 

lifornia  annexed,  Mexico 

[issouri   had  got  through 

republics,  for  which  Polk, 

ill    anti  slavery,  heretical, 

itution'  is  to  be   strength. 

cis  Head  to  the  Yankees, 

ands  electioneering  in  the 

democracy,  and  warning 

this  coast  with  any  more 

course.     If  we  go  behind 

J,!,  wc  soon  arrive  at  Mr, 

hunid  consider  any  attempt 

onization  or  monarchy]  to 

as  not  this  in  strict  accoru- 

now,  thouf-'h  he  opposed  it 

vance  of  his  message,  and 

me  last.    When  Polk  was 

lird  rate  sort  of  person ;  bm 

slave  territory.    We  can't 

1  legislature  by  a  vote,  liav! 
mce  would  remain  neutral. 
LMit.  Mr.  Guizot  is  a  friend 
nd  moral  elevation  of  man, 
t,  183G,  tells  us,  that  "not a 
!  Me.xican  minister.  Men 
3t  (as  in  the  case  of  the  En?- 
xico,  but  to  aid  a  few  thou- 

war  against  thr',  govern- 
e  of  mankind."    We  have 

Mexico,  Columbia,  and  the 
lave  .seen  Jack.'ion  and  Van 
i  mmcnse  black  population  of 
St,  and  from  Nov.  G,  when 
Caroline  had  been  sent  over 
s  it  made  apparent  that  the 
ren  and  Marcy  were  ibund 
1  Buren  issued  a  proclaraa- 

diflerent  parts  of  the  two 
itizens  of  the  United  Stitcs, 
izing  upon  tne  property  of 
1  deaigns,  are  now  in  ann» 


VAN  iiUREN  AND  CANADA.      YOUNG  AND  CALHOL'N  ON  SLAVERY.      281 

aealnst  the  authorities  of  Canada,  in  perfect  di.sregard  of  their  ovm  obligations  cs  American 
citizens,  and  of  the  obligations  of  the  Go vernm.'ni  of  the  couiiiry  to  foreiyn  u;aions:  Now, 
therefore,  1  have  thought  it  necessary  and  projier  to  issue  this  proclamation,  caUiug  upon 
every  citizen  of  the  United  States  neither  to  give  countenance  iwrtncournfiaiajt  of  any  kind 
lothoi<<"  who  have  thus  tbrfeited  their  claim  to  the  proiection  oi  t.ieircouiUiy ,  upon  lho^e  mis- 
guided or  deluded  persons  who  are  engaged  in  thein  to  t.lK.n.lou  jrojccis  cLngerous  to  their 
own  country,  fatal  to  those  whom  they  prol&ss  a  de-sire  to  relieve,  iinpi\.ct;c<.bie  of  execution 

without  foreign  aid,  which  they  cannot  rationally  e.'cpect  to  obtain,  &c And  I 

hereby  warn  all  thase  who  have  engaged  in  th'c^e  criinin.  1  catcrpl■i^e'=,  if  persisted  in,  th,  t, 
whatever  may  be  the  condition  to  whicn  they  may  be  reduced,  they  mua  not  e.vpvci  tiic  in- 
terference of  this  government,  in  any  form,  on  their  1h;Ii:  If;  br.t  will  be  Iclt  lepioiiChed  by 
every  virtuous  fellow-citizen,  to  be  dealt  with  according  to  the  policy  ;;n.l  justice  oi  ihi.i  Gov- 
ernment who.se  dominions  they  have,  in  defi  nee  lU'the  known  wishes  and  crfoiis  of  their  own 
Government,  and  without  the  shadow  of  justification  or  c.-ccuse,  nefariously  invaded." 

Compare  this  proclamation  ag;iinsl  the  comrades  of  Von  Shoiiltze,  Woodruffe,  Abbev, 
George,  Lount,  M..tthew.s,  Cardinal,  Buckley,  Chevalier,  Dauu:,is,  Doane,  Duqueie,  lionsn- 
man,  Moreau,  Le;.ch,  Lynde,  Peeler,  Perley,  Phelps,  the  banguineiles,  an'l  iiweie,  all  of 
whom  were  cruelly  put  to  death  in  cold  bloJd,  with  Jcclc^on  and  Van  Buren's  Mexican  and 
Texan  policy,  where  tlie  object  was  to  cover  by  a  pretended  revolt  the  robbery  of  400^000 
square  miles  of  God's  heritage,  that  it  might  yield  gain  to  idle,  covetous,  heartless  slave  deal- 
ers, and,  worse  still,  enable  them  to  control  the  government  ot  this  glorious  republic  for  the 
purpose  of  perpetuating  the  most  cruel  scourge  that  can  desolate  ihe  lamiiy  ol  inan.  This 
proclamation  encouraged  the  convict-driver  ol  Van  Diemiurs  laud  to  ledoublc  hi* cruelties — it 
showed  no  generous  leeling  for  the  injured.  How  could  ill  Tuere  is  rot  on  earth  a  more 
heartless,  cold,  calculatiDg  eneiry  of  free  instiiuiions  than  M.  V.  Buren — there  perhaps 
never  will  be. 

Some  years  ago,  Mr.  Calhoun  offered  a  rcpoit  on  the  U,  S.  mail  in  which  an  effirt  is  made 
to  show  that  northern  laborers  are  but  little  better  olF  than  negio  slaves.  In  reply,  Dr.  Ch&o- 
ning  writes  to  Mr.  Clay,  thus :  "  Is  it  possible  that  such  reasonings  escaped  trom  a  man  who 
has  trod  the  .soil  of  New  England,  and  was  educated  at  one  of  her  colleges  1  Whom  did  he 
meet  at  that  college  1  The  sons  of  her  laborers,  yoinig  me.i,  whose  hiinds  had  been  hardened 
at  the  plough.  Does  he  not  know,  that  the  families  ol  laborers  have  'urnislicd  every  depart- 
ment in  life  among  us  with  illustrious  men,  have  furnished  our  heroes  in  war.  our  statC'-men 
in  council,  our  orators  in  the  pulpit  and  at  the  bar,  our  merchants  whose  enterprises  embrace 
the  whole  earth?  What !  the  laborer  of  the  free  state  a  slave,  and  to  be  ranked  witli  the  de- 
spised negro,  whom  the  lash  drives  to  toil,  and  whose  ■  eirest  ri;;hts  are  at  the  mercy  ot  irre- 
sponsible power!  If  there  be  a  firm  independent  ^pirit  on  et.nh,  it  is  to  be  found  in  the  man, 
who  tills  the  field  of  the  free  stales,  and  moistens  them  with  the  sweat  of  his  brow." 

Although,  in  a  report  by  Col.  Young,  in  183!),  adverse  to  anti-slavery  politics,  and  sustain- 
ing what  is  called  tne  Aiherton  gag  in  Congress,  ho  spoke  strongly  against  what  he  called 
the  boiling  cauldion  of  abolitionism,  its  misguided  fury  and  fciocious  spirit,  inebiiated  abo- 
litionisin,  anti-ma.sonic  and  abolition  pnrenzies,  and  the'  hopelessness  of  southern  slave  eman- 
cipation while  northern  agitation  continues,  yet  it  wol'IJ  seem  that  he  is  nrmly  opposed  to 
Texan  annexation,  with  .slavery  as  her  dower.    In  a  ducussion  in  the  Senate  of  New  Yoik 
on  the  27th  of  January  last.  Col.  Young  sai'!  he  was  opposed  to  the  admNsion  of  Texas  as  a 
slave  state,  and  that  Governor  Wright"  had  said  he  was  opposed  to  it.     Mr.  Hard  remarked, 
that  believing  Col.  Yo  uig  to  be  ni^aiiist  that  wicked  measure,  he  and  his  whig  fiiends  had 
been  anxious  for  his  return  to  the  U.  a.  Senate  (in  place  of  Dixj,  as  tJiat  would  have  prevented 
annexation.    That  had  Governor  Wright,  and  his  pxuUar  Jnau/s,  been  hone.-t  and  sincere  in 
their  professions  of  liostility  to  it,  ^■oung  might  have  bcch  returned — that  they  could  have 
secured  that  result— but  that  Wright  had  so  managed  that  the  /(/r/t/.tv.v  got  both  senators  ^that 
Polk  might  carry  anne-vation),  and  Benton  {kvnkcr)  had  been  put  in  Young's  oltict;.     'i'hat 
■  both  sections  of  the  democracy  had  sujjported  Wright,  who  had  h;  J  it  in  his  power  to  have 
prevented  the  spread  of  slavery  by  securing  the  election  of  ^'oung,  but  that,  had  he  acted  up  to 
nis  professions,  it  might  have  '.liwd  in  his  way  to  the  presidency,  in  the  minds  of  the  slave- 
holders, and  that  he  had  interfered  to  the  contrary,  and  sent  a  message  to  his  friends  to  prevent 
a  caucus  which  wo  ild  have  carried  it  into  eilect.    Mr.  Beers  said  that  it  was  considered  (by 
Wright)  bad  policy  to  send  a  .senator  to  Washington  opposed  to  the  Texas  measure.      No 
doubt!     React  Van  Buren's  annexation  letter,  and  say  ii  he  is  reallv  opposed  to  it.      Rend 
Vache's  invitation  to  Van  Buren  to  attend  the  ball  of  the  "  kindred  spirits  determined  to  sustain 
the  government  in  it:;  claim  to  the  Tk.kas  and  Oregon  territories,'  and  his  answer,  approving 
of  their  object — and  remember,  that  while  old  Spain,  in  1820,  occupied  Tampico,  with  4,000 
troops,  intent  on  rcdticing  Mexico,  Van  Buren  was  then  in  the  marktt  ofllring  the  Mexican 
rebels  cash  for  Texas.    Again,  on  2d  of  Sept,  last,  we  find  him  addressing  J.  U,  Kellogg,  lor 
the  public  eye,  from  Lindenwald,  and  a-.ssuriiig  him  that  he  considers  every  obstacle  the  t  may 
be  offered  to  the  completion  of  the  Texas  spoliation  "  unwise  and  higlily  incxjjedient/'  and  that 


\m} 


GREELEY  ON  FLORIDA.   CANADA  IN  1837. 


-i' 


,,' 


(■.■•'• 


•L-  -;::■ 


I 


■  "vC  ■; . 

•  4   '  ,       _ 


■  I'.'''  ■..   V 


if  these  states  should  be  involved  in  war  with  Mexico  in  consequence  of  annexation,  he  (Van 
Buren)  cannot  doubt  but  that  Polk  would  be  supported  "  by  the  hearts  and  hands  of  the  whole 
people."  All  this  might  have  been  looked  for  from  the  man,  who,  in  the  teeth  of  the  constim. 
tional  provision,  that  Congress  may  make  all  needful  laws  for  the  territory  of  the  Union, 
a&sured  North  Carolina,  when  seeking  a  re-election,  that  Governor  Dodge's  slaveholding  ij  i 
Wisconsin,  and  Judge  Doty's  in  Iowa,  was  legal,  and  could  not  be  interfered  witli!  Intoxicat- 
ing  liquors,  slavery,  covetousness  of  other  men's  lands,  what  curses  they  are !  Florida  wis 
bought  for  six  millions  to  please  slaveholders,  and  is  now  a  slave  state.  We  had  an  Indian 
war  there,  to  protect  slavery — "n,  war  [says  Horace  Greeley]  provoked  and  commenced  by  our  | 
people,  originating  in  land-stealing,  abominable  frauds  and  slavery,  and  which  we  steadily  re- 
fused  to  terminate  on  any  terms  which  did  not  require  the  utter  expulsion  of  the  Seminole?  I 
from  the  territory.  The  reason  lor  this  was  the  proved  impossibility  of  cherislung  Slavery  in 
the  neighborhood  of  Indians,  as  the  negroes  ran  away  to  the  Indians  and  were  harbored  by 
them.  So  we  drove  the  savages  to  desperation,  pursued  them  tlu'ough  the  swamps  and  ever- 
glades, shot  some  of  tlicir  women  and  children,  and  starved  many  more,  until  we  compelled 
the  remnant  to  submit  to  exile.  The  cost  of  these  various  wars  and  purchases  to  tlie  people  of 
the  United  States  has  not  been  one  farthing  short  of  fifty  millions  of  aollars  over  and  above  all 
they  have  received  for  Florida  lands,  to  say  nothing  of  very  many  valuable  lives." 


ON 


CANADIAN  ANx\EXATION  AND  INSURRECTION. 


''  k. 


km 


^iJv; 


•!•         ',   I:     •'. 


TVie  Canadian  l^isunection  in  1837  and  1838. — It  injured  Van  tiiucii  atid  his  Friends. — Drink 
erhoff,  John  Adam!.,  Pranklin,  lilccckcr,  Randolyh,  Pitkin,  Fchix  Grundy,  President.  Monm. 
Cal/umn,  Hull,  Smyt^,  Southtcick,  Macon,  Widgcry,  WclL-i,  Clay,  Ritchie,  and  the  North 
American  Revdevj,  mi  Canadian  Annexation. — Parncll  on  Canadian  Imlcpcndcnce. — Endk 
Desha,  Sioartxecnd,  and  Wlicaton,  on  tnkinf;  Canada. —  Were  the  Canadians  jitstjicd  in  resid- 
ing in  1837  a7id  1838  ? — A  brief  reply. — Lord  Dwrham's  Report  on  tluit  qwstion. — His  ajjl'ut- 
ing  details  of  Colonial  Oppression. — I^rd  Goderich's  reply  to  my  threat  of  Revolt. — Sir  F.  B. 
Head. — Durham  harshly  treated  for  telling  vnpleasant  truths. —  Would  Uic  Conqncst  of  Camic 
he  an  easy  task,  and  Might  it  to  he  atkvipttd  ? — Error  of  the.  Mew  of  1837. — Letter,  Col.  W.  E 
Moore. — Letter,  General  G.  M.  Keim. — Letter,  Geo.  Dawson. — L<c/fe;-,  Col.  R.  M.  Johnson. 

The  insurrections,  in  the  Canadas,  in  1837  and  1838,  and  the  movement  in  Maine,  in  1839, 
afTected  very  unfavorably  the  foundations  of  Van  Buren's  power;  and,  if  it  were  essentially 
necessary,  I  think  I  might  produce  conclusive  proof,  that,  by  exciting  the  suspicion  of  the 
.slaveholding  south,  and  the  indignation  of  vast  multitudes  in  the  free  north,  ea.st,  and  west, 
his  management  of  public  affairs,  connected  with  or  arising  out  of  these  insurrections  and 
frontier  movements,  were,  independent  of  the  question  of  the  currency,  most  embarrassing  to 
his  administration,  and,  in  1840,  the  cause  of  his  political  failure. 

There  must  have  been  powerful  causes  at  work,  to  turn  a  majority  of  26,000  for  Van  Buren, 
in  1836,  into  a  minority  of  146,000  in  1840,  to  induce  New  York  to  set  aside  a  president  Iwni 
on  the  banks  of  thu  "Hudson,  in  1840,  by  a  majority  of  13,000,  in  order  to  piace  in  his 
stead  a  native  Virginian,  after  having  given  her  suffrage  for  the  former,  in  1830,  by  a 
majority  exceeding  28,000,  to  induce  every  nnrthern  frontier  conntv,  without  a  single  excei)- 
tion,  to' cry  out,  in  Michigan,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Ohio,  Pennsylvania,  New  York,  Vermani, 
New  Hampshire  and  Maine,  in  1840,  "  Away,  away,  with  Van  Buren !"  while  Georjfia, 
North  Carolina,  Tennessee,  Louisiana,  and  Mississippi,  in  the  south,  hetrayerl  by  tlinir 
votes  equal  impatience.  Endorsed  by  Andrew  Jackson,  endowed  by  nature  with  great 
ability  for  intrigue,  ever  ready  to  contract  with  the  leaders  for  the  subservience  of  their 
followers,  an  experienced,  ambitious  and  unprincipled  politician,  pos.'jes.sed  of  power  for 
twelve  long  years,  with  presses  and  proflifntes  at  comm;!nil,  the  national  revenues  in 
the  hands  of  his  chosen  panizans,  uud  60,000  oilices,  besides  va«t  contracts  at  his  control. 


ml. 

;e  of  annexation,  he  (Van 
ts  and  hands  of  the  whole 
1  the  teeth  of  the  constim. 
e  territory  of  the  Union 
Dodge's  slaveholding  ijj 
terfered  with !  Intoxicat- 
s  they  are !  Florida  wis 
state.  We  had  an  Indian 
ed  and  commenced  by  our 
and  which  we  steadily  re. 
xpulsion  of  the  Seminoles 
:  of  cherisliing  Slavery  in 
ins  and  were  harbored  by 
gh  the  swamps  and  ever- 
more, until  we  compelled 
purchases  to  tlie  people  of 
dollars  over  and  above  all 
aluable  lives." 


SURRECTION. 


en  and  his  Friends. — Drink 
Grundy,  President-  Monm. 
'ay,  Ritchie,  and  the  Norik 
iian  Lukpeniknce. — Eustis. 
'Canadians  just  [ficd  in  resist- 
>w  l/uit  qtustion. — His  ajJlkU 
hreat  of  RcvoU.—Sir  F.  D. 
ould  tlw  Conquest  of  Canatlc 
>f  \mi.— Letter,  Col.  W.  E 
•tier,  Col.  R.  M.  Johnson. 

ovement  in  Maine,  in  183D, 
and,  if  it  were  essentially 

liting  the  suspicion  of  the 
free  north,  ea.st,  and  wesi, 

of  these  insurrections  and 

ncy,  most  embarrassing  to 

ty  of  26,000  for  Van  Biiren, 
0  set  a.side  a  president  Iwru 
»,  in  order  to  piace  in  his 
the  former,  in  183(1,  by  a 
itv,  without  a  single  CYcep 
ima.  New  York,  Vemunt, 
ti  Buren !"  while  Geoisjia, 
!  south,  betraycf!  by  tlifir 
vcd  by  nature  with  j,'rcnt 
the  subservience  of  their 
1,  posses-sed  of  power  tor 
the  national  revenues  in 
si  contracts  at  his  contiol. 


VAN  BUREN  IN  1840.      OPINIONS  ON  THE  CANADAS. 


283 


This  was  his  position  when  he  was  defeated  by  General  Harrison,  who  had  no  official 
patronage  at  all  in  his  gift,  and  no  other  othee  in  his  possession  but  that  of  clerk  of  a 
law  court  in  Hamilton  county,  Ohio.  Harrison's  civil  and  military  qualities  and  charac- 
ler  were  as  well  known,  and  remembered,  in  18M(I,  wben  he  received  but  73  electoral  voles 
out  of  294,  as  in  1840,  when  he  obtained  171,  but  Van  Burcn'.s  reputation  had  deluded  mul- 
titudes in  183G,  who,  in  1840,  know  him  by  his  works,  liven  in  1810,  alter  having  con- 
demned him  in  many  things,  I,  bring  ignorant  of  iiiii''-!'jntlis  of  his  early  history,  believed 
that  much  that  appeared  inexplicable  would  at  length  li'  cleared  up,  and  those  who  had  in- 
initely  better  means  of  knowing,  assured  me  that  such  would  be  tlu!  rase.  Colonel  Johnson, 
whose  generous  heart  prompts  him  to  favor  freedom,  endorsed  Van  Buren  in  the  most 
empl  atic  terms.  Disliking  Van  Buren  personally,  owing  him  no  favor,  a  siiflei-er  by  his 
partiality  and  injustice,  poor  but  at  heart  independent,  1  supported  hiui  in  1840,  while  I  de- 
nounced, through  the  press,  that  extension  of  .slavery's  honors,  of  wliicli  it  is  now  evident  to 
all  that  he  was  the  willing  instrument  of  the  south,  to  carry  it  into  ellect.  Calhoun  did  in- 
deed kill  him  with  kindness.  Virginia  voted  tor  the  New  Yorker,  and  New  York  tor  the  Vir- 
ginian; and  besides  Virginia,  Van  Buren  got  25  votes  from  the  slave  slate.';,  including  eleven 
from  Calhoun  and  M'Dulhe  for  S.  Carolina,  and  from  the  free  states  just  twelve,  in  the 
place  of  140  only  four  years  before !  His  Mexican  and  Canadian  policy,  the  praflig;icy  of 
his  expenditures,  the  wide-spread  distress  and  ruin  caused  by  the  blow  up  ot'  his  banking  and 
financial  schemes,  his  cringing  course  toward  Uie  slave  power,  tlie  coirupt  and  di.shonest 
agents  he  emp/nyed,  his  doulile-fdced  game  with  tbe  tai  itl',  throu^^'ii  lloyt,  Butler  and  others, 
and  the  want  of  syiiipathy  and  respect  which  he  and  his  friends  manifested  for  real  demo- 
cracy and  free  instituii(ms;  these,  added  to  his  militia  law  scheme,  and  the  bad  reputation  he 
had  with  those  who  had  known  him  long  and  well,  crushed  him  to  the  ground.  It  he  has  the 
materials  to  show  to  the  world,  that  one  solitary  aspiration  for  the  weltare  of  the  millions,  who 
had  raised  him  to  high  honor  among  men,  ever  came  from  his  sclli:<h  and  sordid  roul,  it  is 
lime  that  he  took  a  thousand  piastres  from  his  hoarded  stores,  and  employed  some  other  than 
Benjamin  Franklin  Butler  to  revise  Holland's  romance  for  a  more  authentic  record  of  his 
doings.  I  thought  well  of  him  and  his  while  I  dared  to  do  so  ;  and  if  here  1  have  said  any- 
thing in  error  to  his  prejudice  would,  for  the  honor  of  human  nature,  and  of  the  institutions  of 
a  people  placed  as  the  vanguard  of  rational  freedom,  most  gladly  admit  it. 

During  the  discussion,  in  Congress,  of  the  resolve  to  notify  England  that  the  joint  occu- 
pancy of  Oregon  must  soon  cease,  Mr.  Brinkerhoti^  remarked,  that  it  had  been  .s.^iid,  and  he 
relieved  it,  that  the  battle  for  Oregon,  if  it  came  at  all.  must  be  fought  in  Canada,  and  "  he 
was  glad  that  Britain  had  an  as.sailable  point  here,  where  we  wouid  reach  hei  with  effect. 
Take  Canada,  and  Oregon  would  fall  into  our  hands  as  a  matter  of  course,"  There  is  much 
if  this  sort  of  language  afloat  now,  but  very  few  remember  how  much  more  of  it  there  was  in 
1811  to  1813.  Wasliington  wantid  Canada.  John  Adams  desirexl  Laurens  to  make  an  effort 
to  gel  it  in  1782.  Franklin's  writings  show  that  he  was  most  anxious  to  attach  it  to  the  Union. 
As  far  back  as  1759,  and  I7(J0,  \vc  find  him  urgmg  England  to  get  and  ke-->p  it  in  the  same 
interest  as  the  other  colonies.  Congress  took  the  same  view,  as  witness  the  Canadian  clause  in 
the  constitution  of  1778.  The  Washington  National  Intelligencer,  then  the  oigan  of  Madison's 
administration,  said,  November,  1813,  "  We  may  not  obtain  possession  of  these  territories 
[the  noithern  coloiiie'^]  next  summsir,  but  eventually  they  must  b;;  ours."  The  editors  go  on 
to  state,  that  the  Canada^  embrace  and  command  the  outlet  and  entrance,  and  share  the  whole 
extent  of  the  mighty  St.  Lawrence,  one  of  the  two  great  waters  oi  N.  America,  and  the  natu- 
ral cliann.l  of  import  and  export  of  many  millions  of  men — that  ihe  conquest  ot  Canada 
''  was  in  vain  attempted  by  the  heroes  of  tlie  revolution  " — but  that  once  gained  tliey  could  bid 
defiance  to  England— thai  Cluebjc  guards  the  St.  Lawrence  more  ctrectually  than  any  other 
fortress  in  a  like  pasition  in  the  worki — that  the  transportation  of  the  means'  of  offensive  war 
to  the  frontiers  would  not  be  difficult — that  100,000  iroojis  might  soon  be  collected  on  the  St. 
Lawrence — and  that  "  on  our  own  exertions  and  united  efforts  alone  depends  the  time  when  it 
[Canad..]  shall  be  ours."  Not  many  months  after,  the  .same  paper  said,  "  when  we  entered 
into  the  war,  the  people,  and  we  amongst  them,  and  perh^  ps  the  government  too,  made  too 
light  of  llie  conquest  of  the  adjoining  provinces  of  the  enemy." 

Among  the  opponents  of  the  war  were  Harmanus  BlCvcker,  Geo.  Tebbctts,  Garret  Wen- 
d'>ll,  W.  A.  Duer,  James  Emotl,  Jesse  Oakley,  and  Elisha  Williams.  In  April,  1815,  tlicy 
addressed  the  public  in  these  words:  "  Another  object  o:  the  war  was  the  conquest  of  Can  da, 
and  its  cession  was  more  than  once  intim.ited  to  b.;  an  indisj-ensable  condition  of  peace."  In 
the  H.  of  R.,  Dec.  11),  181 1,  John  nA.vPot.ni  of  Va.,  o)  posco  the  notion  ol  conqinr.ng  Ciaia- 
da,  thus:  "  What  a  horrible  "-etort  might  ni-t  be  made  on  ilirfcouthi m  and  Wcstt  iuslavehi.:ld  ng 
states!  How  was  the  CliesajT-Mke  to  li?  pr^tjctcd  1  Hj  wi.ihel  lue  ho';se  to  considtr  the 
ch:  nces  of  failure  and  cuuii'i  tlu  co  t,  tj  {h.n,i  .■>:'  t.ie  b  oo  I  th:  t  wouli;  he  >pili,  and  the  mi]  ty 
cofTTs  from  which  th-  e.isi  is  jirojiosL'd  t.i  h-  lU'lVavivl."  Mi.  Pitkin,  11.  o  it.,  "  h'  d  no  wish 
losee  thehi'ierogencuus  nin-sof  Can.  >!  an -oiniL  tot.  re,  nsint  hI  un  this  floiH,  uoi  to  aild  Can- 
ada and  Nova  Scotia  to  the  republic."  i  mt  wrs  hon  ;.  I  like  it  1  u  m  y,  \Vc  doi.t  want 
any  connection  vvith  you,  is  much  bett'i- than  to  inviiv  '.'•  m\\'s,  and  then  in-ult  the  stranger 
iliub  asked  to  come,  by  Philadelphia  lioit,  anJ  Mew  Vo.u  n<ttiic  torporatious. 


vlY 


2Si   GRUNDY,  MOHKOE,  CALnOUI*,  WEBSTER,  AND  WHEATON,  OV  CANaD/L 


i-^: 


I'    .,•■'■.■  C"-- 


i-  :C; , 


M'-'^-:^:^' 


v:.^ 


:.v>t. 


•T  ■ 


i       •        ,■•.■! 


•   *    , 


On  tlie  9th  of  Dec.  1811,  Frxix  Grukdy,  a  member  of  Congress  for  Tennessee,  and  on  ihi 
coniaittee  of  foreign  relations,  djclar^J,  in  his  rjply  to  John  Randolph,  on  the  question  o 
augm"3nting  the  forces  f3r  "  that  he  would  drive  the  British  from  North  America,  anddi 
prive  them  of  the  Canadas  ;  and  would  rcc^-'ive  the  French  refugees  as  adoptevt  brothera 
Although  a  southern  man,  he  was  willing  and  desirous  to  have  the  Canadas.  They  wen 
necc.**ary  to  balance  'ae  increasing  weight  of  the  southern  and  wcbt^rn  states,  by  tin 
JIS"  accission  of  Louisiana.  If  this  weight  is  not  balanced  in  this  way,  there  is  reason  to  foa; 
JS*  oppression  by  the  gjvjrnmenL"  Another  version  of  his  remarlcs,  in  the  N.  Y.  Ev.  Poj^ 
reads  inus:  "  I  am  waning  to  receive  the  Canadians  as  adopted  brethren  ;  it  will  have  b.'ne' 
ficial  political  elfjas;  it  will  pre-icrve  the  eqailibrium  of  the  government  When  Loiiisian; 
shall  be  fully  peopled,  th3  northern  statis  will  loie  thsir  power;  they  will  bs  at  the  discretioi 
of  othei-s;  they  can  b,'  depressed  at  pleasure,  and  this  nation  may  b2  endangered— I  therefjn 
feel  anxious  not  only  to  atld  the  Fioridas  to  tJie  south,  but  the  Canadas  to  the  north  of  ihii. 
e.apire."  Mr.  Grundy  was  Van  Buren's  attorney-general,  and  perhaps  one  of  the  best  menol 
his  party.  Prisident  Polk  was  his  lav/  student.  Grundy  was  the  son  of  an  English  emi. 
grant,  'in  Oct.  1814,  Colonkl,  Mo.vrde,  afterwards  president,  said,  "  we  must  not  be  coniecL 
"with  defending  ourt^.'lves— diilerent  fujliugs  must  be  touched,  and  apprehensions  excited  in] 
"the  British  government.  By  pushing  the  war  into  Canada  we  .secure  the  command  of  lJ 
•'Indian  tribes,  and  comminJ  their  services;."  In  the  session  of  1812,  before  the  war,  Jchj] 
C.  Calhol'.-<  said  in  Congress,  that  "  So  fir. from  being  unprepared  [for  war],  he  believd  tha 
J3r  in  four  weeks  from  the  time  that  a  dorlaration  of  war  would  be  heard  on  our  frontier,  ihi 

gr  whole  of  Upper  and  a  part  of  Lower  Canada  would  be  in  our  possession."  Gknerii] 
iTLL,  said  to  the  Canadians,  July  \Z,  lSi-2,  '•  1  come  prepared  for  every  contingency — I  \i\-A 
a  force  which  will  look  down  all  opposition."  Four  months  afier  General  Smyth  said, "In] 
few  days  the  troops  under  my  co.mnand  will  plant  the  American  standard  in  Canada."  din. 
erals  Ai'Clure  and  Wilkinson  spoke  with  equal  confidence;  but  in  the  fall  of  1813,  the  latter 
officiallv  reported  to  the  sccrct;iry  at  war,  that  "The  whole  male  population  ofCan.-idaaM 
f^f  universally  and  iiclively  liostile  to  o\w  ilci.ii^ns  of  i-oiiquest  ujioii  that  country-"  SoIom 
Southwick,  in  "the  Albany  ilci,nster,  then  the  oihcial  j.  unal  of  this  state,  Nov.  30,  1813,  assij 
the  cabinet,  "  Are  you  alraid  to  take  Canada  lest  it  might  create  a  preponderating  infliienM 
against  the  Virginia  dynasty  1  Is  there  a  secret  understanding  on  the  subject  ?"  At  ail  times 
to  tiie  hour  of  his  death,  Southwick  continued  to  assert  that  the  indisposition  of  pretended  p- 
triots  in  the  slave  states  was  lilt' true  cause  of  the  failures  in  Canada;  and  considcrinsif.i 
superannuated,  eccentric,  inid  feeble  old  mm  ol'ten  placed  in  command,  and  the  .sentence 
death  against  Hull,  which  was  a  mere  waste  of  time  and  money,  as  far  as  puni.-hmeni  wea; 
he  had  some  cause  so  to  speak.  IMew  York  was  opposed  to  the  war.  She  voted  against  iiii 
Congress,  and  the  Assembly  at  Albany  was  against  it.  The  East,  with  an  unprotected  com- 
xnerce  afloat,  was  against  it;  and  a  powerful  timt/ieni  minority  steadily  opposed  it.  NailiaH' 
iel  Macon  voted  tor  the  war,  but  he  did  noi  like  it.  In  Jan.  1810,  he  said  in  Congress,  ihi 
"  setting  aside  the  affair  of  the  Cliesancake,  France  and  Britain  were  equal  aggressors.  Oiijkj 
we  to  sacrifice  our  property  which  floats  on  the  ocean  for  two  such  countries  as  Cimada! 
Massachusetts  voted  in  Congress  against  war,  8  to  (J — New  York,  11  to  ',i — Connecticut,*! 
none — Rhode  Island,  52  to  none — New  Jersey,  4  to  '2.  Mr.  Horsey  of  Del.  said  that  "il'al| 
the  slates  which  had  voted  for  war  had  shown  themselves  as  hearty  as  Kentucky,  we  wouk 
have  long  since  overwhelmed  Canadn,  where  the  people  were  united  in  resisting  us."  Danie, 
Webster,  then  I'rom  N.  IL  s:iid,  Jan.  3,  1814,  "  that  if  the  cause  had  been  one  which  the  peop't| 
had  espoused  with  ardor,  and  been  united  upon,  Canada,  to  the  walls  of  duebec,  would  havi' 
been  ours  in  thirty  days." 

Dr.  Eustis,  War  Secretary,  said,  in  181'3,  "  We  can  take  the  Canadas  without  soldiers;  \C(| 
have  only  to  send  oinccrs  into  the  province,  and  the  people,  disaflected  to  their  own  govern 
mem,  will  rally  round  our  standard."    In  the  fall  of  1813,  the  National  Intelligencer  saidj 
"  Since  then  our  enemy  force  1  us  to  war,  and  cosnpellod  us  to  territorial  reprisals,  for  hf! 
oceanic  outrages,  and  still  persists  in  refusing  a  recognition  of  our  violated  rights,  we  trust  on: 
readers  Will  gm 'rally  agree  with  us,  that  the  Canadas  once  ours,  they  shall  be,  as  thei| 
states  have  been,  forever  divorced  from  British  sovereignty."     The  present  American  Envo; 
at  Berlin,  Tlcnry  Wheaton,  who  has  been  recalled,  doubt  less  to  occupy  an  important  trust  here, 
case  of  war,  wa«  editor  of  the  National  Advocate  in  1813,  and  no  paper  in  the  Union  was  inoii 
decided  in  its  tone,  in  favor  of  taking  and  keeping  Canada  for  ever.    At  Tammany  Hall.o: 
the  25th  of  Nov.  anniversnry.  General  Deartwrii  being  present.  Collector  Swartwout's  hrotM] 
John,  gave  as  a  toast,  "  War,  stern,  unrelenting  war,  till  the  haughty  I'iX  acknowledge  oi 
rights  to  the  waters  of  the  St.  Lawrence  and  the  Mississippi."    On  the  same  day,  the  Indcl 
pendent,  Veteran  Corps  of  Artillery  of  the  city  of  New  York,  drank,  as  their  10th  regtiii 
toast,  "  Florida  and  the  Canada- — necessarily  ours  by  conquest  or  purchase,"  as  their  111 
"  Cuba,  Te.xas  and  Me.vico;  voluntarily  ours  as  free  states  of  the  Union" — and  as  their  Wl 
"The  destiny  of  our  countrv,  brilliant  and  co-extensive  with  our  national  boundaries,  tk 
Atlantic,  Pacific,  and  Polar  Star."    And  in  the  Nat.  Intell.  of  Oct.  17,  1812,  it  in  noted  liui 


of  cutting 
sessions 
not  have 
pendent 
ty  such 
question, 
ment,  in  _ 
thrown  otl 
fear,  sus>ta 
times  here 
ers.  Bark 
Wrights, 
improvoni 
ways,  and 
withal  chc 
Whv  - 
carefuilv, 
tion  ofCa 
Durham, 
Earl  Grey 
jthat  woulf 
[that,  had 
jsinceritv 
his  landi 
jroyal  cou 
ledined, 
scent  Iron 
'hich  501 
'as  not  p 
■elative 
Tatigable 
'Ppressic 


^1 


5AT0W,  ON  CAXAD4. 

for  Tennessee,  and  on  ihi 
ndolpti,  on  the  question 
n  Nortti  America,  anddl 
fugees  as  adopte^l  brotheu 
e  the  Canadas.    They  weri 
and  western  states,  by  i|j, 
way,  there  is  reason  to  f; 
arlvs,  in  the  N,  Y.  Ev.  Poji 
rethren  ;  it  will  have  b.'ni 
rnment.    When  Loiiisiaai 
ley  will  bs  at  the  discreiii. 
endangered— I  therefjn 
Canadas  to  the  north  of  ihji. 
haps  one  of  the  best  men  o| 
the  son  of  an  English  eini. 
id,  "  we  must  not  be  conteni 
n.l  apprehensions  excited  iii| 
secure  the  command  of  I'll 
1812,  before  the  war,  kn\ 
;d  [for  war],  he  believcJ  ihat| 
be  heard  on  our  frontier, 
our  possession."    Gkneru, 
every  contingency — I  han 
r  General  Smyth  said, "In a 
.  standard  in  Csnada."  G«d. 
in  the  fall  of  I8i3,  the  latter 
lie  ■popuhilion  ofCan.^.diUrt 
pon  Uiat  country-"    SoloiMj 
his  state,  Nov.  'dO,  1813,  asf 
te  a  preponderating  infliieno 
n  the  subject  1"   At  all  times 
liadisposition  of  protended  p- 
Canada ;  and  considcriiiijir.i 
ommand,  and  the  sentence o 
V,  as  far  as  puni.-hment  wen; 
war.    She  voted  against  iii: 
1st,  with  an  unprotected  cuj. 
steadily  opposed  it.     Nathan- 
■JIO,  ho  -said  in  Congre.ss,  thai 
ivcro  equal  aggres.sors.   Oiigli:| 
J  such  countries  as  Ci'.nadarl 
jrk,  II  to  ;?— Connecticut, *i(| 
sey  of  Del.  said  that  "it'all 
earty  as  Kentucky,  we  wotikl 
mi  ted  in  resisting  us."  Daniel 
lad  been  one  which  the  peop'il 
walls  of  Cluebec,  would  havil 


I^anadas  without  soldiers;  vij 
iftl'ctcd  to  their  own  govenj 
I  National  Intelligencer  said 
o  territorial  reprisals,  for  he; 
lur  violated  rights,  we  trust giir 
oLU's,  they  shall  be,  as  thesl 
The  present  American  Emr 
:upy  an  important  trust  here,i; 
0  paper  in  the  Union  was  moiJ 
ever.    At  Tammany  Hall,  cj 
Collector  Swartwout's  hrotneil 
laughty  t'oc  acknowledge  oc 
On  the  same  day,  the  Indtj 
,  drank,  as  their  10th  regiili 
t  or  purchase,"  as  their  lit' 
he  Union" — and  as  their  isl 
our  national  boundaries,  lti(| 
'  Oct.  17,  1812,  it  is  noted 


CLAY,  RITCHIE,  PARNELL,  DESHA,  AND  DURHAM,  ON  CANADA.         386 

SlOO.OOOwere  voted  to  the  President,  "  for  tlie  purpose  of  taking  the  Floridas."  Joseph  Desha, 
of  Kentucky,  in  Congress,  Jan.  23,  1810,  said,  "  We  ought  to  take  Canada  and  Nova  BoLtifl, 
and  expel  the  English  from  N,  A. — the  militia  will  do  it.  Indeed  we  have  but  to  hold  tut  to 
th.'T  colonists  that  we  moan  to  release  them  Iroin  their  chains,  and  they  will  almost  take  it 
themselves."  Colonel  11.  M.  Johnson  was  also  for  war  and  the  conquest  oi  the  nortliern  colo- 
nies. At  a  public  dinn;r  in  Buflalo,  Oct.  *25tli,  1H13,  at  which  Henry  Clay's  relative,  General 
Peter  B.  Porter,  presided,  and  at  which  General  Harrison  and  Commodore  Perry  were  gueats, 
the  12th  regular  toast  was,  "  A  free  navigation  from  Uuebec  to  New  Orleans  l.y  the  lakes" — 
the  17th,  was  "  The  inhabitants  of  Canada — we  light  not  to  conquer  them,  but  the  policy  which 
made  them  our  enunies.  May  they  soon  be  united  to  the  American  Republic."  On  the  Slst 
of  Dec.  1811,  Mr.  Widgery  told  Congress  to  "  give  New  i^ngland  authority,  and  she'll  take 
Canada  without  putting  you  to  any  trouble."  On  the  Land  bounty  Bill,  in  the  U.  S.  Senate, 
Feb.  1814,  Mr.  W.  Wells  of  Delaware  said,  that  although  disaster  had  attended  its  progress, 
"Canada  is  still  the  fond  object  of  our  wishes,"  but  that  U  ere  would  be  great  difticulty  in  get- 
ting and  t.ti  .1  greater  in  keeping  it.  Mr.  Grosvenor  of  Columbia  Co.  N.  Y.,  in  Congress,  Dtc. 
1814,  quoted  Irom  Mr.  Clay's  speech  in  Congress,  on  the  eve  of  the  war,  as  follows :  "  i  am 
"not,  sir,  in  favor  of  cherishing  the  passion  of  conquest,  but  1  may  be  permitted  to  conclude 
"by  declaring  my  hope  to  see,  ere  long,  the  Nkw  United  States,  if  you  will  allow  me  Uic  ex- 
"preesion,  embracing  not  only  the  old  thirteen  states,  but  the  entire  country  east  of  the  Mia- 
"sissippi,  including  East  Florida,  and  i:^  some  of  the  territories  to  the  north  of  us  also." 
Grosvenor's  language  was  eloquent  and  impassioned  against  any  other  than  a  war  for  de- 
fence. He  condjmnu'il  annexation  on  the  north,  and  said  that  the  conquest  oi  Canada  had 
been  "  avowed  in  all  ilie  ga:jettes  of  the  government,  in  the  spceciit:j  of  those  members  who 
declared  the  war,  and  in  the  proclamations  of  the  generals  who  had  conducted  it,  nor  had  it 
been  ctisavowed  by  the  executive."  The  JliJiviond.  Ji'/tquircr,  tlien  edited,  as  now,  by  T.  Rit- 
chie and  tho.sc  he  trusted,  and  speaking,  no  doubt,  the  language  of  Jelitrson,  declared  in  Feb. 
1814,  that  "  vVhenever  Canada  nods  to  her  fall.  Great  Britain  will  be  just,  and  not  till  then 
"shall  we  obtain  any  security  for  the  rights  and  prosperity  of  our  countrymen,  the  honor  and 
"independence  of  the  country."  Some  filteeu  yeais  later,  the  A'w//t  Ammaat /?cf(ew  said, 
"  Most  ardently  it  is  to  be  wished,  that  the  happy  example  which  lias  so  prosperously  attached 
"  to  our  Union,  on  the  south,  the  French  colony  of  Louisiana,  would  efftctually  point  the 

"way  to  an  equally  auspiciousjunction  of  the  French  colonies  of  the  north What 

"a  noble  acccssioii  would  it  constitute  to  our  republic."  Again,  in  183-2,  Sir  Henry  Parneli, 
a  member  of  the  Whig  ;.vovernment,  in  his  work  on  Financial  Reform,  took  ground  in  lavor 
of  cutting  the  connection.  He  said  that  "  AVith  respect  to  Canada,  including  our  other  pos- 
sessions on  the  continent  of  North  America,  no  case  can  be  made  out  to  show  that  we  should 
not  have  every  cummcrcial  advantage  we  are  supposed  now  to  have,  it  it  were  made  an  inde- 
pendent state.  Neither  our  manufactures,  foreign  commerce,  nor  shipping,  would  be  injured 
uy  such  a  measure."  JNIany  persons  would  be  inclined  tu  ditlcr  with  the  baronet  on  thia 
question.  Though  an  Irishman,  ho  rcpresenti.'d  in  parlinnient  my  native  city,  and  in  argu- 
ment, in  private,  I  have  seen  him  go  still  farther  in  lavor  of  independence  to  the  north.  If 
thrown  otfby  England,  which  is  a  very  unlikely  event  just  now,  the  colonies  could  not,  I 
fear,  sustain" an  iiidopcndent  character;  and  1  trust  they  will  take  warning  by  the  signs  of  ilie 
times  here,  wlicn  applau-se  and  high  station  is  reserved  lur  our  Van  Burens,  Butlers,  Walk- 
ers, Barkers,  Lawrences,  Marcys,  Morrises,  Wetmores,  Polks,  Cave  Johnsons,  Houstons, 
Wrights,  Cassos,  and  Woodburys,  and  seek  no  change  but  that  which  education  and  gradual 
improvements  can  secure  to  them.  Railroads,  canals,  revenue  laws  rightly  framed,  high- 
ways, and  the  Primer,  properly  taught,  are  patent  and  powerful  auxiliaries  to  annexation,  and 
withal  cheap,  and  useful  to  ourseh'es. 

Why  did  Canadians  revolt  in  1837  !— I  have  read  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  of  1776, 
carefuilv,  and  there  is  no  one  cause  of  revolt  stated  in  it,  but  what  was  applicable  to  tiie  condi- 
tion of  Canada,  in  1837.    The  British  Parliament,  by  a  solemn  act,  appointed  the  Earl  of 
Durham,  one  of  England's  mo-st  eminent  nobles,  and  the  son-in-law  of  the  piime  minister, 
Earl  Grey,  to  go  to  Canada  as  it.'-,  supreme  governor,  and  inquire  whether  any  real  grievances 
that  would  warrant  revolt  had  existed.     liis  report  is  on  record;  and  so  dark  are  the  recitals, 
that,  had  it  been  possible,  its  worst  features  would  never  have  seen  the  light.     His  opportune 
sincerity  embittered  those  whom  his  statements  condemnod.     Preineditatod  insult  met  him  on 
his  landing  in  Britain.     The  jiressos  of  the  offended  parly  ceaselessly  calumniated  him.     The 
jroyal  court  is  said  to  have  .slighted  him.     His  feelings  were  wounded.     His  health  gradually 
"eclined,  and  but  a  few  short  months  elapsed,  ere  John  George  Lainblon,  the  Kith  in  lineal  de- 
icentfroni  Robert  de  Lambton,  a  proud  baron  of  1513,  though  surrounded  by  all  the  comforts 
hich  500,000  dollars  of  a  yearly  income  can  produce  or  bestow,  had  gone  to  his  last  rest.    I 
as  not  personally  acquainted  with  him,  and  only  saw  him  once  in  my  lilie,  at  the  house  of  his 
elative  Mr.  Ellice ;  but  I  remember  that  he  was  for  many  years  a  co-worker  with  the  inde- 
atigable  Hiune  atvtl  Lord  Althorp  in  the  House  of  Comnums,  in  denouncing  and  exposing 
ippression  and  wasteful  extravagance ;  that  he  opposed  the  fettering  of  the  press,  and  the  do< 


«tn 


v;} 


V,  ' 


286 


LORD  Durham's  apology  for  revolt  in  Canada. 


■<■•  :• 


:lh.^|,:' ;: 


ijf; 


*   ■;  •  .■••';■ 


mr^t 


'  r'n 


}.! 


!     i> 


'•';':  ■'■■  ", 


'.  1. 


tested  corn  law  of  1816,  and  earnestly  urged  a  far  more  thorough  reform  than  was  obtained 
m  the  popular  representation  in  183-2.  Perhaps  Van  Buren  has  been  guilty  of  more  heinous 
offences  tlian  his  ciilebratcd  invitation  to  the  autocrat  of  Canada,  erewhile  the  envoy  of  Eng- 
land's queen  at  the  court  of  the  autocrat  of  Siberia. 

Lord  Durham  officially  staled  to  the  dueen's  ministers,  that  it  would  almost  s^em  as  if  the 
object  of  those  who  IrameJ  tiie  Canadian  .system  of  government  "  had  been  the  combining  of 
I^S'apparently  popular  in.stitutioiis  with  an  utter  ah.scnce  of  all  Et'riciE.vT  control  of  the  people 
overtneir  rulers,"  that  the  government  was  irresponsible,  and  its  motive's  and  actual_  purposes 
shrouded  in  mysteiy  from  ihe  colonists;  that  a  "  family  compact,"  a  small  body  of  intriguing 
men,  retain  '-a  monopoly  of  power  and  profit,"  and  that  even  a  native  of  Britain  or  Ireland, 
if  not  one  of  this  coinbined  faction,  is  "  less  an  alien  in  a  foreign  country"  than  in  Canada; 
that  every  seventh  farm  in  Upper  Canada  had  been  bestowed  to  uphold  one  small  denomina- 
tion of  christians — that  the  Irisli  Catholics,  though  very  numerous,  had  been  e.Kcluded  from  a 
share  in  the  government — that  scalers  from  the  United  States  had  been  harassed,  and  the 
titles  to  their  lands  called  in  question — that  parliamentary  elections  of  high  officers  of  govern- 
ment  had  been  carried  by  outrageous  violence — that  the  orange  .societies,  oaths  and  proce.v 
sions  which  caused  so  much  ill  blooJ  in  Ireland,  had  been  greatly  encouraged  in  Canada  by 
the  executive — that  the  administration  of  justice  was  impure,  and  that  a  colonist  feels  that  his 
Unit  in  the  empire  is  "  ono  of  remote  dependence" — that  blocks  of  the  public  lands  had  been 
granted  to  favorites  who  had,  in  many  cases,  never  seen  nor  settled  on  them,  and  that  thev 
"  place  th"!  actual  settler  in  an  almost  hopeless  condition" — that  emigrants  fioin  Britain  are  iil 
treated  by  the  Toronto  authorities,  and  retire  to  the  U.  S.  in  disgu.sl — that  many  parts  aie 
without  roads,  mills,  post-offices,  and  churches,  the  people  getting  poor,  education  neglected, 
and  the  valuable  lands  .set  apart  for  schools  by  orders  of  the  Duke  of  Portland  40  years  ago, 
ever  since  withheld  from  that  useful  purpose— that  the  U.  S.  frontier  is  a  picture  of  prosperity, 
while  that  of  Canada  is  the  reverse — that  unless  the  .system  of  government  is  changed,  the 
pejple  would  not  long  support  British  rule — that  Governor  Head  had  procured  the  return  of  a 
Hoa.se  of  Assembly,  the  members  of  which  were  elected  under  such  circumstances  "  as  to  ren- 
der them  peculiarly  objcfts  of  suspicion  and  i  vproarh  to  a  large  number  of  their  country- 
man"— that  '•  in  a  number  of  instances,  too,  the  elLCtions  were  carried  by  the  iinscrupuloiis 
exercise  of  the  influence  of  the  government,  and  by  a  display  of  violence  on  the  part  of  ilie 
lories,  who  were  emboldened  by  the  countenance  afforded  to  them  by  the  government;  thnt 
such  fact-s  and  such  impressions  produced  in  the  country  an  exasperation  and  a  despair  cf 
good  government,  whicn  extended  fir  beyond  those  who  had  actually  been  defeated  at  the 
polls" — that  the  legislature  thus  corruptly  elected  tor  one  yciir,  had  prolonged  its  cistcnre 
other  three,  "  in  defiance  of  all  constitutional  right,"  and  "Such  are  the  lamentable  resulis 
of  the  political  and  social  evils  which  have  so  long  harassed  the  Canadas;  and  aithismomi'iit 
we  are  obliged  to  adopt  immediate  measures  against  dangers  so  alarming  as  are  rebellion, 
foreign  invasion,  and  depopulation  in  cotwequence  of  the  desertion  cii  viaise  oi  a  people  re- 
duced to  despair." 

England's  queen  and  parliammt  constituted  Lord  Durham  an  umpire  between  revolted 
8Ubiect.s  and  the  authorities.  This  was  his  report.  Yet  was  my  valuable  property  .scattered 
to  the  four  winds  of  he^iven — myself  declared  an  outlaw  -and  at"  the  eml  of  nine  years,  1  ilo 
not  find  enough  of  noblene.ss  of  soul  in  the  great  i  nuniry,  or  its  rulers  whocau.sed  the  wron^.to 
reverse  that  outlawry,  because  I  do  not  choose  huinbly  to  beseech  a  minister,  whose  predeces 
»or  better  dj.-ervaJ  imp:achrn  mt  than  sone  whoiu  Lvigland's  annals  mention  as  havmg  b.-en 
so  treated.    I  am,  I  liedev;-,  t.ie  only  political  oiiilau'  of  18^7,  belonging  to  Ujijcr  Canada. 

In  a  secret  de.spatch,  Lord  Durham  to  Lord  (iUnelg,  dated  (iuebc'C,  Aug.  1),  1838,  says; 
"  My  sole  purpose  is  to  impioss  upon  \our  Lordship  my  own  conviction,  which  has  beca 
formed  by  personal  experience,  that  even  the  b.ist  inliirmetl  i)ersons  in  England  can  hariiv 
conceive  tlie  disorder  or  disorganisation  which,  to  a  caretlil  inquirer  on  the  spot,  is  maniii^H 
in  all  things  p-.!rtaining  to  government  in  those  colonies.  Such  words  scarcely  express  the 
whole  truth  ;  not  government  merely,  but  society  itselt  seems  to  he  dissolved  ;  the  vessel  of  tlu 
state  i.s  not  in  great  danger  only,  but  lo.)ks  like  a  complete  wieck."  And  again,  Sept.  &ldi, 
Lord  Durham  writes: — "  S'or  shall  I  regret  that  I  have  wielded  the.sc  despotic  powers  in  a 
mann3r  which,  a-s  an  Englishman,  I  am  anxious  to  declare  utterly  inconsistent  with  the  [hi- 
tish  constitution,  until  I  learn  what  are  the  constitutional  principles  tliat  remain  in  lbrc<:  when 
a  whole  constitution  is  snsp.^nded  ;  what  principles  of  a  British  consiitiUion  hoUl  good  in  a 
country  wh^re  the  p-?o,)lo's  money  is  t.-iken  without  the  people's  consent,  where  representaiiii 
govrnmMii  is  an.Tihik.tyl,  \vh  Tt?  uTirti;il  law  ii.is  b^en  the  law  o!'  t:ie  land,  and  where  i:n; 
trial  bv  I'lrv  exists  o:i!,-  to  d^'ieat  iht  ends  of  lusiice,  and  t-.  pi'.ivok'e  the  righiec^us  s<?oin  rn; 
indignitioi  0  ■  th  •  CO  nniaity. 
P'duciples  o:  g  iviru  nj  it,  or 


I  should  in  le;,i  rsjrr.'f 
m.'  own   i.icap  ciiv  for 


the  want  of  applicability  m  mv  own 
applyiiii,'  i:icni.  liad  the  I'recise  coinse 
which  1  shoild  thini:  it  i.n|Vratu'e  on  im  to  pursue  in  a  land  of  lir-edom  and  ol'  law,  rrovel 
to  be  the  only  ov  th  it  1  cnul J.  adopt  in  a  couutry  udiich  Ion?  misgovern ^neni  ami  sfd  Ji.'-^ei!- 
won  have  brough:  tu  a  condition  tiiai  may  fai;ly  hti  dc-eribud  as  one  of  constitute*.!  anarciiy.'' 


*  I  am  sii 
ilneincnt  in 
tiorril)lc  ml! 
piiclfy  I  he  I 
liiniilies  the 
nioi't  iiripor 
111  write  un 
rpsponrlenci 
■ion  of  the 
printer  ol'  i 
tiuint)er,  m 
lingly  Into 
utdrcssefl  t 

■^  Ti)  VV.  L.  r 
''  Dkak 
^  the  |ieo|ile 


R  since  ymir 
rich  In  ordf 
,  cieding!)  (it 
j  niHved  t'roii 
|,;«blic  oflliv 


I 


ANADA. 

form  than  was  obtained 

guilty  ol"  more  heinims 

vliile  the  envoy  of  Eng- 

lid  almost  «eem  as  if  the 
d  been  the  combining  of 
E.vT  control  of  the  people 
iVi's  and  acmul  purposes 
small  hodv  of  intriguing 
ve  of  Britain  or  Ireland, 
)untry"  than  in  Canada; 
lold  one  small  dcnoinina- 
ad  been  excluded  from  a 
1  been  harassed,  and  ilie 
of  high  otliccrs  of  goverii- 
lieties,  oaths  and  proces- 
icouraged  in  Canada  by 
at  a  colonist  feels  that  his 
the  pulilic  lands  had  been 

■  on  them,  and  that  ihev 
grants  fioin  Britain  are  ill 
(list— that  many  parts  are 
poor,  education  neglected, 
A'  Portland  40  years  ago, 
T  is  a  picture  of  prosperity, 
vrrninenl  is  changed,  llie 
ad  procured  the  return  of  a 
1  circumstances  "  as  to  rei\. 

number  of  their  counirv- 
rried  by  the  unscrupulous 
violence  on  the  part  of  ilie 
1  by  the  government;  th?t 
spei-alion  and  a  despair  nf 
;ually  been  defeated  at  the 
had  prolonged  its  e-istonoe 
are   the   lamentable  resulis 
anadas;  and  aithismomdit 
alarming  as  are  rebellion, 
>n  en  masse  of  a  people  ro- 
an umpire  between  re  voted 
r  valuable  property  scattered 
the  end  or  nine  years,  1  do 
ers  who  caused  the  wroii^.to 
a  minister,  whose  predeces- 
als  mention  as  having  b.-en 
jnging  to  Upror  Canada, 
uebic,  Aug.  I),  1!^38,  says: 
conviction,  which  has  been 
ms  in   England  can  haMH' 
,rer  on  the  spot,  is  inaniifH 
words  scarcely  express  the 
le  dissolved  ;  the  vessel  of  ths 
ick."     And  again,  Sept.  SliL, 
these  dospjtic  powers  in  a 
•Iv  inconiiisteut  with  the  lin- 
ks tiiat  remain  in  Ibrci;  when 
cousiitution  hold  good  in  a 
;orisenl,  where  representative 
V  oi'  the  l.'Hiit,  nnd  where  im 
olce  the  ricrhiL'iHis  scorn  rn; 
tot'  npplici.biiity  in  mv  c)\r;i 

■  them,  had  the  precise  coiir^': 
Crnedom  and  of  kiw,  iTovftl 

i^'4ovel■nLn.•nl  iind  sfd  dis^ei:- 
one  of  coiiiitituie*.!  anarcliy." 


AN  APOLOGY  FOR  THE  AUTHOr's  CONDUCT  IN  CANADA. 


287 


With  rec  )rds  like  thes:^  on  the  journals  of  parliament,  is  it  noble,  is  it  just,  is  it  according 
to  the  Engli  li  notion  oi  thir  dealing,  to  proscribe  a  man  from  visiting  the  place  of  his  birth, 
and  the  graves  of  liis  chiklipn — to  hold  up  that  proscription  for  nine  long  years — to  require 
concession  from  the  injured'?  Did  I  not  for  many  a  long  year,  in  the  legislature  of  Cana- 
da, oppose  all  wasteful  extravagance,  lend  an  active  help  to  forward  the  public  business,  to 
expose  dishonesty,  to  shame  partial  judges,  to  remove  real  grievances'?  Did  I  not,  through  a 
fearless  press,  amid  endless  prosecutions,  with  the  plaudits  of  community,  .stand  up  for  constitu- 
tional riglit,  and  to  the  last  declare  we  would  ask  no  more  'i  Did  I  not  carry  to  England  the 
petitions  of  a  majority  of  all  the  male  population  of  Upper  Canada ;  and  while  others,  with 
not  a  tithe  of  the  jrapiilar  influi.mce  I  pos.sessed,  were  courting  power  for  place,  which  I  never 
stooped  to  do,  did  1  not  warn  Lord  Godcrieh,  now  Earl  of  Ripon,  five  years  before  the  outbreak, 
what  it  would  end  in,  if  justice  was  denied  and  the  colonists  scorned '?  In  that  nobleman's 
reply  to  my  statement,  a  document  of  great  length,  and  possessing  much  sound  reasoning,  and 
which,  had  not  its  piomi.ses  been  disregarded  by  his  successors,  there  would  have  been  no 
insurrection  in  1837,  he  says,  "  Mr.  Mackenzie  has  concluded  this  paper  by  predictions  of 
"bloodshed  and  civil  war,  and  a  dissolution  of  the  connection  with  this  kingdom.  He  may 
"  well  suppose  that  such  a  prospect  would  be  regarded  by  his  majesty's  government  with  a 
"  degree  ol  concern  and  anxiety  to  wliich  it  would  be  difficult  to  give  any  adequate  expressions, 
"  But  against  gloomy  prophecies  of  this  nature,  every  man  conversant  with  public  business  must 
"learn  to  Ibrtify  his  niinu.  They  have  e"'er  been  the  resource  of  those  who  endeavor  to  extort 
"from  the  fears  of  government  concetsions,  in  favor  of  which  no  adequate  reasons  can  be 
"given."  Does  Lord  Durham's  Report  contain  no  adequate  reasons ■?*  Did  my  remon- 
strances, yet  on  file  in  the  colonial  office,  contain  none  1  Did  the  continued  proofs  of  public  con- 
fidence winch  I  obtained  while  in  England,  and  on  my  return  to  Canada,  contain  none  1  Had 
I  been  dcsirovs  o/cxciliiig  a  irantun  insurrcdiun  vwuld  I  have  gone  to  London  tlfus  to  warn  the 
colonial  office  to  prepare  for  it  1  Would  I  have  remained  there  18  months,  earnestly  and  anx- 
iously urging  these  improvements  in  the  commercial  code — in  the  postage  system — in  the 
communications  lx;twecii  Halifax  and  Britain — and  in  the  municipal  concerns  of  the  Cana- 
das,  which  were  so  much  required  by  all  parties'?  So  far  was  I  from  being  ultra  in  my 
views,  that  I  frankly  told  Lord  Howick  and  Mr.  Stephen,  that  if  they  would  give  us  a  man  of 
business  habits  as  governor,  in  exchange  for  the  old  military  hero  who  had  so  long  been  con- 
trolled by  "the  family  compact,"  .so  justly  condemned  by  Lord  Durham,  we  would  try  to  get  on 
without  that  full  measure  of  self-control  which  our  memorials  required,  so  far  as  it  was  op- 
posed to  the  colonial  .system  On  my  return  to  Canada,  a  committee  of  a  new  legislature,  on 
which  [  served  as  chairman,  went  fully  into  an  examination  of  the  condition  of  the  colony. 
The  result  of  our  labors  was  an  octavo  of  some  500  pages ;  and,  armed  with  that  volume  and 
the  baron  of  Glenelg's  instructions  in  reply,  Sir  Francis  Head  dropped  down  among  us  in  mid 
'.vinter,  as  a  reformer,  than  which  a  more  indiscreet  and  unwi.se  choice  never  was  made  by 
any  administration — neither  have  1  a  doubt  but  that  Lord  Melbourne  was  as  sensible  of  his  un- 
iltness  when  he  sent  him  out,  as  he  sccius  to  have  been  when  Sir  Francis  had  set  the  colonies 
on  fire,  tbrough  the  troubles  of  1837.  lie  began  by  exhibiting  in  Upper  Canada  part  of  Lord 
Gostbrd's  instructions,  which  he  had  been  directed  to  keep  secret — their  publication  stopt  the 
supplies  in  Lower  Canada,  and  dashed  the  cup  of  popularity  from  Lord  Gosford's  lips,  for 
they  showed  insincerity  at  head-quarters.  Heads  conduct  as  governor,  slandering  the  United 
States,  encouraging  orange  societies,  quarrelling  with  the  advisers  he  had  chosen,  but  never 
I  uce  consulted,  staling  falsehoods  ancl  getting  convicted  of  so  doing,  was  such  that  supplies 
were  refused  to  him  also,  and  he  had  to  set  every  semblance  of  popular  rule  at  defiance,  in 


*  I  am  sincerelv  sorry  th.Tt  a  single  individual  remains  oiuliiwed  or  bniiished  from  Canada,  or  held  In  con- 
nneincnt  in  Yhu  bicinMn's  I.iind,  retuiivc  to  iho  instirrcciion.  £n^liind  whs  so  clearly  in  the  wrong,  by  the 
horrililo  misrule  she  sutlbreil  to  exist,  thai  when  she  suw  men  like  inc  turn  round  and  do  our  very  utmost  to 
piicify  the  frontiers,  niter  hninc  plundered  oreveryihing,  she  should  hnve  taken  the  risk  of  returning  to  their 
tiiniilles  the  innocent  victims  of  her  r;ireiessness.  1  am  very  cool  now ;  and  yet  althouizh  I  have  a  packet  of 
most  Important  puiKTS  in  the  hands  ot'  a  friend  lor  safe  kcepini;,  relative  t(i  Cai  ad  in  utFairs,  1  think  it  too  enrly 
ti(  write  an  account  of  the  events  of  1830  lo  1838.  I  have  pre>crved  some  iiOO  le>  ers  of  the  Navy  laiand  cor- 
rrspondence,  but  it  i-s  not  yet  a  filling  lliue  to  ■live  such  matters  to  the  world,  t-'o  strong  is  my  present  convic- 
liun  of  the  impropriety  of  adding  any  inflanmiiilory  materials  to  the  Oreizcm  blaze  that,  although  the  worthy 
printer  of  my  "  Sons  of  the  Emerald  Isle  "  premised  me  to  allow  him  to  tini>h  it.  (  have  stopt  after  the  second 
number,  mther  than  continue  j'uAt  Jioio  these  e.\citing  relations  of  ancient  misrule.  1  never  have  played  wil- 
liiiply  into  the  hands  of  the  enemies  of  real  reform  anywiiere,  and  will  not  now.  The  following  note  was 
.'ulilrcssert  to  me,  by  that  true  and  Uing  and  well-tried  friend  of  poor  and  rich,  Joseph  Hume,  when  I  was  lust 

I  li-nving  liondon. 

.  To  VV.  L.  Mackenzie  :  "  Brtanston  Squahe.  June  24ih,  1833. 

'  Dbar  Sir  :  1  cannot  allow  you  to  leave  this  country  without  cxpressini.'  my  senso  of  the  (jreat  advantage 

I  the  (leople  of  Opp' r  (lanadii  have  derived  troiii  your  exertions  which  have  been  unwearied  and  perseverii  g 

'  since  yimr  anival ;  and.  I  limy  add  coinpanitively  successful  In  KbiHining  many  alteration'  from  Lord  Code- 
rich  in  orders  respecting  the  future  Government  of  Upper  Canada.  I  am  sorry  to  observe  by  some  of  the  pro- 
ciedlugs  of  Mr.  ^Uinloy,  that  he  Is  rather  disposed  to  promote,  than  to  puni-h  the  men  who  have  been  re- 
moved I'roni  Upper  (Canada  for  Imprnper  conduct,  and  thereliy  to  encourage  misgovermnent  on  the  part  of  tlie 

I  public  ofllters  of  (hat  i>rovlnce,  which  Lord  Coderich's  lute  pruceeUlugs  were  calcaUted  iv  prevent. 

'  Jotcru  HvHC." 


if 


233 


THE  CANADIAN  INSURRECTIONS  OF  1S37-38. 


If--;--:.' 

lift*: 

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.■m. 
..,.,.,, 

•;.' 

*;■•■•: 

;r-  : 

}\':  ■  ■■ 
'I  \ ,, , 

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,  I     • 


ordsr  to  d'x^\7e  his  supariors  in  England  thraugh  a  mock  legiilature,  obtained  on  the  principle 
wiich  L'JrJ  D  irhim  toj  truly  described  whan  it  \v<as  to.)  late  to  recall  t!ie  past.  Sir  Fntiicis 
write.s  to  LjrJ  Mjlbj.i'iii  atU'.r  t.'iis  fashion :  "  On  my  arrival  in  Uppjr  Canada  I  found  niy- 
self  not  only  b.ju.iie-l  on  the  oas  siJe  by  Ljwer  Canada  on  the  cvo  of  a  revolt,  and  on  the 
other  siij,  by  tiu  UaiteJ  Stitjs,  whjsi  GOVc^RNMr^Nl",  as  well  as  people,  wero  secretly 
usin^  tne.r  inri:i;n:e  tj  ecUroiinute  f-O'ii  the  continent  of  Ani?rica  monarchical  institutioas, 
but  1  ioiii'l  mysjjf  expj^e.l  to  an.l  opposed  by  a  republican  house  of  assembly."  After  my  re. 
turn  from  Englani  I  had  not.iin^'  u-aatever  to  do  with  either  government  or  people  in  these 
Stdt:«;  and  they  had  no  part  in  causing  the  revolt;  nor  did  the  native  Americans  in  Canada 
lalJJ  thj  laboring  oar  in  it.  [f  this  country  had  secret  emissaries  I  never  knew  of  i;,  nor  d(,  i 
b:lieve  it.  Thj  re/jlt  in  1837  b^gan  Nov.  G,  in  Mjntroal.  That  of  1838  never  would  have 
hiiaa  at  all,  had  LjrJ  Durham  b^en  kindly  treatjd  by  England;  but  his  whig  friends  allow. 
eJ  him  tJ  bi  denjunceJ  in  the  floase  of  Peers,  for  an  act  of  kindness  and  humanity  towards 
eight  Canadians  seat  tj  Bermuia  ;  and  in  the  House  of  Commons  sanctioned  the  insult  his 
encnies  Laa  prepared  elsewhere,  liis  faults  and  foibles  were  many — 1  may  not  deny  thai, 
But  hi  had  a  manly  soul,  was  harshly  treated,  miant  right,  would  have  conciliated  all  parlies 
had  he  ojen  let  alone,  and  his  indiscreet  removal  was  tne  signal  for  new  troubles,  in  which  I 
bad  no  part  whatever,  althjugh  tor  spveral  years,  1  confe.ss  it  with  regret,  i  would  gladly  have 
witnessed  war  on  this  continent.  Calmer  reflections  have  since  returned — and  in  the  spirit 
In  which  1  rein'r-  ■  1  so  long  in  Europe,  ever  an.icious  to  avert  the  causes  of  war  do  I  nov 
writj  this  state.nent.  It  is  i  pleasant  thing  lo  see  the  statesmen  of  Britain  at  length  pursuing 
that  liberal  policy  which  even  a  Hum.',  a  lloebuck,  and  a  F^uUer  cannot  find  fault  with. 
What  honist  heart  on  this  side  the  Atlantic,  would  darken  the  dawnings  of  a  better  day  to 
mankind,  with  the  bitter  and  bloody  scourge  of  war,  as  if  there  were  not  pains  and  privation,! 
enougi  in  the  wjrld  which  are  unavoidable,  without  adding  to  th:!in  a  renewal  of  those  deadly 
straggles  for  power  and  do:ninion,  wnich  in  the  2')  years  precedin;;  1815,  can.sed  "  counlleA 
thoisindstomourn"  for  the  inhumanity  of  civilized  man  more  savage  than  the  tenant  of  the 
forest  1 

I  have  not  a  wish  left  to  sea  Canada  incorpoiated  with  this  Union.  If  it  obtain  a  direct  re- 
presentation in  the  British  Parliament,  on  the  sagacious  plan  proposed  by  the  far-aeein-' 
Franklin,  and  renewed  br  Hume  in  the  House  of  Common.*,  it  may  remain  connected  wIlh 
Britain  tor  ages.  Shoulcf  that  not  take  place,  its  annexation  to  these  noriliern  states  is  aii 
event  of  no  remote  probability.  At  present,  the  chances  are,  that  an  invasion  of  Canada  from 
this  side  (although,  considering  th:  tacility  of  transportation  of  men  and  materialB,  it  might 
prove  ratner  m  )re  succe.ssial  t.ian  it  did  in   18l2),  would  end  in  a  fiilure,  or  its  equivalent, 


prove  ratne 

The  chrg/  generally  in  Canada  are  unlavorable  to  a  change — and  although  in  1837  and  18.'i8, 
many  leut'  .'aito  join  in  the  me  rem. -ni,  yet  1  have  never  since  seen  one  who  was  thus  cn!,'ag' 
ed  eight  years  ago,  that  did  njt  co;ifjss  his  di'-appointment  on  wii.nes.sing  the  working  of^ihe 


political  machinery  in  gear  here,  and  which  we  hud  all  so  much  admired.  Of  the  populaticn 
of  thecolonies  there  undoubtedly  is  a  large  majority  at  this  day  who  are  hostile  to  an  anncia- 
tion  to  this  Union — and  there  are  no  scarcity  of  states  on  this  side  tlic  St.  Lawrence,  quite  a 
steadily  opposed  to  an  amalgam  itioa  with  the  Canadians.  The  more  I  see  of  the  balefiu  effecis 
of  south.ernslave-y,  in  retnrdin;^  education  and  marring  useful  republican  legislation,  the  moH 
averse  am  1  to  witness  more  of  the  free  north  come  ui.dcr  its  destiuctive  opeiation. 

Tha^e  who  pinici;>  ..ed  in  .no  Canadian  insurrections  some  years  since,  were,  1  think,  in 
error — not  b-'ciuse  t..ere  v.-  )  r.r,  jood  ground  tor  revolt — nor  i)ecause  there  was  not  enough  of 
disaffection — no,  no:  ye-,  on  r.eoant  of  the  impossibility  of  succt'-s,  tor  it  did  seem  to  lie  atoj* 
time  within  our  ei.s,  g).; -i — .y:  bjcause  the  rea.sonable  probability  of  a  happy  tenninati.n 
was  less  strong  tu;:a  '  lai  .n'  p^e  niture  failure.  Lord  Sydenham,  with  whom  I  used  som&. 
times  to  cjnver>e  nc  V/iiiielia  1,  v./'-'n  in  London,  did  laany  tyrannical  tilings  in  Canada,  but 
he  began  to  tru  •  tiie  "c  )pl.',  v-Ui  e.'cpericnced  an  I  praciiciil,  anl  set  up  those  elective  local  or 
county  legislalu.es  anioi..,'  them  n-'iich  answer  to  the  boards  of  supervisors  here.  He  Wote 
to  his  brother  in  LugU.nd,  "  1  ^.■ol.;u  willingly  give  land  to  settlers,  but  there  is,  alas!  none  to 
give,  except  whc'  i.,  rena  rel  voluc'.-^s  by  the  neighborhood  of  th.)se  cursed  landjobbers  who 
cut  off  all  acce.ss  ij  '"t."  A  . !  n.^ai.,  '•  I  i.now  that  as  much  as  I  dislitie  Yankee  institutionsan.i 
rule,  I  would  not  have  1'ju  ci-  a:jf.Liri-:  ti.u.n,  Wiich  thousanfs  of  these  poor  fellows  liie  [familjj 
comoact  call  reijels  did,  if  it  .i-jre  o.ily  to  i\i\p  up  such  a  government  as  tney  got." 

Tn;  American  people,  in  two  war.s,  Iru'c  assuredly  gn  glory  enough.  If  they  were  desirous 
to  e.stablish  the  fact  that  they  are  Lrave  in  battle,  whether  by  h.nd  or  sea,  it  is  bo  well  known 
as  to  be  undisputel  a.iywhere.  i'.  i'  were  it  otherwi.se,  won  I  th:it  be  a  reason  I'or  destroying' 
comnerce,  setting  the  whole  world  a  TigJiting,  killing  vast  numbers  and  wounding  many  more, 
demoralizing  .society,  creating  mam  no'Ji  n.itional  debts,  and  embarra,'.sing  a  whole  people  fur 
an  ag3  to  come,  and  all  about  some  barren  de:.ert  contended  for  by  those  who  have  already  land 
enough  for  twenty  times  their  number  1 

For  many  years,  in  Upper  Canada,  1  gave  nil  my  energies  to  the  task  of  instructirgihe  peo- 
ple in  the  principles  of  popular  goverumeiit,  .st'  lar  as  i  knew  thein.    To  comprehend  the  ardu- 


•38. 

obtained  on  the  principle 

I  the  past.    Sir  Fniiicis 

jr  Canada  I  found  m 

of  a  revolt,  and  on  t 

as  people,  wero  secretly 

monarchical  institutions, 

isKcmMy."    After  my  re- 

mcnt  or  people  in  these 

'e  Americans  in  Canada 

ever  knew  of  it,  nor  d<,  i 

1838  never  would  have 

It  his  whig  friends  allow. 

.ss  and  humanity  towards 

sanctioned  the  insult  his 

I  may  not  deny  that. 

ave  conciliated  all  parlies 

new  troubles,  in  which  I 

grct,  I  would  gladly  have 

urned — and  in  the  spirit 

causes  of  war  do  I  nosv 

Britain  at  length  pursuing 

(r  cimnot  find  fault  with, 

nings  of  a  better  day  to 

!  not  pains  and  privation.! 

)  a  renewal  of  those  dwidly 

:  1815,  caused  "  countlej* 

igc  than  the  tenant  of  the 

1.  If  it  obtain  a  direct  rc- 
iropo.scd  by  the  fitr-8e;;in-' 
lay  remain  connected  wim 
lese  northern  states  is  ais 
n  invasion  of  Canada  from 
isn  and  materialB,  it  might 
1  fiilurc,  or  its  equivalent, 
although  in  1837  and  183«, 
I  one  who  was  thus  en2;ag. 
lessiii"  the  working  of  ihe 
ImireJ.  Of  the  populaticii 
10  are  hostile  to  an  anncu- 
t'.ie  St.  Lawrence,  quite  a 
re  I  sec  of  the  baleful  ef[xi% 
blican  legislation,  the  morj 
:tive  opeiation. 
ars  since,  were,  1  think,  in 
ISO  there  was  not  enough  d 
,  tor  it  did  seem  to  lie  at  rijf 
ily  of  a  happy  tennlna;i,n 
1,  with  whom  I  used  soma- 
lical  things  in  Canada,  but 
;t  up  those  cK^ctive  local  or 
ipjivi.sors  here.  He  wToie 
I,  bui  there  is,  alas!  none  to 
.)S3  cursed  land  jobbers  who 
like  Yankee  institutions aiir' 
se  po,ir  fellows  liie  [famii)j 
jnt  as  they  goi." 
High.  If  they  were  desirou3 
w  .sea,  it  is  so  well  known 
hi  a  reason  for  destroying; 
and  wounding  many  more, 
rra.'.sing  a  whole  people  fur 
hose  who  have  already  laad 

;  task  of  instructirg  the  p'^o- 
To  comprehend  the  ardu- 


CANADA.      DKATH  OF  COL.  MOOPIE.      COL.  \V.  E.  MOORE. 


289 


ous  cnaracter  of  the  course  I  pursued,  the  reader  would  require  to  have  resided  in  these  times, 
in  the  colony.  Many  there  were  who  covertly  endeavored  to  bring  about  a  change.  I  went 
straight  ahead.  A  residence  here  has  fully  satisfied  my  own  mind,  tliat  I  went  too  fast  and 
too  far — that  the  ideal  difference  is  much  greater  than  the  reality,  and  that  no  ftie  is  called 
upon  to  encourage  bloodshed  in  IS'IG,  on  the  banks  ol  the  St.  Lawrence,  in  order  that  Congress 
may  have  longer  sessions  and  more  work,  by  the  extension  of  such  legislation  as  they  bestow 
on  the  ten  miles  square  to  the  larger  area  of  the  two  Canadas. 

It  has  often  been  said,  here  in  New  York,  that  I  was  a  party  to  the  Short  Hills  Invasion — the 
Prescott  affair,  under  Von  Shotiltz,  Birge,  &c. — the  Windsor  or  Detroit  inroad — and  the  Lower 
Canada  insurrection  of  1838.  I  was  not  consulted  in.  nor  a  party  in  any  way  to  these  enter- 
prises, nor  has  any  one  that  was  concerned  ever  said  so.  Noah,  in  the  Sun,  Messenger,  &,c., 
insists  that  I  injured  the  Canadian  cause  by  cowardice,  and  perhaps  I  did.  I  do  not  find  thai 
any  parly  in  Canada  have  ever  said  so,  however.  Sir  Richard  iionnyca:3lle,  of  the  Royal  En- 
gineers, Toronto,  in  a  book  lately  issued  from  the  London  pre.ss,  plainly,  and  in  the  most  (US' 
tinct  terms,  charges  me  with  having  murdered  Colonel  Moodie  of  the  British  Army,  in  cold 
blood,  and  even  gives  my  alleged  reasons  for  so  doing !  Colonel  Moodie,  accompanied  by  Capt. 
Stewart  of  tho  Royal  Navy  (an  old  officer  who  was  at  the  battle  of  Aboukir),  and  Lieut. 
Crewe,  rode  up  to  the  rebel  lines,  dashed  past  the  first  line  of  sentinels,  and  fired  a  pistol  at  the 
second,  opposite  Mimtgomcry's  Hotel.  Refusing  to  surrender,  he  was  fired  at  in  return  by  tlic 
sentinel,  as  ordered  by  the  otficer  on  guard,  and  died  of  the  wound — Crewe  and  Stewart  were 
then  made  pris<mers.  Stewart  sw(jre  to  a  narrative  of  the  facts,  which  aj"-^ared  in  the  Toronto 
newspapers.  About  an  hour  before  that,  I  had  left  for  Toronto,  with  h.  ;^uard  of  four  horse- 
men (one  of  whom  Capt.  Powell  shot  dead) — we  arrested  Capt.  Powell  and  Major  A.  McDon- 
dl,  and  while  I  was  on  my  way  back,  with  McDonell  in  charge,  as  he  states  in  his  publi.sh- 
ed  narrative,  a  gentleman  rode  pa.st  and  told  us  tha't  Col.  M.  had  been  shot  or  wounded.  On 
our  arrival  at  the  hotel  (Col.  Lount  being  then  in  command  there),  I  went  instantly  to  .see  the 
dying  man,  and  he  told  all  present  that  his  own  imprudence  had  caused  his  death.  I  never 
saw  nim  Ijefore  in  my  life ;  and  as  his  death  was  an  open,  public  act,  seen  by  many,  and  as  f 
was  at  the  time  far  distant,  in  charge  of  McDonell,  a  more  wanton  lie  was  never  told,  and  that 
too  by  a  neighbor  whom  I  had  never  wronged,  and  whomusthave  known  that  the  tongue  of  man 
never  uttered  a  more  wanton  or  malicious  falsehood.  T'he  Clueen  wrote  a  letter  to  the  Colo- 
nel's widow,  condoling  Avith  licr  as  was  natural ;  but  where  can  Bonnycastle  find  a  shadow  of 
proof  to  his  London  story  1     Certainly  not  in  Upper  Canada. 


[No.  314.1        Colonel  W.  E.  Moore,  of  Kentucky,  assistant  Editor  of  the  Washington 
Globe,  to  W.  L.  Mackenzie,  1G2  Nassau  st..  New  YorlJ . 

Washington,  D.  C,  Dec.  12,  1838. 

Dear  Sir :    *    ♦    ♦    Should come  on,  let  him  have  a  letter  for  me,  and  he  will 

fmd  a  friend  with  the  will,  if  not  the  means,  of  seconding  his  views.  Of  course  you  aR- 
aware  that  Mr.  Papineau  is  here.  •  *  *  There  are  other  parts  of  your  letter  I  do  not  like. 
\ou  must  know  that  the  oni,y  party  in  this  cmuifnjwkichrcalty  sympathizes  irithfhe  Camadiayt 
juitriots  is  the  democratic.  TJic  Whigs,  as  a  party,  are  opqinsed  to  you  in  phinciple  ;  we  art 
with  ymt,  IN  pnitiCiVLS,  in  frcling,  in  heart,  and  smil;  but  circunistances,  call  them  selfish, 
self-intere.«t,  if  you  plea.se  (we  call  it  our  first  duty  to  our  country),  hatre  thrown  vs  into  a  false 
position,  but  that  only  for  a  time.  Much  as  we  admire  the  man  of  our  choice,  placed  by  us 
at  the  head  of  the  government,  yet  hoic  did  every  demorratic  jrress  in  the  country  receive  his  pro- 
damation  ?  How  h/is  it  rrceircd  part  of  the  annual  Message,  relating  to  Canada  ?  WITH 
DEEP,  DEEP  MORTIFICATION.  At  hkart  there  is  not  a  NORTHERN  on  WES- 
TERN  democrat,  from  the  summit  of  the  Allcghanics  to  the  bosom  of  the  Father  of  Waters, 
west,  and  thence  east  along  the  feeders  of  the  St.  Lawrence  to  the  Penobscot,  who  does  not 
regret  it ;  but  we  repose  in  the  assurance  that  such  documents  were  called  for  by  the  existing 
state  of  I'elations  between  the  two  countries.  Yet  that  part  of  the  message,  as  well  as  the  pro- 
clamation, elicited  the  general  praise  of  the  whig  press,  from  Mr.  Gales  downwards.  While 
condemning  every  other  portion  of  the  message,  this,  most  of  them  can  laud.  I  can  assure  3'ou 
that  there  is  a  magazine  of  burning  patriotism  now  buried  in  the  bosoms  of  the  democracy, 
lliat  wants  but  a  single  spark  to  set  it  in  an  active  flame.  Let  the  poor  Prescott  prisoners  be 
massacred  in  cold  blood,  and  it  will  light  up  a  torch  in  this  country  that  all  the  influence  and 
fwwer  of  both  governments  will  be  unable  to  smother  or  quench.  But  what  would  you  have 
IIS  do  now  1  Surely  v,e  must  not  foi^et  our  high  moral  obligations  as  a  government,  and  we, 
the  people,  are  the  government  in  reality.  We  are  at  peace  with  England ;  why  should  out 
government  go  to  war  with  her,  or  take  steps  to  hurry  herself  blindly  into  such  a  cata.strophe  1 
k  may  be  that  our  executive  may  have  exhibited  too  much  solicitude  to  preserve  peace ;  but 
peace  is  the  natural  position  of  a  republic,  especially  of  an  extended  and  diversified  one  like 
ours,  55"  WHERE  AcauisiTioK  woLi-D  BE  A  CURSE,  J^IS  oud  glory  but  a  poor  return„for  the  loss 
of  Uood  and  destruction  of  prosperity.    It  would  be  difllcuU  to  explain  myself  ilk  a  few  hwrriwi 


,5] 


m: 


■'10' 

( 

'i!\  ,(.:;-:. 

,  A 

•  ;rr'-;'?^,.\! 

'>' 

■i. 


lf'?-^'i'-,fv"S;  . 


?-  :'■■■■:  ■  ■ 
.1    'f>  •  ■      ., 


290 


CORRESPONDF.NCE  OF  DEMOCRATS  AND  WHIOS. 


lines^  but  the  democratic  party  in  this  country  stand  in  this  position  ;  tkrir  prnyera,  (heir  m-^ 
pathtcs,  their  purses,  if  they  were  rich  enoitsh  {Jhcir  pcrsimal  services  too,  which  would  ntit  h' 
withheld  on  a  reasonable  prospect  of  success),  are  lor  the  patriots,  and  yrt  ihiy  will  sustain 
their  government  in  a  firrn,dig:nilied,  but  not  trucklinf!;  adherence  to  neutral  ohli^^'ations.  Wi; 
have  NOTHING  to  gain  by  a  war  with  Great  Britain,  however  successful  it  misjht  teiirinatc, 
and  this  is  not  the  age  for  republics  entering  a  contest  for  the  estal-lishnient  of  ahsiraci, 
though  correct,  principles  elsewhere.  We  of  the  democratic  parly  throughout  the  Union, 
however,  are  witli  you  as  citizens,  and  shall  continue  lobe  so.  The  federalist-  —ill  opjios« 
you,  in  public  and  in  secret,  by  sneering  and  l)y  slander,  in  a  word,  by  ev-  ,  till  they 

.■jee  the  bones  ot  the  last  victim  bleached  on  the  plain,  and  they  will  blast  mory  after- 

wards. Excuse  these  hasty  thoughts.  I  have  written  with  correspondii.^,  candor  to  ymr 
own ;  but  I  have  lelt  that  your  li'tier  did  my  party  injustice.  Happily,  it  will  not  be  long  ere 
your  convictions  will  assent  to  all  I  say  ;  for,  depend  upon  it,  to  the  democracy  alone  can  yon 
look  for  support.    I  bh.ill  be  f.'lad  to  hear  from  you.         Your  friend,         W.  E.  MOOttE. 

Keim,  Paynler,  and  Ingcrs-.'l's  Interview  with  Van  Durcn  about  Machenzie's  ImprisonmeiU. 

[No.  315.1  To  Messrs.  William  Gilmore  and  Robert  Christy,  Secretaries  of  the  Demo- 
cratic Union  Association,  Philadelphia.  Wa.shington,  December  38th,  183y.  Gentlemen;— 
On  behalf  of  a  resolution  of  the  Democratic  Union  Association,  for  Messrs.  Paynter,  Ingersoi 
and  myself  to  call  upon  the  President  of  the  United  States  and  request  his  attention  to  a  me- 
morial relative  to  the  pardon  of  William  Lyon  Mackenzie,  it  becomes  my  duty  to  say  that  we 
have  fully  discharged  the  desire  therein  expressed.  The  President,  who  is  at  all  times  anxious 
to  gratify  the  desires  of  any  portion  of  the  people,  regrets  exceedingly,  that  in  the  present  junc- 
ture of  pending  negotiations  with  Great  Britain,  it  would  be  improj^Hsr  to  interfere  with  the  ac- 
tion of  our  courts  of  justice,  and  therefore  at  present  could  not  decisively  move  in  compliance 
with  your  wishes.  Every  possible  means  have  been  exerted  to  make  the  confinement  of  Mr. 
Mackenzie  a  nominal  one,t  and  to  gratify  his  every  wish,  save  his  release.  My  own  private 
views  are,  that  if  the  friends  of  Mr.  Mackenzie  would  appeal  to  the  magnanimity  of  tne  pre- 
sent representative  of  the  British  provinces  in  North  America,  by  his  reifuest,  he  would  be  re- 
leased, and  relieve  the  question  from  the  embarrassment  in  which  it  seems  involved. 

♦GEORGE  M.  KEIM. 

[No.  316.]    George  Dawson,  Editor  of  the  Rochester  Democrat,  to  W.  L.  Mackenzie,  care  o( 

Dr.  Cyrenius  Chapin,  Buffalo. 

Rochester,  Dec.  14,  1837.  Dear  Sir: — Allow  me,  as  one  who  admires  the  .sublime  stand 
yourself  and  your  a.ssociates  have  taken  against  tyranny,  to  tender  you  my  sympathy.  I  have 
watched  with  intense  anxiety  the  progress  of  events  in  Canada,  and  the  intelligence  of  your 
revolt  was  received  with  irrepressible  satisfaction.  Before  open  hostilities  were  avowed  in 
the  Upper  Province,  that  circumstances  might  hasten  such  hostilities,  was  my  daily  prayer.  I 
knew  that  she  deserved  to  be  free,  and  believed  tliat  if  she  resolved  upon  freedom,  it  could  be 
achieved.  My  acquaintance  with  you  in  my  boyhood,  and  the  tales  oi  persecutions  that  have 
followed  you  since  that  period,  have  been  listened  to  and  treasured  up.  I  knew  your  wrong?, 
and  earnestly  prayed  for  their  redress.  I  looked  to  you  as  a  leader,  and  from  my  knowledge 
of  your  chai  icter,  expected  that  you  would,  sooner  or  later,  assume  a  position  at  once  sublime 
and  noble.  Nor  have  my  expectations  failed.  I  have  seen  your  ann  raised  to  strike  the  hr« 
olow  for  Li.urty.  Would  to  God  that  its  descent  had  not,  to  some  extent,  been  foiled !  But  I 
still  look  upon  the  Sun  of  the  Canadas  as  but  emerging  from  the  morning  clouds.  The  day 
cannot  be  lur  distant  when  it  shall  shine  respleudently  in  the  ascendant. 

In  writin;,'  to  you,  I  have  been  requested  by  several  of  our  citizens  to  invite  you  to  visit  this 
city,  if  y')a  could  do  so  with  safety,  and  consistently  with  your  arrangements.  We  are  to 
have  a  m  Jting  on  Satiurday  evening,  as  you  will  see  by  my  paper,  wliich  I  send  you ;  and  it 
would  ailord  me  much  pleasure  to  provide  you  with  the  hospitalities  of  my  house.  Please 
write  me.  Yours  sincerely,     ,    ,  GEORGE  DAWSON. 

*  Generil  Keim  told  me  himself  that  the  above  was  a  trae  copy  of  his  private  letter  to  the  Aisociation.  His 
extraordinary  advice,  or  hint,  must  have  l>oen  given  in  consequence  of  what  Van  Buren  had  said  to  the  three 
Philadelphia  conp-essmen.  I  was  advised  to  appeal  to  I^ord  Sydenham  or  Sir  George  Arthur's  magnanimity, 
in  Canaaa ;  and  the  president  of  the  United  i^Uites  would  be  quite  ready  to  pardon  in  New  York,  if  it  met  the 
views  of  the  knight  or  harun  that  might  be  governing  fur  the  time  at  Toronto !  This,  of  course,  I  did  not  chooiie 
to  stoop  to  do,  and  therel'ore  had  to  suffer  other  Ave  months'  imprisonment— but  the  very  day  the  Baltimore 
Convention  met,  Van  k?Mren  was  made  to  see  that  my  confinement  had  been  a  very  great  political  blunder,  and 
I  was  instantly  released,  although  the  following  note  shows  that  he  had  not  intended  to  take  such  a  course. 

Note.— John  Norveli,  Senator,  U.  S.,  to  Morgan  L-  Gage,  Michigan.— Washinoton,  Jan.  3, 1840.— Dear  Sir: 
In  reply  to  your  letter  in  relation  to  the  case  of  Wllllaiii  L.  Mackenzie,  I  am  only  enabled  to  say  to  yon,  that 
upon  receiving  the  petitions  for  his  pardon,  us  I  am  inibrmed,  they  were  sent  to  the  fDlstrict  Judge  and  the  Uls- 
tnct  Attorncv  of  Western  New  York,  and  that  their  report  on  the  subject  was  such  a*  to  prevent  the  eiereiie 
*)y  the  President  of  the  power  of  pardon  on  the  octasion.  JOHN  NORVCLL. 

t  Smith  Thoapson  aad  N.  S.  Ben'oa.  . 

|Ftoe,altogrth«lWie.— W.L,Kt  ^'       '  .  •''         ..•»■.■.*- m?- Mt- a 


B 


IlIIGS. 

1;  their  prnyen,  their  mn-^ 
\too,  wliicli  v/oiild  ma  1«' 
land  yi't  ihry  will  sustain 
Inuiitrai  oMi^ations.  W,.. 
jsHl'iil  it  iiiisjiu  leiminatc, 
Istalilishrnent  of  abstract' 
lly  thr()uj,'hont  the  Uniop| 
lie  federalist'  —ill  opfiose 
IJ,  by  ev-  ^  till  they 

II  blast  mory  after- 

Jspondii.;^,  candor  to  your 
iify,  it  will  not  be  long  ere 

1  democracy  alone  can  yon 
"  W.  E.  MOORE. 

iclcnzic^  ImpruionmeiU. 

Secretaries  of  the  Deiinv 
8th,  1831).    Gentlemen  :- 

Messrs.  Paynter,  Ingersol 
uest  his  attention  to  a  rne- 
les  my  duty  to  say  that  we 
vho  is  at  all  times  anxious 
y,  that  in  the  present  junc- 
in-  to  interfere  with  the  ac- 
sively  move  in  compliance 
ke  the  confinement  of  Mr. 
release.    My  own  private 

2  magnanimity  of  the  pre- 
is  retfvcst,  he  would  be  rc- 
seems  involved. 
♦GEORGE  M.  KEIM. 

W.  L.  Mackenzie,  care  of 

idmires  the  sublime  stand 
you  my  sympathy.  I  have 
id  the  intelligence  of  your 
lostilitics  were  avowed  in 
s,  was  my  daily  prayer.  I 
[  upon  freedom,  it  could  be 
1  ol  persecutions  that  have 
up.  I  knew  your  wrongs, 
•,  and  from  my  knowledge 
a  position  at  once  sublime 
ra  raised  to  strike  the  firrt 
jxtent,  been  foiled !  But  I 
Doming  clouds.  The  day 
int. 

i  to  invite  you  to  visit  this 
Tangemcnts.  We  are  to 
wluch  I  .send  you ;  and  it 
ties  of  my  house.  Please 
SEORGE  DAWSON. 

letter  to  the  Ajsociation.  HU 
I  Buren  had  said  to  the  three 
ieorge  Arthur's  inHRnanlmity, 
on  in  New  York,  If  it  met  the 
'his,  of  course,  I  did  not  choone 
ut  the  very  day  the  Baltimore 
ery  great  political  blunder,  and 
nded  to  take  such  a  course. 
3T0N,  Jan.  3, 1840.— Dear  Sir : 
uly  enabled  to  say  to  yon,  that 
he  fDistrict  Judge  and  the  Dls- 
uch  a*  to  prevent  the  eiereha 
JOHN  NOBVELU 


R.  M.  JOHNSON.      POLK  S  FRIENDSHIP  FOR  VAN  BUREN. 


291 


fNo.  317.]    Col.  R.  M.  Johnson,  Vice  President  U.  S.,  to  John  Fegan,  Esq.,  Philadelphia. 

City  op  Washinoto.v,  11th  May,  1840.  My  dear  Sir: — Your  highly  esteemed  favor  has 
been  received,  respecting  the  connnenient  of  Mr.  Mackenzie  as  prigoner,  Ace,  in  the  jail  at 
Rochester.  1  fi'd  as  deeply  as  man  can  feel  the  misfortune  of  that  patriotic  man.  I  consider 
hi8  mi.sfurtune  and  his  suffering  very  much  like  the  hard  fate  and  cruel  destiny  of  many  un- 
ffliccessful  patriots  before  our  time ;  and  although  the  laws  of  nations  and  the  laws  of  the  land 
may  have  condemned  him  and  legally  consigned  him  to  prison,  I  think  that  the  demand  of  jus- 
tice is  .satisfied,  and  I  should  not  hesitate,  with  my  views  of  the  subject,  to  liberate,  if  I  had  the 
guwer  J  and  I  presume  that  I  shall  ilo,  and  have  done,  all  I  can  to  effect  this  object.  I  am  con- 
dent,  however,  that  the  President  [Mr.  Van  Buren]  has  acted  I'rom  his  conviction  of  a  sacred 
duty  to  do  as  he  h&j  done ;  but  I  hope  that  he  may  leel  himself  justified,  without  injury  to  the 
diplomatic  relations  of  the  country,  in  exercising  the  power  of  pardon  in  this  cajbc.  In  my 
delicate  position,  having  no  power,  and  exercising  only  that  reasonable  influence  which  my 
situation  gives  me,  1  do  not  wish  to  take  any  prominent  agency  in  tliia  matter,  a«  it  would  not 
do  good,  and  might  do  harm ;  but  at  this  place,  as  far  as  it  is  correct  and  proper,  I  will  do  what 
1  can  to  promote  the  object  in  view.  Respectf\illy,  Rh.  M.  JOHNSON. 


AN   ACCOUNT 


op  THB 


BALTIMORE    CONVENTION, 
VAN  BUREN'S  DEFEAT, 


AKD  THB 


NOMINATION  OF  POLK  AND  DALLAS. 


'' Ar  liees  on  floweri  alighting,  eeue  their  tann,  \  ' 

Settling  on  places,  democrats  grow  dumb." 

PoWs  Friendship  firr  Van  Buren.— Heiss  and  the  Unim.—The  Globe  on  Polk. — Ritchie,  Heiss, 
Polk,  and  Cass.—Signijicant  Votes.— Delegates  rewarded.— Marcy's  Position  and  Prospects. 
— The  Syracuse  Nominations.— How  Cass  lost  the  Game. — CrosweU  and  Dickenson^s  Views. — 
Butler's  Nashville  Journey.— Van  Buren  Threats  in  the  Democratic  Review.— Walker  wheels 
Butler  round  to  Texas,  condemns  Van  Buren,  and  nominates  Wright  l—Flagg  set  aside. — 
Marmfs  TacL— Bancroft  on  both  sUks.—The  Two-third  Rule.— Butler  on  Hard  Cider.— Van 
Buren  for  Polk,  Dallas,  and  Texas.— Cass  and  the  Cherokees.—Col.  Young  enraged.— He 
heads  the  Texas  Ticket.— O'SuUivan  on  Human  Cattle  (not  Polk's  Negroes).— George  Mifflin 
Dallas.— OU  Dallas  and  his  Bank.— His  Son  a  U.  S.  B.,  V.  B.  Man.— Dallas  and  Wilkitu 
on  the  Public  Lands, — Mileage  of  Senators. 

Are  there  those  who  believe  Polk  friendly  to  Van  Buren  1  Let  me  undeceive  them.  When 
Polk  and  Ritchie  and  Walker  saw  and  read  the  secret  correspondence  of  Hoyt  which  I  sent  on 
to  Washington,  in  May,  and  the  discovery,  and  anticipated  publication  of  which  so  delighted 
them,  wouW  they  one  and  all,  as  also  those  of  their  friends  who  got  copies,  had  they  been 
fi-iendly,  Jiave  kept  the  secret  from  the  Van  Burens,  Plagg,  Butler,  Wright,  and  Dix,  and  aUowed 
the  guilty  to  be  startled  by  the  sudden  apparition  of  my  first  pamphlet  in  September  last  1  Who 
can  believe  it  1    Polk  and  Jackson's  paper,  the  NashviUe  Union,  kept  the  name  of  Van  Buren 


I,    -. 


'!r 


...v:v:-, 


w  !i 


(.'•^^     ' 


'  Hi  ■  ;■■-•;.■ 


'*      f. 


$  T'".;- 


f 

t  ■ 

'K  * 

4*. 

'  1  ■  •■  " 

i. 

^     ^ 

^. 

r 

^     ■  ■  ^     .■ 

292 


THE  BALTIMORB  CONVB.NTIO\  OF  1944. 


at  the  head  ofits  columns  as  the  candidate  of  the  party  for  Baltimore,  while  ii  tiirJatened  any 
Tennessean  who  would  voto  fur  him  there.  Hearken  to  H.i;,'an  and  Uoiv.  I  j;')*  "  Wc  tli, 
"  not  beifove  Air.  Van  Buren  will  receive  one  vole  from  the  Tennessean  delegation.  It' lie 
"doe.s,  that  delegate  who  votes  knowingly  aeain!?t  the  wishes  of  his  constitiierjts,  will  be 
"  marked  hereafter,  as  ^;^a.  man  unworthy  of  their  confidence."  Why  did  they  keep  up  Van 
Buren's  name  over  such  remarks  as  these  1  The  Texas  letter  was  seizeil  on  as  a  prete.vt  to  f?et 
rid  of  a  man  whom  certain  leaders  no  longer  wanted.  Had  Polk  and  Van  Hureii  been  on  tiif 
very  best  of  terms,  although  the  latter  yielded  to  the  Conner,  would  1  'ngua^e  like  the  following! 
have  found  its  way  into  the  oHicial  journal,  (Blair's  Globe,)  on  the  Ji)tn  of  Jan.  1844? 

"  I  care  not  how  honoral)!e  a  man  may  be,  if  he  i.s  a  coward  he  cannot  maintain  his  honor; 
and  hence  it  is  such  a  man  is  disqualified  for  the  ofiice  of  V.  President.  Now,  sir.  Col.  King 
has  never  been  insulted  day  atlerday;  and,  above  all,  he  was  never  caught  roughly  by  the 
arm  [by  Wise]  when  escapin*,'  fiom  tue  Capitol,  pulled  round  and  told  that  he  was  the  '^con. 
templible  tool  t)f  a  petty  tyrant !'  1  pledge  my  head,  if  he  is  ever  so  treated,  he  will  resent  the 
insult  in  the  proper  way.  Will  '  A  Tennessee  Democrat'  do  the  same  in  regard  lo  Gov, 
Polk?  What  are  the  facts  in  regard  to  Gov.  Polk  1  He  has  been  twice  repudiated  in  hi.« 
own  State  by  large  majorities— defeated  by  an  inexperienced  politician ;  and  it  is  not  pre- 
tended that  his  name  would  add  one  particle  of  strength  to  the  ticket  in  any  State  of  thi> 
Union."       ' 

There  was  a  clear  understanding  between  Ritchie  at  Richmond,  and  Heiss  at  Nashville  to 
go  for  Cass  if  Van  Buren  could  be  set  aside,  and  for  Polk  in  preference  to  either.  This  was 
independent  of  Texas.  Ritchie  had  made  up  his  mind  to  have  the  printing  of  Congress.  He 
was  connected  with  B.  Greene,  who  had  a  very  deep  interest  in  Texan  scrip  and  lands.  He  lived 
in  a  .state  that  raised  men  and  women  for  sale  and  traffic,  into  jiernetual  liondage,  as  if  they 
Tvere  cattle,  through  the  homr  slave  trade.  If  Van  Buren  obtamea  power,  Blair  would  have 
hi.s  interest ;  the  north,  with  its  Bryants,  Sedgwicks,  abolitionists,  tec,  would  compel  V.  B.  to 
throw  cold  water  on  annexation,  or  oust  him ;  and  Virginia  went  for  the  detestable  gains  of 
her  human  shambles.  Moreover,  Van  Buren's  chance  was  verv  douMful.  That  had  been 
proved  in  18^10.  In  the  summer  and  fall  of  1843,  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  in  the  form  of  let- 
ters to  the  editor,  had  said  much  in  favor  o(  Cass,  and  the  Nashville  Union,  [Tlogan  and 
Heiss]  copied  liljerally,  "  by  request."  The  spring  elections  of  Connecticut  and  Virginia 
went  against  Van  Buren ;  Tyler  and  Calhoun  pushed  on  annexation,  and  coaxed  Ritchie 
The  Richmond  Enquirer  and  Calhoun's  Charleston  organ  became  more  and  more  harmonious 
and  united ;  and  on  the  month  of  the  Convention,  Ritchie  gravely  relwked  Blair  for  censuring 
Calhoun,  and  told  his  friends  that  the  Calhou'  party  were  with  them,  and  that  they  had  the 
same  views.  Ritchie  said,  that  Clay  was  "  an  electioneering  demagogue,  and  would  prove  an 
arrant  dictator,"  and  that  Texas  must  be  had  now,  and  not  waited  for  70  years.  Before  tJie 
Convention  met,  Hei.ss's  paper,  the  Nashville  Union,  plainly  foretold  that  Polk  would  be 
.?hos2n  there,  not  as  Vice  President,  but  as  President,  altnough  no  public  journal  or  meeting 
In  the  Republic  had  named  him  for  the  latter  office.  When  the  Convention  met,  Ritchie's 
son,  William  F.,  was  elected  its  principal  secretary,  and  Virginia  and  Tennessee  went  cor- 
dially together  tor  the  rule  that  two-thirds  of  its  votes  would  be  required  to  secure  a  nomina- 
tion, t'.ius  defeating  Van  Buren's  nomination  at  the  first  ballot.  Virginia  [Ritchie],  Tennessee 
[Polk],  Mississippi  [Walker]  and  Georgia,  went  together  steadily  during  the  first  seven  bal- 
lots, lor  Cass,  not  giving  Van  Buren  a  single  vote.  On  the  8lh  ballot,  Tennessee  left  Cass  for 
Polk,  and  in  the  middle  of  the  9th,  the  N.  Y.  delegation  gave  way,  the  farce  closed,  and  the 
yote  lor  Polk  was  unanimous  I  The  result  was,  that  although  Jackson  was  warmly  attached 
to  iiiair  he  had  to  make  way  for  Polk's  friends — and  the  printing  of  Congress,  which  a  com- 
pany of  mechanics  offered  to  do,  as  well  as  Ritchie  does  it,  and  §30,000  a  year  cheaper,  was 
the  fit  reward  of  the  intrigues  of  the  Nashville  Union,  and  his  new  partner  of  the  Richmond 
Enquirer.  Was  there  a  bargain  1  Is  it  even  probable  that  Jackson  really  desired  the  election 
of  Van  Buren  1  P(jlk  knew  that  Ritchie  was  an  original  enemy  of  Jackson's  claims,  but  he 
also  knew  his  influence  in  Virginia.  He  seems  to  nave  agreed  with  the  principal,  Ritchie, 
and  the  agent,  Virginia,  followed  of  course.  If  no  one  bargained  for  a  reward,  it  is  marvel- 
lous how  they  all  got  it.  Polk  had  the  White  House;  Ritchie  and  Heiss,  the  printing; 
Woodbury,  the  Bench;  Cave  Johnson,  the  Post-office;  Bancroil,  the  Navy;  Marcy,  the  War 
office;  Gillet,  [anti-Cass]  the  Registership;  Butler,  his  old  berth;  Mason  (from  Tyler's  cabi- 
net), the  Attorney  Generalship.  Tyler  gave  his  influence,  as  president  of  the  U.  S.  and  Texas 
was  annexed.  The  Van  Buren  section  wanted  Coddington  for  Collector  here :  but  the  Marcy 
section,  with  the  aid  of  Hojrt's  letters,  (about  the  opportune  appearance  of  which  there  is  yet  a 
secret  untold,)  put  in  Lawrence.  The  scheming  at  Baltimore,  in  the  Convention,  began  witli 
rrayer  and  praise ;  after  which  the  clergyman,  with  very  good  taste,  read  to  them  the  101st 
psalm,  "  He  that  worktth  deceit  shall  not  dwell  vjUhin  my  hmise :  he  that  tellelh  lies  shtdl  not  tarry 
in  my  sight." 

I  would  advise  some  active  and  honest  editor  to  take  a  list  of  the  Convention  and  compare 
it  with  Polk  and  Walker's  appoiutments,  with  the  names  of  the  directors  of  the  pet  banlcs, 


if 


MaRCY's  INTRI0UK8.      A  PEEP  BEHIND  THE  CURTAIN. 


393 


Jwhil.'  it  threatened  nnv 
Id  nc\^-[    i'r-'Wo  ei;, 
bNsean  delegation.     If  |,e 
Ihi.s  constituents,  will  be 
fcy  did  they  kec])  up  Van 
med  on  ana  pretext" to  ^jet 
Id  Van  Huieii  been  on  fhf 
^iffuace  like  the  Ibllowin" 
J)th  ol  Jan.  18-14  7 
Innot  maintain  his  honor- 
Int.    Now,  sir,  Col.  King 
br  caught  roughly  by  the 
Ma  that  ho  was  the  ^con- 
Itreated,  he  will  resent  the 
I  same  in  regard  to  Gov 
I  twice  repudiated  in  hi.^ 
lician  ;  and  it  is  not  pre- 
ket  in  any  State  of  tlii> 

nd  Hciss  at  Nashville  to 
ence  to  either.    This  was 
Tinting  oi"  Congress.   He 
scrip  and  lands.   He  lived 
itual  liondage,  as  if  thev 
power,  Blair  woiild  have 
c,  would  compel  V.  B.  to 
r  the  detestable  gains  of 
lonbtful.    That  had  been 
quirer,  in  the  form  of  let- 
hlle  Union,  [Flogan  and 
Lonnecticut  and  Virginia 
lion,  and  coaxed  Iliichie 
lore  and  more  harmonious 
Iwked  Blair  for  censurini: 
n,  and  that  thev  had  the 
oguc,  and  would  prove  an 
or  70  yrars.    Before  tJie 
told  that  Polk  would  be 
Hblic  journal  or  meetine 
Convention  met,  Ritchie's 
and  Tennessee  went  cor- 
!red  to  secure  a  notnina- 
mia  [Ritchie],  Tennessee 
iiring  the  first  seven  bal- 
t,  Tennessee  lefl  Cass  for 
he  farce  closed,  and  the 
son  was  warmly  attached 
Congress,  which  a  com- 
KK)  a  year  cheaper,  was 
irtner  of  the  Richmond 
really  desired  the  election 
ackson's  claims,  but  he 
h  the  principal,  Ritchie, 
a  reward,  it  is  man-el- 
nd  Heiss,  tlie  printing: 
Navy;  Marcy,  the  War 
:son  (from  Tyler's  cabi- 
itofthe  U.S.  and  Texas 
tor  here:  but  the  Marcy 
of  which  there  is  yet  a 
Convention,  began  witJi 
,  read  to  them  the  101st 
Hklh  lies  shall  not  tarn/ 

mvention  and  compar» 
ctors  of  the  pet  banlfs. 


wiih  the  N.  V.  Custom  House,  lieginning  with  Peter  Crawford,  and  with  Oliver  Lcc  &  Co. 
pel  bankers,  Buffalo,  and  if  he  does  not  obtain  nresuinptive  proof  of  a  base  and  mercenary 
bartrain  to  elc(;t  James  K.  Polk,  and  of  the  fuUilment  of  its  [lersonal  and  pecuniaiy  couUi- 
lions,  too,  1  shall  l)e  most  agreeably  mistaken. 

Those  who  have  known  William  L.  Marcy  long  and  well,  assure  me,  and  I  believe  it, 
that  he  is  an  adroit,  managing  mun— more  so,  perhaps  than  Van  Buren;  cautious,  but  un- 
der no  control  of  principle,  in  the  War  Department,  Marcy  expects  to  make  afortune(for 
somebody),  out  of  the  vast  contracts  and  patronage  in  his  gill.  He  went  into  the  scheme  of 
Canadian  anne.Yation — advised  his  friends  on  the  frontier — was  privy  to  his  wife's  brother's 
junetion  with  us  at  Navy  Island — on  the  very  best  terms  with  certain  influential  Canadians 
— came  to  Buffalo  <liiring  the  troubles  in  January,  1838,  and  spoke  .strongly  in  favor  of  tlie  go- 
anead  policy  to  certain  friends  ot  the  C;'ii;iu.  "ns.  Walworth  and  Croswell,  and  Porter,  fthen 
Register),  took  the  same  view.  Wh-.n  Van  Buren  saw  that  the  aflair  was  a  failure,  or  likely 
so  to  be,  he  advised  Marcv,  Croswjil,  &c.,  to  wheel  about,  and  they  did  so.  The  British  par- 
liamentary papers  show  that  Marcy  hired  emissaries,  and  was  really  active  in  procuring  infor- 
mation for  the  Canadian  authorities,  and  the  Journal  of  Commerce  rightly  said,  Jan.  10, 1838, 
"  We  have  thk  bkst  authoiiity  lor  stating,  that  there  is  a  gtaxl  understanding  in  regard  to  the 
Canada  troubles,  between  the  cabinet  at  Washington  and  tlie  British  minister,"  Fox.  In  his 
present  position,  in  case  of  war,  there  would  be  a  suspension  of  cash  payments,  the  banks 
would  lend  their  worthless  paper  to  the  government,  and  live  in  clover — the  war  bureau  would 
be  the  leading  department  of  the  administration — the  influence  of  its  head  would  be  immense; 
and  he  might  look  with  good  hope  to  the  reversion  of  Polk's  chair,  although  I  am  told  he  flatters 
Walker  and  Polk,  by  telling  them  that  war  would  a.ssuredly  .secure  it  either  to  the  one  or  the 
other.    Tlie  Sub-Treasury,  ifimrkcd  at^aui,  Hiryt  fashion,  would  be  a  real  gold  mine. 

On  the  5th  of  September,  1843,  a  state  Convention  met  at  Syracuse  ,W.  L.  Marcy,  president 
— 79  for  Marcy,  40  for  Young.  The  plan  was,  to  name  at  once,  31  delegates,  to  represent  the 
State  at  Baltimore  in  the  Presidential  convention,  and  it  was  Marcy's  wish  to  have  a  majority 
of  them  compo.sed  of  politicians  whom  he  could  control,  so  as  to  appear  to  support  Van  Buren, 
but  in  reality  to  go  for  the  candidate  who  would  pay  best — say  lor  Cass;  or  lor  Polk,  if  Cass 
proved  unavailable.  Failing  to  get  that  majority,  Marcy  w"as  dropt  as  one  of  the  State  dele- 
gates, and  Young  taken.  A  committee  to  choose  delegates  was  appointed,  and  the  choice  of  a 
delegate  Ibr  each  congressional  district  lelt  to  the  member  of  that  committee  for  that  district, 
Oliver  Lee,  the  Buffalo  [Folk  pet]  banker,  Erastus  Corning,  Daniel  S.  Dickinson,  J.  W.  Brown, 
Hen.y  K.  Smith,  John  C.  Wright,  Nathan  S.  Roberts  of  the  canals,  Thomas B.  Mitchell,  and 
John  Str)'kcr,  were,  1  believe,  strong  Marcy  dt'legaies  ;  but  when  the  30  assembled  at  Baltimore, 
B.  F.  Butler  and  Samuel  Young  headed  tiie  Van  Buren  .section,  and  they  were  the  most  nume- 
rous ;  that  cause  alone  is  .stated  to  have  prevented  Marcy  and  his  friends  from  giving  the  vote  of 
New  York  to  Cn.ss  on  the  7tli  ballot,  which,  with  the  influence  it  would  have  carried,  would  have 
secured  to  Cass  the  nomination.  On  the  eighth  ballot,  Georgia,  Tennessee,  the  Bancroft  sec- 
tion of  the  Mas.saehusetts  delegation,  Wfxidbury's  interest  (New  Hampshire),  Walker's  folks 
(Mississippi),  and  two  from  Pennsylvania  (personal  friends  of  Buchanan)  went  for  Polk — on 
the  9th,  ah  parties  took  him  np ;  and  Calhoun's  men,  Pickens  and  Elmore,  who  were  in  tlie 
secret,  played  their  parts  in  the  drama,  going  heartily  (not  a  doubt  of  it)  for  "  Polk  and  Texas, 
Texan  scrip,  and  down  with  liberty  and  the  ways  of  seventy-six." 

The  New  York  delegation,  so  far  as  the  Croswell,  Marcy,  and  Dickinson  section  were  con- 
cerned, are  generally  believed  to  have  desired  to  throw  Van  Buren  overboard,  and  to  have 
secretlv  canva.tsed  against  him,  and  told  other  members  of  the  Convention,  that  so  much  could 
be  said  to  his  discredit,  that  if  nominated,  all  would  be  a  failure,  and  New  York  State  lost ; 
which  was  probably  true.  Why  did  Butler  and  the  majority,  on  the  opposite  side,  prevent  the 
nomination  of  Cass  from  Michigan,  and  call  forward  Polk,  whom  his  editor,  Hei.ss,  knew  and 
had  already  announced  as  the  nominee,  though  he  was  700  miles  distant  1  In  May,  1844,  Dr. 
Beekman,  banker,  Kinderhook,  a  friend  of  Van  Buren,  and  ni>w  a  senator,  was  on  a  visit  to 
Albany ;  and  he  reported  on  his  return,  that  Marcy,  Dickinson,  and  Croswell  were  undermin- 
ing him  and  deserting  his  camp.  Van  Buren  wrote  to  Butler  immediately,  and  the  latter  set 
off  on  his  well  known  mission  to  Nashville,  armed  with  instructions  to  tickle  Jackson's  vanity, 
by  asking  him  to  come  forward  a  third  time  as  a  candidate,  and  thus  preserve  the  party 
from  ruin.  This  he  well  knew  that  Jackson  would  not  do ;  but  the  Boston  Post,  as  instructed, 
declared  that  his  health,  jiist  then,  had  not  been  so  robust  for  years ;  and  in  the  Convention, 
May  28th,  a  member  pioposed  him,  but  it  did  not  take.  Van  Buren's  retreat  could  not  be  thus 
covered.  At  Nashville,  a  secret  arrangement  was  made,  that  if  Van  Buren  could  not  be 
nominated,  Polk  should  be,  in  preference  to  Cass.  Is  this  the  reason  why  Butler  was  appoint- 
ed to  a  $20,000  office  here,  by  Polk,  the  moment  he  had  the  power  1  What  is  the  tenure  by 
which  he  now  holds  it  1  Butler,  in  convention,  wanted  to  take  the  lead  in  proposing  Polk, 
when  the  time  had  come  to  drop  Van  Buren,  but  Hubbard  was  before  him ;  and  the  man 
whom  Jones,  a  whig,  had  defeated  in  Tennessee,  at  the  then  next  previous  election  for  go- 
vernor, by  a  plurality  of  3,833  out  of  112,781  votes,  thus  became  President  of  the  Union,  with- 


j , ... 


r^if 


■  f  ■■♦■.•.■ 


iiV  ■  v;:-4':.' 


wee.-  ■ : 


•  *; 


■;u'-. :,  -' 


ft  >'^  .,' 


rK-;i.:n 


•!  f^>  ■'•;■  ^ 


294  BUTLER  AND  CO.  BULLY  '  THE  SOUTH  AND  TRADE  OFF*  THE  NORTH. 

out  even  a  township  nomination,  and  in  the  teeth  of  instructions  by  16  state  conventions  to 
support  another.  Van  Buren  never  got  over  12  votes  from  the  whole  of  the  slave  states.  In, 
irigue  had  been  his  element,  and  his  own  pupils  now  outshone  their  master. 

The  Democratic  Review  for  June  looked  fas  a  last  resource)  to  a  junction  of  the  free  north 
and  west,  and  the  abjuration  of  the  slaveholders,  if  no  bargain  could  be  made  with  them.  The 
reader  will  at  once  see  that  Butler,  and  not  the  Regent  (O'Su)livan),  must  have  been  the  WTiter 
of  the  following  paragraphs,  which  are  by  authority  : 

"  It  is  possible,  very  possible,  that  he  [Van  Buren]  may  not  be  nominated — that  many  of  hii<i 
"  own  personal  friends  within  its  (the  Baltimore  Convention's)  members,  not  loving  Ca!sar  less 
"  but  Rome  more,  may  be  the  first  to  east.-i  reluctant  and  sorrowful  vote  against  his  name.  If 
"  the  Convention  should  come  to  the  conclusion,  on  a  bro.id  survey  of  the  whole  ground,  that 
"  the  influence  of  this  new  question  [Texas]  is  really  and  truly  such  as  to  destroy  or  endanger 
"the  hope  of  his  election — thar  any  other  candidate,  worthily  fulfilling  the  condition  of  being 
"  a  true  and  trusty  democrat,  can  bring  more  favorable  auspices  into  the  contest  with  the  com- 
"  mon  foe — be  it  so.  Though  we  have  never  before  assumed  the  right  to  speak  for  Mr. 
"  Van  Buren,  yet  on  this  occasion  and  this  point  we  do  not  hksitate  to  assert,  that  he 
"  will  himself,  in  that  event,  be  found  foremost  among  the  first,  and  truest  among  the  true,  in 
"support  of  the  decision  of  the  Convention." 

The  writer  next  specially  addresses  the  slave  states,  THE  SOUTH,  telling  them  the  conse- 
quences that  would  follow  their  deviation  from  the  decision  of  the  party,  when  delivered  at 
Baltimore.    These  are  his  words : 

H^  "  Why,  there  will  be  a  burst  of  indignation  from  the  NORTH  for  which  you  are  little 
Ij"  prepared.  They  will  abj'.ire  you  and  your  capricious,  if  not  treacherous  ALi.iANcf.,  and 
i:;^*  leave  you  to  sustain  yourselves  by  yourselves,  against  all  the  forms  of  foreign  attack, 
5;;^  which  will  then  be  a  thousand  fold  multiplied  and  embittered.  No  son  of  yours  need 
5^  then  indulge  a  vain  aspiration  for  that  high  honor  for  which  the  votes  of  Northern  Demo- 
J^  cracy  are  threefold  more  necessary  than  those  of  Southern  Chivalry.  The  great  free 
j:^  North  and  the  great  free  West  will  then  take  the  matter  of  President-making  into  their 
J;^  own  steadier  and  trustier  hands." 

On  the  23d  of  April,  184-1,  in  the  correspondence  of  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Po.st,  I  find  it  re- 
marked, that  "  If  the  cause  of  our  disasters,  as  many  of  our  best  and  most  constant  advocates 
of  republicanism  :  3em  to  think.  Is  the  want  of  f^a.  new  name  at  the  head  of  our  ranks,.^;! 
we  are  willing,  as  individuals,  to  abandon  our  first  choice,  and  to  rally  with  equal  ardor  to  the 
standard  of  Cass,  Joiiason,  or  anybody  else." 

Judge  Douglass  of  Illinois  has  recently  proclaimed  the  important  fact,  that  the  Texas  and 
Oregon  resolution  adopted  at  Baltimore,  was  drawn  up  by  R.  J.  Walker,  and  offered  to  the 
Convention  by  his  brother  adventarci,  Benjamin  P.  Butler,  as  one  of  their  claptraps  for 
President  making.  Van  Buren  opposed  to  Texas,  and  his  man,  Butler,  taking  the  lead  for  it ! 
The  Resolution  is  in  these  words : 

"  Resolvcil,  That  our  title  to  the  wholo  of  the  territory  of  Oregon  is  clear  and  unquestionable ; 
that  no  portion  of  the  same  ought  to  be  ceded  to  England  or  any  other  power ;  and  that  the 
reoccupation  of  Oregon,  and  tlie  re-anne.xation  of  Texas,  at  the  earliest  practical  period,  are 
great  American  measures,  wliich  this  Convention  recommends  to  the  cordial  support  of  the 
democracy  of  the  Union." 

Looking  at  the  corrupt  and  mercenary  character  of  Butler,  we  ask  the  reader  if  his  position 
as  district  attorney  here,  is  not  presumptive  evidence  that  when  he  thus  shifted  round  to  become 
Walker's  catspaw,  there  was  an  understanding,  the  conditions  of  which  Polk  hastened  to  fulfil  1 
Walker  was  Van  Buren's  most  determined  enemy  at  Baltimore ;  Butler  his  professedly 
warmest  friend.  He  went  to  Baltimore  with  Young,  to  oppose  annexation.  Why  did  he 
there  become  Polk's  organ  for  denouncing  as  traitors  all  who  would  not  consent  to  it  ? 
Walker  vehemently  denounced  Van  Buren  becau.se  \\Qilunt  not  go  foi  annexation.  Why  did 
he  propose  to  the  Convention  that  Silas  Wright,  who  professed  the  very  same  creed  as  Van 
Buren,  and  had  voted  against  annexation  in  the  senate,  should  be  the  candidate  for  Vice 
President  1  and  why  did  the  knaves,  who  had  voted  down  Van  Buren  on  that  score,  vote  up 
Wright  at  Walker's  nod  ?  Was  ihere  any  principle  there  1  Butler's  resolution  on  "Texas,  as 
adopted,  implied  a  censure  on  Benton,  Wright,  and  Van  Buren,  for  not  going  straight  with 
the  party  1 

Tiie  under.standing,  when  Polk  led  Nashville,  was,  that  Flagg,  our  Comptroller,  should  be 
put  at  the  head  of  the  treasury ;  but  Walker  and  others  influenced  him  so  that  he  decided 
that  the  member  of  the  cabinet  for  N.  Y.  should  be  Marcy,  for  the  department  of  war. 
Maicy,  I  am  well  inlormed,  is  much  more  practical  than  Bancroft,  whom  he  manages,  and 
thus  controls  in  a  large  degree,  the  navy.  He  may  out-general  Van  Buren  yet,  although  it  is 
but  a  lottery.  He  was  re-elected  go\'ernor  of  this  state  in  Nov.,  1836,  witli  nearly  3,000 
majority.    In  the  winter  of  1837,  the  party  were  omnipotent.    Nine  months  alter  they  were 


k 


fPF'  THE  NORTH. 

16  state  conventions  to 
lof  the  slave  states,     in 
•aster. 

linction  of  the  free  north 

e  made  with  them.    The 

lust  have  been  the  writer 

mated— that  many  of  his 
fs,  not  loving  Cccsar  le&s 
M  against  his  name.  If 
I  the  whole  ground,  that 
Is  to  destroy  or  endanger 
t:  the  condition  of  bein-^ 
he  contest  with  the  con^ 

hiGIIT  TO  SPEAK  TOR  Mr 

Itate  TO  ASSERT,  that  he 
Truest  among  the  true,  in 

J,  telling  them  the  conse- 
larty,  when  delivered  at 

lor  which  you  are  little 

ACHEROUS  ALMANCK,  and 

orms  of  foreign  attack. 
No  son  of  yours  need 
3tes  of  Northern  Demo- 
ralry.  The  great  free 
udent-making  into  their 

sning  Post,  I  find  it  re- 
most  constant  advocates 
3  head  of  our  ranks  4:^ 
Kvith  equal  ardor  to^ 

fact,  that  the  Texas  and 
Jker,  and  olTered  to  the 
of  their  claptraps  for 
r,  taking  the  lead  for  it! 

arand  unquestionable- 

r  power ;  and  that  the 

St  practical  period,  are 

cordial  support  of  the 

le  reader  if  his  position 
"•'teJ  round  to  become 
Folk  hastened  to  fulfil  1 
Butler  his  professedly 
•xation.    \V-hy  did  he 
Id  not  consent  to  it? 
inncxation.    Why  did 
ly  same  creed  as  Van 
le  candidate  Ibr  Vice 
>n  that  score,  vote  up 
^solution  on  Te.xas,  as 
t  going  straight  with 

omptrollcr,  should  be 
1  so  that  he  decided 
department  of  war. 
am  he  manages  and 
'en  yet,  although'  it  is 
6,  witli  nearly  3,000 
nlhs  alter  they  were 


GEORGE  BANCROFT.   VAN  BUREN  FOR  POLK  AND  DALLAS. 


295 


ciitircly  routed.  E.  Lamed,  Marcy's  relative,  is  president  of  one  of  the  copper  companies  on 
Lake  Superior.  Tliey  are  all  in  Marcy's  department.  He  also  locates  the  lands.  S.  C. 
Frc)-,  a  brother-in-law  of  Mr.  Calhoun,  a  late  M.  C.  from  Mass.  wrote  me  last  Nov.,  thai 
when  the  insurrection  broke  out  in  Canada,  in  1837,  Mr.  Wills,  senator  from  St.  Lawrence 
county,  was  requested  to  see  Gov.  Marcy  on  the  subject ;   that  he  did  so,  and  immediately 

wrote  to  Morristown  to , "  Tell  your  Canadian  friends  that  they  may  rest  assured 

that  Gov.  Marcy  will  interfere  no  farther  than  the  laws  of  the  country  compel  him,  and  that 
they  have  his  best  wishes  for  their  success."  "  With  the  example  of  neutrality  law,  as  admin- 
istered in  the  case  of  Texas,  and  Jackson's  unmeaning  proclamations  [Frey  writes  me]  we 
interfered ;  but  soon  found  that  our  rulers  were  far  more  anxious  to  extend  the  area  of  slaveiT 
than  that  of  freedom ;  and  that  our  laws  had  one  aspect  and  operation  on  the  banks  of  the  St. 
Lawrence,  and  quite  another  on  the  borders  cf  slave-freeing  Mexico."  When  the  time 
coiivss,  Mr.  Marcy  and  his  friends  will  have  facts  that  may  be  as  inconvenient  to  hear,  as  if 
given  now. 

George  Bancroft,  like  Marcy,  has  "  principle  in  proportion  to  his  interest."  A  northern 
man,  he  set  up  for  Congress  in  1834,  with  an  address  to  suit  the  meridian  of  Massachusetts, 
of  which  a  sample  follows : 

"  Slaves  are  capital ;  the  slaveholder  is  a  capitalist.  Free  labor  will  be  the  first  to  demand 
the  abolition  of  slavery ;  capital  will  be  the  la.st  to  concede  it.  We  would  not  interfere  with 
the  domestic  regulations  of  New  Orleans  or  Algiers,  but  we  may  demand  the  instunt  abolition 
of  the  slave  tiade  in  the  District  of  Columbia,  and  should  assist  free  labor  to  recover  its  rights 
in  the  capital  of  the  country.    •    ♦    *    ♦  GEORGE  BANCROFT." 

Bancroft  was  formerly  a  schoolmaster,  his  associate  being  Joseph  G.  Cogswell  of  N.  Y.,  he 
was  originally  much  opposed  to  Jackson,  but  conformed,  as  he  dici  at  Baltimore,  and  now  does 
in  the  Polk  cabinet.  He  is  a  sensible  speaker,  but  no  orator ;  and  stuck  to  Van  Buren  till 
matters  Avere  otherwise  arranged.  His  best  performance  is  his  history.  In  his  eulogy  or*  Old 
Hickory,  delivered  at  Washington,  he  ofTered  a  specimen  of  anti-climax,  thus : 

"  And  Jackson  returned  to  his  own  tields  and  his  own  pursuits,  to  cherish  his  own  planta- 
tion ;  to  care  for  his  servants ;  to  look  after  his  stud." 

Only  five  entire  states,  Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Ohio,  New  York,  and  Missouri,  voted 
against  the  two-third  rule.  It  was  evident  that  Van  Buren  was  believed  to  be  odious  among 
the  people,  evervwhere ;  yet,  had  Ritchie  said  the  word.  Van  Buren  would  have  had  the 
nomination,  such  is  the  power  of  leaders  to  combine  for  the  spoils,  in  the  way  that  will  pro- 
mote their  interest.  Walker  was  strong  against  Van  Buren ;  and  Rantoul,  whom  Tyler 
wanted  to  make  secretary  of  the  treasury,  sp()ke  against  Butler,  and  for  the  two-thirds.  Mar- 
cy said  little,  but  set  others  forward.  Van  Buren  got  146  votes  at  first,  and  went  down  gradu- 
ally to  99.  M'Nulty,  the  ex-clerk  of  Congress,  was  strong  for  Van  Buren.  Frazer  of  Pa., 
who  was  in  Buchanan's  confidence,  canvassed  and  made  speeclies  for  Polk ;  and  Cave  John- 
.son  announced  for  Blair  and  Rives  that  they  would  go  lor  the  nominee,  be  he  who  he  might. 
Senator  Allen,  of  Ohio,  S.  Medary,  B.  Tappan,  Jacob  Brinkerhoff,  and  Dr.  Alex.  Duncan, 
were  for  V.  B.  Senators  Hannegan  [the  son  of  an  Irish  emigrant],  and  Haywood,  were  foi' 
Cass.  In  reply  to  Walker,  Butler  said  "  he  was  very  sorry,  indeed,  to  find  his  friends,  Messrs. 
Walker,  of  Mississippi,  and  Saunders,  of  N.  Carolina,  referring  to  the  precedent  of  1840;  the 
log-cabin,  hard  cider,  coon  hunting  precedent  of  1840.  He  could  stamp  them  under  his  feel 
(lie  was  understood  to  say,  stamping  violently  on  the  floor  as  he  spoke)."  Walker  rejoined 
that  Butler's  was  the  finest  specimen  of  tall  vaulting  he  had  seen  ol  a  long  lime.  Walker,  in 
1840,  was  a  Van  Buren  delegate  to  Baltimore. 

I  was  present  at  a  large  meeting  in  the  Park,  N.  Y.,  on  June  4th,  to  respond  to  the  nomina- 
tion of  Polk  and  Dallas,  and  heard  a  letter  from  Van  Buren  read,  whicli  riad  been  addressed 
to  Gansv.  Melville  and  others,  from  Lindenwald,  June  3,  1844 : 

H^"  I  have  known  Messrs.  Polk  and  Dallas  long  and  intimately.  I  have  had  frequent 
^;^  opportunities  for  personal  observation  of  their  conduct  in  the  discharge  of  high  and  re.spon- 
fj=  sible  public  duties.  The  latter  has  by  my  appointment  represented  the  country  abroad 
5^*  with  credit  and  usefulness ;  they  are  both  gentlemen  possessed  of  high  character;  of  un- 
O"  questioned  and  unquestionable  ])alriotism  and  integrity ;  able  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the 
g:^-  stations  for  which  they  have  been  respectively  nominated,  with  advantage  to  the  country, 
j;^  and  honor  to  themselves.  Concurring  with  ihem  in  the  main,  in  the  political  principles 
ij' by  which  their  public  lives  have  been  hitherto  distinguished,  I  am  sincerely  desirous  for 
3^  their  success." 

At  a  similar  meeting  held  inFaneuil  Hall,  Boston,  Mr.  Bancroll  said :  that  man  who  would 
agree  to  a  mean  submission  to  England,  as  to  Oregon,  let  him  turn  aside  and  not  vote 
for  Polk — that  as  to  Texas,  Polk  -would  not  be  found  a  lackey,  taking  his  cue  from  St. 
James's;  that  there  would  be  no  war  with  Mexico;  andthatihe  convention  "looked  with  one  heart 
to  Young  Hickory  of  Tennessee.  Startling  was  the  ellect  when  the  delegation  from  Maine  an- 
nounced its  vote  for  James  K.  Polk !     Clieoring,  most  cheering  followed  the  plumper  froD) 


t.L  ■ 


( 


296 


CASS  AND  THE  INDIANS — COL.  YOUNG.       O'SULLIVAN. 


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New  Hampshire.  And  then,  ere  the  final  result  was  announced,  came  the  unanimous  vote  j 
of  Massachusetts,  and  in  succession,  the  unanimous  vote  of  every  state."  Genu  il  Ca.ss's  sue.  I 
cess  in  Georgia  and  Alabama  is  accounted  for  by  a  reference  to  his  efforts  to  harass  the  poor 
Indians.  Half  the  Globe  of  March  31,  1834,  is  tilled  with  his  strictures  on  the  Supreme  Court 
for  its  honest  decision  of  the  Georgia  question.  He  concludes,  "  First,  that  civilized  com- 
munities have  a  right  to  take  possession  of  a  country,  inhabited  by  barbarous  tribes,  to  as- 
sume jurisdiction  over  them,  and  to  '  combine  within  narrow  limits, '  or,  in  other  words,  to  ap- 
propriate to  their  own  use,  such  portion  of  the  Territory,  as  they  think  proper.  Second,  that 
in  the  exercise  of  this  right,  such  communities  are  the  j  udges  of  the  extent  of  j  urisdiction  to  be  as- 
sumed, and  of  Territory  to  be  acquired."  He  thenargues,  that  this  power  of  judging  rests  with 
cbe  States,  the  legislatures  of  which  may  subject  Indians,  M'ho  have  not  yielded  up  their  sove- 
reignty, to  what  laws  they  please.  As  Van  Buren  was  of  Jackson's  opinion,  and  as  Jackson, 
Butler,  Woodbury,  and  all  the  cabinet  were  of  one  mind  (for  so  .sailh  Cass),  the  removal  of  the 
Cherokees,  and  the  bloodhounds  set  upon  the  Seminoles  was  surely  glory  enough!  The  In- 
dians were  driven  westward,  just  a  hundred  years  from  the  time  when  John  We.sley  had  land- 
ed at  Savannah,  a  missionary  of  Christ  to  convert  them.  That  teacher  of  teachers  got  a  lesson 
there.  A  grand  jury  of  the  colonists  indicted  hirn  as  a  law-brealccr,  and  the  magistrates  pro- 
nounced his  departure  a  flight  from  justice !  Ninety  years  after,  and  with  the  express  per- 
mission of  the  President  of  the  United  States,  Sanmel  A.  Worcester  went  to  preach  to  these 
Indians,  was  arrested  for  so  doing,  ordered  for  four  years  to  the  penitentiary  of  Georgia,  and 
only  released  when  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  Union  had,  through  Mr.  Justice  McLean's  excel- 
lent and  logical  argument  and  decision,  pronounced  a  barbarous  law  and  the  action  thereon, 
null  and  void. 

Colonel  Young,  at  Baltimore,  was  true  to  Van  Buren,  and  opposed  the  canvass  for  Polk 
as  long  as  he  could.  A  letter  from  a  friend  at  the  Convention,  to  his  friend  here,  says,  "  Col. 
"  Young  is  quite  in  a  rage,  and  even  hints  that  the  friends  of  the  other  candidates  have  con- 
"  spired  to  defraud  V.  B.  Every  delegate  from  Pennsylvania  was  pledged  under  hand  and 
"  seal  to  vote  for  V.  B.,  but  several  of  the  most  active  of  them  visited  Buchanan  previously, 
"  at  Washington,  who  told  them  to  support  a  motion  that  would  be  made  for  a  two-third  rule, 
"  and  alter  that  do  as  they  pleased.  Twelve  out  of  five-and-t\venty  did  so,  and  when  V.  B.'s 
"  day  had  gone  past,  arrangements  were  made  to  bring  forward  the  Texan  candidate.  Young 
"  declares  thai  Cass,  Calhoun,  Woodbury,  Walker,  and  even  Johnson,  are  among  the  con- 
"  spirators;  and  that  the  democratic  platform,  of  fidelity  to  instructions,  is  knocked  from  under 
•'  our  feet,  the  party  cleil  in  twain,  and  Texas  and  its  abominations,  tied  round  our  necks  like 
"  a  millstone.  Texas  is  to  be  acquired  by  propagandism  and  incorporation,  the  principles 
"  which  drove  Europe  into  arms  against  the  ambitious  and  reckless  spirits  in  the  French  re- 
"  public.  By  encouragement,  secret  sometimes,  avowed  when  it  was  thought  best,  Italy, 
"  Switzerland,  the  Rhenish  provinces,  the  Tyrol,  Belgium,  &c.  were  induced  to  revolt  against 
"  the  existing  powers.  TjTanny  used  the  form  and  sacred  name  of  liberty  to  induce  lhe.se 
"  countries  to  exchange  one  set  of  masters  for  another — tlie  imperial  decree  went  Ibrth,  and 
"liberty  and  annexation,  of  the  true  Texan  stamp,  went  hand  in  hand.  Where  are  an- 
"  nexing  principles  to  terminate  1  At  Cape  Horn  ?  At  the  north  pole  1  Shall  we  annex 
"  Cuba,  St.  Domingo,  Jamaica,  the  whole  West  Indies,  en  passant,  with  slavery  as  a  sort  of 
"  shade  or  veil  to  liberty's  brightness,  and  all  to  uphold  our  '  peculiar  institutions  V  If  we  try, 
"  I  fear  that  the  example  of  France  will  keep  good  throughout."  Young's  passion  cooled. 
He  headed  the  electoral  ticket  which  gave  the  votes  of  N.  Y.  to  Polk  and  Dallas,  and  they 
owe  to  New  York  not  only  their  nomination,  .'lut  also  their  election ;  nor  could  Van  Buren,  in 
1836,  have  been  elected  \vithout  New  York.    He  richly  deserved  his  fate  in  1840  and  '44. 

Van  Buren's  friend,  O'Sultivan,  in  the  ppity  journal  here,  the  Democratic  Review,  let  the 
cat  out  cf  the  bag,  and  confessed  that  the  leaders  considered  public  virtue  f;^  all  a  humbug 
I  quote  the  number  for  April,  1843 :  "  Since  the  election  of  1840,  we  have  pretty  much  ceased 
"  to  speak  of,  or  confide  in,  the  '  intelligence  of  the  people.'  .  .  .  We  confess  we  could 
"  haraly  forbear  exclaiming  in  vexation  and  contempt, '  well,  after  all,  nature  will  out ;  the 
"  poor  devils,  if  we  but  let  them  alone,  will  make  cattk  of  themselves,  and  why  should  we 
"  waste  our  time  and  substance  in  trying  to  hinder  them  from  making  themselves  cattle  1' 
"...  If  we  wish  to  secure  to  ourselvns  and  our  posterity  the  blessings  of  freedom  and 
"  good  government,  we  must  procure  stronger  guJirantees  than  popular  suffrage  and  popular 
"  virtue  and  intelligence.  .  .  .  Suffrage  rests  for  its  basis,  as  a  guarantee  of  freedom  and 
"good  government,  on  the  assumed  intelligence  and  virtue  of  the  people.  Now  this  may  be 
"  very  beautiful  in  theory,  but  when  we  come  to  practice,  this  virtue  and  intelligence  o:  the 
"  people  is  all  a  humbug."  When  the  election  of  Polk  and  Dallas  had  put  our  slanderers  into 
power  again,  their  Review  wheeled  roimd,  and  hoisted  up  the  millions  from  their  place  v/ith  the 
cattle  to  the  old  perfectional  standard  of  1829. 

A  brief  sketch  of  the  life  of  George  Mifflin  Dallas  of  Philadelphia  would  induce  many 
readers  to  conclude  like  me,  that  what  is  called  democracy,  the  democratic  party,  is,  so  far 
as  most  of  the  leaders  or  chiefs  are  concerned,  an  agreement  to  hunt  together  after  public 


lULLIVAN. 

lame  the  unanimous  vote 
Jte."    Gene,  il  Cass's  ,T  ' 
(efforts  to  harass  the  S;j 

>es  on  the  Supreme  cE' 
[First  that  civilized  com 
f  barbarous  tribes,  ,o  at 

J  or,  mother  words  to  at 
Ink  proper.    Second,  t£ 

fcntofjurisdictiontobeas 
r?a«dgingrestswS; 
hot  yrelded  up  their  sov. 

l»^ass;,  the  removal  of  thp 

t/«'jn  Wesley  had  land- 

Ki';,^';»agistratespro. 
*ncl  with  the  express  Lr 

fr  went  to  preach  to  th^ 
litentiary  of  Georgia,  S 
J  Justice  McLean's  excel- 
and  the  action  thereon, 

>sed  the  canvass  for  Polk 
f,  '"end  here,  says,  "  Col 

her  catididates  have  con 
[pledged  under  hand  and 
fed  Buchanan  previously 

,ade  (or  a  two-third  rule 
laid  so,  and  when  V  B'<.' 
fexan  candidate.  Yoml' 
,J«on,  are  among  the  con- 
s.^s  knocked  frSm  under 
tied  round  our  necks  l?ke 
"rporation,theprincipks 
^Pints  in  the  French  re 
was  thought  best,  IfalJ 
nduced  to  revolt  aVainlt' 

'liberty  to  induceC 
1  decree  went  forth,  and 
'land.  Where  are  an- 
poJe  Shall  we  annex 
th  slavery  as  a  sort  of 
institutional'  ir^'J 
^J*""?  «  Pa'^sion  cooled.' 
Ik  and  Dallas,  and  thev 

.orcouldVan'Bu.en,S 
ate  m  1840  and  '44 

locraticUevieu-,  let'the 
^'"er^allahmnbug 
^^Prettymuchceaseli 
VVe  con/ess  we  could 
',  nature  will  uut ;  the 

^^  and  whv  should  we 
^g  themselves  cattle  V 

;sjngs  of  freedom  and 
suffrage  and  popular 

antec  oi  freedonf  and 
^'  Now  this  may  be 
nd  mtelligence  a'' the 
ut  our  slanderers  into 
m  their  place -vith  the 

would  induce  many 
atic  part)',  is,  so  far 
together  after  public 


ALEXANDER  J.  AND  GEORGE  M.  DALLAS. 


297 


plunder,  or  to  divide  it  among  the  initiated  when  obtained,  by  a  sort  of  scale  previously  agreed 
on.  Dallas,  the  champion  of  the  U.  S.  bank  in  1832,  was  Van  Buren's  choice,  as  ambassador 
to  Russia,  in  1837,  and  the  selection  of  the  leaders  at  Baltimore,  in  1844,  for  Vice  President  of 
the  U.  S.,  with  the  cry  of  eternal  hostility  to  a  National  Bank !  If  I  cannot  put  such  men  to 
shame,  I  can  and  dare  express  for  their  mean  conduct  that  contempt  which  a  true  republican 
ought  to  feel. 

George  M.  Dallas  was  bom  on  the  10th  of  July,  1792,  at  Philadelphia— is  the  eldest  son  of 
Alexander  James  Dallas,  a  lawyer  of  Scotch  extraction  or  birth,  who  came  to  America  in 
1783,  became  Secretary  of  the  U.  S.  Treasury  last  war,  died  in  Jan.  1817,  and  is  spoken  of  by 
Col.  Duane  as  artful,  ambitious,  one  of  the  worst  of  the  public  men  of  that  age.  While  at 
the  head  of  the  Treasury,  Oct.  17,  1814,  he  thus  describes  the  effect  of  the  pet  bank  system, 
which,  equally  av/are  of  its  viciousness,  his  son  George  and  M.  Van  Buren  united  in  1834,  to 
re-establish. 

"The  multiplication  of  banks  In  the  several  states  has  so  increased  the  quantity  of  paper  cnrrency,  that  it 
"  would  be  difficult  to  calculate  its  auiount ;  and  still  more  dltncnlt  to  ascertain  its  value,  with  reference  to  the 
"  capitiil  on  which  it  has  been  issued.  But  the  benefit  of  even  this  paper  currency  is  in  a  great  measure  lost, 
"  as  the  suspension  of  payments  in  specie  at  most  of  the  banks  has  suddenly  broke  the  chain  of  accommodation, 
"  that  previously  extended  the  credit  and  the  circulation  of  the  notes  which  were  emitted  in  one  state  into 
"  every  state  in  the  Union.  It  may  in  general  bo  affirmed,  therefore,  that  there  exists  at  this  time  no  adequats 
"  circnlating  medium  common  to  the  citizens  of  the  United  States.  The  nionicd  transactions  of  private  life  r.re 
"  at  a  stand ;  and  the  fiscal  operations  of  government  labor  under  extreme  inconvenience.  It  is  impossible 
"  that  sucli  a  state  of  things  should  be  long  endured." 

With  the  above  official  statement,  addressed  to  J.  W.  Eppes,  chairman  of  the  Ways  and 
Means  in  Congress,  he  sent  the  plan  of  a  new  National  Bank  as  the  remedy,  and  his  plan 
was,  1st,  that  it  should  be  chartered  for  20  years,  with  power  to  place  its  branches  anywhere 
through  the  states,  50  millions  capital,  100,000  shares  of  ^500  each — 2d,  that  corporations, 
companies  cm:  individuals  might  subscribe  for  30  millions,  and  the  United  States  government 
be  a  partner,  holding  20  millions  of  the  stock — 3d,  that  of  the  30  millions,  four-tifths,  or  24 
millions,  should  be  paid  in  certificates  of  public  debt,  and  6  millions  in  specie,  the  payments  to 
be  at  stated  pcriods--4th,  that  the  U.  S.  should  pay  its  20  millions  in  stock,  (obligations  to  pay 
at  some  future  time,)  and  the  bank  lend  the  United  States  government  30  millions  of  dollars  at 
6  per  cent  interest ! — 5th,  that  neither  the  capital,  the  notes,  nor  the  deposites  or  dividends 
should  be  taxed,  either  by  the  U.  S.  or  any  state,  and  that  no  other  bank  should  be  chartered  by 
Congress — 6th,  that  there  should  be  15  directors,  of  whom  the  President  of  the  U.  S.  should 
choose  five,  one  of  whom  to  be  the  bank  president,  and  the  ten  to  be  chosen  annually  by  the 
other  stockholders,  voting  in  proportion  to  their  shares,  by  proxy  nr  in  person — and  7th,  that 
the  bank  paper  should  be  a  good  payment  in  all  payments  to  the  United  States.  At  the  same 
time,  Mr.  Dallas  proposed  a  tax  of  SO  cents  a  gallon  on  all  home  distilled  whiskey,  gin,  &c.,  5 
cents  per  lb.  on  tobacco  Jind  snuff,  3  cents  per  lb.  on  home  made  leather,  7  per  cent  on  home 
made  paper,  $300,000  on  lawyers'  processes,  $250,000  on  conveyances  and  mortgages,  and 
100  per  cent,  addition  to  the  U.  S.  direct  taxes,  as  the  Customs  revenues,  which  even  a  Jesse 
Hoyt  could  not  reduce  below  ten  millions,  did  not  exceed  loui'  in  war  times.  I  mention  these 
things  to  remind  the  prosix;rous  that  a  war  now  would  be  their  greatest  enemy. 

George  M.  Dallas  was  taught  law  by  his  father,  went  to  Russia  as  Albert  Gallatin's  secretary 
in  April,  1813,  in  his  21st  year,  married  Miss  Nicklin,  the  daughter  of  a  Philadelphia  mer- 
chant, and  was  appointed  in  Feb.  1817,  Solicitor  to  the  United  States  Bank.  In  1824,  he  went 
for  Calhoun  as  President — was  mayor  of  Philadelphia  in  1828,  and  in  1829  appointed  by  Jack- 
son the  U.  S.  District  Attorney  for  Pennsylvania,  the  legislature  of  which  sent  him  to  the  U. 
S.  Senate  in  1831.  In  1832  he  was  entrusted  by  Nicholas  Biddle  with  the  petition  of  the  U.  S. 
Bank  for  a  new  charter  for  15  years,  which  charter  he  reported,  as  chairman  of  the  Senate's 
committee,  and  was  throughout  its  unwearied  and  willing  advocate.  He  declared  the  institution 
to  be  very  useful,  even  indispensable — he  made  many  speeches  in  its  favor,  affirming,  Jan.  30, 
that  the  bank  was  "  enacted  under  the  influence  of  the  purest  motives,  for  admirable  purposes." 
He  voted  with  Clay  and  Webster  to  put  down  a  proposition  requiring  the  consent  of  the  State* 
to  the  establishment  of  branch  banks— he  voted  against  Benton's  amendment  which  went  to  pre- 
vent foreigners  from  holding  stock — and  against  Marcy's  reserving  to  Congress  the  right  to 
repeal  the  charter,  and  to  the  states  to  tax  the  bank ;  also  against  White's  requiring  the  bank  to 
pay  3  per  cent,  on  deposits.  The  bill  passed  June  Uth,  Dallas  voting  for  it.  July  10,  Jackson 
vetoed  the  bill,  and  declared  it  unconstitutional ;  but  wth  Clay  and  Webster,  Dallas,  on  the 
13th,  voted  against  the  veto,  and  that  the  bill  was  constitutional  and  ought  to  pass.  W.  Wil- 
kins,  his  brother-in-law,  voted  with  him ;  and  on  July  7,  1836,  he  wrote  his  memorable  letter, 
in  which  he  said :  "  Of  the  Constitutional  power  of  the  National  Government  to  create  a  bank 
I  did  not  then,  nor  do  I  now  e^Uertain  a  douot.  Of  the  ability  of  Congress  to  create  seen  a  bank 
as  would  be  a  safe  machine  of  finance  and  a  serviceable  agent  in  preserving  a  sound  curren- 
cy, I  THEN  was,  and  stili^  am,  convinced."  His  opposition  to  the  scheme  for  converting  the  U. 
S.  Bank  into  a  State  Bank,  evinced  great  judgment  and  foresight.  Even  the  United  States 
Gazette  now  condemns  that  act.    As  a  State  Bank  it  sought  to  monopolize  the  cotton  trade  of 


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'i't;;;H'fv:T^ 


^■riif^i;^-:':^;' 


298 


DALLAS,  WILKINS,  THE  MILEAGE,  AND  THOMAS  RITCHIE. 


the  south,  and  failed.  It  obtained  the  state  stocks  of  Michigan  and  Indiana,  and  pledged  them 
in  London  for  more  than  they  were  worth.  "  The  United  States  Bank,  by  a  suspension  of 
specie  payments,  had  forfeited  its  cliarter.  Its  effects  were  about  to  pass  into  the  hands  of  Re- 
ceivers, whtn  a  Van  Buren  Grovernor  [Porter]  and  Senate  interposed,  and  not  only  saved  its 
life  and  lepralized  a  protracted  suspension,  but  allowed  the  stockjobbers  to  receive  dividends 
while  the  Bank  was  paying  its  debts  in  irredeemable  paper !"  So  .saith  Weed.  The  Schuyl- 
kill failed  at  the  same  time,  and  such  was  the  mm-ality  of  the  legislature  and  Gov.  Porter,  that 
they  allowed  the  Pennsylvania  banks  to  divide  6  and  7  per  cent,  as  profits,  when  they  were 
openly  bankrupt.  If  the  misery  caused  to  thousands  by  the  .sinking  of  36  millions  of  capital 
in  the  Schuylkill  and  U.  S.  Banks  could  be  seen  by  the  people,  no  such  departures  from  the 
laws  of  trade  and  currency  would  again  be  allowed. 

The  Baltimore  Convention  which  nominated  Polk  and  Dallas  resolved,  that  they  were  op- 
posed to  the  distribution  of  tlie  proceeds  of  the  public  lands  among  the  states.  On  July  3d, 
1832,  in  Senate,  Dallas  and  his  brother-in-law,  Wilkins,  voted  for  Clay's  bill  to  distribute  the 
proceeds  of  the  public  lands  among  the  states,  and  that  not  by  instructions,  but  as  their  unbi- 
assed opinion.  Clay,  Emng,  Bell,  Webster,  i'relinghuysen,  Poindexter,  and  Dickerson  were 
on  the  same  side,  and  the  bill  passed.  So,  too,  on  Internal  Improvements,  Dallas  went  with 
Clay  in  1832,  against  Benton,  Van  Buren  and  Jackson — and,  in  1837,  Van  Buren  made  him 
his  Russian  ambassador,  offered  him  a  seat  in  his  cabinet  in  1839,  and  in  1844  wrote  to  the 
citizens  of  New  York,  that  he  approved  of  him  as  the  candidate  of  the  mdi-bank  party  for  the 
office  of  Vice-President!  In  1833,  Wolf  appointed  Dallas  attorney-general  of  Pennsylvania. 
In  Senate,  in  1832,  Dallas  voted  against  inquiring  into  Van  Buren's  conduct  and  in  favor  of 
his  appointment  as  ambassador  to  England.  To  be  true  to  Van  Buren  and  his  confederates, 
and  able  to  serve  the  leaders,  was  the  real  test  in  1837,  and  something  akin  to  it  is  the  test  now. 
The  decision  Dallas  gave,  as  Vice-Prpsident,  in  March,  1845,  that  those  who  framed  tlie  law 
for  paying  mileage  to  senators  intended  to  place  it  in  the  power  of  the  President  of  tlie  U.  S., 
by  calling  a  new  session  of  the  Senate  to-morrow,  as  a  successor  to  that  which  closes  to-day,  to 
pay  the  senators  over  S30,000  for  travelling  many  thousand  miles  to  and  from  Washington, 
when  not  one  of  them  had  left  the  city  or  travelled  the  first  mile,  was  so  iniquitous  that  I  set 
him  down  at  once  as  little  better  than  a  cheat  in  democratic  politics.  When  the  session  termi- 
nated, March  3,  he  decided  that  the  senators,  not  one  of  whom  had  left  Washington,  were  en- 
titled to  mileage  or  travelling  charges  to  and  from  their  homes,  however  distant,  though  the 
new  executive  sitting  began  within  ten  hours  of  the  close  of  the  old ! !  Such  outrageous  con- 
duct encourages  men  in  less  elevated  stations  to  act  dishonestly.  Ashley  of  Ark.  got  $1680 — 
Barrow  of  La.,  $1840— Johnson,  $1840— Sevier  of  Ark.,  $1680— Atchi.son  of  Mo.,  $1336— 
Breese  and  Semple  of  Ills.,  ifil480  each — Jamagin  of  Tenn.,  $1200 — Woodbridge  of  Mich., 
$903 — Bagby  and  Lewis  of  A'. a.,  $960  each — and  so  on  for  the  others.  Had  this  man  not 
been  a  profligate  pretender,  he  had  not  received  the  support  of  Van  Buren.  I  think  it  was  one 
of  Bennett's  Herald  correspondents  who  exposed  this  iniquity  in  detail.  He  stated  that  Daniel 
C.  Dickinson,  not  satisfied  with  receiving  pay  for  two  journeys  never  performed,  tried  hard  to 
be  paid  for  three !  How  painful  it  is  to  have  to  write  in  tnis  way  of  a  man  who  was  voted 
for  by  millions  of.  men  as  the  V.  P.  of  the  republic  ! 

V.  P.  Dallas  is  an  excellent  speaker,  a  man  of  prepossessing  and  dignified  deportment,  and 
winning,  courteous  manners;  and  has  the  reputation  rf  being  a  good  scholar.  He  is  tall, 
spare,  and  has  an  intellectual  look,  with  a  high,  narrow  forehead,  thickly  covered  with  long 
silvery  locks. 


i'    ■» 


THOMAS  niTCHIE. 
The  Editor  of  Tke  Unimi,  at  Washington,  is  about  seventy  years  of  age — tall,  thin,  spare,  and 
rather  bont — has  a  long,  thin  face,  with  a  fine,  bright  eye,  and  a  very  prominent  nose,  but  has 
lost  his  teeth.  His  gait  is  quick,  restless,  and  somewhat  tremulous ;  he  is  neat  in  his  dress, 
fond  of  talking,  and  unwearied  in  industry ;  possesses  tact,  talent,  great  knowledge  of  men 
and  things ;  is  a  lively  old  gentleman,  affable,  courteous,  polite ;  an  editor  of  42  years'  stand- 
ing, having  commenced  the  Richmond  Enquirer  in  his  native  state,  on  the  19th  of  May,  1804, 
and  left  it  with  his  sons,  William  F.  and  Thomas  Ritchie,  Junior,  in  the  summer  of  1844,  when 
he  removed  to  Washington  to  take  charge  of  Polk's  new  paper.  Mr.  Ritchie  entered  active 
life  as  a  teacher  or  usher  in  Richmond,  was  married  on  the  7th  of  February,  1807,  to  Miss  Isa- 
bella, daughter  of  Dr.  William  Foushde,  sometime  postmaster  of  Richmond,  and  who  died  in 
1824,  aged  75.  In  1807,  Ritchie  was  an  enthusiastic  advornle  of  home  manufactures.  That 
year,  in  December,  Mr.  Monroe  and  family  returned  to  Richmond  from  abroad,  and  at  a  Vir- 
ginia Welcome  given  to  him,  the  governor  being  in  the  chair,  the  sixth  regular  toast  was, 
»•  American  Manufoctures,  the  true  support  of  genuine  independence"— received  with  three 


tITCIIIE. 


GREELEY  ON  RITCHIE— GREENE,  DABNEV  AND  TEXAS. 


299 


ana,  and  pledged  them 
ik,  by  a  suspension  of 
i  into  the  hands  of  Re- 
and  not  only  saved  its 
s  to  receive  dividends 
Weed.  The  Schuyl- 
e  and  Gov.  Porter,  that 
refits,  when  they  were 
36  millions  of  capital 
:h  departures  from  the 

red,  that  they  were  op- 
le  states.    On  July  3d, 
's  bill  to  distribute  the 
ons,  but  as  their  unbi- 
r,  and  Dickerson  were 
lents,  Dallas  went  with 
Van  Buren  made  him 
in  1844  wrote  to  the 
anti-bank  party  for  the 
neral  of  Pennsylvania, 
anduct  and  in  lavor  of 
and  his  confederates, 
in  to  it  is  the  test  now. 
ic  who  framed  the  law 
President  of  the  U.  S., 
which  closes  tOKiay,  to 
and  from  Washington, 
io  iniquitous  that  I  set 
^hen  the  session  termi- 
Washington,  were  en- 
rer  distant,  though  the 
Such  outrageous  con- 
^y  of  Ark.  got  ^1680— 
li.son  of  Mo.,  $1336— 
•Woodbndge  of  Mich., 
8.    Had  this  man  not 
en.     I  think  it  was  one 
He  stated  that  Daniel 
jrformed,  tried  hard  to 
a  man  who  was  voted 

unified  deportment,  and 
1  scholar.  He  is  tall, 
;kly  covered  with  long 


e— tall,  tlxin,  spare,  and 
•eminent  nose,  but  has 
le  is  neat  in  his  dress, 
;at  knowledge  of  men 
itor  of  42  years'  stand- 
he  19th  o£  May,  1801, 
;ummer  of  1844,  when 
Ritchie  entered  active 
iry,  1807,  to  Miss  Isa- 
lond,  and  who  died  in 
manuiactures.  That 
abroad,  and  at  a  Vir- 
:th  regular  toast  was, 
—received  with  three 


fillers.  Next  lirst  of  June,  a  meeting  was  held  at  the  capitol,  Richmond,  the  governor  presid- 
ing, and  Ritchie  secretary ;  when  his  (Ritchie's)  fatlier-in-law  proposed  that  a  committee  should 
be  named  "  to  digest  a  j)lan  for  the  establishment  of  manufactures,"  and  the  governor  named 
the  late  President  Monroe,  William  Wirt,  Peyton  Randolph,  George  Hay,  dfcc.  The  meeting 
also  resolved  with  one  accord  to  appear  at  the  next  4th  of  July  dressed  in  articles  the  manu- 
facture of  some  of  the  states.  In  1829,  Ritchie  and  his  Enquirer  had  veered  round  to  a  nullifi- 
cation of  protecting  tariffs — now  he  is  for  just  enough  of  a  tariff  to  lieep  the  wheels  of  govern- 
ment well  grea.sed.  Mr.  Ritchie's  family  is  large  and  well  educated,  and  his  daughters  are 
married  into  wealthy  and  respectable  Virginia  families.  I  can  easily  imagine  the  immense  in- 
fluence which  an  active,  energetic  politician,  all  life  and  soul,  all  bone  and  sinew,  would  exer- 
cise over  an  agricultural  people  he  had  been  intimate  with  lor  half  a  century,  by  referring  to 
the  position  I  Ibund  myself  in,  some  ten  years  ago,  though  on  a  far  less  extensive  theatre  of 
action. 

Ritchie  has  always  been  what  is  called  a  democrat,  but  of  the  truckling,  time-.serving  kind. 
Leggett  told  him,  through  the  Evening  Post,  that  he  was  a  political  hypocrite  and  tricKster— 
John  Randolph,  that  he  was  a  man  of  "  .seven  principles ;  five  loaves  and  two  fishes" — ihe  elder 
Duane  (Sept.  1816)  described  him  as  the  "  self-convicted  sycophant  aiid  tool  of  party" — Brooks 
of  the  Express  represents  him  as  a  very  able,  but  narrow,  contracted,  selfish  bigot — and  Horace 
Greeley  (June  3,  1845,)  sums  up  his  politics  as  follows : 

"  When  it  was  Democratic  to  asiail  Gen.  Jackson  as  utterly  unfit  for  Civil  or  Political  trust,  no  man  asialled 
liini  more  fiercely  than  Thomas  Ritchie.  But  when,  a  Tew  years  theroarter,  it  became  Democratic  to  commend 
Gen.  Jackson  as  the  paragon  of  Statesmanship  and  trustworthineso,  no  man  laid  it  on  thicker  than  Thomas 
Ritchie.  In  1828,  it  was  Democratic  to  advocate  One  Term  only  for  a  President,  and  Mr.  Ritchie  was  very 
earnest  for  that.  In  1832  and  1840,  it  was  Democratic  to  support  a  President  for  a  Second  term,  and  Mr.  Ritchie 
did  bis  utmost  on  that  side.  In  '3!>-30,  it  was  Democratic  to  advocate  the  Nullifying  doctrines  of  Caihotm  and 
Hayne,  and  declare  them  the  very  counterpart  of  '  the  Resolutions  of  '98,'  and  Mr.  Ritchie  did  this  very 
thoroughly.  In  1832-3,  it  was  Democratic  to  condemn  Nullification  as  utterly  inconsistent  with  orthodox  De- 
mocracy, and  Mr.  Ritchie  did  this  quite  effectively.  In  1834-5,  It  was  Democratic  to  praise  the  Pet  Banks  Sys- 
tem, and  nobody  did  it  more  heartily  than  Mr.  Ritchie.  In  1838,  It  had  become  Democratic  to  go  the  whole  Hog 
for  the  Sub-Treasury  and  denounce  the  Pet  Banks  ;  and  though  this  was  the  hardest  dose  he  had  had  yet,  Mr. 
Ritchie  gulped  it  down  for  Democracy's  sake.  Nobody  was  more  ardent  than  Mr.  R.  in  support  of  Van  Buren 
while  '  Democracy'  smilrd  on  him  ;  nobody  did  more  to  crush  Mr.  V.  B.  when  Southern  '  Democracy '  turned 
against  him.  Nay,  more :  our  paragon  of  Democrats  can  be  on  both  sides  jf  a  vital  question  at  the  same  time 
when  the  interests  of  '  Democracy '  require  it— can  advocate  Dorrism  for  the  North  and  stand  fast  by  Slavery 
in  the  South— can  sympathize  with  the  victims  of  '  Algerlne '  tyranny  in  Rhode  Island,  but  breathe  not  a 
whisper  oi  dissatisfaction  at  the  Constitution  of  his  own  Virginia  which  not  only  denies  any  vote  at  all  to  a 
poor  white  man  while  it  allows  his  rich  neighbor  a  dozen,  but  actually  vests  the  Political  Power  of  the  State  in 
about  one-third  of  iu  Legal  Voters." 

Ritchie  can  scold,  fret,  and  be  as  abusive  as  John  Van  Biu-en  when  he  likes — can  sneer  at 
Noah  as  "  the  Swiss  mercenary"— mock  John  Tyler,  as  being  on  his  return  to  the  path  of  de- 
mocracy "  now  that  he  knows  the  whig  party  "—and  hold  up  Jackson  as  a  tyrant  and  a  mtir- 
derer,  a  curse  and  a  blessing. 

One  of  his  subscribers  thus  addresses  him,  Sept.  25,  1838 : 

"  I  like  to  show  my  colors  sometimes.  I  went  with  you  for  the  cun-boats,  and  against  them,  under  Jefferson, 
and  for  the  war,  and  against  the  gun-boats,  under  Madison.  I  followed  you  and  Jefferson  agamst  the  bank, 
ditto  to  you  and  Mndlson  when  he  went  for  the  bunk.  I  read  your  imper  and  supported  Monroe  when  you  and 
he  went  against  Jackson,  and  I  turned  ngalnst  Adams,  tooth  and  toe-nail ;  and  went  lor  Jackson  when  you  did 
the  like.  I  loaded  my  fowling-piece  when  thoy  liegon  to  talk  about  light-houses  In  the  skies.  I  went  for  the 
proclamation,  and  against  the  proclamation  in  spots,  and,  after  that,  1  resolved  not  to  split  the  party  for  any- 
thing, and  swallowed  the  removal  of  the  deposits,  the  protest,  the  black  lines,  and  Ifist,  though  not  least,  Mr. 
Vi\n  Buren  and  Col.  Dick  Johnson.  But  I  confess  I'm  bothered  now,  I  want  light,  and  would  like  to  know, 
when  it  is  convenient,  whether  I  must  go  for  principles  without  men,  or  men  without  principles  1" 

Ritchie  has  been  often  chosen  printer  to  the  Virginia  Legislature,  and  he  pretended  great  in- 
dependence  of  office  in  1829,  because  his  strictures  on  Jackson  had  left  little  hope  of  his  getting 
anything  valuable  then  in  that  quarter.  His  letters,  page  214  to  216,  show  his  views  for  the 
public  eye.  He  is  poor,  lives  in  splendor,  is  a  speculator,  bets  high,  though  not  on  General 
Jack.son  [see  page  240],  and  advocates,  through  his  Union,  the  turning  out  of  the  most  upright 
public  servants,  if  they  are  not  as  slavish  to  party  and  leaders  in  power  as  spaniels  to  the  whip. 
"  A  Benjamin  W.  Greene  of  Richmond  (says  Blair's  Globe)  commenced  without  any  capital 
except  his  assurance,"  became  a  great  speculator  and  jockey,  dealt  in  Texas  lands  and  every- 
tliing ;  and  when  Dabney  disappeared,  a  defaulter  for  hundreds  of  thousands,  Greene  was 
arrested  as  having  had  a  large  share  of  the  .spoil,  and  sent  to  jail,  but  not  kept  there  long. 
Ritchie,  his  friend,  sympathized  with  the  evil-doers ;  Mallory,  a  confederate,  was  arrested,  but 
ha,  too,  had  backers.    One  thing  is  certaiu,  Ritchie's  pecuniary  embarrassments  were  increased 


■  if- -;^^^^ 


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300 


RITCHIE,  HIS  ENQl^IRER,  AND  GENERAL  ANDREW  JACKSON. 


by  these  explosions ;  and  his  errand  at  Washington,  like  Marcy's,  is  to  patch  his  pantaloons,  or 
iu  other  words,  make  money,  by  monopolizing  the  printing  ot  the  executive,  the  departments' 
the  Senate,  and  the  House  of  Representatives;  and  charging  some  $50,000  to  $75,000  more 
for  doing  it  than  regular  printers,  bred  to  the  business,  could  fairly  exact.  In  other  words,  he 
and  his  partner  are  getting  some  $65,000  a  year,  over  and  above  an  honest  compensation,  that 
being  their  share  (in  pan)  of  the  spoils  of  party,  with  the  principle  of  pltinder  lor  its  grip  and 
countersign,  as  per  last  settlement  at  Baltimore. 

When  Major  Lewis  and  Mr.  Polk  quarrelled,  Lewis  had  published  a  letter  from  Jackson 
to  him,  dated  April  8,  1845,  which  showed  that  he  was  much  displeased  with  Polk  for  dis- 
carding Blair.  He  says,  "  The  Globe  is  to  be  bought ;  by  what  political  clique,  and  to  sub. 
serve  what  interest  1  Is  the  renegade  politician  ♦♦♦♦••♦to  have  an  interest  f  Who 
would  trust  him  in  politics  or  for  money  7"  Some  say  the  seven  stars  meant  General  Siinon 
Cameron  of  the  Senate ;  others  strangely  affirm  that  it  was  intended  for  Thomas  Ritchie ! 
One  thing  is  certain.  All  other  prints  taken  together,  scarcely  combined  half  the  enmity  and 
bitterness  toward  Jackson  that  was  manifested  by  Ritchie  and  his  backers  through  Thb 
ENaumER,  from  the  moment  they  knew  that  he  [Jackson]  intended  to  compete  with  the 
dynasty  of  Virginia  for  the  imperial  purple.    [See  Burr's  letter.  No.  296,  page  259.] 

In  Eleceraber,  1818,  Jackson  wa.-?  violently  attacked  in  the  Enquirer  as  having  set  the  U.  S. 
government  at  defiance  in  the  last  war,  and  insulted  it. 

"  I  do  not  intend  to  follow  him  through  the  war  he  conducted  against  the  Creeks  in  1813-11. 
I  mention  the  bloody  massacre  of  Talapooze,  only  to  express  my  grief  for  it ;  shame  and 
abhorrence.  ♦  ♦  ♦  The  historian  admits,  that  the  general  well  knew  they  had  ample 
reason  for  their  desperation;  and  the  general  himself  tells  the  world,  in  his  official  despatch, 
that,  after  the  pursuit,  or  rather  hunt  (literally  with  fire  and  sword),  and  the  carnage  had  con- 
tinued till  darkness  covered  and  concealed  his  miserable  victims ;  after  he  was  apprised,  that 
of  their  thousand  warriors  not  half  an  hundred  remained ;  after  a  whole  night  to  cool  and  re- 
flect on,  the  next  morning  the  hunt  and  slaughter  '  wcfe  resumed,  and  sixteen'  (all  that  could  be 
found),  '  of  the  enemy  slain,  who  had  concealed  themselves  undsr  the  banks'  Yet  I  will  not  urge 
that  as  a  peculiar  reproach  against  General  Jackson,  which  I  rather  regard  as  a  stain  upon 
my  country.  History  will  record  that  his  bloody  deeds  were  received  by  his  countrymen  with 
general  applause,  while  the  clemency  of  colonel  Pearson  was  regarded  with  contempt  and  re- 
sentment. Tndij,  sir,  American  avarice  of  Indian  lands  is  equal  to  Spanish  avarice  of  Indian 
gold." 

Ritchie  next  reminds  Jackson  that  he  had  got  a  grant  from  these  poor  crushed  Creeks ;  that 
he  (Ritchie)  was  .sorry  to  say  that  which  might  affect  his  [Jackson's]  private  character,  but 
that  the  transaction  was  such  a  one  as  the  U.  S.  Senate  had  absolutely  refused  to  sanction. 
He  accuses  Jackson  of  wanton  tyranny  at  New  Orleans  in  proclaiming  martial  law ;  adding, 
that  "  The  ready  resort  to  violent  measures  in  all  situations  of  difficulty  is  generally  the  result 
of  weakness  of  understanding  and  wickedness  of  heart  combined."  That  Jackson  "  rests  his 
defence  upon  the  tyrant's  plea,  necessity" — but  that,  "  During  the  arduous  struggle  of  the  re- 
"  volution,  martial  law  was  never  once  proclaimed.  Amidst  the  distraction  ot  a  civil  war, 
"  when  refugees  and  tories  were  embodied  in  the  service  of  the  enemy,  and  their  friends  and 
"  kinch-ed  dispersed  over  the  country.  General  Washington,  though  for  a  time  clothed  with  af- 
"  most  dictatorial  powers,  never  proclaimed  martial  law.  When  Gteneral  Green  was  flying 
*'  before  Lord  Cornwallis  through  the  Carolinas,  and  his  enemy  was  deriving  almost  as  much 
"  aid  from  the  tories  as  he  c"uld  obtain  from  the  whigs  of  that  country,  he  yet  never  proclaimed 
"  martial  law." 

Ritchie's  journal  proceeds  to  accuse  Jackson  of  continuing  this  extraordinary  rule  "  during 
his  ninety  days'  tyranny,"  when  Avar  had  ceased,  and  of  trampling  on  the  freedom  of  the  press, 
and  on  the  institutions  of  his  countrv,  of  insulting  a  judge  on  the  bench,  banishing  him,  ex- 
posing his  function  to  contempt.  "  He  demanded  [says  the  Enquirer]  leave  to  abuse  and 
vilify  the  judge !  The  written  defence  he  offered,  being  rejected  by  the  court,  was  printed.  I 
should  smile  at  its  sophistry,  if  I  were  not  alarmed  at  its  audacity,  and  disgusted  at  the  impu- 
dence with  which  he  pleads,  as  his  protection  from  summary  punishment,  the  very  constitu- 
tion and  laws  he  had  so  long  and  so  recklessly  trampled  under  foot ;  and  denies  his  own  plea 
of  necessity  as  a  proper  foundation  for  the  known  .settled  practice  of  our  courts  of  justice  in 
cases  of  contempt.  He  was  fined  a  thousand  dollars.  In  the  course  of  the  hearing  he  inter- 
rupted, insulted  and  browbeat  the  judge  on  the  judgment-seat."  The  ENauiRER  goes  on  to 
describe  the  deaths  of  Arbuthnot  and  Ambrister  as  wanton,  cruel,  unmanly  murders.  "  Thus, 
sir,  has  an  American  officer  [Jackson]  destroyed  the  lives  of  two  of  his  fellow-creatures, 
without  any  rightful  power,  without  any  adequate  motive,  and  with  such  indecent  precipi- 
tancy as  hardly  to  give  time  for  prayer  in  the  interval  between  judgment  and  death.  Human- 
ity bleeds  at  the  recital ;  and  national  pride  sinks  in  the  American  heart,  oppre.s,sed  with  the 
load  of  shame  and  grief.  He  has  abrogated  the  known  laws  of  nations,  and  promulgated  a 
new  code  of  his  own,  conceived  in  madncsn  or  folly  and  written  in  blood ;  he  has,  in  fine, 
violated  all  laws  human  and  divine,  and  violated  them  with  impimity." 


^V  JACKSON. 


Ipatch  his  pantaloons  or 
fecutive,  the  departments' 
pO.OOO  to  875,000  more 
Jcact.  In  other  words,  he 
lonest  compensation,  that 
r  plunder  lor  its  grip  and 

pd  a  letter  from  Jackson 
>sed  with  Polk  for  dis- 
Btical  clique,  and  to  sub. 
fiave  an  interest  ?  Who 
J-s  meant  General  Simon 
led  for  Thomas  Ritchie  i 
lined  half  the  enmity  and 
■s  backers  through  Tm- 
Pd  to  compete  with  the 

96,  page  259.J 
•  as  having  set  the  U.  S. 

[st  the  Creeks  in  1813-11 

:rief  for  it ;   shame  anii 

knew  they  had  ample 

L  in  his  official  despatch 

^nd  the  carnage  had  con- 

!r  he  was  apprised,  that 

lole  night  to  cool  and  re- 

ixtcen'(ja.n  that  could  be 

'ts.'    Yet  I  will  not  urge 

regard  as  a  stain  upon 

by  his  countrymen  with 

ed  with  contempt  and  re- 

'"awisA  avarice  of  Indian 

oor  crushed  Creeks;  that 
sj  private  character,  but 
utely  refused  to  sanction 
mg  martial  law ;  addin"' 
;ty  is  generally  the  result 
i  nat  Jackson  "  rests  his 
luous  struggle  of  the  re. 
fraction  ot  a  civil  war 
ly,  and  their  friends  and 
r  a  time  clothed  with  af- 
leral  Green  was  flying 
lenving  almost  as  much 
le  yet  never  proclaimed 

aordinary  rule  "  during 
lie  freedom  of  the  press, 
ch,  banishing  him,  ex- 
erj  leave  to  abuse  and 
f  court,  was  primed.  I 
disgusted  at  the  impu- 
nent,  the  very  constitu- 
nd  denies  his  own  plea 
ir  courts  of  justice  in 
f  the  hearing  he  inter- 
e  ENQuinER  goes  on  to 
tnly murders.  "Thus, 
"  his  fellow-creatures, 
iuch  indecent  precipi- 
it  and  death.  Humau- 
trt,  oppres.sed  with  the 
IS,  and  promulgated  a 
;Iood;  he  has,  in  fine, 


POLK,  JOHNSON  AND  MACDUFFIE  AGAINST  CHEAP  POSTAGE. 


301 


On  the  extracts  just  quoted  from  the  Richmond  Enquirer,  I  need  offer  no  remarGs— but 
any  one  who  will  look  earei'ully  upon  the  course  taken  by  Jackson  towards  Calhoun,  must 
be  .sensible  that  Ritchie,  as  the  author  (or  publisher,  if  some  friend  of  his  was  the  anonymous 
writer^  of  them,  was,  to  the  hour  of  Jackson's  death,  looked  upon  as  his  malignant  slanderer. 
Yet  Messrs.  Polk,  Walker,  Marc)r,  Cave  Johnson,  Br.  roll  and  Mason  hasten  to  turn  out  of 
office  a  person  in  whom  Jackson  fully  confided,  and  to  piacc  in  his  stead  Ritchie,  whoso  press 
had  repre.sented  him  to  his  countrymen  as  an  inhuman  mon...er,  unfit  to  live — until  his  popu- 
larity became  boundless,  and  had  then  meanly  swallowed  every  offensive  and  violent  expres- 
sionj  and  become  his  most  fawning  para.site ! !  All  this  Polk  and  his  confederates  did,  as  an 
annoyance  and  vexation  to  the  old  warrior,  shortly  before  he  breathed  his  last — and  yet  they, 
one  and  all,  uplifled  the  stave  to  praise  Jackson  in  death ! !  A  strange  proof  this  of  their  sin- 
cerity !  Hating,  like  Crawford,  the  emigrant,  as  he  does,  also,  seemingly,  the  New  England- 
er,  Ritchie  supported  Crawford  and  the  caucus,  with  Van  Buren  in  1824 ;  and  said  of  Jack- 
son, "  We  would  deprecate  his  election  as  a  curse  to  our  country."  This  is  the  democrat  (I) 
on  whom  some  $50,000  to  $75,000  a-year  are  bestowed,  by  Polk  and  Walker,  and  Marcy 
and  the  party  !  This  is  the  independent  patriot  who  would  not  be  the  hanger-on  of  power, 
and  who  disliked  to  see  editors  rewarded  by  and  becoming  the  stipendiaries  of  the  Executive ! 
'Tis  a  waste  of  time  and  words  to  ask  what  are  Ritchie's  wishes  or  principles,  for  is  it  not 
evident  by  his  past  career,  that  he  is  a  plausible  pretender  to  patriotism,  with  art  enough  to 
keep  up  appearances  before  the  people,  and  ever  ready  to  sell  his  influence  to  the  highest 
bidderl    [See  Nos.  147a,  179a,  179*,  and  239,  in  pages  201,  214,  215,  and  240.] 

Mr.  Ritchie's  old  friends,  the  Virginia  planters,  breed  slaves  as  an  article  of  commerce ; 
and  Texas  is  a  great  mart  for  their  unchristian  traffic ;  his  family  and  connections  are  also 
deeply  interested  in  Texan  lands  and  scrip.  He  was,  therefore,  with  Calhoun,  ready  to  risk 
war  rather  than  not  add  Texan  senators  to  the  Senate,  and  secure  the  power  of'  slavery 
as  omnipotent  in  the  government.  To  his  wholesale  slanders,  through  Mr.  Polk's  Union,  in- 
tended to  injure  me  with  the  American  people,  I  offer  no  reply  here ;  and  as  to  the  dreadful 
uagedy  in  which  his  son  was  such  a  conspicuous  actor,  and  which  resulted  in  the  death  of 
Mr.  Pleasants,  he  probably  could  not  prevent  it,  and  doubtless  suflTered  much  pain  from  it. 

Greene  of  Richmond,  according  to  Dr.  Mayo,  page  119,  is  interested  in  Texas  lands,  over 
8100,000.  He  is  son-in-law  to  T.  Ritchie,  and  a  bankrupt.  Of  course,  annexation  will  aid 
him  powerfully.  The  Tribune  states,  on  personal  knowledge,  that  Texas  lands,  scrip,  dec. 
are  exercising  a  powerful  influence  over  the  press. 

THE  POSTAGE  LAW, 

Though  not  perfection,  is  one  of  the  great  and,  I  trust,  enduring  improvements  of  the  age. 
President  Polk  has  given  us  Cave  Johnson  for  postma.ster-general,  whose  narrow  mind  or 
interest  in  slavery  made  him  oppose  that  law  in  Congress.  Of  his  administration  I  can  say 
but  little.  Thosd  who  ought  to  know,  tell  me  that  there  arc  no  adequate  checks  in  his  depart^ 
ment.  Is  he  the  man  to  devise  and  apply  any  such  1  When  this  excellent  measure  was  at 
its  third  reading,  Colonel  McDudie  of  S.  C.,  pale  and  in  bad  health,  rose  to  oppose  it,  because 
it  would  be  a  burthen  on  the  treasury,  and  President  Polk  sings  the  same  song  in  his  mes- 
sage. He  would  "  limit  its  expenditure  to  its  income."  When  it  was  to  expend  many  mil- 
lions to  drive  the  Indians  from  Florida,  for  the  comfort  of  the  slave-owners,  and  to  risk  war 
with  Mexico,  &c.,  by  the  Texas  move ;  when  it  was  to  pay  millions  of  revenue  for  armies, 
nayies,  and  the  apparatus  of  war,  to  support  the  slave  system;  in  these  things  Cave  Johnson 
and  James  K.  Polk  willingly  assented.  Is  not  intelligence  for  all,  as  well  worthy  a  small  and 
temwrary  protection  as  the  others  1  Is  not  intelligence  a  defence  1  Is  not  knowledge  power  1 
And  is  not  cheap  postage  of  letters  and  papers  a  great  means  of  increasing  knowledge  1  The 
cost  of  northern  postage  is  almost  doubled  to  pay  for  carrying  the  mails  to  the  different  localities 
in  the  south,  where  few  receive  or  send  letters  except  a  few  great  slave-holding  families.  Our 
postmaster  here  has  an  income  far  beyond  the  intention  of  the  law,  or  the  heads  of  depart- 
ments at  Washington.  His  duties  are  very  plain,  and  he  has  an  army  of  auxiliaries.  Why- 
should  a  man  at  Richmond,  Cincinnati,  Buflalo  or  Rochester  get  a  box  for  $1  or  $1J,  and  be 
obliged  to  pay  $4  here  1  Is  this  uniformity  1  Are  not  the  boxes  a  great  convenience  to  the 
post-office  1  Why  tax  the  small  traders  here  four  dollars,  or  deprive  them  of  a  right,  in  order 
to  put  an  enormous  perquisite,  perhaps  $10,000.  into  an  officer's  well-filled  wallet  ?  McDuffie 
is  about  55  years  old— debilitated— much  broken  down— small— homely,  with  strongly-marked 
characteristics  of  his  Celtic  origin.  He  declares  that  slavery  is  the  chief  corner-stone  of  re- 
publican institutions— has  a  clear  and  logical  mind— is  not  eloquent  in  the  popular  sense. 
His  language  is  neilher  ornate  nor  imaginative :  but,  in  argument,  he  is  clear,  logical,  and 
perspicuous.      Morris's  income  must  exceed  $14,000  a-year. 

Silas  Wright  is  erroneously  termed  an  anti-slavery  man.  That  is  a  mistake.  When  in- 
vited in  the  summer  of  1837  to  a  public  dinner  at  Burlington,  Vennont,  he  wrote  in  his  an- 
swer, that  Vermont  was  the  home  of  his  family,  and  that  he  left  it,  at  the  age  of  twenty,  for 
N  •»-  York  state,  in  1815  (when  he  came  to  study  bw  at  Sandy  Hill)— tliat  Van  Buren  was 


V  i    '  V 


I* 


:  I 


,l>.'  •i-.'i'.'-.  •.. 


'-;■:-^^   ) 


4 


,*  • '  .   I  . 


302 


WRIGHT,  VAN  BURRN,  AND  THEIR  |^^  PIP.  RUB.  SOD. 


the  rignt-arm  of  Tompkins,  la^t  war,  when  he  sustained  the  Union;  that  "those  fanatics  (the 
aholitionists)  arc  already  attempting  to  agitate  the  public  mind  as  to  the  evil  of  slavery  in  the 
abstract,"  although  "  they  knew  wnll  that  tiny  attempt  to  abolish  slavery  in  the  district  of  Co- 
lumbia, while  it  exists  iri  the  surrounding'  states  of  Maryland  and  Virginia,  cannot  have  the 
effect  to  give  freedom  to  a  single  slave,  but  would  compel  their  transfer  to  new  masters  in  the 
slave  states."  Wright  is  opposed  to  the  one  term  principle  for  the  presidency.  He  wrote  to 
Ohio,  Dec.  1849,  that  "  the  political  fate  of  her  [N.  Y.J  vice-presidents  has  been  satisfactory 
to  her  republicans,  because  they  were  permitted  to  serve  out  the  time  anticipated  by  their 
friends.  ,  .  Not  so  with  the  Presidents,  they  have  l)een  permitted  to  pre.«ent.  He  [V.B.J  served 
but  one  term,"  &c.  Wright  voted  for  the  Ashburton  treaty ;  and  at  Herkimer  in  18vJ8,  pre- 
pared the  resolve  for  Throop's  nomination.  He  went  Jackson  as  a  "iad  necessity.  The  harsh 
correspondence  in  1819  between  Scott  and  Jackson  is  not  forgotten.  On  the  4th  of  July  anni- 
versary dinner  in  1820,  at  Albany,  Van  Buren  presided,  and  one  of  the  regular  toasts  was — 
"  Maior-Grenerals  Peter  B.  Porter  and  Winfield  Scott — they  were  among  the  first,  and  the  last, 
and  the  best  in  the  field."  Jackson's  services  were  not  even  noticed,  nor  his  name  mentioned, 
not  even  as  a  volunteer.  Just  eight  years  later,  Van  Buren  was  intriguing  for  Jackson  all 
over  the  Union.    Here  is  a  specimen : 

Mr.  Van  Buren  to  C.  A.  Wickliffe.  «  New  York,  July  8,  1828. 

"  My  Dear  Sir, — I  have  received  yours  at  this  place,  and  thank  you  for  it.  You  may  as- 
sure your  friends  in  Kentucky,  that  the  vote  of  this  state  will  be  stronger  for  General  Jackson 
than  his  most  sanguine  friends  anticipated.  Of  three-tburths  tAere  is  not  the  sUshtest  dmibt.  I 
care  not  who  you  show  this  letter  to,  hut  keep  me  out  of  the  naespapers.     In  haste,  your  friend, 

M.  Van  Buren." 

'  The  same  to  T.  P.  Moore.  Same  date. — "  Our  friends  abroad  may  calculate  with  absolute 
certaivMi  on  at  least  three-fourths  of  the  votes  of  this  state.  There  is  no  doubt  of  it.  Nothing 
short  of  the  death  of  our  candidate  can,  I  thinlc,  prevent  it.  If  Barry  [W.  T.l  succeeds  in 
your  state,  the  administration  will  find  it  extremely  difficult  to  keep  their  troops  m  the  field  in 
this.     ...  M.  Van  Buhen." 

I  find  Thomas  P.  Moore  among-st  the  Polk  appointments  of  la.st  month — as  Indian  Agent 
on  the  Upper  Missouri.  The  alH)ve  letters  to  him  and  Wickliffe,  were  intended  to  c:perate  on 
the  election  of  the  Grovernor  of  Kentucky.  When  President,  Van  Buren,  after  making  a 
show  of  unwillingnes.s,  ratified  the  Seneca  Indian  Treaty,  illegally,  lor  he  knew  that  two-thirds 
of  the  Senate  had  not  voted  for  it.  The  way  in  which  the  Indians  are  treated  renders  it  any- 
thing but  surprising  that  they  should  thirst  for  vengeance.  Van  Buren  visited  Taminany 
Hall  in  March  last.  M.  V.  B.  at  Tammany  Hall !  Mike  Walsh  in  prison ! !  and  Butler, 
Price,  S,wartwout,  Hoyt,  Dabney,  Greene,  Levis,  Boyd  and  Hawkins,  not  in  prison ! ! !  Is 
this  arrangement  fF right  1 


COMMON  AND  CHANCERY  LAW— VAN  BUREN  ON  THE  CONVENTION, 

It  was  with  reason  that  Lord  Coke  exclaimed,  "  Miserable,  miserable,  is  the  slavery  of  that 
people  among  whom  the  law  is  either  unsettled  or  unknown !"  And  that  it  is  unsettled  in 
America,  any  one  who  has  looked  at  the  conflicting  decisions  of  our  courts  will  readily 
acknowledge.  We  cling  to  the  feudal  jurisprudence  of  England,  and  refuse  to  reduce  the 
rules  by  which  men  are  to  be  guided  in  society  to  scientific  arrangements,  with  good  laws,  and 
the  examples  beside  the  precept.  Wo  speak  of  giving  thirty  millions  for  a  steam  navy — much 
better  would  it  be  for  us  to  call  together  from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  aye,  of  the  earth,  men 
famed  for  their  learning  of  law,  and  ask  them  to  solve  the  questions,  Whether  it  is  possible  for 
youths  to  become  acquainted  with  law  enough  to  entitle  them  to  plead  for  their  neighbors, 
without  requiring  a  library  of  thousands  of  volumes,  filled  with  the  conflicting  decisions  of 
jurists,  the  statutes,  ordinances,  and  real  or  supposed  usages  of  the  old  world  and  the  new  1 
Whether  it  is  impossible  to  obtain  for  the  magistracy  of  this  republic,  a  clear,  concise,  popular, 
yet  upright  code,  which  its  3500  judges  and  justices  might  comprehend  and  apply  in  lieu  of  the 
COMMON  law  of  England,  much  of  which,  according  to  a  learned  recorder  of  New  York  (who 
has  since  exchanged  the  duty  of  charging  juries  for  tliat  of  discharging  mail-bags),  is  unknown, 
never  having  been  either  written  or  nrinted  1 

A  mysterious  prescription  by  the  faculty  ofmedicine,  saidto  be  in  daily  use,  is:  "R. — Pulv. 
Pip.  Rub. ;  Hyd.  Chlor.  Sod. ;  Acid.  Acct. ;  Mel.  Desp. ;  Aqu.  Fluv.,  M.  Ft.  Garg.  sig. ;  Sum. 

Br.  n."  Even  this  "  pip.  rub.  sod."  is  not  so  metaphysical  as  our  anglo-democratic  law,  for 
rs.  Mott  or  R.  Nelson  could  tell  that  it  is  an  advice  to '"  take  red  pepper,  salt,  vinegar,  honey, 
and  water,  mix  and  make  into  a  gargle,"  often  useful  enough  in  fevers  and  sore  throat ;  but 
in  common  law,  even  the  learned  professors  cannot  agree  either  as  to  the  modes  or  remedies 
of  procedure  to  get  the  good  of  them.  Clinton  vai.ily  recommended  a  legal  code  in  1825,  to  a 
bucktail  legislature;  Brougham,  Romilly,  Bentham  and  Mackintosh  are  among  the  advocates 
of  a  system  or  code  of  rules  founded  on  a  natural  arrangement  oftho.se  actions  which  are  the 
subjects  of  legislation.    Major  Green,  of  the  Boston  Post,  truly  remarks,  that 


lUB.  SOD. 


COMMON  AND  CHANCERY  LAW  REFORM. 


303 


hat  "  those  ^A^fATIcs  (the 
he  evil  of  slavery  in  the 
TV  in  the  district  of  Co- 
irpinia,  cannot  have  the 
r  to  new  masters  in  the 
residency.  He  wrote  to 
Its  has  been  satislactory 
ime  anticipated  by  their 
esent.  He  [V.B.J  served 
Herkimer  in  1828,  pre- 
ad  necessity.  The  harsh 
On  the  4th  of  July  anni- 
the  regular  toasts  was — 
)ng  the  first,  and  the  last, 
lor  his  name  mentioned, 
triguing  for  Jackson  all 

w  York,  July  8,  18S8. 
ou  for  it.  You  may  as- 
ger  for  General  Jackson 
not  the  slightest  dmibt.  I 
In  haste,  your  friend, 
M.  Van  fiuREN." 
ly  calculate  with  abroluk 
no  doubt  of  it.  Nothing 
Ty  [W.  T.]  succeeds  in 
icir  troops  m  the  field  in 

M.  Van  Buren." 
nonth — as  Indian  Agent 
re  intended  to  c;perate  on 
fi  Buren,  after  making  a 
•  he  knew  that  two-thirds 
re  treated  renders  it  any- 
Buren  visited  Tamtnany 
in  prison ! !  and  Butler, 
ns,  tiot  in  prison ! ! !    Is 


IE  CONVENTION, 
ble,  is  the  slavery  of  that 
id  that  it  is  unsettled  in 
four  courts  will  readfly 
ind  refuse  to  reduce  the 
nts,  with  good  laws,  and 
or  a  steam  navy — much 
,  aye,  of  the  earth,  men 
Vhether  it  is  possible  for 
ead  for  their  neighbors, 
conflicting  decisions  of 
old  world  and  the  new  i 
I  clear,  conci.se,  popular, 
and  apply  in  lieu  of  the 
rJer  ol  New  York  (who 
mail-bags),  is  unknown, 

lily  use,  is:  "R.~Pulv. 
M.  Ft.  Garg.  sig. ;  Sum. 
iglo-demcx-ratic  law,  for 
er,  salt,  vinegar,  honey, 
rs  and  sore  throat ;  but 
the  modes  or  remedies 
legal  code  in  1825,  tea 
re  among  the  advocatoe 
e  actions  which  are  the 
:8,  that 


"  A  citizen  may  study  the  Revised  Statutes  and  all  the  state  laws  till  he  can  repeat  every 
section,  and  yec  he  knows  nothing  of  the  offences  lor  which  he  may  be  tried  and  punished,  un- 
til he  finds  out  what  the  laws  of  England  arc,  and  what  the  judges  may  think  proper  to  apply 
to  any  case,  when  they  can  find  no  ready  made  law  at  home.  Even  the  progress  of  civilisa- 
tion and  common  sense  in  England  is  not  allowed  to  be  applicable  to  our  condition  here.  An 
aljflurd,  barbarous,  tyrannical  law,  which  may  have  been  repealed  and  driveft  from  the  com- 
munity in  Great  Britain,  as  unjust  even  in  a  monarchy,  is  nevertheless  good  enough  law  for 
the  free  citizens  of  the  United  States!" 

The  wretched  condition  of  the  common  law,  in  force  here,  was  clearly  shown  not  many 
months  since  in  the  case  of  O'Connell  and  others.  Tliey  were  tried  in  the  principal  common 
law  court  of  Ireland  for  a  penal  offence,  kept  three  months  in  the  penitentiary,  pronounced  to 
be  crimiTials  by  the  learned  judges  and  crown  lawyers;  and  then  their  prison  doors  were  open- 
ed; they  were  entreated  to  accept  of  freedom  ;  the  twelve  judges  of  England,  with  one  accord, 
and  on  oath,  had  declared  that  that  part  of  O'Connell's  indictment  which  the  whole  of  the  Irish 
judges  had  pronounced  to  be  good,  at  common  law,  was  bad,  and  no  law  at  all ;  and  that 
O'Connell  and  his  companions  were  held  in  unlawful  durance.  So  also  said  the  House  of 
Lords;  Lord  Chief  Justice  Denman  declaring  that  the  trial  was  a  "  mockery,  a  delusion,  and 
a  snare."  I  felt  the  force  of  his  reasoning,  for  I  was  twelve  months  confmea  as  unlawfully  at 
Rochester  as  O'Connell  was  at  Kilmainham — but  for  the  poor  there  is  but  little  justice  any- 
where. So  expensive  is  an  appeal  to  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  that  my  friends 
found  it  impossible  to  raise  the  money. 

When  a  railroad  is  la4d  out  we  try  to  make  it  as  straight  and  level  as  possible.  Should  not 
our  law-road  be  straight  also  1  Lawyers  arc  men  of  as  warm,  generous,  and  kindly  feelings 
as  others — they  are  equally  honorable — but  if  society  shall  continue  to  honor  legal  talent 
where  it  snatches  a  villain  of  the  deepest  dye  from  merited  punishment — if  Governors  and 
Judges  shall  continue  to  act  under  an  imperfect  system — if  the  art  of  the  Attorney  must  be 
learnt,  with  all  its  technicalities  and  barbarous  "  pip.  rub.  sod.  "  pedantry,  by  the  American 
scientific  pleader — if  the  student  must  set  up  shop,  buy  an  expensive  library,  and  if  he  then, 
in  nine  cases  out  of  ten,  finds  it  impossible  to  exist  as  an  Iwnest  expounder  of  royal  law,  is  it 
wonderful  that,  Butler  like,  he  joins  .some  .stock-jobber  to  jockey  the  people  through  a  sham 
bank ;  or  Hoyt  like,  cringes  to  power  till  he  can  perch  himself  in  a  collector's  office,  there  to 
embc2zle  wholesale,  and  fee  a  legal  regiment  for  defence,  out  of  the  plunder''  Governor 
Wright  in  his  message  last  January,  told  the  Legislature  that  "the  fewest  and  .simplest  laws 
consistent  with  tlie  security  of  the  great  objects  to  be  attained,  and  the  lightest  buitluus  which 
theit  enforcement  will  permit,  must  be  the  l»est  and  wisest  execution  of  the  tru-t  '  shey  had 
accepted.  Look  at  their  debates  and  proceedings  for  the  result,  and  say  if  a  remedy  is  not 
required'T  The  merchant,  farmer,  landlord,  tenant,  tradesman,  mechanic — all  sutler  in  turn, 
and  often  very  severely,  by  our  defective  law  system.  Governor  Wright's  indicator,  the  At- 
la«,  mocks  us  with  its  substitutes  for  an  efTectual  cure.  It  is  men  learned  in  the  law,  studious, 
experienced,  and  practical,  that  New  York  must  look  to  for  a  code — and  if  we  were  to  pay 
millions  for  it.  never  did  any  people  make  a  wiser  purchase. 

As  to  the  Cnancery  Court,  I  never  had  anything  to  do  with  it  until  the  publication  of  my 
last  book.  I  opposed  its  introduction  into  Upper  Canada,  as  a  member  of  tne  legislature,  not 
because  I  thought  the  system  complete  without  it,  but  because  I  did  not  believe  its  sulxstitution 
of  secret  examinations  in  lawyers  offices,  for  open  ones  before  the  world — its  practice,  exceed- 
ingly arbitrary  and  artificial,  depending  on  rules  made  by  its  administrators,  and  upon  no 
general  principle  of  law — its  questionable  barriers  as  to  what  cases  are  doubtful,  ol.Mure,  and 
therefore  fit  for  equity  courts — its  control  over  money,  property,  everything,  with  chancery 
judges  exported  from  London,  not  for  their  fitness,  but  in  payment  of  debts  political,  would  be 
an  improvement.  Here,  Verplanck,  and  other  enquiring  niinds,  have  sought  to  give  an  ade- 
quate remedy  for  constituted  abuses,  but  have  failed — and  the  danger  is,  that  some  quack  will, 
Van  Buren  like,  prescribe  a  no.strum  even  worse  than  the  charlatanrie  that  now  obtains. 

What  is  wanted  is  a  code  of  law,  a  system  whereby  one  judge,  presiding  in  oni  court,  can 
do  all — with  rules  of  practice,  not  of  his  dictation,  but  framed  and  adapted  for  his  guidance  by 
the  community.  Common  Law  is  built  on  old  precedents — equity  also  professes  to  be  guided 
by  what  has  been  done.  If  the  one  can  be  codified,  why  may  it  not  include  the  other  1  If  our 
laws  are  scientifically  arranged  and  equitable,  why  have  other  conflicting  jurisdictions  with 
unconfined  powers  1  If  they  are  locse  and  confused,  are  not  life  and  property  thereby  endan- 
gered 1 

"  Equity,  as  a  separate  system,"  says  Verplanck,  "  can  hardly  be  sa'd  to  have  worked  well 
anywhere.  Its  uncertainty,  its  immense  powers,  and  still  more,  its  de'.ays  and  expenses,  have 
always  been  a  subject  of  public  complaint.  Its  mode  of  taking  te.sti'riony  has  been  pronounced 
by  high  professional  authority  to  be  the  very  worst  ever  devi.'od ;  dilatory,  expensive,  and 
opening  a  door  to  the  grossest  j»erjury,  and  the  vilest  fraud^^.  Its  advantages  are,  that  its 
powers  are  great  and  undefined — its  process  strl'it  and  ST-arch^iig.  So,  too,  are  those  of  an  a^ 
bitrary  judge  in  a  half-civilized  country,  a  Mandaiin  or  n  Cadi." 


viii 


;i 


*  :.  IS 


M 


/!<   '•  ■•■' 


!;:  •.'■■•,T'- 


'■'•ji.;'i  ■■• 


■'.••••;     ,  • 


304 


FRANKLIN,  HANCOCK,  CUSIIING  AND  PRIVATE  LETTERS. 


Hoyt  has  astonished  this  community  by  swearinja;  that  tlie  letters  published  in  my  former 
pamphlet  are  genuine,  and  asking  the  profits  of  publication.  With  profits  I  had  nothinf?  to  do. 
There  have  been  appeals,  bills,  demurrers,  injunctions,  hearings,  and  decisions.  I  cared  for 
one  thing  only ;  and  that  was  to  get  the  facts  before  the  people.  Were  their  attention  well  di- 
rected to  the  Court  of  Chancery,  a  change  for  the  better  might  take  place  speedily.  Walworth, 
the  Chancellor,  f  had  seen  before,  when  he  called  at  my  office,  inquiring  for  his  friend  Speaker 
Papineau — McCoun  I  had  not  seen,  and  only  heard  or  him  in  the  old  duel  case  of  Eckford, 
Decatur,  Ace.,  and  when  he  took  the  circuit  judge's  place  in  1831,  on  the  equity  side.  I  think 
the  interference  of  McCoun,  as  far  as  copyright  was  concerned,  was  a  violation  of  several  im- 
portant provisions  in  the  U.  S.  Constitution,  and  that  his  decision  in  the  Mitchell  case  (Wet- 
more  vs.  Scovell)  forms  a  curious  contrast  with  the  course  he  took  in  mine.  Being  very  poor, 
I  keep  on  the  defensive — but  had  I  been  involved  in  such  a  case  twenty  years  ago,  the  folks  in 
Canada  are  my  wimes.ses,  that  I  would  have  done  battle  for  the  right  most  cheerfully.  The 
permanence  of  this  government  depends  on  its  justice,  and  if  the  manly  electors  of  New  York 
will  but  wake  up  to  the  importance  of  the  crisis,  the  world  may  yet  bless  the  hour  in  which 
the  greatest  State  in  the  Union  called  together  the  Convention  of  1846. 

In  1769  to  17T3,  private  and  secret  letters  were  written  by  great  men  in  Boston  to  official 
characters  in  London,  against  the  people.  Lieut.  Gov.  Oliver  wrote  "  that  some  method  should 
be  devised  to  ta^e  off  the  original  incendiaries,  whose  writings  supplied  the  fuel  of  sedition 
tkrottgk  the  Boston  Gazette."  Secret  assassination  was  tried  accoiflingly ;  Mr.  Otis,  King's 
Advocate,  a  bold  liberal,  was  attacked  in  his  own  house  with  bludgeons  and  left  for  dead. 
Grovernor  Hutchinson  said,  "  The  union  of  the  Colonies  is  pretty  welf  broke :  I  hope  I  shall 
never  see  it  renewed.  There  must  be  an  abridgment  of  English  lilierties  in  the  Colonies." 
Judge  Oliver  wrote  how  to  harass  tlie  Americans,  adding,  "  By  such  a  step  the  game  will  Ik* 
up  with  my  countrymen."  Such  letters  as  these  induced  the  king  to  refuse  wise  counsel ;  Dr. 
Williamson,  an  eminent  American,  then  in  London,  got  hold  of  the  letters ;  he  gave  them  to 
P^ranklin,  who  enclosed  them  to  Spaaker  Cushing,  in  Boston ;  Samuel  Adams  and  John  Han- 
cock read  them  to  the  Legislature  of  M.xss. ;  they  were  published ;  the  Assembly  petitioned  their 
King  to  remove  the  slanderers ;  the  privy  council  met,  and  Wedderburn  insulted  Franklin ; 
his  speech  was  published  in  the  London  papers,  and  says  Franklin,  "  It  was  the  ton  with  all 
the  ministerial  folks  to  abuse  them  [the  Yankees]  and  me,  in  every  company  and  in  every 
newspaper."  The  King,  Feb.  7, 1774,  ordered  the  Boston  petition  to  be  dismissed  "  as  ground- 
less, frivolous,  vexatious,  and  scandalous;"  stopt  Frankhn's  salary  as  Colonial  Agent ;  took 
from  him  his  office  of  Postmaster  General ;  and  the  government  backed  Whately  in  oppress- 
ing this  man,  whose  memory  the  proudest  monarch  might  envy,  with  a  suit  in  Chancery  before 
the  McCoun  of  that  day,  to  get  back  the  letters  and  the  profits  [ ! !  1  he  had  made  by  publish- 
ing them.  Franklin  could  not  stand  this  acciunulation  of  persecution.  *'  My  finances  (says 
he)  are  not  sufficient  to  cope  at  law  with  the  treasury  here."    He  returned  to  America. 

In  his  speech  before  the  Lords  of  the  Privy  Council,  Wedderburn  [Lord  Loughborough] 
said ;  "  Nothing  then  will  acquit  Jr.  Franklin  of  the  charge  of  obtaining  them  [the  secret  let- 
ters] by  fraudulent  or  corrupt  means,  for  the  most  malignant  of  purposes ;  unless  he  stole  them 
trom  the  person  who  stok  them.  I  hope,  my  lords,  you  will  mark  and  brand  the  man,  for  the 
honor  ol'  his  country,  of  Europe,  and  of  mankind.  Private  correspondence  has  hitherto  been 
held  sacred  in  the  times  of  the  ^eatest  party  rage,  not  only  in  politics,  but  religion.  He  has 
forfeited  all  respect  of  societies  and  of  men.  Into  what  companies  will  he  hereafter  go  with 
an  unembarrassed  face,  or  the  honest  intrepidity  of  virtue  1  Men  will  watch  him  with  a  jeal- 
ous eye ;  they  will  hide  their  papers  from  him,  and  lock  up  their  escrutoires.  He  will  hence- 
forth esteem  it  a  libel  to  be  called  a  man  of  letters,  homo  triuvi  literarum  I " — Prankiin's  Me- 
moirs, vol.  i,  p.  219.  He  concluded  by  comparing  the  great  philosopher  and  patriot  of  the 
Western  world  to  Zanga,  in  Young's  Revenge.  "  I  ask,  my  lords,  whether  the  revengeful 
temper,  attributed  by  poetic  fiction  only  to  the  bloody  African,  is  not  surpassed  by  the  coolness 
and  apathy  of  the  wily  American." 

A  bill  from  the  Assembly  of  this  state  was  sent,  in  1818,  to  the  Senate,  for  concurrence, 
•which  proposed  to  free  those  who  had  dealings  in  small  sums,  from  the  chicanery,  delays,  and 
enormous  costs  imposed  by  trading  attome3's,  by  allo\tang  a  single  justice  to  try  cases  of  ^50 
and  under,  whether  the  action  was  against  an  individual,  a  privileged  lawyer,  a  company,  or 
the  officer  of  a  court — authorizing  any  citizen  to  explain  the  nature  of  the  claim  or  plea  of  any 
other  citizen — and  annulling  and  putting  an  end  to  that  odious  monopoly  of  pleading  and  de- 
fence by  which  privileged  attorneys  had  reaped  enormous  gains  from  a  pillaged  people — so  far 
as  debte  under  S50  were  concerned.  This  attempt  to  introduce  practical  aemocracy  was  re- 
garded by  Van  Buren  with  horror.  He  was  eloquent  against  the  bill — condemned  its  princi- 
ple— wondered  how  justices,  ignorant  of  the  law,  could  decide  cases  of  debt — and  when  he 
found  the  bill  would  pass,  movml  [.see  senate  journal,  page  187]  to  add  to  the  bill  the  following 
dau'ie : 

"  And  be  it  farther  enacted,  that  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  any  person,  NOT  A  LICENSED 
ATTORNEY  OR  COUNSELLOR  OP  THE  SUPREME  COURT  OR  COURT  OF 


1TTER8. 


VAN  BUREN  AND  BEACH  ON  LAWS  AND  CONVENTIONS. 


305 


Wished  in  my  former 
ts  1  hud  nothing  to  do. 
ccisions.  I  cared  for 
their  attention  well  di- 
speedily.  Walworth, 
:  for  his  friend  Speaker 
.  duel  case  of  Eckford, 
e  equity  side.  I  think 
iolation  of  several  iin- 
le  Mitchell  ca.se  (Wet- 
ine.  Being  very  poor, 
years  ago,  the  folks  in 
most  cheerfully.  The 
electors  of  New  York 
ss  the  hour  in  whiclt 

!n  in  Boston  to  official 
lat  some  method  should 
;d  the  fuel  of  sedition 
gly ;  Mr.  Otis,  King's 
ons  and  left  for  dead, 
broke:  I  hope  I  shall 
!rties  in  the  Colonics." 
I  step  the  game  will  lie 
fuse  wise  counsel ;  Dr. 
ters ;  he  gave  them  to 
Adams  and  John  Han- 
s.scmbly  petitioned  their 
irn  insulted  Franklin; 
[t  was  the  ton  ^vith  all 
•  company  and  in  every 

I  dismissed  "  as  ground- 
3  Colonial  Agent ;  took 
ed  Whately  in  opipress- 
suit  in  Chancery  before 
e  had  made  by  publish- 
1.  "  My  finances  (says 
ned  to  America. 

[Lord  Loughborough] 
ing  them  [the  secret  let- 
Bs ;  unless  he  stole  them 

brand  the  man,  for  the 
dence  has  hitherto  been 
,  but  religion.    He  has 

II  he  hereafter  go  with 
watch  him  with  a  jeal- 

itoires.  He  will  hence- 
■um  I " — Frankiin's  Me- 
pher  and  patriot  of  the 
whether  the  revengeful 
irpossed  by  the  coolness 

lenate,  for  concurrence, 
e  chicanery,  delays,  and 
stice  to  try  cases  of  $50 
lawyer,  a  company,  or 
he  claim  or  plea  of  any 
•oly  of  pleading  and  de- 
L  pillaged  people — so  far 
tical  aemocracy  was  re- 
— condemned  its  princi- 
3  of  debt — and  when  he 
to  the  bill  the  following 

1,  NOT  A  LICENSED 
fRT  OR  COURT  OF 


(JOMMON  PLEAS  OF  THIH  STATE,  or  wlio  shall  not  be  actually  en^-aged  in  the  regular 
•tndy  ol  the  Law,  I'O  APPEAR  AND  ADVOCATE  ANY  CAUSE  r'rFOR  AN- 
(JTilER  BEFURr:  A  JUSTICE  OF  THE  PEACE." 

Here  Van  l>iircn's  party  deserlfd  iiini— the  hill  allowed  those  wlio  wantal  attorneys  to  hire 
them,  anil  it  did  not  force  the  jioor  man,  who  Icll  he  liad  been  wrongfully  prosecuted  lor  igiS  he 
did  not  owe,  to  hire  an  attoniey'.s  aj)preritice  to  Hlatc  his  case  lur  a  lee  of  other  $3,  when  his 
neighlior  the  machinist,  carpenter,  or  printer,  was  ready  to  do  it  truly  and  correctly  lor  nothing. 
Van  Burcn's  monopoly  clause  was  voted  down.  Yeas,  Van  Buren,  &e.,  0.  Nays,  Sam. 
Young,  &c.,  18. 

The  bill  also  provided  that  cognovits  or  confessions  of  judgment,  for  flOOand  under,  might  be 
taken  l)cl'ore  a  single  justice  of  the  peace,  who.se  lee  should  lie  25  cents.  (It  was  ft'12  in  U.  Cana- 
da when  I  first  settled  there  I)  Judgments  were  to  be  a  shilling,  and  so  on.  Van  Buren,  Van 
Vechten,  and  Young  addressed  the  Senate  against  the  bill;  it  would  injure  tiie  profesnion,  ren- 
der law  too  cheap,  and  encourage  liligation.  The  hill  passed,  18  to  11.  See  pages  195-6  of 
••"enate  journal.  Among  the  Ij-Navs  on  the  final  vote  weie  Van  Buren,  Hammond,  and 
Samuel  Young. 

On  June  1'2,  1819,  it  was  proposed  in  Senate  to  allow  county  courts  to  try  all  cases  which  do 
not  affect  life ;  but  if  it  was  a  case  involving  the  state  prison  fur  life,  one  of  the  judges  must  be 
a  councillor  of  three  ycars^  standing.  Ross  said  if  the  lawyer  held  the  rank  of  councillor  it 
was  surely  enough ;  he  would  move  to  strike  out  the  words  "  three  years'  standing."  Young  and 
other  9  went  for  that,  but  Van  Buren  defeated  them. 

On  6th  of  April,  1819,  in  Senate,  Hammond  reported  a  bill  to  prevent  lawyers  from  taking 
too  mucli  for  foreclosing  a  mortgage,  over  and  above  printer's  bill,  affidavit,  and  conveyance 
recording,  &c.  Van  Buren  moved  to  give  the  attorney  ft-25.  Lost.  Young  proposed  $20. 
Carried.     But  the  bill  was  got  rid  of.    In  1821,  the  convention  made  some  improvements. 

Now,  184<),  we  are  on  the  eve  of  another  convention.  To  it  Croswell  was  not  very  friendly, 
and  Van  Buren  and  Wright  could  scarce  conceal  their  vexation  when  the  honest  Democrats 
and  Whigs  coalesced  in  its  favor.  Here  is  Van  Buren's  letter,  addressed  to  Peter  Cagger,  Al- 
bany: 

"  Llndonwald,  M(\y  19, 18-t5.  Dear  Sir:  *****  I  had,  however,  allowed  myself  to  hope  that  these 
amendmonls,  and  especially  that  which  would  make  the  State  secure  against  the  abuses  of  the  power  to  bor- 
row money,  from  which  it  has  itself  &o  severely  sufTered,  and  by  which  so  many  of  its  sister  States  have  been 
overwhelmed,  might,  by  perseverance,  he  oljtuined  in  the  mode  provided  by  the  constitution,  before  any  mate- 
rial inrond  was  made  upon  the  cherished,  and  as  it  was  supnoscd,  well  estalilishcd  policy  of  the  State  in 
re!!ard  to  its  liniinres  and  public  works.  For  that  reason,  anil  on  account  of  what  I  believed  to  be  a  wcll- 
UTOunded  apprehension  of  the  bad  effects  that  might  result  from  the  disturbed  condition  of  portions  of  the  public 
mind,  upon  iwints  not  heretofore  involved  in  the  political  issues  ujwn  which  |)arties  have  divided,  I  have  been 
very  decidedly  in  favor  of  a  postponement  of  the  Convention  movement,  and  that  preference  has  been  tinre- 
servedly  expressed  to  the  few  who  did  mo  the  honor  to  ask  my  opinion  upon  the  subject. 

"  Whether  1  wou!d  have  retained  and  acted  upon  that  preference  if  I  had  been  a  member  of  the  Legislatnrp 
and  witnessed  the  papsngo  through  lioth  its  limmbcs  of  u  bill,  which  would,  if  it  had  l)ceome  a  law,  have 
caused  so  sudden  and  so  injurious  u  revolution  in  whiu  was  ho|ied  to  lie  the  established  policy  of  the  Slate, 
upo*  a  |X)int  of  prominent  Importance,  is  very  doubtful.  As  matters  stand,  my  advice  to  the  meeting  and  to  the 
Democracy  of  the  State,  is  to  bury  ihcir  past  divisions,  and  to  ilonll  in  their  (mwer  to  carry  the  great  measwe 
of  a  Convention  to  a  succesatUl  ami  saf<!  result,  by  united  counsels,  and  vigorous,  but  temperate  and  discreet 
efforts.    1  am,  dear  sir,  very  respectliilly  and  truly  yours.  M.  VAN  BUKEN." 

Look  at  the  conduct  of  the  legislature,  at  its  language,  at  the  opinions  of  members  touching 
the  public  press  and  each  other — and  .say.  Is  it  a  supervising  eye  place»i  on  an  eminence,  and 
siecing  all  around  1  Is  it  a  mill  lor  grinding  good  laws,  if  .sparely  fed  with  complaints  and 
memorials  1  Or  is  it  the  tJimult  of  contending  factions,  silencing  the  more  patriotic  1  Say 
which ;  and  then  ask  yourselves,  whether,  if  laws  devised,  examined  and  improved  by  the  best 
legal  talent  in  N.  Y.  "state,  need  revision,  how  much  more  those  laws  Avhicn  were  never  laid 
before  any  legislature,  and  wliich  arc  only  the  ojiinions  of  judges  dependent  on  arbitrary  kings 
during  the  dark  ages  of  English  history  l  '■  Our  laws  and  decisions  (said  John  C.  Spencer,  in 
the  Assembly  of  N.  Y.,  Jan.  6,.18'20')  are  numerous  and  complicated,  and  it  necc.s.snrily  de- 
volves upon  the  judges  to  expound  tliem ;  and  if  the  gentleman  dislikes  the  laws,  and  the  mode 
of  expounding  them,  he  might  adopt  the  recommendation  of  the  late  Governor  Plumer,  of 
New  Hampshire,  and  propose  to  have  the  whole  British  common  law  reduced  to  a  code.  Let 
the  gentleman  from  Delaware  [General  Root]  devote  himself  to  tJie  subject,  and  reduce  the 
wtiole  of  our  multifarious  laws  and  numerous  decisions  into  a  code  at  once,  and  render  them 
clear  and  con.sistent."    In  his  notes  on  De  Tocqueville  Mr.  S.  takes  another  view. 

MOSES  Y.  BEACH  ON  TEXAS.    INFLUENCE  OF  THE  SUN.  ■;.■ 

The  Sun,  a  penny  paper  of  considerable  influence  and  large  circulation  in  New  York,  was 
commencetl,  as  Mr.  Beach  slates,  "  on  the  3d  of  Sept.  1833,  in  a  small  back  room  in  an  ob- 
sciu-e  part  of  William  street,"  with  an  edition  of  500,  and  of  the  size  ol'  a  .sheet  of  letter  pa- 
per ;  "  the  entire  strength  of  the  establishment,  intellectual,  physical,  and  mechanical,  consisted 
of  »ne  man  and  one  boy."  The  sale  paid  expenses,  and  left  profit  enough  to  buy  them  a  8up- 
B 


I  u. 


Il  'fit . 


W^'^'  \ 


>  :  I 


4 
I 

i 


.-'••> 


■  .'■  ♦ 


It'  .1 


!:-••-■ 


■  •  ■■'i 


"■■:  ■    I 
>      f 


306     M.  Y.  BEACH  ON  POLK,  CALHOUN,  HOUSTON,  MARCY  AND  TI'.XAB. 

per.  The  piTsent  owner,  M.  Y.  Beaeh,  .states,  that  he  served  his  apprenticeship  to  a  cahimt- 
maker  ia  ilartt'ord;  worke.l  ion;,' and  hard,  late  and  early;  and  now  owns  tliree  banks  ami 
his  new>pai)i.'r.  1  was  his  iiei!,'libi)r  in  IKW,  and  noted  tliat  he  looked  caieliilly  alter  his  biisi- 
ness.  At  that  time,  as  now,  tlie  pajier  professed  deeoruni  (jf  lanjruaife  and  independence  ol' 
party.  Mr.  Beaeh  is  not  much  of  a  writer  himself,  ^j-  but  he  employ.s  those  editors,  and  thow 
only,  who  will  faithfully  express  sentiments  in  unison  with  hisown.jJJ  In  IKIO  he  had  the 
genuuie  American  leclinRs  of  tl'-i  hone.-t  ami  faithful  class  whose  patronage  has  raised  him  to 
wealth,  and  who  were  delighted,  no  doubt,  at  the  indencndent,  republican  tone  of  his  cheap 
and  useful  sheet.     He  took  a  bold  stand  then  n'.?ainst  Texas  with  slavery,  and  censured  with 

freat  severity  the  attempts  of  Polk,  Calhoun,  Houston,  Jackson,  and  RlcDullie,  to  crush  free- 


[From  the  New  York  Sun,  l)y  Mosea  Y.  Hi-ftcli,  lH3fi.] 

"  In  the  earlier  days  of  our  re|)ulilic,  when  n  high-iniiKled  and  honorable  fidelity  to  ita  coiiHtltiition  waa  an 
object  piiraniount  to  every  mercenury  roiisldorntlon  that  might  conlriiveiie  it,  iin  avowud  Uaal|{ii  ut'  thia  klnil 
againat  the  po.iseasiona  of  a  nation  with  whom  the  United  States  were  at  pence,  would  have  subjected  Its  au- 
thor, if  a  citizen,  tu  the  chart;o  of  high  treason,  and  to  its  consequences.  When  A.tron  Burr  and  his  usaociatex 
were  supposed  to  meditate  the  conquest  of  Me.\ici>,  and  attempted  to  raise  troops  in  the  southern  states  to 
achieve  it,  tliey  were  arrested  fur  treason,  and  Hurr,  their  chief,  waa  tried  for  his  life.  But  now,  behold !  the 
conquest  of  a  part  of  the  same  country  ia  an  object  o|ienly  proclaimed,  not  in  the  letters  of  General  Houatnn 
alone,  but  by  many  of  our  wealthiest  citizens  at  public  banquets,  and  by  the  hireling  presses  in  the  chief  citiev 
of  our  Union.  The  annexation  of  a  foreign  territory  to  our  own  by  foreign  conquest,  being  thus  unblushingly 
avowed,  end  our  citizens  who  are  integral  itortlons  of  our  national  sovereignty  being  o|>cnly  invited  and  incited 
to  join  the  crusade  with  weapons  of  war,  it  becomes  an  Interesting  moral  liiqnir>' — wliat  is  there  in  the  puMir 
mind  to  excuse  or  even  to  palliate  so  tliigrant  a  prostitution  of  national  faith  and  honor  In  tlicso  days,  any  more 
than  in  the  days  that  are  past  1  The  answer  is  ready  at  hand,  and  is  Irrefutable.  An  exlonaivo  and  well 
organized  gang  of  swindlers  in  Texas  lands,  have  raisrd  the  cry  and  the  standard  of  '  Liberty  !'  and  to  thn 
tluiiling  charm  of  this  glorious  word,  which  stirs  the  blood  of  n  free  |ieople  ns  the  blast  of  a  bugle  arouses 
every  nerve  of  the  war-horse,  have  the  generous  feelings  of  our  citizens  rcs|K)nd«d  in  ardent  delusion.  But, 
as  the  Commercial  Advertiser  truly  declares,  '  Never  was  the  Goddess  of  .American  l.iljcrty  invoked  more  un- 
righteously ;'  and  wo  cannot  but  believe  tliat  the  natural  sugarlty,  good  sense,  and  proud  regard  for  their  na- 
tional honor,  for  which  our  citizens  are  distinguished  in  the  eyes  of  all  nations,  will  speedily  rescue  them  frooi 
the  otherwise  degrading  error  in  which  that  vilo  crew  of  mercenary,  hypocritical  swindlers  would  involve 
them.  The  artful  dectivers,  however,  have  not  relied  u|>on  the  generosity  and  noble  sympathy  of  our  fellow- 
citizens,  for  they  Insidiously  presented  a  bribe  to  excite  tlitir  cupidity  also.  'J'hey  liave  not  only  iVIsely  repre- 
sented the  Texian  cause  as  one  of  pure,  disinterested  liliorty  ami  justice,  as  op|Kised  to  perlidiou.i  tyranny  v.r.:! 
cruel  oppression,  but  they  have  themselves  a.ssumed  something  more  than  tlie  liberty  which  they  basely  ami 
hypocriticiiily  advocate,  by  impudently  promising  a  fertile  paradisaical  piece  of  'i'exian  land,  a  mile  si/uare,  to 
every  American  citixen  and  foreign  emigrant  who  will  sally  forth  tu  capture  it  from  the  Mexican  republic  !  In- 
duced by  one  or  both  of  these  objects,  inany  hun<lreds  of  our  enterprl.sing  citizens  Icit  their  own  ninple  anil 
unobjectionable  couiury  to  unite  with  Irish,  Knglish,  and  other  foreign  ^iilventurcrs  In  a  war,  from  the  fullc!:t 
success  of  which  only  some  six  or  eight  Land  Companies,  who  have  fraiululently  and  aiulaciously  niono|)n- 
lized  the  Texian  territory,  would  gain  an  im|)ortant  liencfit.  And  to  this  shrine  of  ostensible  liberty  havr 
many  hundreds  of  our  gallant  youth  been  treacherously  sacrittcod — sacrificed  by  a  mercenary  treachery,  compare'l 
to  which  that  exorcised  by  Santa  Anna,  in  defencn  ol  the  Republic  of  wliich  he  was  Pri-HiilRnt,  was  Innocence 
and  patriotism.  The  object  of  the  colonizing  land  agents  of  the  Houth  was  to  make  this  prolific  province  their 
own.  and  the  tield  of  a  new  and  lucrative  negro  slavery.  To  this  they  still  tenariimsiy  adhere  ;  and  if  they 
can  induce  a  Btrong  force  of  our  American  youth  to  rhod  their  blood  for  the  unjust  and  avaricious  cause  (if 
slavery,  under  the  name  of  Texian  liberty  and  independen'e.tney  will  undoubtedly  sei  -  heir  object.  WedoiiM 
not  the  ability  of  our  gallant  countrymen  to  externiinute  any  number  of  Mexicans  Uh.i  lau  be  brought  .iguinn! 
them  ;  but  In  fighting  for  the;  union  of 'I'exas  with  the  United  States,  which  is  the  ii  .nwed  nu'aning  of  '  Ter.iaii 
Indeixjndence,'  thty  will  be  Jxghtinjt  for  that  Khich  at  no  distant  ptriod  Kill  inrviiahty  disaolv  the  Union.  Thf 
slave  states,  having  this  eligible  addition  to  their  land  of  liondflL'e,  with  its  harbor!<,  b'lys,  and  well  bounded 
geographical  (Msltion,  will  ere  long  cut  asunder  the  federal  tie  which  they  have  long  held  with  un^ncious  snd 
nnfratcrnal  fingers,  and  confederate  a  new  and  distinct  slaveholding  republic,  In  opposition  to  the  whole  fffc 
republic  of  the  North.  Thus  early  will  be  fulfilled  the  predictions  of  the  old  politicians  of  Europe,  that  onr 
Union  would  not  remain  a  century — and  then  also  will  the  maxim  be  exemplified  In  our  history,  as  it  is  in  the 
history  of  the  slaveholding  republics  of  old,  that  liberty  and  slavery  cannot  long  Inhabit  the  same  soil." 

It  is  creditable  to  Beach  that  he  i.s  wealthy,  the  owner  of  tliree  banks  and  a  powerful  jour- 
nal. But,  I  auk  him  to  explain,  why  The  Sun  of  18-16  claims  to  be  the  originator  of  that  dis- 
graceful act  which  it  denounced  in  1830,  as  the  object  of  that  vile  crew  of  "  mercenary,  hypo- 
critical swindlers,"  traitors  to  their  coimtry,  bent  upon  dismembering  the  republic "?  Mordecai 
M.  Noah,  who  is  hired  as  principal  editor  of  the  Sun,  by  Beach,  now,  was  in  1836,  (as  editor 
of  the  Star.)  for  Texas  and  slavery :  he  has  not  changed,  but  why  is  Beaeh,  the  indepenilent 
mechanic,  become  the  confederate  of  those  who  diive  a  detestable  traffic  in  the  south,  and  fwii 
to  add  us  northerns  to  their  plantations  of  bondsmen  1  Why  is  the  Beach  who  once  saw  a 
dissolution  of  the  Union  in  Texan  annexation,  now  ready  to  grasp  at  all  Mexico  1  Why  is 
it  thought  essential  now  (June  11th)  to  say,  "  We  are  and  always  have  been  in  favor  of  the 
Annexation  of  Texas,  and  never  at  any  time  entertained  the  impression  that  Mexico  had  any 
rights  in  Texas,  or  could  recover  that  country  by  the  force  of  anns.  We  never  believed  that 
we  were  doing  injustice  to  Mexico,"  tec.  &c.,  when  old  subscribers,  myself  among  the  number, 
know  that  the  Sun  thought  that  those  who  took  Houston's  course  deserved  the  traitorV  fate' 
The  question  has  not  changed — slavery  and  robbery  are  what  they  were  when  Houston's 


AND  TKXAS. 

■nlicfsliip  to  a  caliiiut- 

owns  three  banks  ami 
caieliiUy  after  his  biisi- 
'^t  anil  indepi-ndcnce  of 

tliost  editors,  and  thowe 
p[  111  IH:?G  lie  had  the 
Ljnai,'e  has  raised  him  to 

icaii  tone  of  iiis  ehean 
very,  and  censured  with 
MeDiillie,  to  crush  free- 
viohition  of  treaties,  nm 
.  1  add  (to  Mr.  BeachV 
lap  at  Nashville,  askinc 


ity  tn  Its  constimtion  was  an 
hvdwlmI  (iHsigii  of  Ihla  kind 
woiilil  have  subjecleil  Its  Ml- 
Aaron  Burr  und  his  usgociRtec 
i\n  ill  the  southorn  9t«le»  t<( 
I  life.    But  now,  behold  !  the 
he  letters  of  Gencriil  Houston 
ling  presses  In  tho  chief  cities 
nest,  l)elnR  thus  unblushlniily 
ling  <)|)enly  Invited  and  incited 
y— what  is  there  in  the  publir 
honor  In  tlioso  days,  any  more 
iiblo.      An  extensive  nnd  well 
nilnrd  of  '  Mberty  I'  and  tn  thr 
)  the  blaot  of  a  bugle  arouses 
ded  in  ardent  delusion.    But, 
iciin  l,ibcrly  invoked  more  un- 
nnd  proud  rettard  for  their  na- 
will  speedily  rescue  them  from 
•iticHi  swindlers  would  involve 
noble  sympathy  of  onr  fellow 
lif  y  Imve  not  only  fi'lsely  rcpre- 
Hised  tn  perlidiona  tyranny  ;'.r.:l 
!  liberty  which  they  basely  and 
■  'J'oxiiin  lanil,  a  mile  square,  to 
roni  the  Mexican  republic  !    In- 
;i/,en»  ielt  their  own  umplo  and 
urcrs  in  ii  war,  from  the  fullest 
lently  and  aiulaciimsly  mono|)o- 
urine   of  ostensible  liberty  havr 
i  mercenary  treachery,  coinparp'l 
le  WHS  Pri'sidont,  was  innorenc: 
make  thit  prolific  province  their 
teniiriously  adhere  ;   and  if  they 
unjust  and  avaricious  cause  of 
illysei.    '-   heir  object.  WedouM 
.cans  tU..i  I  an  be  brought  naainn! 
the  11  .owed  me.ininp  of  '  Ter.iaii 
•vitahly  dissolv*  the  Union.    Thf 
harborf,  b-tys,  anil  well  bounded 
fe  long  held  with  ungracious  »nd 
,  in  opposition  to  the  whole  ftfc 
1  politicians  of  Europe,  that  out 
ificd  in  our  history,  as  It  Is  in  the 
tig  Inhabit  the  same  soil." 

banks  and  a  powerful  jour- 
be  the  originator  of  that  dis- 

crcw  of  "mercenary,  hypo- 
ing the  republic  1  Mordecai 
low,  was  in  183C,  (as  editor 
y  is  Beach,  the  indeiiemlent 
traffic  in  the  south,  and  seek 
the  Beach  who  once  saw  a 
^p  at  all  Mexico  1  Why  is 
s  have  been  in  favor  of  the 
oression  that  Mexico  had  any 
as.  We  never  believed  thai 
rs,  myself  among  the  number, 
5  deserved  the  traitor'.''  fate' 

they  were  when  Hou.«ton'j 


VAN  niJRKN'.S  KARLY  KNOWLEDGE  OF  BANK  AND  STATIC  UNIONS.     307 

'  ijicrconary  treachery"  was  odious  in  Beach's  sifjjht.  It  is  a.s.scrted,  and  I  Iclieve  it,  that 
Beach,  had  ho  not  lieen  first  silcncecL,  and  then  broufjht  quite  rouml,  could,  throiii,'h  The  .Sun, 
have  prevented  annexation.  I  do  not  overrate  the  power  of  his  press  wiicn  I  .--ay  this ;  and  as 
it  is  hinted,  both  privately  and  publicly,  that  those  mercenary  motives,  that  ilesire  for  Texa.s 
land, and  still  more,  to  give  new  value  to  Texas  serin,  which  Beach  asciibed  toothers,  tinally 
seduced  himself,  and  caused  him  to  turn  and  lollow'  Mai\j/,  Houston,  and  the  slave  traders, 
eedle."s  of  the  injury  he  did  to  his  own  class,  and  The  good  cause  of  freedom,  which  he  once 
i)i<;hly  valued,  i  ask  him  to  explain  the  above  paragraph,  as  compared  with  his  pre.sentcoiir.se. 

It  is  right  that  I  should  here  state,  that  1  do  not  know  that  Mr.  Beach  has,  or  ever  had,  any 
pecuniary  inducement  to  change  his  coiirsi; — but  as  his  editors  are  merely  the  tools  or  instru- 
ments he  works  with,  and  thrown  by  when  they  do  not  suit  him,  I  am  warrant'Ml  in  asking 
why  he  has  thus  used  the  vast  power  placed  in  Ids  hands,  liur  temperate  and  patr.otic  purposes, 
iy  a  confiding  public. 

An  account  of  the  Lehigh  Bank  was  written  for  this  work,  in  connexion  with  the  case  of 
I'an  Buren's  friend,  Daniel  M'Cook,  a  delegate  to  the  Baltimore  Convention  cyf  IWO,  and 
DOW  in  trouble  at  Hanisburgh.  It  seemed  to  be  the  better  cour.'^e,  however,  to  await  the  result 
iif  pending  proceeding.s,  and  not  attempt  to  prejudge,  through  a  publication  likely  to  be  exten- 
sively circulated,  a  case  of  which  a  jury  will  sooner  obtain  all  the  facts. 

VAN  BUREN  AND  THE  BANK  OF  HUDSON. 

Report  of  a  Committee  of  the  House  of  Assembly  of  New  York,  on  the  bankrupt  Bank  of 
Hudson,  Feb.  3,  1823. 

The  committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  report  of  tho  Attorney  General,  [Talcott,]  with 
accompanying  documents,  relative  to  the  Bank  of  Hudson,  Repoht,  That  the  documents 
accompanying  .said  report,  appear  to  be  an  examination  at  length,  by  James  Powers  and 
Robert  Dorlon,  Esqrs.  commissioners  appointed  to  intiuire  into  the  afikirs  of  the  Bank  of  Hud- 
wn.  The  examination  and  report  of  the  commissioners,  is,  in  it.self,  an  elaborate  produc- 
tion, embracing  ?««»//,  if  nut  most  of  the  promiwnt  tninsadimis  relating  to  the  ajj'oirs  nnd  man- 
o^mciit  (if  this  inslitvtio?!,,  for  mnnij  years ;  abo  its  sUvntum  at  the  time  of  the  failure  thereof . 

That  it  discloses  a  scene  of  wild  speculation,  ruinous  and  improvident  management,  on  the 
part  of  many  of  its  officers,  regardless  of  their  own  characters,  and  the  ordinary  ox  strict  rules 
iilMiankint'  i'lstitutions;  a  summary  view  will  in  part  lie  given. 

Los'-.c.-.  i.ave  been  stistained  by  large  amounls  of  jiaper  having  been  placed  in  the  hands  of 
a!;;cnts  (wlio  gave  ho  security,)  for  tlie  purpose  of  forcing  it  into  circulation,  by  exchanging  it 
for  pnper  of  other  baaks.  IJi.scounts  ajipaiviuly  hav  been  made  for  large  amounUs,  without 
a  compet'.^nt  number  of  the  board  being  present :  and  as  it  appears  from  the  minutes,  in  some 
iiwtaiices,  notes  have  been  entered  as  discounted  or  renewed,  without  the  directors  being  pre- 
sent. Notes  for  largt  amounts  have  been  suli'ered  to  lie  over,  without  either  payment  or  pro- 
te.st,  thereby  discharging  the  endorsers  from  their  liability.  Notes  have  been  discounted  for 
large  sums,  (in  violation  of  a  rule  for  the  government  of  its  officers,)  having  but  one  endor.ser, 
and  in  one  instance  a  note  for  $10,000,  was  discounted  without  any.  One  of  the  ca.shicrs 
gave  no  security  for  the  faithful  perfbrmnnce  of  his  duty ;  and  although  worth  but  $5000  in  real 
estate,  agreeably  to  his  own  statement,  iVequently  endorsed  for  the  officers  of  the  bank,  to  a 
large  aiiionnt,  and  at  one  time,  we  perceive  his  name  upon  paper,  to  the  amount  of  $25,000, 
himself  the  only  endorser.  By  the  report  of  the  commissioners,  it  appears  that  there  was  due 
to  the  institution,  at  the  time  of  its  failure,  from  certain  of  its  officers,  the  sum  of  $143,794,  and 
the  probable  lass,  upon  loans  to  said  officers,  will  be  $100,000.  And  I'roni  extracts  from  the 
Rtatement  showing  the  present  and  probable  state  of  said  institution,  it  appears  that  stock  paid 
in  and  entered  to  aecoimt,  is  $110,000:  and  that  Ihe  notes  of  the  institution,  unredeemed  or 
unpaid,  are  $08,264 :  And  that  the  total  loss,  as  estimated  upon  closing  this  concern,  will 
amount  to  $176,852. 

By  the  accompanying  reprt  of  the  Attorney  General,  it  will  be  observed  that  he  is  of  the 
opinion  that  the  charter  of  the  bank  has  been  forleited;  and  that  sufficient  proof  may  be 
obtained,  to  make  some  of  its  officers  liable  to  account,  in  their  individual  capacity,  for  a  con- 
"siderable  amount  of  debts  due  the  institution ;  believing  that  the  public  good  and  justice 
■equire,  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  similar  practices,  and  for  guarding  the  rights  of  the 
jcommunity,  the  adoption  of  vigorous  and  efficient  measures,  against  those  who  have  wantonly 
trifled  with  the  trust  committed  to  their  charge ;  but  as  some  doubts  exist  in  the  minds  of  your 
committee,  whether  individuals  who  have  made  themselves  liable,  have  the  ability  to  pay, 
jthey  have  therefore  thought  it  advisable  to  give  the  Attorney  General  discretionary  powers  in 
-'.oinmencing  suits  in  behalf  of  the  state.    The  committee  would  therefore  ask  leave  to  intro- 

uce  a  bill.  T.  S.  MORGAN,  Chairman. 

Bank  Election,  [From  the  N.  Y.  Evening  Post.]— Hudson,  January  18,  1814.  At  a  meet- 
ing of  the  Stockholders  of  the  Bank  df  Hudson,  on  the  10th  inst.,  the  following  gentlemen  were 
[Chosen  directors  for  the  ensuing  year:  John  C.  Hogeboom,  Alexander  Coffin,  Gayer  Gardner. 
Robert  Jenkins,  Joseph  D.  Monell,  Richard  M'Carty,  Thomas  Jenkins,  Wn».  P.  Van  Nesg, 
George  Monell,  Scth  G.  Macy,  Thomas  B.  Cook,  Ralph  Barker,  Martin  Van  Buren,    Robeit 


n. '  Xl 


'  1;    •■ 


!:;iC!-''  '. 


;l    iliii 


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(f'  • 

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308 


THE  PUBLIC  LANDS.      THR  AMERICAN  LaND  COMPANY 


I    ■  ■■  • 


Taylor  and  Moses  I.  Cantine,  diroctors  on  ilie  part  of  the  Slate.     At  a  mcetinp  of  the  dirr, 
U)rs,  John  C.  Hogeboom  was  re-elected  president,  and  Gilbert  Jenkins,  cashier. 

THE  SURPLUS  REVEINUE. 

In  Throop's  messai^e,  Jan.  1830,  he  as.serts  that  there  are  pnulential  reasons  for  eontinnirii; 
the  duties  on  imports  to  a  greater  extent  than  tlie  wants  of  government  require,  the  .'urplu*  " 
be  divided  among  the  states.  Jeti'erson,  in  Nov.  1808,  wished  the  surplus  revenue  to  be  ap- 
plied to  the  purposes  of  education,  and  the  improvement  of  roads,  rivers,  and  canals.  Jack- 
son, in  Dee.  1830,  advised  that  surplus  funds  might  be  divided  among  the  states  for  objects  „, 
internal  improvement;  and,  in  1832,  seemed  anxious  to  confine  the  land  sales  to  actual  settlers 
at  about  10  cents  an  acre.  In  Augu.st,  I83t),  when  vast  sums  had  been  paid  for  choice  Ian 
by  the  public,  and  these  lands  thrown  into  inarlfet  and  bought  by  speculators  with  t.'-e  public 
revenue  entrusted  lo  the  Treasury  banlcs,  "Van  Buren  took  groimd  against  distribution ;  and  in 
1841  Walker  and  Buchanan  tried  to  mortgage  the  whole  ol'  the  land  revenue  for  the  balance 
of  debt  Van  Buren  had  created  in  his  ellorts  to  expel  the  Seminoles  from  Florida.  Calhonn 
and  M'Duffie  have  held  opinions  on  revenue  as  wide  asunder  as  the  polls,  M'Connell  of 
Tennessee  projHises  in  Congress  to  give  each  settler  on  the  public  lands  a  free  grant — the  old 
Ciinadian  sy.-tem,  and  better  than  ours — but  the  national  relbrm  plan  is  an  improvement,  fo; 
it  secures  farms  to  the  indu.strious  for  ever — it  is,  in  the  spirit  of  the  law  of  nations,  which,  as 
Vattel  tells  us,  "will  not  acknowledge  the  property  and  sovereignty  of  a  nation  over  any  unin- 
habited counirics,  except  those  of  which  it  has  really  taken  actual  possession,  in  which'  it  haS' 
fomied  settlements,  or  of  which  it  makes  actual  Tise." 

In  John  C.  Calhoun's  speech,  in  Senate,  Feb,  5,  1840,  Globe  report,  he  thus  de.scribcd  the 
swrplus  revenue,  and  land-buying  mania; 

"  With  the  Increased  rise  nf  pr\ccs  liopnti  the  pigantlc  speculations  in  the  pulilic  domain,  the  prieo  of  which, 
lioing  li.xcd  by  !'iw,  could  not  partal<c  ol"  tlie  peiicml  rise.  Toenliirpe  the  room  for  tiieir  operations,  I  know  not  linw 
many  inillions  (lifty,  I  would  supiiosc,at  li';ist,  of  tlie  pulilic  revenue)  was  sunk  in  purchasing  Indian  l.iiids,  at  ttii.i 
fee  simple  price  nearly,  and  rcmovinp  triliu  after  trilie  to  the  West,  at  enormous  cost;  thus  subjecting  inilliun^ 
iin  millions  nf  tlie  choicest  pulilic  i  uids  to  lio  spi/.rd  on  liy  the  keen  and  greedy  sjieculator.  The  tide  now 
swelled  with  irresistible  force  FrtJin  the  banks  the  deposits  passed  liy  discounts  into  the  hands  of  the  land 
speculators  ;  from  thoiu  into  ihc  hands  of  the  receivers,  and  thence  to  the  banks  ;  and  again  and  again  refinit- 
lug  the  same  circle,  and,  at  every  revnhition,  pHssing  millions  of  acres  of  the  |iublic  domain  from  llic  pedpleintii 
the  hands  of  siieculator.s,  lor  worthless  raps.  Had  this  state  of  things  continued  much  longer,  every  acn;  dltlic 
public  lands,  worth  possessing,  would  have  passed  from  the  (Jovernment.  At  this  stiigc  the  alarm  took  |iliici\ 
Tlie  revenue  vvas  atieaiptrd  to  he  sinmndtrcd  by  the  wildest  extravagance  ;  resolutions  passed  this  body,  cil! 
ing  on  the  Departments  to  know  how  much  they  could  spend,  nnd  much  resentment  was  felt  beciuiM' liny 
could  not  spend  tiist  enough.  The  d<'|Kisit  net  was  piissed,  and  the  Treasury  circular  issued  ;  bnt,  as  fur  ;is  i/ie 
currency  was  concerned,  in  vain.  The  explosion  followed,  and  the  banks  fell  into  convulsions,  to  he  resusciu- 
ed  for  u  moment,  but  to  lull  again  from  a  more  deadly  stroke,  under  which  they  now  lie  prostrate." 

Among  the  various  .schemes  of  public  plunder,  got  up  by  Van  Buren  and  his  friends,  I  inay 
iiame  the  Mississipjii  Land  Company,  got  up  to  buy  the'  Indian  reservations.  Amos  Kct- 
dall's  connection  with  it  was  very  discreditable.  The  Courier  and  Enquirer  truly  remarks  ( ! 
another  vast  monopoly,  just  like  the  Canada  Land  Companies  under  monarchy,  "  The  hist,  ry 
of  the  American  Land  Company  is  yci  to  lie  wriUen ;  it  would  have  been  written  long  since 
had  it  not  been  for  the  application  of  the  Gag  Law  by  Mr.  Polk's  packed  Committee  of  Mif- 
pression  and  concealment,  in  1837." 

Of  it  the  Albany  Evening  Journal  says :  "  The  American  Land  Company  was  formed  in 
1835.  It  overshadowed  the  Republic.  Such  a  combination  of  wealth  and  power  had  nevtr 
before  exi.sted  among  us.  The  highest  oflicers  in  the  General  and  State  Governmenis  \ve:f 
sttK'kholdei's  in  this  gigantic  Monopoly.  The  Articles  of  Association  were  drawa  up  by  tut; 
Attorney  General  of  the  United  Stales,  who  was  himself  a  stocl(holder,  and  whose  biutlur 
was  tiie" President.  Its  agents  were  sent  abroad  through  the  new  States  and  Territories  lo 
monopolise  all  the  valuable  public  lands.  The  Land  Uftiees  were  subsidised.  The  siirplu'* 
revenue,  then  in  the  pet  banks,  was  at  the  service  of  these  .specuiatoi's.  iVlillions  of  dullius 
were  invested  in  Michigan,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  M'sEissippi,  Ice.  The  Stockholders  in  this 
i.ivergrown  monopoly  were  selected  from  the  men  in  power.  Vast  political  and  pecuniary  in- 
fluences were  combined.  Standing  at  the  heati  of  the  Albany  stockholdei's,were  Messrs.  Cro>-> 
WELL  and  Burt,  editors  and  proprietors  of  the  State  paper.  Then  came  John  Van  Buren, 
the  .son  of  the  President  of  the  United  States.  Silas  WKiOHT,  Jr.,  a  Senator  in  Congress, 
ihmtigh  whose  influence  the  deposites  were  placed  within  the  reach  of  '  speculators,'  was  a 
sto'i'holder  in  the  monopolizing  American  Land  Company.  And  yet  these  very  men  filled 
the  ointry  with  their  croakings  against  'speculation.'^" 

Now  is  the  time  for  its  history.  Who  will  detail  it  1  Wright,  Butler,  and  Van  Buren  had 
their  custom  house  officers,  to  collect  the  taxes  at  tlie  custom  houses — their  banks  in  which  to 
deposit  the  cash,  charging  no  interest — they  and  their  friends  were  the  directors,  and  they  bor- 
rowed out  the  people's  millions  at  New  York,  Philadelphia,  and  Baston,  bought  immense  tracts  ol 
the  most  valuable  of  the  people's  lands  with  their  own  money,  at  tlie  ver)'  lowest  price — and  sold 
tben?i  back  to  actual  setters  at  hve,  ten,  fifteen,  and  even  twenty  times  what  they  had  cost.  This 
WM  Van  Burenifliu  in  1836,  and  it  is  unchanged. 


CD  COMPANY 

At  a  mcetinp  of  the  diroo 
It  Jenkins,  cashier. 


Icntial  reasons  for  continuinc 

nment  require,  the  (■urphis  lo 

e  surplus  revenue  to  be  ar. 

ds,  rivers,  and  canals.    Jack- 

nong  the  states  lor  objccis  of 

he  land  sales  to  actual  settlers 

d  been  paid  for  choice  lands 

w  speculators  with  the  public 

d  against  distribution ;  and  in 

and  revenue  for  the  balance 

)les  from  Florida.    Calhonn 

as  the  polls.    M'ConnelJ  of 

iu  lands  a  free  grant— the  old 

plan  is  an  improvement,  for 

lie  law  of  nations,  which,  as 

nty  of  a  nation  over  any  unin- 

al  possession,  in  which'  it  has 


report,  he  thus  described  the 

public  domain,  the  prito  of  wliich, 
for  tJieir  operations,  I  know  not  h'uv 
[  in  purrhasing  Iiuiinn  hinds,  hi  ihi.i 
oils  cost;  tlins  sul>jccting  million? 
(1  irrencly  speculntor.  The  tide  now 
counts  into  the  hands  of  the  land 
Jiinl<s  ;  nnd  ugftin  and  apiin  rcpmi- 
!  piii)lic  domain  from  the  pcmieinio 
nued  mnch  lonper,  every  acre  of  the 
At  this  stace  the  alarm  lnuk  iilacc. 
;  resolutions  passed  this  body,  cal' 
:h  resentment  was  felt  lic('«ii>eili/y 
y  clrruliir  issned  ;  l)nt,  iis  far  iis  ide 
:ll  into  convulsions,  to  lie  resusciu- 
ihey  now  lie  prostrate." 

I  Burcn  and  his  friends,  I  inay 
in  re.servations.  Amos  Ken- 
md  Enquirer  truly  remark^  oi 
inder  monarchy,  "  The  hisNry 
liave  been  written  long  siiire 
;'s  packed  Committee  of  Mif- 

■and  Company  was  formed  in 
wealth  and  power  had  iievc 
and  State  Governments  \ve:« 
liation  were  drawa  up  by  tiif 
oclfholder,  and  whose  bruthtr 
icw  States  and  Territories:  to 
ere  sub.sidi.sed.  The  siirplu'i 
:ulators.  Millions  of  liollais 
c.  The  Stockholders  in  thi« 
ist  political  and  pecuniary  ii> 
ckliolders,were  Messrs.  Crok- 
'hen  came  John  Van  Burkn, 
',  Jr.,  a  Senator  in  ConKress, 
each  of  'speculators,'  was  a 
nd  yet  these  very  men  filled 

;,  Butler,  and  Van  Buren  had 
ises — their  banks  in  which  to 
re  the  directors,  and  they  boi- 
ston,  boughtimmcnse  tracts  of 
;ie  very  lowest  price — and  twld 
mes  what  they  had  codt.  This 


